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Model: | JD-9A |
Category: | Phono Preamp |
Suggested Retail Price: | $450.00 |
Description: | Tube Phono Preamp |
Manufacturer URL: | Jolida |
Review by tubesforever (A) on November 08, 2006 at 12:58:33 IP Address: 151.151.73.165 | Add Your Review for the JD-9A |
This review intends to discuss how closely a budget phono section can come to delivering high fidelity sound reproduction. When my highly modified Precision Fidelity C7 tube phono preamp’s power supply sizzled, the power zapped other areas of the preamp so I have retired it until I can begin a complete rebuild. I needed a low cost yet high value phono section so I could begin recording a friend’s Jazz LP collection to DVD-A. Several inmates reported overall success using the Jolida JD9A so I thought it would be a good fit for my intended use.I purchased my new unit from a fellow inmate who is an audio retailer. He shipped this to me and I had it within a few days. Right out of the box I was impressed with the weight and build of the Chinese phono section. It is built from heavy gauge steel with a brushed aluminum face plate. The Jolida is a good looking phono section and has a substantial platform should you need to stack equipment on top. It has a blue neon power on/off switch that conflicted with all my other equipment’s power indicators, yet I eventually began to enjoy it. Viva la difference.
One of the things I found while researching the Jolida is that the unit comes with DIP switches on the back that allow the user to select between three different gain levels and to properly load the resistance and capacitance for the cartridge you are using. The outstanding gain of the Jolida is accomplished by op amps and the circuit utilizes two 12AX7 tubes as cathode followers. I found the gain to easily drive my .25mv Denon DL103R and did a great job with a variety of high output MM cartridges as well. It has one set of RCA inputs and two sets of RCA outputs. One set is attenuated so you can use the Jolida with a high gain line stage. I preferred the sound from the full output RCA’s.
I had been listening to my receiver’s mid fi phono section for several months so when the Jolida was installed and playing I was floored by the dynamic and expressive sound. The overall sound balance is very good. The unit was making an impressive first statement.
Soundwise, I have owned a variety of high fidelity phono sections and the one thing that struck me was that the Jolida sounded two dimensional with its stock tubes. There is width and height to the sound but it lacks the 3D sound stage imaging that my other phono sections have delivered.
The Jolida JD9A comes packaged with Shugaung 12Ax7 tubes private labeled as Jolida. I have a great deal of experience with these tubes and I enjoy them for their strong bass and solid midrange but they lack extension and air in the upper frequencies.
I rolled in some other 12AX7 tubes, including Teles and Groove Tube Mullard style issues. A fellow inmate sent me four other tube types to evaluate as well. The Teles are a good match for the Jolida. They provide faster tighter bass, a more 3D soundstage and wonderful air and special qualities. I would describe their overall sound as being crisp and dry.
Then I rolled in some Groove Tube Mullards. These are copied from the 1950’s era 12AX7s which are considered Mullard’s finest sounding 12Ax7’s. I have found these tubes to have outstanding bass response with growl and finely textured detail to the low registers. The midrange is ultra realistic with instruments possessing proper timbre and proportion. The highs with the Jolida are simply delicious. The Jolida excels at high hat, cymbal, woodwinds and brass instrument details.
I feel these Groove Tube Mullard 12AX7’s are a dramatic improvement to the overall sound on the Jolida. So consider evaluating these if you purchase this phono section.
Over several months I played a great number of my all time favorite recordings. The Jolida expressed dynamics and prat much greater than I could have expected for such a small investment.
My sole overall concern is that the Jolida sounds very direct. It portrays the musical event as if you are seated in the first five rows. Different tubes will give you different tonal qualities but this same seat perspective remains in spite of the tubes I rolled. This was a benefit to a lot of my older rock and roll albums but I found it less satisfying when listening to well recorded classical music.
I grew to really enjoy the Jolida for what it does well. I began to really appreciate the musical qualities of the high fidelity phono sections I have owned. Armed with a little extra bonus money, I decided to upgrade to the Audio Research PH-3. This phono section is a Stereophile class B unit and Michael Fremer claimed it knocked right at the door of class A in his opinion.
Comparing these two phono sections might seem unfair. One is a 500 dollar phono section and the PH-3 retailed for $1995.00. What I will say is that the Jolida expresses over 90 percent of the dynamic contrast and bass slam of the PH-3 The PH-3 goes deeper and stronger but the Jolida gives you a solid taste of the good stuff. The Jolida falls short of the inner detail, midrange flesh and delicacy of the PH-3. Interestingly, the Jolida kicks anything I have owned in reproducing highs.
So there you have it. The Jolida is a solid leap away from the basic mid fi phono section. I sense you will be right at the base of the hillside leading to high fidelity sound reproduction. Perhaps the modifiers out there could get you further along the hillside if you want to go the hot rod route.
I enjoyed the Jolida while I owned it. It was much better than I had expected and was easy to work with. I miss the DIP controls and flexibility of the Jolida, but the PH-3 makes my jaw drop to the floor.
I enthusiastically recommend the Jolida JD9A to anyone desiring a new phono section and possessing a budget below 500 dollars. You simply cannot go wrong. The Jolida is one great value for the money.
