Price Paid:  $300.00 from Audiogon

Summary:
Last year I discovered how great tube equipment sounds, and I have been replacing stuff in my system. Saw the Jolida JD601A in an ad and started doing the research on it, reading the reviews here and elsewhere. Decided to purchase as it was in excellent condition and not expensive. I am very, very happy with my decision. Using the info in the reviews here, I upgraded the power cord (hard-wired Asylum power cord), used sound-damping material inside the chassis and put Black Diamond racing cones underneath. Am using Electro-Harmonix 12AX7-EH tubes. The sound is beautiful, detailed, and both speed and pacing are great. There is a beauty and naturalness to the sound that I didn't experience with the Heart CD6000 and AH! Tjoeb 4000 that I auditioned. In my hearing, of course. The $300 used price and the low cost of tweaks have made this a great value. The Jolida JD601A has been described as the player that "looks cheesy (like a mass market player), but has blown audiophiles away." It is a great addition to my audio system.

Strengths:
Beauty of sound and naturalness. Entirely tube output, no op amps in output path. Great sound for a minimal investment. Jolida has been very helpful in answering questions.

Weaknesses:
Does not look "hi-tech". Remote is a bit flakey--but my universal remote learned the codes and I use that instead, without any problems.

Similar Products Used:
Various solid-state players. Heart CD6000 and AH! Tjoeb 4000.

Price Paid:  $550.00 from Response Audio

Summary:
Bill Baker of Response Audio helped me get over my fears the Jolida's base response wouldn't measure up. I have a 603 on order from him. I can't wait.

I listened to a tweaked 601 hooked to my system (Bryston pre, B&K 4420 amp, Apogee Stand speakers.) I was running a Sony ES and felt my system could be best described as a very good stereo system. An AB test of the two cd players wasn't neccessary. the Jolida walked away a clear winner. the only place the Sony bested the Jolida was in coaxing the most out of my base panel. This Jolida still had its stock Chinese tubes.

Bill told me the Jolida's performance is dependent on peripherals and the tweaking might have contributed to the base problem, depending on what was done. He told me his experience with Jolida players has shown no weakness in the base. Thats good to know.

The B&K has been likened to as being tube like. I didn't know until with the Jolida - it certainly does. the owner of the Jolida uses all tubes in his system. he told me I was well under way having a great system and that if those were his amps he wouldn't change a thing.

I have to say, I've listened to a number of expensive high end systems and that mine is competitive with most and better than some using the Jolida. I can't wait for my 603 from Response Audio.

Strengths:
radical improvement of whole system

Weaknesses:
this unit - base

Similar Products Used:
Onkyo, Sony90ES

Summary:
My first tube CD player and I am VERY presently surprised. I bought this unit 2nd hand. Original owner had performed some basic mods: upgraded power cord, feet were place by Diamond racing cones, material used to dampen vibrartion. The sound is very nice-Armstrong/Sinatra/Ella it does voice very well. Classical pieces have been wonderful-I just feel in love w/"Peter and the Wolf" and the sound fills the living room. The string instruments from some bluegrass that I listen to sounds so real. All of the above is w/o the tube changes that are suggested below. I'm not generally a tube person but I'm thinking of tinkering. There have been reviews suggesting that the Jolida is a bit flimsy...I wouldn't know. I treat my equipment gingerly to begin w/thus never testing it's stress capacity. Bottom line: I think very highly of this CD player.

Associated equipment: Rotel RB980 amp, Rotel RC980 pre, Snell Model D speakers, Audio Magic Spectra IC, Audio Quest Type 6/Type 4 homemade bi-wire

Strengths:
Lovely, rich sound. Isn't that what it's all about?

Weaknesses:
Goofy remote but that means very little to me.

Similar Products Used:
Sony 7ES changer, Rotel 955AX, Denon 920 and many others

Summary:
Since my 10/13/99 summany on the JD601A cd player I've encountered a significant upgrade. As mentioned before, removing the stock Chinese tubes & replacing them with a non-Chinese pair are essential for good sound. My replacements were G.E. JAN 12AX7WA. The G.E.s removed coarseness from the sound & imparted a sense of ease. It also added a bit of sweetness. (I mostly listen to classical.)

But a new version of the 12AX7 has appeared on the market: the Sovtek 12AX7LPS ("LP" stands for "long plate"). What Hi-Fi? magazine raved about its sonic qualities. I therefore purchased a pair for my JD601A and was surprised with the improvement in sound. Soundstage is moderately wider & significantly deeper than with the G.E.s. There's also significantly more detail, yet the music is more relaxed and natural-sounding. Music is a touch less sweet & more neutral than with the G.E.s. Noise floor also seems to be lower. Using the Sovtek 12AX7LPS creates as big an improvement in sound quality over the G.E. JAN 12AX7WA as did the G.E.s did over the stock Chinese tubes.

I purchased a matched pair from TubeDepot.com for $26.79 (including shipping). But if you purchase elsewhere beware that one online dealer from the Chicago area sent me a pair of Electro-Harmonix 12AX7EH, stating they were identical to the Sovtek 12AX7LPS. They are NOT the same tube. (This dealer also refused to give a full refund when I returned the Electro-Harmonix pair.)

Anyway, try the Sovtek 12AX7LPS for the JD601A. It's great!

(NOTE: There's also a "12AX7LP" version from Sovtek but it won't work in some ciurcuits. I don't know if it'll work in the JD601A. Get the 12AX7LPS version, not the 12AX7LP.)

(NOTE: I don't know how significant a role it played but when inserting tubes into my cd player or preamp I always dab the tubes' pins with a thin layer of Caig's ProGold to enhance the electrical connection. I got a small bottle from AudioAdvisor.com for about $17.00. But be sure to wipe off the excess from pins with a q-tip.)

Strengths:
(See 10/13/99 review)

Summary:
The 601A is a mid-fi CD player with high end aspirations. One of its major faults are the original Chinese 12AX7 tubes that the unit is supplied with. The player also has to much output and is not dynamic enough. Out of the box the players sound in a nutshell is like listening to old tube equipment that was designed in the sixties, the sound is turgid and slow but pleasant. The player can be improved by swapping the original 12AX7 tubes. I found that with experimentation that the tube that sounds the best in the unit is not a 12AX7. The trick is to install NOS 12AU7A or JAN 5814A, they have the same electrical characteristics of the 12AX7A but have a lower gain. When the tubes are replaced the player sounds much faster and there is a reduction in output. I also found that putting the unit on something hard improves the speed, I use a custom cut piece of corian countertop. Also the sound is improved in the width of the lateral soundstage by putting the unit on VibraPods under its feet. I can only recommend the unit under these conditions of use. I also had problems with the first two units that I tried with mistracking and errors. The third unit has been working flawlessly for over one year. CAUTION!!!! Jolida is a very flakey company to deal with so view that with a grain of salt

Strengths:
Good depth for a CD player. Excellent stage width.

Weaknesses:
Cheaply built, original tubes need to be changed for best sound.