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Shanling, Jolida, Cary, Tube, SS can anyone compar

Can anyone compare these CD players? Am looking to buy a new or used for $1500 or less. I know that the Jolida or the Shanling can be bought new in this range but have heard of reliabilty problems with Jolida. Maybe the new one is OK. I would be willing to go with tube if it sounds right but Cary's pricey ones are SS. People do rave about their sound and this is what I'm after. I still prefer the sound of vinyl but CD's are sounding better as I upgrade my system. Any incite would be appreciated. Thanks,
Bill
jbangelfish
muralman1
1,527 posts
 
Take the Jolida at $550, if it is mint. What tubes does it have? You might get lucky there. The Jolida was designed and produced solely for it's sound, not hype that looks good on paper. Mark Allen of Jolida told me he decided to not use the "me too" Burr Brown DAC and went for more linear Phillips chips. There are no op amps, unlike with virtually every other CDP. The circuit is very simple and fee of noticeable distortion. So many ss CDPs have that edgy sound that drives people away. Jolida has a beautifully natural playback that is so soothing. It has that spaciousness that comes with tubes and the liquid mids, smooth treble.
muralman1
1,527 posts
 
Oh yes, SACD. I don't like SACD. A lot of music lovers don't like SACD. When listening tests were performed on same matter music using SACD and DVDA, the DVDA clearly took the "more real" honors. I know cutting edge audiophiles that agree.
jbangelfish OP
25 posts
 
Muralman:
Thanks again. I would assume stock tubes as it is almost new but will ask. Sounds like a good buy to me. Someone else is selling new units with some upgrades but I suspect it sounds better than what I have as made.
Bill
muralman1
1,527 posts
 
I distrust "upgrades." Putting together electronics to make a well hued sound is something of an art form, consisting of careful balancing of electronics. Mark Allen told me of how when they finished the JD 100 prorotype, it sounded too bright to their ears. After fiddling with some "upgrades" he, on a whim, flipped a resistor, and what do you know? It solved the brightness. How can I trust a five hundred dollar "upgrade" to get the sound right, especially when the sound is already right?
jbangelfish OP
25 posts
 
Muralman:
Thanks once again. I tried to email the guy with the used Jolida but it came back undeliverable. May try to call him.
Anyway, have a new question for you. I just got my Cary PH301 and am wondering about the tubes in it. It has three 12AU7 and two 12AX7's. The AX's also say Ei Yugoslavia. The AU's have no other writing, just 12AU7, written vertically in red ink. One actually has no writing at all but looks identical to the AU's. All are silver topped. Anyway, I'm sure you know what these are and if they are any good. I have to say that everything about this preamp, looks brand new. Will let you know how it sounds.
Bill
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