Product Weakness: | Sounds two dimensional with the supplied tubes. I found Groove Tube Mullard style 12AX7's to deliver outstanding sound. |
Product Strengths: | Excellent slam, decent bass extension and bass detail. A clear view to the midrange and highs that just sound perfectly natural. Great value for the money. |
Associated Equipment for this Review: | |
Amplifier: | Precision Fidelity M7A |
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | Aunt Corey buffered passive preamp |
Sources (CDP/Turntable): | Rek O Kut idlers and belt drives, Technics SL1210MKV, Thorens TD165MKII |
Speakers: | DIY speakers |
Cables/Interconnects: | DIY silver and AudioQuest brand wires |
Music Used (Genre/Selections): | Everything I own |
Room Size (LxWxH): | 25 x 13 x 15 |
Room Comments/Treatments: | I have a vaulted ceiling providing good bass extension and detail |
Time Period/Length of Audition: | Several months |
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): | Monster and PanaMax line conditioners |
Type of Audition/Review: | Product Owner |
Your System (if other than home audition): | Bedini 250 MK II amps driving two 12 inch Peerless XLS-12 sub sonic reinforcement drivers. |
Follow Ups:
Henry
I've had some GT "M"'s running for a week or so now and I'm impressed. Tubes was right. The GT "C" version is also quite good, though. A bit more sparkle in the high end and something seems different in the bass response but I haven't swapped them back in to compare yet.
My tweaks come from years and years of successes and failures and being willing to learn from people smarter and more successful than myself.A Boeing engineering friend turned me on to the GT Mullards. I had complained that my old Mullards sounded great until they wore out and I could not afford the NOS stuff plus I could not be sure it was not a scam artist on ebay selling used as NOS.
I owe most of what I learn from people just like you, Henry, Mosin and FredJ....people willing to share and have fun in a great hobby.
Well, I wouldn't put myself in the same category as most of the regulars here since I didn't get started in "real" analog gear until a year and a half ago. But, I have always been one to "have fun in a great hobby" as you said so well. I have a much nicer system than ever before (although it's not even close to the high end systems some have) and yet I can say that I enjoy the music no more now than I did when I started back in 1970. It's not the gear. I had just as much fun and enjoyment of the music back when I bought my first stereo as I do now. The "toys" change but the "Song remains the same".Good review, Tubes. Your description of the JD 9 is an accurate portrayal and should help people in their decision about whether to try the Jolida or not. (It's only $450 not $500, though.) On a tangent, it's unfortunate that more people don't post reviews just for the diversity of opinions and perspectives. But it can be a somewhat hostile environment here at times and I think it makes people reluctant to post their thoughts on the analog gear they use. Too bad, 'cause an exchange of ideas and constructive critique can be such a great way to learn.
I love doing reviews so people can get an idea of perspective about something they want to try. In today's day and age I could not get out to hear a Jolida myself, so I took the impressions of others here at the asylum and took a leap of faith.I did the same thing with my PH-3. Both the Jolida and the PH-3 have been really great purchases. So having feedback from inmates does help you get what you want.
I actually don't care a wit about the negatives and flaming expressed here on the Asylum. I have no turf to hold, no ego to feed, and no agenda to push. I am here to enjoy the learning experience and share with like minded inmates.
I love the Jolida with the GT Mullards and I hope everyone that buys one of these reads the review and buys a set of these tubes. They really sing nicely together!
What cables are you using between your Jolida and preamp? I am running either Kimber, Monster, AQ, or my DIY silver stuff. So far the Silver is my overall favorite and was cheap to build myself at 125 dollars including the solid silver tipped RCA plugs. Sounds identical to the AudioQuest Sky IC's that cost 1800 to 2100 per pair.
the built-in MM/MC section of my NAD C162 preamp. Best integrated phono stage I've heard, better than the one in the Audible Illusions Modulus 3 and a Music Reference RM5 MKIV preamps I've had in the past.
Henry
I really enjoyed mine, so please do not take this as any type of negative. I find that friends that sell something and then buy it again can all explain exactly what they missed the most from the sound quality of their systems.I know you will love the Mullard style GT's when they arrive. Give them 100 hours before making any critical comments they really go back and forth a great deal before they settle in.
You stated, "When my highly modified Precision Fidelity C7 tube phono preamp’s power supply sizzled, the power zapped other areas of the preamp so I have retired it."Does highly modified have anything to do with power supply sizzled?
Just funnin with ya Jim, but I am curious if they were related.
In a tube circuit as long as things are balanced and overbuilt you are good until things go wrong. In this case the ceramic 30/30/30 mallory high voltage cap cooked and effected other areas of the phono circuit.Steve when it went it sounded like a steak frying and burned holes through the base of the printed circuit board. These can also explode and really create a mess.
I had a shop rebuild the power supply of the circuit. I ended up with great mids and highs but no bass. All gone! Like listening to a pocket radio.
It should be easy to fix, I am saving it for the winter when I cannot do plinth projects! I will be replacing all the caps and resistors and a few leds used for voltage control.
Cheers!
I will be posting pictures of my newest baby soon! It is electric!
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We should rename him HJ forever!
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No Guru, No Method, No Teacher
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