Addition by Subtraction

[paden501]

Well, it cost me almost every piece of audio equipment that I own, but I got Tom (OCCD) to part with his Jolida JD100a.



Thanks again Tom.  This piece sounds incredible on my SDAs, and that's even without having a respectable pre! 

[Falcon]

Very freaking nice!!!

[thuffman03]

That is one nice cd player.  I love the remote.

[BB3]

OH MY !......WOW That Is Indeed Beautiful.-------BILL

[thuffman03]

We never even got to hook it up at CF.

Next year will be different.  Not in the Treehouse this time!

[paden501]

This thing has made me appreciate CDs all over again

I'm thinking about ordering some Electro-haromonix 12ax7-EH tubes for it one of these days.   

[Falcon]

This thing has made me appreciate CDs all over again

I'm thinking about ordering some Electro-haromonix 12ax7-EH tubes for it one of these days.   

DO NOT!!! SAVE YOUR MONEY!! I had a Jolida and rolled several sets of tubes, the EH were the worst. Noisy and distorted sounding. The best low cost tube for the JD100A is the Sovtek 12ax7LPS very low noise with excellent sound-stage, lush mid range. I wanted to try the EI Goldpins. They are currently on back-order everywhere.
I know several who say the same about the EH. So it is not just my opinion. Try them if you must, but I warned you
 Mike

[paden501]

Really?

I've read so many reviews of people who loved the EH tubes in their Jolida.   

Hmmmmmm..... This changes my entire plan.

I will tell you that just taking off  the tube dampers made a hell-of-a difference in the sound.

[Falcon]

Well I don't want to discourage you, Tube rolling is fun. Try and buy as you wish. That was my personal experience, and opinion.
Again half the fun of tubed cd players is swapping one set of tubes for another. The EI elite goldpins are the ones to get, if you can find them. The factory that makes them is remodeling so they will be available again. Also the EI tubes are not very expensive. Or look hard for telefunkens, a lot of money, but probably worth it.  Also ask Tommy if he could recommend any.

Mike

[Falcon]

Hey Paden, Maybe try these out, they are from a good company and cheap.
http://www.tube-shop.com/usa/store/proddetail.asp?ProductID=53&RelatedID=145&RelatedID2=

If you try them let me know how they are.
Mike

[paden501]

Thanks Falcon.  I'm actually holding off for a little while.  I'm kicking around the idea of making my own tube Pre-amp before I roll any tubes into the Jolida.  I've got a schematic for a 12AX7 tube pre that I've been pricing out and such.  If I go that direction, I'll probably end up trying a couple of different combinations of tubes in the CDP and pre to see what works for me.

Actually, the only thing stopping me from moving forward with this right now is finding a remote control volume circuit and having the funds (I need to sell some stuff).

[treitz3]

I can personally attest that Ei-Gold pins are the best I have tried in mine. Better than the Sovteks fo' sho'.....which were my personal fav before the Ei's.

[schwarcw]

Anybody try RCA cleartops?  I've found the 12AX7 cleartops to shine in almost every application, preamps, tube CDs, tube buffers, etc.

[paden501]

Does anybody have any experience with Matsushita 12ax7s?

I might have a line on them but I've never heard them, so I'm wondering if someone can give me a review.

Thanks.



EDIT:

Nevermind.  The guy wanted too much for the Matsushitas.... I ended up ordering Sovtek 12ax7LPS, based on Mike's recommendation.  THANKS MIKE!

They should be in later this week.  I'll let everyone know how they sound.

[paden501]

Sometimes I just want to smack myself.... 

Soooo I ordered Sovtek 12ax7LPS's to replace the stock tubes in my Jolida.  They came today so I went ahead and opened the Jolida up....

Just to find out that it ALREADY HAS SOVTEK 12ax7LPS's IN IT!!!!

I guess I probably should have checked that before I ordered anything huh?

I'M AN IDIOT!!!   

So anyway, if anyone wants to try some Sovteks, I have an extra set!