Sound is OK with the stock tubes. Then I replaced all output tubes to NOS Winged C's, 1958 Mullard 12AX7 and NOS Black plate RCA 12AT7. It made a big difference. If youcome across a JOLIDA 302, I highly recommend it.

I bought this unit in early '07 on Audiogon for about $450. It came with the stock Chinese tubes which I replaced with some JJ E34Ls which sounded far better but had problems from the start. After six months I had enough of blowing fuses and replaced them with EH 6CA7s. After nine more months one of the EHs red plated and they were subsequently replaced by the new Tung Sol EL34Bs. I got a year out of those when I started getting distortion out of the right channel (The stock preamp tubes were replaced by NOS Mullards from the get go and have had no problems with them at all). I think I may go the NOS route with the power tubes (If I decide not to try a set of SEDs) Either a set of Mullard XF2s or Amperex Bugle boys. But for right now my Jolida sadly sits unused (It also needs a new preamp tube socket) waiting for the day when she gets fixed and gets a sub woofer out installed (a good cure for the EL34 flubbies).

1) an all-arounder
2) well balanced sound (highs, mids and bass are balanced)
3) great looks, "macho look"
4) very "quiet" amp despite being a tube amp
5) bang for my buck

1) would have been better if phono stage included already - but no big deal really

...apart from this, I cannot find any fault (so far)

In my 10-years in audio, i've been to integrated, then separates, push-pull to SET, then back to push-pull...a friend wanted to let go of this and for his 2A3 SET...well i was just at the proper place at the proper time...it was a fresh NOS unit which he used for barely a few hours, and he bought straight from the USA...luckily, it had Svetlana EL-34s as part of the package plus electroharmonix 12AX7 and 12AT7 tubes...i purchased a set of Westinghouse-branded EL-34s (Siemens), RCA blackplate triple mica 12AT7, Telefunken 12AX7...also asked my friendly neighborhood technician to upgrade the capacitors to Auricaps, Black gates, Panasonic and JJ Tesla, plus change all resistors to Allen Bradleys...the result = WOW!!!...my Dali Concept 6 and Monitor Audio RS1 really sings with this amp...this is ppure all-arounder...this is going to stay at my listening room for a long, long time...pinpoint imaging, i cannot find any fault with this amp (for now)...the sound is so well-balanced, the highs, mids and bass complement each other...IMHO, Jolida should have included the Phono input (MM) for this amp...I'm enjoying more my LPs nowadays...and YES, the manual is very easy to understand...this amp can be even used with a separate pre-amp, isn't that amazing!!...with just easy simple steps in adjusting the volume knobs for suit the listener's taste...

COMPONENTS USED:

Jolida SJ-302 Tube Integrated Amp (Souped-Up)
Jolida JD-100 Tube CD Player
Musical Fidelity XLP-V3 Phono Stage
Clearaudio Microbasic Phono Stage
Dali Concept 6 Speakers
Monitor Audio RS1 Speakers
MIT Terminator 5 ICs
Audience Interconnects
XLO Pro150F ICs
Silver-Plated Copper Speaker Cables
Silver Hospital-Grade Power Cords

Smooth and non-fatiguing.

Lacks in forwardness. Mid range phrases tend to take a "back seat". Maybe the new SIM CDP will change this.

I concur with the positive attributes of the 302A reviews, particularly after upgrading the tubes. I had this unit attached to effecient 92db speakers as a response driven primarly by reviews. Lately, I decided to hook-up my 6 foot electrostatic Maggies 1.6 rated at 86db. The Maggies are rated at 4ohm resistance and they were connected accordingly to the Jolida. Wow! this little unit has the power to vibrate those ribbons. Imaging and spaciousness improved. If you are a lover of jazz and classical and have a set of larger low efficient speakers, give them a try. I'm not certain if electrostatic reponds differently than low efficient conventional drivers but I would like to know what results you get. The system will be further upgraded with a Sim Moon Equinox CDP. I'm hoping this new addition will improve forwardness as I currently use a low budget Yamaha 5 disc changer.

