JumPan2 preamp by Wabun

I was amazed by the JumPan2 preamp which demonstrated during Hi-Fi 4 Sale 2nd Gathering @ Hi-Way Laser. The creator is our active member, Wabun from Ipoh. Apart from an engineer with decent skills in EE, he has wise knowledge in Hi-Fi as well. Apparently, JumPan2 is proudly brought to you by a Malaysian!

This preamp is a two-box design with zero feedback 6922 + JFET class A single ended + separated 75VA power supply. It costs RM1200 for the line stage version, and extra RM300 for MM phono feature.

I urge every Hi-Fi kaki must experience it. Especially, if you have an old integrated amp (with pre-out) or power amp, but wanted to upgrade the sound quality of your setup. As you know, the preamp is the heart of producing sound character to the power amp.

Don't ask me what and how the sound it is, Hi-Fi just could not describe in scientific. Just open your mind and try it yourselves. I am sure you will appreciate for it!

You can contact Wabun at +6016 558 1515 for further enquiry.

yhsam

The sat afternoon meeting completely slipped my mind.......until unker chew called me to ask why I have not turn up(He turn up late too, but managed to meet a few guys, including mugen foo). Anyway unker chew and me went on monday......unfortunately the stuffs have already being dismantled.


Anyone in the klang valley has bought a piece of the action and have installed into his rig? Would like to do a home visit if it's not so much trouble.

Thanks Sam for the comment.. appreciate it.. it was a meaningful experience sharing session through..

Here's an idea:

lets arrange one day for JumPan2 vs. Krell KAV-300i's Pre-Amp stage.
I'll offer to bring my KAV for this shootout.

Maybe someone can offer the use of a power amp & pair of Concertino Domus or equivalent?

Good idea also.. but JumPan2 now review by The Star, can we arrange it after a month how much a Krell 300i retail BTW ?

which 300i are you referring to ?

The old old model is called "KAV-300i" , while the current model is called "S-300i".

The old model sold for USD2K.

The new model is about .... RM10K ? Norman Audio can give a definite answer for this.

My customer swapped the Russian 6922 to Mullard E88CC yesterday and ask me for audition..wow..it really sing very well...he match it with pair of Healthkit-WM5 driving Tannoy Gold with Shure V15
and Denon T/T / Marantz 17 player

Dear Wabun,

Kindly visit me if you are dropping by KL, especially for the purpose of doing VS.

In my understanding of Hifi, I do believe there are good and bad equipments. However, if both good, the only thing makes them different is just character. Don't always ping point "this brand A is better than brand B ...". Enjoy the music with more rational mindset, nothing is perfect, you have to love your equipments.

See ya,
Sam

I agree with you Sam, many hifi set which I feel sounds great to me are old vintage, yet they sound very natural to me..the "natural" here means close to real..( ie:try listen to real piano
note ) and compare with what the hifi set sing out. There are some recording which shout and scream when listen thru modern setup but sound sweet when listen with old vintage..dunno how to clarify in words..Certainly will pay you a visit if I come to KL..thanks

Got pics ? I'm intrigued. How does it compare with other linestages ? What is the type of volume pot used ? Can change to stepped attenuator ?

Regards,
Joe Ling

Wabun, I sincerely look forward to seeing you in KL.

Indeed, I've listened to many setup ranging from few thousand to over hundred thousand. I always keep in mind, don't pinpoint this and that (e.g highs, lows, transparency, separation, clarify, and etc.) of the setup. Just ask yourself, is this setup good enough for long listening, making listeners comfortable and enjoy the music. If so, I will consider GOOD! Because everyone's taste is totally different.

I do believe A-B tests, however the result is for my determination of sound characters; what is lacking of my system, what kind of improvement could put over my system. Definitely, not for determination of GOOD or BAD!

Haha, so majority I appreciated most the systems that I've audited.

Cheers,
Sam

by joeling Yesterday at 8:04 pm

Got pics ? I'm intrigued. How does it compare with other linestages ? What is the type of volume pot used ? Can change to stepped attenuator ?

Regards,
Joe Ling

Two option for faceplate....matt black and acrylic black...kindly contact me for more details if interested..

So which option would give better Sonic performance ?

Wabun,

From the reflection of that beautiful arch on your TV set and the colour scheme of beige and earthy tones, you have a very pretty european styled abode. Very Italian! Franco Serblin your neighbour?

About the faceplate options, the laser etching on the matt is a little rough. I like the glossy one better but with the gold knobs instead but this may end up a little too Audionote.

You could also consider as a limited edition, a faux walnut faceplate finished in satin with matt gold knobs and Jumpan etched in cursive then brush stroked in gold. The walnut would look right at home in your quaint little Italian abode.

