Jolida JD 302B tube integrated, any thoughts?

[stereo_dog]

Looking for opinions and/or thoughts on the Jolida JD 302B integrated amplifier. I've read some good and some bad, the bad being cheap output iron and crappy boards.

Anyone have experience with this amp one way or another? :scratch2:

Thanks.

 

[thymanst]

I've heard the 302 is the sweet spot in the Jolida lineup (possibly the best sounding) - The issue with Jolida is 2 companies fighting over rights (maryland and China) some grey area production of peices - I have a sj502 and the tech said the power section was great , but the pre section was not the best soldering (he touched it up as best he could - mine is an older model)

 

[Shadowdog]

If you want lots of support and great quality with a great to many sound look at the vintage and reproduction Dynaco amps out there. Volume controls can be added for a CD player or affordable preamps can be built. Improved circuit new Dynaco type preamps should be worth looking at too!

Randy

 

[vinylkid58]

I've read some good and some bad, the bad being cheap output iron and crappy boards.

I think the early ones had trans failures. The one I have is approx. ten years old, with zero transformer issues.

The main PCB is typical average Chinese quality, traces will lift in certain places when replacing components, so care must be taken. Octal sockets for the output tubes are cheap, and should be replaced in older amps.

With a few upgrades, the 302b/502b can sound quite respectable.

jeff

 

[Shadowdog]

The thing with the Dynaco vintage or clones is you don't get any of the negatives like cheap output iron or crappy boards. Sonically output transformers are what makes a tube amp unless you go OTL.
If you don't want a Dynaco type there are a number of diy boards, kits etc. from tubelab.com, diytube.com, & triode electronics, classic valve design & others that use high quality parts and designs.
By changing the boards in a Dynaco amp you are really changing the design., but still using really nice iron.

Randy

 

[stereo_dog]

The thing with the Dynaco vintage or clones is you don't get any of the negatives like cheap output iron or crappy boards. Sonically output transformers are what makes a tube amp unless you go OTL.
If you don't want a Dynaco type there are a number of diy boards, kits etc. from tubelab.com, diytube.com, & triode electronics, classic valve design & others that use high quality parts and designs.
By changing the boards in a Dynaco amp you are really changing the design., but still using really nice iron.

Randy

Thanks for the insight. I have Dynaco MK-III's, Baldwin monos and even a set of Altec monos. I was looking for a reasonably-priced tube integrated for a smaller set-up in my office. Found this 302b and thought I'd do some checking.

I'm always like to try out different equipment (as long as I can afford it).

Keep the thoughts coming.

 

[stereo_dog]

I think the early ones had trans failures. The one I have is approx. ten years old, with zero transformer issues.

The main PCB is typical average Chinese quality, traces will lift in certain places when replacing components, so care must be taken. Octal sockets for the output tubes are cheap, and should be replaced in older amps.

With a few upgrades, the 302b/502b can sound quite respectable.

jeff

This one appears to be newer than 10 years. I've read some on the upgrade options, they sound interesting.

 

[stereo_dog]

I've heard the 302 is the sweet spot in the Jolida lineup (possibly the best sounding) - The issue with Jolida is 2 companies fighting over rights (maryland and China) some grey area production of peices - I have a sj502 and the tech said the power section was great , but the pre section was not the best soldering (he touched it up as best he could - mine is an older model)

I've read the same thing, which is why I'm curious to try it and get other's thoughts on it. Thanks.

 

[hjames]

I bought a brand new Jolida JD202BRC in Feb this year - bought it through UnderwoodWally on Audiogon
and picked it up myself at the distributor nearby in Maryland. Plays great, sounds great - remote is a great feature -
nice folks all around, nice amp.
I feed it with a Carver C-1 preamp for all the source switching I needed (Airtunes, Tuner, Oppo disc player, TT).

Michael at Jolida was saying the 202 is a sweet spot of the series ...
Anyway, all I needed was 40w/ch and it delivers fine -
through my JBL 3 ways or the DCM TF-700s I'm playing now.

 

[stereo_dog]

Here's a couple of pics of the amp I'm looking at... maybe someone can give me an idea on age of the unit?

I know the selector knob is not original, not sure why, but it's not a huge deal to me, anyway.

 

[Shadowdog]

For an office amp maybe EL84 PP would fit the bill! Well liked sound. Possibly look at vintage Scott 299A & B , 222C & D , Dynaco ST-35 , others like Pilot & Sherwood , & restore.

The clones of the ST-35 are well liked as the Z-565 output transformers are highly regarded and have UL capability which is ideal for the best sonics with EL84 tubes.

If you don't mind diy look at the full kits from triode electronics &dynakit parts.

George @ tubelab.com has a nice PP simple EL84 board & parts if you want to build a highly regarded affordable amp. You would have to make a base and chassis plate , but could save $. Use the Z-565 output trans.. from triode electronics or others for a great sound.

His site is being updated so here is link. he has a form at diyaudio.com

http://web.archive.org/web/20100613...om/AssemblyManualSimpleP-P/StartHere_SPP.html

I really like my EL84 PP amps!

Randy

 

[vinylkid58]

Here's a couple of pics of the amp I'm looking at... maybe someone can give me an idea on age of the unit?

It's pre 2008, as that's when Jolida introduced the "RC" version IIRC.

jeff

 

[stereo_dog]

It's pre 2008, as that's when Jolida introduced the "RC" version IIRC.

jeff

Cool, thanks.

 

[thymanst]

Cool, thanks.

thats when they got rid of the balance control also -

 

[vinylkid58]

The thing with the Dynaco vintage or clones is you don't get any of the negatives like cheap output iron or crappy boards. Sonically output transformers are what makes a tube amp unless you go OTL.

IMHO, the Jolida OPT's are the best part.

jeff

 

[Shadowdog]

Have you heard say a Dynaco ST-70 in comparison? What do the OPT's look like on that amp?

Thanks1

Randy

 

[vinylkid58]

Yes, a Dynamutt with stock ST70 OPT's. A lot less background noise, much quieter PS than the 302b.

jeff

 

[JRSBat]

I have owned an "in between" 302BRC for about a year. It has the rear plate of the 302CRC (including balanced inputs) but has the front of a 302BRC (lacks the mp3 input jack). It is the Maryland version - I do not know anything about the other Jolida version. The newer Maryland models have some improved electronics - clarity caps and other bits I cannot remember. The upgrade is around a $300 mod to the older 302s.

Attached are some very poor pics I had taken a while back. I took it apart to see if I had the improved electronics. I do have the clarity caps and other bits in mine. The pics were more for determining what parts are there - did not focus on soldering, etc.

The amp sounds great - all the power I need for my small room and efficient speakers.

 

[stereo_dog]

Thanks for the pics, that is a bit different than the one I'm looking at. The seller has the original box and papers, I'll take a look at them to see if I can find a year, etc.