Nice detail. Complete, musical sound. Decent horizontal soundstage. Quiet, black background (although not dead-quiet).

At this price point, there is little to complain about.

I have been using this amp for under two months and it is AWESOME. It replaced a solid-state setup, but I''ve also used Counterpoint tube gear. I bought this used and was lucky to get lots of different tubes to try. So far, I have only used the Svetlana EL34''s and Telefunken 12AX/AT''s. Haven''t done any tube swapping yet to see how bad the original Chinese tube sound. The mids and highs sound terrific. I listen to lots of Jazz and voacals and my recordings have never sounded better. I see several reviews indicating a flabby lower-end. I''m using a fairly efficient (91dB) pair of B&W''s and my low end with the Jolida sounds infinately better than what I got out of the 200W Adcom GFA555 that the Jolida replaced. Anyhow, I''m not a professional reviewer and don''t used their lingo...simply stated, this amp. makes me want to listen to more music!!

Similar Products Used:

Adcom, Rotel, Counterpoint. Presently using Nakamichi DVD, Theta TLC anti-jitter, Cal. Audio Labs Sigma DAC, Stealth silver coax. interconnects, MAD silver ribbon RCA''s, Audioquest Bedrock bi-wire, B

Wonderful sound for less than a grand. Simple interface. Intergrated so it cuts down on cost and space used. Looks the way a tube amp should look.

Transformer mounts, knobs, and connectors are of very poor quality. Stock tubes commit unspeakable atrocities to midrange frequencies when the volume is turned up. The bias testing slots are in an awkward position, and so close to the power tubes that if your not on top of your game you''ll come away with, "EL-34" branded on your monkey spanker.

I bought this piece direct from Jolida 6 months ago. I was irritated that the unit arrived with no bill of sale, a bad power tube, scratched knobs, and a transformer with bent mounting feet which caused it to sit awkwardly. The Jolida rep sent me the proper replacement parts, but actually recomended that I rap on the transformer with a piece of wood and a hammer to get it to sit back down! I opted to remove the transformer and carefully bend the feet back into place. I was very aggravated at first with the issues it was presenting, and if the unit didn''t sound so amazing I would have sent it back. The stock tubes are crap, and I should be ashamed of myself for selling them on ebay instead of throwing them in the trash where they belong. After replacing them with Svetlana Power Tubes and JAN Phillips Pres it was a completely different amp, and gave me butterflies to listen to it through my Dynaco A-25 speakers. I still have not got my bill of sale.

beatiful sound at mid fi price

only 2 dealers in canada

very sexy , great detail through tannoy speakers. cheaply upgraded to svetlanas from the factory. bought it as a show piece for my small town hifi store here in Canada, not much interest yet ,if it doesnt sell .oh well i will just have to take it home.it is so beautiful because many can afford it,but i must give it a 4 star because there is always something better out there...

Similar Products Used:

golden tube 40's

I recently had the opportunity to listen to the "famed' Jolida 302a. I had heard such wonderful things about this amp, but did not really expect much from an integrated at less than $1000. I had heard several integrated amps from the likes of NAD, Rotel, Arcam, Linn, Acurus and so forth. Each have their qualities, but I did not fall in love with any of them.
The dealer hooked up the Jolida with a Rega Planet CD player ($800) and Ruark speakers ($1200). This whole system retails for less than $3000, excluding wire and interconnects, etc. At first glance you'll notice that Jolida did not invest a ton of money into the cosmetics of this unit. This is not one of those stunning looking tube amps. Still, it has that industrial quality about it that makes it look cool. I admit, I like how tube amps look. The knobs for the four selection input, balance, and volume control on the front of the chassy, however, do look kind of cheap. I understand that Jolida will be improving the cosmetics of this unit soon, but at an additional cost of $100. The build quality is good, but not great. OK, so this machine is lean. How does it sound.

