Jolida JD100A, How to bring it to the next level

Rkerv,

I would not recommend teaming up a tupe output CD player with a solid state output stage DAC that surpases the tube out stage of the Jolida. This would use the Jolida only as transport and for the money there are probably better transports out there (CEC etc.).

As much as I have read about the Jolida, I would probably stay with minimal mods as well, only NOS tubes and a PC as suggested should do. The upgrades will not give you a much higher resale value if you decide to upgrade in the near future. If you like the tube-like qualities of the Jolida, you could "upgrade" to "better" tube based players like the Audio Aero Prima.

Good luck,

Rene

OK: I've had the Jolida JD 100 for a year now (Level One Mod from Underwood Hi Fi). I've always questioned my decision to get a modded player. The Level One mod among other things was supposed to improve the low end performance of the player. For most of the year I've had it I was dissatisfied with the low end performance. I tube rolled from the original Svetlanas to Sovtecs to RCA NOS. The RCA's improved things, but the player just never produced enough low end to satisfy me. In fact, I purchased a Simaudio Nova to replace the Jolida and boxed it up. I had planned to sell it. But I missed that tube sound of the Jolida so I brought it back out. I originally used a Shunyata Diamaondback PC on it. This time I connected a Flavor 4 PC from Chris Venhaus and instead of Chimera Advantage II interconnects, this time I installed a pair of Vampirewire CCC II interconnects I had laying around. BAM! The Jolida now sounds better than it has for most of the year I've had it. It now has very solid bass, smooth open midrange and crystal clear highs. The Chimera IC can be a little lean so it probably helped to change to a more standard IC like the Vampirewire. But I feel the Flavor 4 PC made the largest improvement top to bottom. The moral of the story is, your choice of PC will probably make the biggest difference in the performance of the Jolida. Keep that tube sound; it's very good from Jolida. IMO, forget about a dac. The RCA NOS added to the bass, high end and transient snap. To mod or not to mod? My take is that with the right tubes and PC and some vibration deadening on the inside of the cover, that's all the modding you need for great performance. Today I consider the Jolida player to be one of the best under $3000. YMMV, but like many others here and at Audioasylum, I recommend you try the Flavor 4. It's reasonably priced as aftermarket PC's go and you can't beat the 60 day home trial.

Mods/accessories for my JD-100 are as follows:

1) JHS Gold Label Sylvania 5751WA triple mica black plates,

2) Chris VenHaus cryoed Flavor 1 PC,

3) Herbie's Hal-O 9 tube dampers and Grungebuster CD mat,

4) Unit rests on a 22 lb. granite slab supported by Vibrapods- also has 12 lb. marble piece on the top resting on coasters,

5) Tube pins et al treated with Walker SST.

CDP has no level 1, 2, 3, etc mods.