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Jolida JD302B - Speaker Choice

First post here, so hello! I've been scanning the archives on this and found some good info, but wanted to start some new discussion.

I am a budding audiophile, just building my first good system. These days I listen mainly to acoustic based singer songwriter rock (John Mayer, Dave Matthews, Gavin DeGraw, Jason Mraz, etc.) but have very diverse musical tastes from classic rock stuff (Pink Floyd, Zeppelin, Neil Young) to some modern british stuff (i.e. Coldplay). A little classical here and there, but likely more so with the new system.

I love the tube sound, likely because of my long admiration for tube guitar amps (I play) and have settled on the Jolida JD302B as my amp. I will most likely be purchasing the Jolida Tube Cd player as well.

I initially was considering B&W 602 S3's, but my reading suggests that they may not be effecient enough. Thus I have been looking into the Triangle Titus speakers. I will likely add a sub in the next several months to round out the bottom end.

What else should I look into? Is there a "minumim" level of effeciency that I should be looking into?

Thanks and pardon any nephyte mistakes I've made.
Matthew
mkwhitley
fathom7
57 posts
 
You've got some great recommendations. If you're looking for $600 look at used goods and listen carefully to the posts here. As for my recommendations (I've got a 302B modded by Underwood HiFi) I would look at getting a bargain on the speaks and spend some money on tube rolling (assuming you don't want to send the amp out for modding right away). For me the biggest changes came when I rolled in a quad of Svetlana EL34s but then when I took out the 12AT7s and put in some NOS Mullard CV4024's and WOW how the soundstage opened up. Still looking for rolling in some different 12AX7s or equivalent. The Sylvanias I put it compressed the sound stage a bit and darkened things down in the amp. As for speaks: I currently driving B&W Matrix 805's without difficulty (not the most efficient speaker in the world) but I am replacing them with a pair of JMR Trentes. The smartest thing you can do is AUDITION speaks before your plunge. Even if it is off of a "similar" amp (meaning at least TUBE vs SS) listening is the only way to go. Likely you won't get an in-home demo of the speaks you want. But listen somewhere nonetheless.

Enjoy, the 302B is a relatively silent gem in the price range (IMHO).

F7
dawgbyte's avatar
dawgbyte
325 posts
 
For a tad more money you should also consider the Green Mountain Audio Europas. You can check out many of the positive reviews on this site.
ewha
80 posts
 
I second the GMA Europa. I used these speakers with a Jolida 502a, and thought they went very well together. At anywhere near its price, the Europa is VERY difficult to beat.
pilotboy
15 posts
 
Has anyone heard the 302B with Totem Arro's?
trelja
3,223 posts
 
I have Pilotboy. In fact, I think that on one occasion, I believe it was perhaps the best combination for each of the components I have ever heard.

You want to talk about soundstaging??? Most audiophiles can't even dream about how good this combination was firing out of the room's corner. Overall, it was not the last word in refinement or bass, but I think I could live happily with the sound.
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