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Jolida Envoy Preamp

I would like to get some impressions from those of you familiar with this preamp. I am considering a tube preamp to replace my Forte f-44. I have a McCormack DNA-125 (stock), Arcam FMJ CD23, AR ES1 TT (modded) w Audioquesst PT9 arm and w/goldring 1012 cartridge (upgrading to a 1042 soon) using an old superphon revelation basic as the phono pre and Dynaudio Focus 220 speakers (transparent music wave ultra speaker cables and Tara 66 ICs-all stock pc). I need the phono stage but I also want a great pre for the $. My budget is $1000 give or take a few and I prefer used for value. I have been considering a Rogue Magnum 99 and some of the older AR or CJ preamps. Read a review that said the envoy is a giant killer basically. I like my system but I feel the need to try to warm it up a bit. I also am thinking of a tube buffer stage.
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Showing 2 responses by samzx12

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samzx12
1,216 posts
 
I am not sure why Chazzbo responded to your post because its obvious he doesn't know anything about the Envoy. Sorry Chaz but why respond to a post talking about another preamp when he is asking about the Jolida.

I have the Envoy and I think it is a great preamp. How many preamps have a phono stage built in for less than $1500? To buy it alone would be what $500? I mainly listen to CD's and I would think you be hard pressed to find a preamp anywhere near its price range that sounds as good. I have owned several tubed preamps and the Jolida is a great bang for the buck.
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samzx12
1,216 posts
 
I have had a BAT VK5i, N.E.W. preamp which is similiar to a Cary open style chassis, several CJ's, Sonic Frontiers, and Plinius CD-LAD (solid state). The Envoy sounds a little less tubey than the above mentioned but still has the that tube sweetness. The way I looked at it, if Jolida matches it with a set of $6000 monoblocs then it must be a decent preamp. I have 5751 GE triple mica black plates in place of the 12ax7's right now and GE's in place of the 12at7's. I tried the Mullards at7's but they were a bit dry for my tastes.
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