Ok, back to Mugen's question...

So which option would give better Sonic performance ?

Only faceplate different. The "inti" is the same so same sound characteristic. Both using tube front stage with single ended non feedback topology. Interstage FET with class A topology. Interstage
directly coupled. with propriety grid auto biasing for tube and phono stage. No need perfectly match tube for optimum performance.

hi Bimmerman, it is not italian style lah, just wood trim.personally like wood trim as it give warmer and more less stress environment. I planted lots of tree beside my house as well...thanks for the recommendation, honestly when look at the actual product, grossy acrylic with anoldized black pot looks better...if not too Densen alike

wabun wrote:

So which option would give better Sonic performance ?

Only faceplate different. The "inti" is the same so same sound characteristic. Both using tube front stage with single ended non feedback topology. Interstage FET with class A topology. Interstage
directly coupled. with propriety grid auto biasing for tube and phono stage. No need perfectly match tube for optimum performance.

But different faceplate would have different resonance characteristics on the chassis and hence also affect the signals due to microphony. So got 2 units with different faceplate to A/B and see which one would sound better?

Also, when can try JumPan2 A/B with Krell Integrated pre-amp section.. ? Maybe at the new B&W shop opening and next hifi4sale gathering ? Someone should bring a KAV-400xi also ... then can test nicely KAV-300i, KAV-400xi, JumPan2, and mebbe can ask Norman Audio to supply a S300i for the gathering session also .... Wow .. this is gonna be so much fun. I can bring some XLO interconnects along just for fun also.

you should bring a preamp for comparison lah. else integrated vs preamp.. aiyo.. dun lah always Krell Krell Krell.. get some other
stuff la. Audio Research..etc

fun fun fun..

Krell good .... why? scared of Krell ah ? Dun give up so fast lar ....


OK, anyone got an Audiolab 8000C ? Can bring to the next gathering?

haha.. one of my customer sold his Cary Audio SLP 94
another customer sold his Counter Point SA3000 after listen and
bought JumPan2. Do you think the Krell Intergrated preamp session
betters than the abovementioned 2 ?

Anytime baby ... anytime! We A/B test nicely !

I started my Hifi journey with Audiolab 8000Q + pair of 8000P driving my belove Morel Renaissance Duet.
The JumPan2 is not same category with the Audiolab, it was designed to compete with Audible Illusion , Audio Research ..etc of preamp. Ok.. will let u know time & date... lets have a fair A/B comparison.

wabun wrote:I started my Hifi journey with Audiolab 8000Q + pair of 8000P driving my belove Morel Renaissance Duet.
The JumPan2 is not same category with the Audiolab, it was designed to compete with Audible Illusion , Audio Research ..etc of preamp. Ok.. will let u know time & date... lets have a fair A/B comparison.

Hi Wabun, sound interesting.. what about the decade old Conrad Johnson PV10 pre-amp ? will bring over to compare if time allow.. Pls let me know when and where is the comparison session.. Must listen to Jumpan2 if so good for that price. Is good to have this kind of session to improve our listening experience..

wabun,

Just curious...
Actually, what is the meaning of the name JumPan, which is being chosen to name after your preamp?

Just curious...
Actually, what is the meaning of the name JumPan, which is being chosen to name after your preamp?

The "history" of JumPan can be found here
http://sites.thestar.com.my/audio/story.asp?file=/2008/11/17/afreviews/2535134&sec=afreviews

Hi Wabun, sound interesting.. what about the decade old Conrad Johnson PV10 pre-amp ? will bring over to compare if time allow.. Pls let me know when and where is the comparison session.. Must listen to Jumpan2 if so good for that price. Is good to have this kind of session to improve our listening experience..

The JumPan1 which I sent for The Star review has CJ PV10 characteristic (according to editor's face to face comment)
However, the JumPan2 (although has similiar sound characteristic)
it has less "fat" than the version 1. the JumPan2 sound more focused and the resolution power is a quantum leap from JumPan1.
Hardly describe by words, you might contact forumer who listen to
JumPan2 before such as "fizi" or come Ipoh ( beside makan tauke chicken ) to have an audition

Website seems to lack the information for JumPan2.

Since it is hand built from scratch, is it possible for the tube to be located outside the box, as oppose in inside, according to the picture above?

Website seems to lack the information for JumPan2.

Since it is hand built from scratch, is it possible for the tube to be located outside the box, as oppose in inside, according to the picture above?

hi.. please send me your email address so I can post more info to you. The JumPan2 design just completed recently and not officially
announce yet. Thanks..

wabun wrote:I started my Hifi journey with Audiolab 8000Q + pair of 8000P driving my belove Morel Renaissance Duet.
The JumPan2 is not same category with the Audiolab, it was designed to compete with Audible Illusion , Audio Research ..etc of preamp. Ok.. will let u know time & date... lets have a fair A/B comparison.

