Home Tubes Asylum

Questions about tubes and gear that glows. FAQ

Draft of my review, in a rush (longish)

Well, I'm also the recent owner of a Jolida JD-102B. I own it since before xmas. Bought it on second-hand, trying to enter the valve world as soon as possible. Actually I was already very late, for having used high-end gear for years, but without valves.
My impressions, although definitively positive (and I do recommend it) are far from being that enthusiastic.
First of all, I'd like to know which valves wpm has actually used. I've found out it can change the sound considerably, although the amp can't resolve that many details.
Perhaps the blame should be on my previous stuff, but, still loving this amp, my impressions, although, once again, positive, are far from being as positive as wpm's. In order to spare you from visiting Inmate Systems section, I'll tell you I used to listen to a DPA (former Deltec) Pre-power combo, using two power amps in monoblock mode. These amps do not sound as solid state as usual with transistor-based amps. In order to have an idea of how they sound do perform a search on www, since it's not what's being discussed here now.
My first impressions were rather negative, since I have received the amp without any kind of valve knowledge, no manual (I'm always waiting for the one I've ordered from Jolida since then), and, worst of all, the tubes being packed apart without any kind of mounting sequence. The sound was decent, but hum was totally intolerable. Fortunately, a friend (a Atmasphere owner) came on rescue, and tuned the bias, putting hum into tolerable levels. After that my impressions became much better and I almost surrounded to the amp's charm, but again, my standards were perhaps too high. There was a weak point I never succeeded in accepting, bass control. There's plenty of bass extension, but it isn't, far from it, how it should sound. Oh, and there's also hum. Even having this cheap computer I'm typing into right now three meters away from the amp, hum is clearly noticeable when music stops. And if you approach your ears, the transformers tell you they're still powered on…
Back to bass control, or perhaps better, to the lack of bass control, I thought it could be some amp/speakers mismatch, but that doesn't happen at other frequencies, far from it, it sounds as beautiful as it should always be. I must reinforce wpm's statements in what concerns music listening pleasure; the amp surely provides a lot of it and that's why I've bought it, so I'm a happy man.
Like wpm, I also have been surprised by the sound levels it can make speakers deliver. Most people I've talked to said it wouldn't work (except the Atmasphere owner friend), most shaking their heads, even in Dankgesang forum, saying ProAc speakers would demand much more than the declared (but surely far from truth) 20 wpc; "While Jolida claims a 20 Watt output per channel, my measurements put it closer to 16.5 Watts at the beginning of clipping" can be read in http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0500/jolida102b.htm, BTW. Anyway, I've constantly being told to low the volume by everybody else who lives in this big flat, which didn't happen when using solid state amps with the same speakers. It really surprises me all the time. Anyway, my experience tells me that if I set the volume so high that means I'm lacking something, and I'm afraid it is indeed so. I must refer here and now my impressions are still fresh ones. Although owning the amp for three weeks, I have not listened to it as often as I'd like to, in order to have more accurate impressions. Most records have had only one or two tracks played, due to lack of time.
I must temper my negative impressions on precision and bass response, among other weak points, because I did perform some demanding tests, as far as chosen music is concerned. I have opted for such heterogeneous music that it would be long to list it. Those who know me here, and I frequent this place since it exists, know I love Bruckner symphonies a lot ("did anybody mention Bruckner?"), and those huge orchestral masses aren't an easy test for any system, far from it. I've tried all kinds of music (although pop and reggae aren't still not allowed here), and the weaknesses remained present all the time.
This is when I should mention the sources I've been using, I guess. I do listen to a lot of radio, but I didn't count on it for system evaluation, but mostly to have the amp warming up only. Serious listening has been performed using two sources, the old Meridian cdp and the Basis 1400 turntable with Benz Glyder cartridge and Lehmann Black Cube phono stage (Basis RB300 tonearm). Meanwhile, the Black Cube as been upgraded to the SE version, and the new power supply had not had enough breaking in yet, so a Rotel RQ-970BX has also been used.
Next step will be having the Studio 100 speakers (on Atacama stands) replaced for the Response One S (on Target R speakers), when I get the necessary courage to access a fifth floor without lifter…
I do not trust the artificially boosted bass of the cdp, so I insisted a lot on turntable listening. Anyway, some CDs have been intensely used, for example, U2's Joshua Tree ("With Or Without You"), ZZ Top's Afterburner ("Rough Boy"), Pearl Jam's No Code ("Off He Goes"), and so on. All records I own both on CD and LP have been used (including Patricia Barber's "Café Blue" and "Modern Cool", Led Zepellin II, etc., etc.).
I'll include a list of records below, but I'm afraid it might be too extensive.
Back to the amp itself, I was using the provided valves until the friend who tuned bias suggested me Sovtek 12AX7LPs for the preamp section, in order to improve the sound. I did buy them but wasn't very happy with the change, although being clearly better. Next I tried Altron-labelled Tunsgram, which gave me a sound closer to my personal taste, but lack the attack and accuracy of the Sovtek; I dare to say the Sovtek sound more hi-fi, more SS, kind of less valve-like (please be gentle, being aware of my lack of valve knowledge!). The valve seller said the power valves I'm using are Russian, probably Svetlana, and the previous preamp ones (already on the age limit) are Chinese. He purposed me a set of English Philips to replace the Russians, but the amount of money involved was around half of the value of the amp itself, so I have declined it. I've also compared a Vincent power cord with a cheap computer one and confirmed the lack of resolution the amp is able to resolve. I'm considering trying a Kimber 8TC-based one though, here at home.
I agree that the amp sounds as valve-like as possible and that it won't disappoint those looking for the extra charm valves can provide. Voices and most acoustical instruments will be heard as if the musicians were in the room, with lots of intimacy, warmth, and passion. The amp isn't too detailed, so is very musical indeed, allowing you to actually share emotions with those you're listening to.
I don't know about covers. Although being mandatory in EU, mine came without any, exactly as shown in http://www.jolida.com/images/JD102B_big.jpg. I disagree about the build quality raving, since it's rather cheapie behind the looks (don't take the buttons out; you'd be disappointed…).

