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Jolida 102B - enough power for Smaller Advents?

I've got an old pair of Smaller Advent speakers that I'm planning on having restored (new foam, etc.). I'm currently looking at an amp to drive them, and thinking about going tube. Although I've never owned a tube power amp before, I'm familiar with the sound of tubes in recording equipment, and I think I would really enjoy a tube amp in my listening system. Based on what I've been reading, Jolida looks like the best deal in my pricerange (ca. $700). However, there doesn't seem to be a Jolida dealer in my area - all the "audiophile" shops around here seem to want to sell me a home theater receiver! Therefore, I haven't been able to audition the amplifier, and I haven't been able to figure out if it would adequately drive the Advents (via the 4 ohm taps, of course).
I don't need thunderous volume. Sources would be my Oppo universal player, and maybe a turntable (through an external phono preamp). I listen to classical, indie rock, and jazz, pretty much in that order. Thanks!
matyas
geraldm121
63 posts
 
I have owned a Jolida 102b for 3 years and while it is an excellent amplifier it would probably not be a good match for Smaller Advents. Smaller Advents are extremely low impedance (nominal is 4 ohms)and current hungry as hell. The Jolida 102 will output (despite what the specs say) about 18 watts per channel on a good day and while the transformers do have 4 ohm taps the power supply was never meant for a load like that presented by Smaller Advents.
Don't get me wrong the 102b is one of the great values in audio today and mine is on the never sell list. It also uses EL84 output tubes which are inexpensive and easy to find (use the Russian 6P14P's they cost next to nothing and work well in the Jolida)and virtually all brands sound good.It also responds well to tube rolling of the driver/input tubes. I really cannot say enough good things about the amp it's just the match with your speakers.....
This is a textbook case of two really good components that most likely will not work well together. Good luck and if you do it anyway let us know how it works out stranger things have happened.

Regards, Jerry
matyas OP
9 posts
 
Thanks, that's kind of what I was afraid of. I'm guessing that if I want to use the Smaller Advents, I'd have to go solid-state. I probably don't have the funds to buy the Jolida as well as a new pair of speakers, but assuming I did, what would be a reasonably-priced pair that can be decently driven by the 102b?
matyas OP
9 posts
 
Well, I got it straight from the horse's mouth, as it were. According to an email I received from Jolida, the 102B will have trouble with speakers rated at less than 88 dB sensitivity. According to some specs I found, the Smaller Advent is rated at around 83 dB.
hoopster
184 posts
 
I wouldn't waste my time with the small advents unless it was just for nostalgia's sake. They just do not sound as good as today's speaker designs. They are constrained and muddeled in comparison. The little Jolida would match well with a set of bookshelf Triangles or Focals which are both highly efficeint and can be found used in the $300 to $500 range.
tsciame
88 posts
 

I've been using my 102b (w/factor mods) with the Green Mountain Audio Europa Max’s with very nice results. Used GMA Europa (not the Max) sell for around $500. Great value for the money.
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