Let me know time & date too. I will bring some cheap interconnect for A/B. JumPan2 is very high C/P pre.

Hi Mugenfoo, I am going to take back the JumPan2 review unit next weekend. Are you and your Krell available next week ? Can we have a "friendly match" , where can we have that ? any volunteer judge ?

wabun wrote:Hi Mugenfoo, I am going to take back the JumPan2 review unit next weekend. Are you and your Krell available next week ? Can we have a "friendly match" , where can we have that ? any volunteer judge ?

I dont want to be a volunteer judge but I want to be a volunteer spectator.

judge, spectator .. same thing lah.

Lets go do at Seremban ! Someone will belanja makan Siew Pau.

Hahahahahaha..
Bet you guys must have high expectations here.
Dont be disappointed with the poor room acoustic and the small room size when you come over.
There is simply not enough space here for 4ppl.

Siew Pau is not a problem.
The shop has lots of supplies.

I can only make it on Saturday n Sunday , Friday to Seremban I can't make it , possible to rearrange the day ? very eager to give Mugenfoo's Krell piece of JumPan's mind.. hehe

oooooohhhhh, this is scary... as good as the Krell integrated is, pitting it directly against a purpose built preamp like the Jumpan 2 is a scary prospect. Still, it could swing either way.

Personally, as far as using a preamp with the KAV-300i is concerned, I feel it could sound best with a thick and rich sounding valve pre.

ahhh... fear not ... i also got another "secret krell" weapon....

That Norman Audio guy had better be sponsoring something for this event !! Eh wabun, friday cannot meh ?? Its a holiday right ?

Saturday and sunday is out for me.

mugenfoo wrote:ahhh... fear not ... i also got another "secret krell" weapon....

That Norman Audio guy had better be sponsoring something for this event !! Eh wabun, friday cannot meh ?? Its a holiday right ?

Saturday and sunday is out for me.

That will be good if Norman Audio sponsors us that particular something for this event.

if on Sunday & in KL/PJ, I can bring my old Audio Research pre.....for fun, not challenge lah..

We are also doing this for fun and not about challenge.
This Sunday is not ok for me.
Already have other appointments.

so what happened? darn, was hoping i could join the shootout. really interested to hear how it sound matching my xa5400es with the emo xpa-5 power amp.

wps

Nothing happened.

i am so sorry to everyone,the unit which taken from Editor has been sold directly to fren when I demo to him,he like the sound very much and took it on the spot,I dun wish to dissapoint anyone,can someone volunteer a place, a power amp and speaker, source so that I can contruct another unit of JumPan and demo it ? no obligation.just a listening session or welcome to bring ur belove preamp for comparison. Hopefully to do it on 2nd of Jan 2010.

or alternatively I welcome all sifu there organize a trip to Ipoh, pay me a visit, I got one JumPan prototype in my house and you can also bring ur preamp to compare overhere, dinner on me for sure

wabun wrote:i am so sorry to everyone,the unit which taken from Editor has been sold directly to fren when I demo to him,he like the sound very much and took it on the spot,I dun wish to dissapoint anyone,can someone volunteer a place, a power amp and speaker, source so that I can contruct another unit of JumPan and demo it ? no obligation.just a listening session or welcome to bring ur belove preamp for comparison. Hopefully to do it on 2nd of Jan 2010.

If you came on last weekend, I also dont have poweramp to try out the JumPan.
It came across my mind last Thursday night.

check out the JumPan2 in the Star Review today

http://sites.thestar.com.my/audio/story.asp?file=/2010/1/11/afreviews/5415356&sec=afreviews

jazzy939 wrote:http://sites.thestar.com.my/audio/story.asp?file=/2010/1/11/afreviews/5415356&sec=afreviews

Alamak, just went out to buy the Star for the review and noticed this link posted. Anyway, my salute to Wabun for his effort and despite the brickbats he cops here. . There are many talents in Bolehland despite our own perceptions on 'local products'. I myself will audit another 'prominent' local product in Bandar Sunway to do comparo to a Benchmark DAC1 this Thursday nite. Will definitely audit this preamp once firm up with with my TT...

Hats off to Wabun

Cheers,

zb

zb,
keep us posted on your findings

Oh yes, keep up the great work bro Wabun. This is certainly Malaysia Boleh!

wabun wrote:check out the JumPan2 in the Star Review today

Wabun,

Well done!

Best Regards.

Hi Wabun,


Any demo and meet up in hi-way laser again? I missed the last one. Will try not to miss any in the future.