MJAB

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.50 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $900.00 from Audio Pro

Summary:
This is really a follow up, as I already wrote about the Jolida 202 and I am so marveled about it. First: It passed about 2 years and until now the amp never failed. Second, here is something interesting: There is a french online magazine (thr.france) that reviewed the Jolida and said it is just great, but they did the test with JJ brand (prior Tesla) output tubes instead of the stock Jolida tubes, so I made the same change and the results where very notorious: the treble went more defined and the bass more round and full, while the midrange (already marvelous) were intact. Another simple think I did (based on the Steven Rochlin review article) was the use of Vibrapods under the stock feet, resulting in a slightly more open highs and mids and somewhat more headroom and less congestion at louder passages (i.e. Previn's Messiaen Turangalila Symphony, Antal Dorati's Grofe Grand Canyon Suite), while chamber orchestra and jazz got better soundstage. I also changed the 12AX7 Jolida tubes for Electro Harmonix, but here I didn't note a substancial difference. My point is, at this price, you will not get a better and more upgradedable amp than this. Speakers? I am now using the famous Triangle Cometes ES (prior I was using the Wharfedale 8.2), and until now it is the better sounding amp/speakers combo I have ever heard for less than two thousand dollars (believe me, I have heard many solid state and tube amps as many kind of speakers).

Strengths:
Again everything. It deserves to be called a legendary product.

Weaknesses:
For the price? Well, perhaps the absence of pre-outs or main-in connections, but I prefer go simple.

Similar Products Used:
Marantz MA6100 monoblock power amplifiers, NAD T743 AV receiver, Yamaha P2500 professional power amplifier, Parasound HCA1000A power amplifier, Quad 405 power amp.

MJAB

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $900.00 from Audio Pro

Summary:
First I have to quote that when I reached the Jolida 202 Audioreview page via Ecoustics.com, I saw the 41 another reviews of this amp; when I reached Audioreview directly, these reviews does not appear on the actual Audioreview page of the Jolida 202 and there is not any rating about it on the amplifiers reviews page, so I posted another review on this page; this will appear as the first review of the Jolida 202 on that page (I do not know why this happened) I will put it simple: these amp is the best tube gear you can get for under $1000; the sound is so marvellous that I am rediscovering my entire CD collection a month ago. By the way, the model I got is a 2004, with a power on blue light instead of green and better transformers and resistors than the prior 2003 model (that´s what Jolida said to me )

Strengths:
Everything

Weaknesses:
Anything

Similar Products Used:
Fisher vintage X100A integrated amp, Parasound HCA1000A amp, Parasound PLD/1100 preamp, NAD T750 A/V receiver

Price Paid:  $670.00 from israel

Summary:
i wanted to try some valve amp, after i tested the jolida 202, i found what i need to make the music sound the best in a very very good price its more realistic than every amp i have ever tried and the sound stage its something that you need to hear not to read............

Strengths:
everything (soundstage, bass, etc)

Weaknesses:
dosent have remote control

Price Paid:  $0.00 from OZ Enterprises

Summary:
So I decided that I'd had enough of listening to music through my Denon AVR 1802 receiver. It's a great receiver, don't get me wrong, but what I really needed was a proper integrated amp for stereo sound. Omer at OZ Enterprises introduced me to Jolida's line of tube and tube/solid state hybrid amps, so I brought home the JD102 tube amp and gave it a serious listen. I was so impressed that I had Omer order me a 202. Besides being closer to the amount that I wanted to spend, it looked nicer (in my opinion) and reportedly sounded more detailed due to the better tubes. I've had my amp for about 3 months now, and I couldn't be more satisfied. After a 25 hour or so break-in period, the bass is tight, the highs are impossibly sweet and the sound has a level of detail and smoothness that I'd never heard before on my system. Even though it sounds great after 30 seconds of warm-up time, I usually leave it on for 3-4 hours at least before doing some serious listening. I haven't replaced the stock tubes yet, although I understand doing so makes a significant difference. My advice to new owners would be to leave the stock tubes in until they're nicely burned-in, and then make a decision concerning tube replacement. My system is: JD202 integrated amp Arcam CD72T cd player Klipsch RF3-II floorstanding speakers Clarity Labs Emberglow interconnects QED 25th Silver Anniversary bi-wire

Strengths:
- Smooth and detailed sound - Very tight bass, once broken-in - Simple controls: one switch, two knobs - Very decent stock tubes - One of the nicer-looking tube amps available, imho

Weaknesses:
- no remote - stock tubes should be replace for maximum effect

Similar Products Used:
- Denon AVR1802 receiver - Jolida JD102 integrated - Jolida JD301 hybrid - Roksan Caspian integrated

Price Paid:  $750.00 from Sound Decisions, LLC

Summary:
This is the JD 202. It is a wonderful amplifier and I do not believe you can find a better amplifier, especially tube, for this price. I am using it with Alon Napoleons and even my wife is amazed at the imaging and soundstage. I have auditioned many speakers and amps/preamps, but this is the best I could find for the money. For under 1500 dollars, I have a system that is great and will only get better as I upgrade my transport, cables, and add the Thunderbolt sub. I might even do a hoe theater with these tubes and Napoleons.

Strengths:
Soundstage, warmth, imaging

Weaknesses:
none to speak of

Similar Products Used:
krell, plinius, sony es