why are jolidas so cheap?

I have a Jolida 302A and with the replacement of the Chinese tubes there is absolutely nothing wrong with it for the price. True it is not the best but for your price range you won't find much better. It doesn't match my 300B with a 2C22 or 26 preamp.

Don't let the SS crowd discourage you. Tube sound has depth and sound stage rather than the monodimensional nerve wracking irritation of odd order distortion. The Jolida uses common tubes which are available in a variety of qualities.

Subdoofus,

Previous suggestions are very good. The Audio Refinement gear is great. Tubes are lovely and they are all correct in replacing the cheap Chinese tubes with better whether they be new or New Old Stock (NOS).

I've listened extensively to Antique Sound at CES and a couple of stores and find them to be the ultimate entry level tube gear. Also easily upgraded. They have superior iron (power transformer) to the Jolidas and that makes all the difference, especially with tubes. Good luck.

I agree with the poster who recommended Audio Refinement, I would also suggest you look at the Musical Fidelity A3 integrated. The Bryston mentioned is also very good, but more expensive. I definitely agree that mid-fi tubes can't hold a candle to the SS products in their price range. You really have to move up to another class to allow the advantges of tubes to start to compensate for their MANY inconvenient and non-ideal characteristics.

I have a Jolida 502a and a Jolida 302a and I would recommend either one. Both are great integrated tube amps. They have a pretty clean sound and lots of power. I would definitely recommend upgrading the stock tubes. Anthem also makes good sounding affordable tube gear.

Just an afterthought, but there have been many Classe' CAP-80 on this site go for around $700 - It will, hands down, beat any tube equipment up to, and many times over $1000.