Well, this is just a draft, but I'll try to fill all the possible info though, so:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Product Weakness: Bass control, accuracy, detail, resolution, small hum from transformers.
Product Strengths: Warmth, intimacy, easiness, ability to play loud.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Jolida JD-120B
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): None (Lehmann Black Cube and Rotel RQ-970QX phono stages)
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Meridan 506.20 / Basis 1400 (RB300/BMS Glyder)
Speakers: ProAc Studio 100 on Atacama SE24 stands
Cables/Interconnects: Kimber 8VS (speakers), Kimber PBJ, DPA Slink Two (IC)
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Classical, Jazz, Rock, etc. (see below)
Room Size (LxWxH): 4m x 4m x 2,7m (more or less)
Room Comments/Treatments: Fully carpeted, lots of furniture, records, books…
Time Period/Length of Audition: Three weeks
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
Non-classical music used (artists only): Alan Stivell, B B King, Beatles, Bob Dylan, Brad Meldhau, Cannonbal Adderly, Carlos Santana, Cinnematic Orchestra, Charles Mingus, Chemical Brothers, Cowboy Junkies, Dave Hole, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dire Straits, Edwin Hawkins Singers, Eric Clapton, Fairport Convention, Gary Moore, Jacques Loussier, John Lee Hooker, John Surman, Keith Jarreth, King Krimson, Led Zeppelin, Leo Kottke, Magna Carta, Magnetic Fields, Memphis Slim, Mikkel Nordso, McCoy Tyner, Muddy Waters, Neil Young, Oscar Peterson, Patricia Barber, Patti Smith, Pearl Jam, Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Renee Aubry, Rolling Stones, Smashing Pumpkins, St Germain, Susan Tedeshi, Terje Rypdal, Thievery Corporation, U2, Z Z Top, and so on…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: I wasn't intending to write this until I saw the review, and did it without much thinking. Please do comment it, so I can add what's really missing.

Regards,

Jorge







Regards,

Jorge






This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
  Atma-Sphere Music Systems, Inc.  


Follow Ups Full Thread
Follow Ups
  • Draft of my review, in a rush (longish) - Jorge F 15:51:17 02/06/04 (0)


You can not post to an archived thread.