Newbie wants tube recommendations

Mapleleafs3, have you actually listened to one of those "China mid fi" products? They are surprisingly good. I agree that a used Rogue, Quicksilver, Cary, AES etc. might have been a better investment in the long term for not much more. Just categorizing the Jolida as mid-fi due to its heritage is not quite fair, though. I prefered my 302b to the Unison Unico, a Linn Wakonda/LK85 combo, and to an Audio Aero integrated. The Jolida has lots of potential; in particular, if tubes are upgraded to NOS or at least better current production tubes.

Jolida used to have reliability problems in the past. i.e. pre 2002, but I have not heard of any problems during the last couple of years.

Enjoy!

Rene

restock, i would not comment on something I have not heard. I heard some just the other day at a local dealer. It is an ok product and is very good to upper Mid-Fi. Its not in the same class as CJ,Rouge,Audio Aero, Unison.
Mind you for 770.0o he got what he paid for. I just think there are many better choices than Jolida. Reliabilty was awfull and has gotten better, but its still stuffed with cheap Chineese passive parts. I am a Made in North America, USA and Canada guy. Anyone can get stuff made in China cheaply .

I have a Jolida 502 B and it is fun and incredible value. I am tired of people suggesting that CJ or made in North America is better Other esoteric equipment with higher price tags may offer better bragging rights to some but to suggest that these companies are mid-fi is elitist and just plain wrong. The main point is that tube equipment is now affordable and reliable and that you don't have to be some sort of idiosyncratic tubeaholic to have fun and experience sound that is far above most comparatively priced solid state units. Our hobby needs more companies building units like this so that it will continue to grow. A global economy is now a fact of life. Accept it. Great small companies will continue to flourish and cater to that part of the market that seeks out individuals who have golden ears and hopefully golden wallets. For the rest of the world let us have our less than super high end tube equipment and revel in the absurdity of technology, that at least in our hobby, seems to be going in reverse.
Everybody take a slow breath and say the magic words ------Music first ..equipment second.....

Well Jolida got me into tubes having been a dedicated solid state fan for about 8 years when I first got the high end bug. But recently sold the 302B and bought a Rogue Cronus integrated and even my wife said WOW before I had a chance to fine tune the bias. So much better made, and in the US, plus it came with decent tubes. So yeah music first, but bang for the buck second, and I do believe that even though the Rogue cost extra ducats, it is the better value. The transformers alone, arguably the most important part, are far better made.

Glad to hear that your new equipment has had a positive influence on your wife. It is important to note that to arrive at your present destination you went through the Jolida portal. If anything this proves that products like the Jolida have a useful role to play even if the only role they fulfil is considered entry level. Think of all the newbies buying used Jolidas at 50% off list price on the used market. Certainly not a bad thing. I like my Jolida and I consider it to be musical and a fabulous bargain(well above entry level). Even if the 502 B is only the journey and not the destination- --it is still a great sounding amp that will satisy the majority of those whom hear it. If I want to up the ante then I bring out my DIY tube mono blocks and my Sonic Frontiers Line 1. Companies like Jolida and TAD (Tube Audio Design) source from China but inspect and assemble in the USA. Funny, don't hear many people complaining about the TAD 60, which seems to have many strong testimonials complete with its own thread. Just for the record, I am not a paid spokesman for the above discussed companies. However, I won't complain if someone wants to slip me a few dollars for uh..uh....yeah ....retubing !!!