At first listen, I was not impressed. It sounded dry and thin. The amp, however, had not been on but a minute. I had to leave at that point, but promised myself I would give it another chance when I had more time. The second time I listened, the amp had been warming up for an hour. What a difference 60 minutes can make. As I played CD after CD, the sound continued to improve. Let me say that, for the money, this is the best amp I have ever heard. Yes, I have heard better amplification, but only in separates costing hundreds more.

Immediately you will notice the classic tube airiness, detail, and lack of grain. It is just so smooth and fluid. It had wonderful dynamic range. The highs were crystal clear. The midrange (a tube strength) was wonderful. Oh, but what about the bass? I was very impressed with the bass on this unit. It was not especially deep (at least not on this system), but it was tight not flabby. I've heard worse bass from separates at $4,000. I am willing to give up a little deep bass (5%-10% in this case) to ensure that the bass I am hearing won't be annoying me in 6 months. Besides, the other qualties in this amp make the bass trade off well worth it! Vocals are practically in your lap. Soundstage is excellent, though lacks the vertical element (hey what do you expect for $850). Mostly, I found myself enjoying my CDs in ways that I had not enjoyed before. I played track after track, saying, "this has never sounded so good!" I stopped analyzing the amp and just enjoyed music for over an hour. Finally, I had to leave the sound room because others wanted in. I hated to leave - that never happens in this price range.

I have not finished researching other amps in the under $1000, but think I've found a winner. For those of you considering integrated amps in the $500-$1000 range, treat yourself and listen to this one. I am new to tube amps, but don't think I'll ever go back to solid state.

Good Day All! I've finally picked up my first tube amp after listening to serveral other types and including solid state. I love the musical sounds that this amp produces. I've hooked them up to Vandersteen 2ci's and was really enjoying it for the most part. The Vandies definitely have high-end roll off. I discovered this after I took my amp into a local hi-fi shop and hooked it up to a pair of Klipsch Legend KL?-30 top-of-the-line horn speakers and a Rotel CD player (forgot the model #). The salesperson was stunned when he heard this little tube amp drive the Klipschs! But not as stunned as I was! I couldn't believe what was coming out of those speakers! The high's were all there! No roll-off whatsoever. The midrange was tremendous and very silky. And don't let anyone tell you these amps have muddled or low bass! INCORRECTOMOONDO! These hi-efficiency speakers were blowing the place away without any ear fatigue! All of this while the volume control was placed at only 9 o'clock.We listened to some old jazz solos, Enya, Patrick O'Hearn and a couple of female artists with acoustical guitars. I played also the cd "Fire walk with me" from the Twin Peaks movie. All of the sounds, breathing, snares and lows were well defined! We spent over an hour listening to these tracks and truly we were both amazed. I chose to listen to the Klipschs because I knew that they not only used horns but they are hi-efficient (104db). The trend I've been noticing in past few months are folks selling off their solid state amps and going back to low power tubes (SET,etc.) and hi-efficiency horn speakers. Just look at all of the want-ads for old Klipsch, Altec Lansings, and JBL. Hmmmm... Not to mention the re-appearance of old Scott, Fisher and McIntosh tube amps on the "for sale" and "wanted" listing. Horns have true voice and sound reproduction over alot of speakers today and they can sound pretty bad if not paired with the right amp. Solid State amps (personally speaking) sound very harsh through horns but the tubes amps cut out the ear-splitting harshness. But the Jolida is my baby now. I can't tell you in words how much this little amp (all 45 lbs of it!) has changed the way I listen to music. I am truly spoiled! I'm giving it a 4 because I know that there is a better tube amp out there but not for the price (the MAC 275! $2500 to $3000 used!)
If you want to go tubes without spending a arm and a leg but want to experience audiphile musical pleasure I HIGHLY recommend JOLIDA!!!!!

I love to play with tube amps. I purchased one of these out of the audio advisor. Its a nice little int amp for a modest system. I tried it on my Klipshorns and found it to be very good for the price. Its not on par with some of the better and more expensive tube amps on the marketor but for $600 it is quite a bargain. I find it worth a listen and recommend it, highly, to first time tubers. Give it a listen, if you can. Chris