I haven't heard the Cary or Shanling and I don't care to. Given the sterling performance of the Jolida, there is no incentive for me to shell out big bucks. I owned a Jolida 603 player and it was the best under $1500 dollar cd player you could get and it cost only $600 new. Despite sounding wonderful, it did have problems with it's transport and tracking.
The new JD 100 shares nothing with the old except tubes. This is a serious audiophile machine. The new transport works flawlessly. It tracks with the best. To get to the sound, well that depends on what tubes you choose. It's hard to go wrong with the favorites. I like 5751 tubes, but most opt for one of the finer 12AX7 tubes. Many have found the Jolida to be the best CDP there is. I can't imagine any better. There are two major reviews done on the Jolida using stock tubes; check them out, but bare in mind with better tubes the reviews would have been even more spectacular. |
Disclaimer: I am a Xindak dealer.
Bill,
I have heard good things about the Jolida JD-100, but have not heard the unit personally (will do so at CES on Friday though).
Before you make a final decision, be sure to also check out the new Xindak SCD-2. You get stellar Redbook performance in addition to SACD capability for only $1695!
We used to be a dealer for Shanling, and as soon as we heard the Xindak, we dropped Shanling from our line. It is NO contest, IMHO.
Feel free to look at this thread for more info:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1041204909&read&3&4&
Also, don't hesitate to let me know if you have any specific questions.
Best Regards...Mike - Father & Son Audio |
Muralman:
Thanks for your input, you've got me thinking about the Jolida again. I like the idea of tubes to soften the front end of my otherwise SS system. I was kind of scared off by reviews of earlier Jolidas with reliability being a problem. Maybe they have solved their mechanical problems. Some dealers are offering some pretty nice packages with these CDP's. One offers Svetlana or JAN? I think. I am new to tubes with my first component being delivered today, a Cary PH301 phono stage. Also am giving MC a try for the first time, I've heard them and been impressed, just never had anything but Shure V15's before. Now have a Sumiko Talisman Sapphire. Can't wait to hear some vinyl with my new toys. Thanks,
Bill |
The Granite Audio 657 is an excellent tube CD player and there is currently an auction going on one. It would be worth you time to check it out. |
Mike:
Thanks for your response. You had to throw another in the mix. I can't find a single review for Xindak. Are they a new company? I went to a Xindak site but could not find much info. Showed the inside of the player but doesn't mean much to me. I couldn't build one with the manual in front of me. I just listen and have a pretty good ear. Can you explain SACD? I don't even think that I have any HDCD's yet but am always looking to improve my CD sound quality. Still like vinyl the best. Any info on this is appreciated. Thanks,
Bill |
Hey Bill
Vinyl is still tops, despite it's negatives. Cds do nicely with good equipment. DVDA looks to me to be the future for sonic quality. I use my JD 100 in conjunction with big Pass X 600 monoblocks and a Pass pre amp too. This all feeds the infamous <1ohm Apogee Scintilla. My goal is always for natural playback, music at it's most real.
Forget JAN Phillips. Start with the Svetlana, if you can buy the 100 so equipped. |
Muralman:
Thanks again. Do you know anything about the Xindak player mentioned by Mike? Says it's SACD compatible, I don't even know what that is but I see lots of discussion going on in reference to it. Also have found a 2 month old Jolida 100 for $550. Probably a very good deal.
Bill |
Bill,
Xindak is not a new company in China, but they are new in the USA (they have been doing OEM work for Sony and other electronics companies for years). There are no reviews as yet, but according to the US distributor, Stereophile is supposed to have one out in the next month or so.
As far as explaining SACD, that would take FAR more space than I have here. It is simply an attempt by Sony and Philips to bring digital playback that much closer to analog reproduction. With some recordings, I personally feel that they have acomplished their goal. Do a search here and at AudioAsylum, should be able to find a decent explanation of SACD.
For the most basic info on SACD, go here:
http://www.sonymusic.com/sacd/
The biggest drawback to SACD at this point is not the technology, nor the sound quality (it is superb on some recordings), but simply the fact that there just aren't a lot of recordings available (yet).
