Since no one used the C word in this thread you must be referring to some previous threads since there have been posters on this site that have referred to the Jolida's as crap. If you found that thread you probably saw my response there. If I recall correctly that audiogoner did not claim first hand experience. Let me step up to this issue as you requested.
Ive been at this hobby for over 30 years. I have degrees in Physics and EE and have built a fair number of amps from scratch. In my main system I have also owned or own many ARC, CJ, Melos, Threshold, Pass, Spectral, etc. components. I have no connection to the industry other than as a consumer.
The first thing to keep in mind is that tube amps are high voltage and high temperature devices. They can fail spectacularly in a shower of sparks and flame. This is rare, but it does happen occasionally, even to name brands.
I recommend Jolidas to all of my financially challenged music loving friends. Eleven Jolida units (202,302,502) have passed through my house and I own three. These are older and cheaper models so I could be under rating the company. None of these units cost more than around $500 used. One unit had several dubious solder joints and a few loose fittings which I easily fixed. The built quality of the other units was basic acceptable, no better. All have been working fine for up to three years now. (Clean your contacts, pots and tube socket contacts every year). The Jolida parts (except for the quite good transformers) are just Asian basic commercial quality. You must replace the Chinese tubes. I think they are a great price performance bargain for an integrated amp. Many people buy the Jolida as a DIY chassis and upgrade the parts and modify the circuits. Check out Audio Asylum if you are interested. If you can spend $1500+ (used) you can get better sound and quality.
I bought the ASL 1006 845 SET mono blocks to replace the Jolida in my office. It is the only ASL unit I have owned. Used they cost about four plus times that of a used Jolida (with no preamp stage, switches etc.). The parts are high end audio. The build on my unit is excellent. It won the Absolute Sound Golden Ear Award a few years back. The stock Russian driver tubes were OK. (Absolute Sound gave positive reviews to the high end Jolida a few years ago also). I replaced all the driver tubes with premium NOS and new Valve Arts 845s. The sound is SET gorgeous far better than the Jolidas. I have not compared a similiarly priced ASL integrated to my Jolidas.
Parts and build quality cost money. The unique selling proposition of the Jolida is the very good sound quality per dollar spent not it's absolute build quality or sound. If you can afford better for your main system buy better.
