Yogisi

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I bought this amp used about a year ago. It was my first experience with tubes. I chose the Jolida based on reviews here and elsewhere and on the apparent value it represented. I have never regretted the choice.

I'm using Von Schwiekert VR-2 speakers. Not the most efficient out there but the Jolida drives them very well.The amp also responds well to tube rolling and with the EL34, 12AX7, 12AT7 compliment, tube rolling does not require a second mortgage.

It is a very musical, powerful and satisfying amp to listen to. Some have commented that the bass is lacking. I don't find that to be the case. With my speakers, (which can go down to 25Hz), and in my room, the bass is more than sufficient. On the Dave Matthews CD, "Some Devil", track 6, "Grey Blue Eyes", there is a bass note that comes across so low, strong and clean that it seems to liquify the floor. I've heard tighter bass but I've never felt that I'm missing much with this amp.

The value for this product is absolutely off the charts. Well built. Quality parts. Great performance. And from what I've read it responds VERY well to upgrades/modifications. I truly believe that I will not need another amplifier during my lifetime. Buy with confidence and enjoy!

stratman672001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
This is actually the 302A. The only real differences are cometics and a capacitor change. I was running an Adcom system but I could no longer stand the steely, fatiguing sound, so I went on Audigon and found this beauty for $450. Now this is a hefty unit. Very good weight to it. The tubes in it were the stock Chinese which were rolled out. The 12AX7s and the 12AT7s were replaced by NOS Mullards, while the power section recieved a set of JJ E34Ls. While it now sounded fantastic, the unit kept popping fuses every month. I later found out that the JJs had a piece of fillament floating around in one of the tubes. I replaced those with EH 6CA7s (big bottle variant of the EL34). The sound was a touch more open but within 9 months one of them red plated. The unit is now using the new Tung Sol EL34Bs. These are the best tubes I've used so far and the sound is absolutely gorgeous. I have this coupled with a set of Paradigm Atoms and it sounds very full. As has been mentioned, the EL34 is not the bassiest of tubes but the Atoms gently roll off at 55hz so they are actually well matched. The highs are non fatiguing and the mids are full and warm. Where I felt like I had to get away from the Adcoms, the JoLida pulls you into the music. I listen to a wide variety of music and it plays them all with equal aplomb. I have Faces "A Nod is as Good as a Wink..." playing right now and Rod's voice is at its soulful best. Listening to Elvis the first thing I notice is the roundness of his voice. Same with Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. Try to find a vinyl copy of "Dream With Dean... The Intimate Dean Martin" and you'll hear what I mean. It's like he's in the room. If you decide to get one of these, don't be afraid to tube roll (NOS preamp tubes are the only way to fly. NOS power tubes are way too expensive), it's alot of fun too.

MathewM

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $525.00 from Audiogon

Summary:
The 302b is probably Jolida's most popular tube amp and for good reason. At 50 watts of sweet El34 juice it's by far the best dollar for power in the tube amp market. I've listened to other EL34 tube amps on my speakers (VMPS 626R) and the Jolida is the second best. It's a fairly neutral amp by nature but with a tube roll you can go either warm (SED) or cool (Electro Harmonix). So part of the beauty of the 302 besides it's value is that it can match a large variety of speakers. El34's are not known for their bass and the 302 is lacking here. I do find that good bass is also recording dependent. Older CD's can sound small and dynamically lacking compared to most stuff mastered in the past ten years. The nice thing about the Jolida when coupled by a good transport (or better yet the lack of a transport such as a Squeezebox which streams the music via wi-fi from your home computer) is that just about everything is listenable. Tubes tend to distort at loud volumes but the difference is that it's good distortion--even with the raunchiest of rock recordings I experience very little listener fatigue.

Most people buying the Jolida 302b will be first time tube amp buyers. With that said it's an excellent introduction especially if you buy used. Like I said earlier, it's the 2nd best tube amp I've heard on my speakers. The best being a $2K pair of VTL monoblocks. Same EL34 tube component but with 125 watts--big difference in macro dynamics and bass. Also VTL tends to have a warmer tone and there's more 'inner' detail. The better more expensive tube amps like the VTL give you a more enriching sonic experience overall.

Tubes are addictive once you start listening to music through them. I know the Jolida has it's difficiencies but I'm always drawn back to it. It's musical (yes that means you tap your toes and play air guitar) and has enough of that beguiling tube character that lulls you to listen to hours of music every night.

Strengths:
50 watts of sweet el34 power for less than $600 on the used market. Tonally neutral but with a tube roll you flavor it to fit your speakers needs.

Weaknesses:
Slightly bloated bass (but not slow in the least), somewhat lacking detail with warmer tubes like the SED, complex music tends to get a bit 'confused' at louder volumes.

Similar Products Used:
VTL tube monoblocks, Radii tube monoblocks, Panasonic digital receiver, various tube pre-amps with Norh Le Amps (solid state 100 watts)

ridecycling

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Price Paid:  $600.00 from Audiogon

Summary:
I wanted to post my opinion as this is one of the sites that allowed me to gather the information needed in finding this amp - what can I say that has not been said here - its a great little amp - the sound will draw you in like pollen to a bee - it plays really warm and the midrange is spot on, a bit lacking in bass, but by no means a reason not to consider the 302b - I think it is a EL34 characteristic –

I play it with a pair of Triangle Comete ES's and a REGA Planet - I think they match up nicely and play really well together - the speakers shine with vocals and midrange - detail is really nice yet never ever ever hard to listen to - I work from home and I have to say this amp is on all day long - I never really turn it off. I did find that bi-wiring the Comete's really cleaned up the bass, however they were not entirely broken in yet, so that may be an unfair statement, but they sound better bi-wired for sure.

I don't think you can go wrong with this amp plus at night with the lights off the orbs glow like small buildings standing with lights left on in the suites - I have the more recent version 302b with the top mounted biasing, it works perfect and really easy to use. On recommendation by the folks at Jolida I replaced the OEM 2AX7 with some 2AX7EH's - it was not dramatic but it opened up the sound a bit more - also added a upgraded power cord which added yet more breath, again not dramatic just a tad more detail, but no degradation in sound at all just a bit cleaner and more open.

One day I may do a Mod with Underwood Wally - I am sure that will kick it up a few notches but for now as is out of the box, this amp has plenty of nice sound all it's own - you will be nothing but happy! If you are considering the 302b all I can say is just do it – no regrets!!

Strengths:
Warm smooth midrange, great dynamics and clarity, a very musical amp with power that is much more than it's stated 50 wpc.

Weaknesses:
Tubes are Hot - issue in the summer time (handwarmer in the winter though)

Similar Products Used:
Nakamichi TA Reciever

Price Paid:  $600.00 from individual

Summary:
I just needed to throw my thoughts into the hat as this is one of the sites that brought me to this awesome little amp - it is as said by countless others on here as good as they say - if you are looking for an absolutely wonderful sounding amplifier that for its design and build quality basically flawless, you will be amazed at the ability of the sound reproduction this little jewel can reproduce matched well with the right speakers and source equipement you will find virtually nothing that can beat what this amp does and was designed to do - you could spend much more and get way less than a 302b now even better with the top board bias lights built in making biasing a piece of cake - this EL34 beauty is really a treasure not to mention it looks wonderful at night with its four glowing orbs. Long live valves! Matches up really well with the Triangle Comete ES bookshelf speakers - they are fast as hell. This amp blows anything away in it's price or power range!

Strengths:
A dynamicly clear midrange amplifier, first rate build quality, smooth clear and rich feeling sounds.

Similar Products Used:
Nakimichi TA2