Best Regards...Mike - Father & Son Audio |
I checked on the Granite 657 but it's only 20 bit. I have a well made old Denon 20 bit now. Shouldn't I be moving up to at least 24/96 or better? What happens when SACD or HDCD's are played on 20 bit or 24/96 system? Thanks again
Bill |
Take the Jolida at $550, if it is mint. What tubes does it have? You might get lucky there. The Jolida was designed and produced solely for it's sound, not hype that looks good on paper. Mark Allen of Jolida told me he decided to not use the "me too" Burr Brown DAC and went for more linear Phillips chips. There are no op amps, unlike with virtually every other CDP. The circuit is very simple and fee of noticeable distortion. So many ss CDPs have that edgy sound that drives people away. Jolida has a beautifully natural playback that is so soothing. It has that spaciousness that comes with tubes and the liquid mids, smooth treble. |
Oh yes, SACD. I don't like SACD. A lot of music lovers don't like SACD. When listening tests were performed on same matter music using SACD and DVDA, the DVDA clearly took the "more real" honors. I know cutting edge audiophiles that agree. |
Muralman:
Thanks again. I would assume stock tubes as it is almost new but will ask. Sounds like a good buy to me. Someone else is selling new units with some upgrades but I suspect it sounds better than what I have as made.
Bill |
I distrust "upgrades." Putting together electronics to make a well hued sound is something of an art form, consisting of careful balancing of electronics. Mark Allen told me of how when they finished the JD 100 prorotype, it sounded too bright to their ears. After fiddling with some "upgrades" he, on a whim, flipped a resistor, and what do you know? It solved the brightness. How can I trust a five hundred dollar "upgrade" to get the sound right, especially when the sound is already right? |
Muralman:
Thanks once again. I tried to email the guy with the used Jolida but it came back undeliverable. May try to call him.
Anyway, have a new question for you. I just got my Cary PH301 and am wondering about the tubes in it. It has three 12AU7 and two 12AX7's. The AX's also say Ei Yugoslavia. The AU's have no other writing, just 12AU7, written vertically in red ink. One actually has no writing at all but looks identical to the AU's. All are silver topped. Anyway, I'm sure you know what these are and if they are any good. I have to say that everything about this preamp, looks brand new. Will let you know how it sounds.
Bill |
Muralman:
One guy selling new Jolida's claims that they use the Burr Brown DAC. What's up with that?
Bill |
About the Burr Brown vs. Phillips: There is nothing in my manual that says one way or the other. Mark Allen told me he uses Phillips and not Burr Brown. Here is a portion of a Jolida 100 review:
"The JD-100A is a departure from most high end machines: it shuns the expected Burr-Brown D/A converters in favor of Philips chips. This is totally intentional. JoLida's design goal with the JD-100A was to build a CD player that was very linear, thus very listenable. This is the main difference, in my opinion, between digital and analog music reproduction. Analog, to my ears, is very linear. Many CD players tend to be bright and analytical. These players reproduce all of the detail, but they tend to be very fatiguing, especially during extended listening sessions. Listening to music should be enjoyable, not fatiguing."
So there you have it. The seller probably thought by making his claim the unit would be more attractive to a buyer. You are rapidly becoming a knowledgeable buyer.
About the tubes. Just listen and don't worry. |
Has anyone actually heard the Xindak ? This player has interested me for a couple of months now but all I have heard is some hype from the distributor and a dealer. For something that the distributor claims that he sells out of in a hurry there sure seems to be a lack of actual end user feedback. |
Nope but see Muralmans SACD response. It seems that most audiophiles are not fond of it yet. I will opt for a cheaper but more pleasing sound. The Jolida seems to be getting alot of attention. |
Disclaimer: I am a Xindak dealer.
What do you mean most audiphiles are not fond of it? Just because one person makes a statement does not mean it is true for all (or even most) audiophiles. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Most that have given SACD a fair shake usually agree that it is the closest to analog that digital playback has achieved (in addition to some wonderfull Redbook players available). I strongly disagree with his opinion on SACD (although he is certainly entitled to it).
The Jolida is a great player, but you can get even better Redbook playback with the Xindak, and have SACD capability also.
Best Regards...Mike - Father & Son Audio |
Fs, there is a vacuum of info on the Xindak except that is a tube unit made in China. What tech info can you provide us? |
