Driver/Input tubes

Good point about the phase inversion. I believe the more common method is to use the 12AX7 for amplification and the 12AT7 for splitting the signal into the push/pull components. I haven't messed with the insides of Jolidas much so not sure if they follow that convention.

What point about phase inversion? I do understand the concept of the signal level boosting my preamp does, but wondered why 2 similar tube pairs, 12AX7 and the lower gain 12AT7 are utilized in the power amp...I think I did read someplace about signal splitting...so we're close!

Download a copy of the schematic available at many websites.
The 12AU7 is an SRPP totem pole configuration voltage gain stage where the output is the midpoint between the first half triode's plate and the 2nd half triodes cathode.
The 12AT7 is 2 triodes wired in a differential amplifier config where the signal from the 12AU7 is split into two, faciliated by the 1Meg resistot that connects between the 2 grids. one phase that is used the "push" one of the KT88s and the other half triode is uised to "pull" the othet KT88.

Good answer but Johnsonwu...come on dude...you know me...I would NOT understand a schematic. I could take a basic electronics course at a local community college but it would drastically cut into my nap time. Also, the Jolida doesn't have 12AU7s but my tiny headphone amp does have one. Just one. And it's cute. Your post has only one tube I'm actually employing in my amp but I sort of get it anyway. I think your explanation, although convoluted, has dragged me kicking and screaming toward almost understanding this thing. Closer...I'm getting closer...

Sorry I kept saying 12AU7 cos my personal unit is modded as a power amp not an integrated.

Let be go over this again.
Each channel has ONE 12AX7 as gain stage.
Each 12AX7 is setup in a totem pole configuration.
The output of the 12AX7 is connected to one triode of one of the triodes of the 12AT7s directly, then via a 1Meg resistor to the other triode of the 12AT7. The first one "pushes" the other one "pulls"
Each of the 12AT7s has its plate coupled using a coupling cap to a 6550, EL34, KT88 whatever you have in the amp.
Just download the schematic and spend 5 minutes looking at it and you wont think my explanation is too convoluted.
So why does it need 2 stages before the power tubes?
If the input were just the diffamp (12AT7) stage, then you will need a preamp, that swings 30-50V to drive that amp.
A CD player can only swing a few volts, so thats why the need for the 12AX7 gain stage.
The driver stage cannot have too much gain, otherwise it cannot deliver the current required to drive the power tubes and will "wimp out" and distort.