Which tubed cd player for this system

I would put the Opera Consonance CD-2.2WT-R tube cd player on your short list. I've spoken with 2 dealers of this cd player and they gush over it, feeling it will play with the big boys, up to $10K. Yes, we've all heard that many times before, but I'll fortunately have a chance to hear one very shortly and be able compare it to the Jolida JD-100 and my Musical Fidelity A324, which I love.

Well, Socrates, you are holding out on us. State your problems with the Jolida, and that was with versus what? By the way....Phillips, not Burr Brown.

Only because you asked....:

Problem 1, mechanical: This player uses the worst tray, motor, transport mechanism I've ever owned, raking only with a $200 DVD player I once had. It's flimsy, noisy, moves too fast for its own longevity, and there is a very audible clicking sound during quite passages from the motor, which only occurs on some tracks/disc speeds (usually the middle of a disc). This is a common problem, and although it doesn't happen with all players I know my unit wasn't unique here as others have voices a similar gripe, and from what I've read it is a common problem with the Philips mechanism. Take a look at it, ‘plasticy’, loose tolerances, no isolation; it's just crummy, despite the hype as being their current "best." I will never buy another player with this mechanism.

Sonic Problems that are obvious to me, some more so with a direct reference to “better” players (if you don't a/b compare difference may not be as obvious): Female vocals are irrevocably compressed (its only unredeemable and standout feature in my mind), the top end is greatly lacking in extension, sweetness and air, the midrange is fuzzy, lacking natural detail and vocal inflections, and the bass is loose without definition. The soundstage is closed in, lacking openness and clarity of more expensive players, and one can find greater depth of the soundstade elsewhere as well. High frequency sounds being truncated making triangles, bells and such sounds appear incoherent and synthetic amongst the rest of the sound-scape, which is more natural and believable. The midrange offers good presence by done by adding its own distortion (I’ve never been a tube lover), not through extraction of existing detail, which yields a clouding and loss of transparency. There is something in the unit that, with half of the tubes I tried, made it very hard to listen to, giving me a headache after a half hour of critical listening, but I couldn't figure out what it was exactly at fault. Sadly the fatiguing tubes where the more natural, extended and detailed ones as well, and these traits need not be mutually exclusive. FWIW, it’s probably a Stereophile class “B” component, just going by what other players I’ve heard in that category and “Class A” have sounded like as refrence, if that actually matters to anyone, which it should not. I’m sure I’ll hear comments from the peanut gallery about “magic or panacea" tubes, cables and isolation devices, but I don’t think I’ll buy into that, the problems are too many and too extensive.

Again, if I only had a grand to spend I would suggest it, it's musically satisfying and has a lot of good things to offer, but I could suggest many others over a grand that I would much rather live with myself, but if I only had $800 or so to spend it would be on the shortlist. Others have mentioned the virtues of the player which I'll not mention here. I feel the faults have not been addressed as of yet, and, at that, I don't want this to sound like I'm slamming the player as I again feel it is a nice player at its price, but having heard more expensive players in home next to the Jolida and at dealerships (Musical Fidelity A3 24 dac, Musical Fidelity NuVista, Chord 64, Bel Canto, MSB Nelson, Marantz SA-14, Rega Jupiter 2000, Classe CDP1, Pioneers’ newest flagship SACD/DVDa player and the new McIntosh 6 disc changer, just to name the ones I can think off that I've played with recently) its not a giant killer as reputed, and although this is not always the case, by no means a rule, I can say without reservation that spending more can get one an overall better source. For some reason hearing that kills many audiophools, as it seems that many really want to believe that they are in a way getting something for nothing, getting the “best” that there is or that they can afford, maybe supporting an ego or psychoses, or simply feeding a materialistic mindset, which is all well and good, I won’t judge a person for that, at least not until one tries to pass on the delusion to others, which, funny as it is to read, is not so easy to just ignore....

BTW, please just take a look inside!: Burr Brown! I spoke with the gentleman doing the upgrades on these players, he even mentioned that the review of this player, referencing the Philips chip, is misleading.....but what do I know, I'm just a lowly music lover with a stereophonic fetish. Let your own ears be the judge, but judge fairly and be open and tolerant to others opinions as well. This hobby is all about the music and happiness. If the player makes music and happiness for you I won't diminish that in the least.

Peace

What about Audio Note?

Bill Baker of Response Audio, who sells Jolida and other brands, was furious with me when I confronted him with the same criticisms you lay out . He yelled at me, “You are just the latest to bring me the bad news about their new Jolida 100, and that is after I implicitly told you to play the unit for at least fifty hours before calling me!” I didn’t buy the unit from Bill, but I’m glad I gave him a call before I sent the 100 back to Jolida Inc. I would have never known the joy I have listening to my system for hours a day.

I never was a believer in breaking in times. I always thought it was just another Audio neurosis. My experience with the Jolida has convinced me of the importance of breaking in Jolidas anyway. This Jolida certainly did respond to a lengthy break in. Thanks for reminding me how bad a green Jolida sounds like.

At least that explains the shallow and pinched stage. Many of your other complaints are the usual negatives surrounding a lot of 12AX7 tubes. I am no fan of those tubes either. The ones I choose to use are devoid of any of your criticisms.

The other major components in my system are Apogee speakers and Pass Labs X-600 monos. The Apogee Scintilla blows depth through the wall. It layers players from foreground to background as only the equally venerable Quad 63 can. The Jolida fully accommodates these delightful attributes. The Stage naturally extends the full width supplied by the speakers, with each player accurately situated.

Contrary to your review, my Jolida excels on female vocals, and males, babies, and cybers.

You are right, proper strike decay is essential to believability. I can’t say I have ever heard a straight solid state system get it right. There is always that digital brake at the end. Glad you like solid state.

The bass is as full and articulated as far as tubes go that I’ve ever heard. It satisfies my deep desire for good bass. The mids are to die for. Eva Cassidy never sounds brittle as she so often does on solid state players. Jane Monheit is as clear as a bell. Krall has that bit of smokiness, and Barber is so brooding.

Detail is all there, but fully integrated within the music, and not zippered out like many “high end” players. I hear all the breathiness of singers, individual beads rolling in a rattle, pipes that sound like pipes, wood, wood.

As for mechanical, it is a $900 machine for crying out loud. I am puzzled at your report of hearing transport noises during play. Neither I nor anyone else have heard anything of the like. Of course, none of us are sitting with the Jolida in our lap. The door is noisy and quick. I give it a demerit for that. I have seen cheaper machines that do that better. Those machines do not have a tube out stage. That, along with it’s linear Phillips chips raise it to a level that leaves so little for improvement. I know Wadia and Musical Fidelity owners that see the worthiness of this player. Yes, I said Phillips as do all sellers, and Jolida itself. I looked under the hood too.

I know I can’t expect you to take in a Jolida and keep it for an extended break in period, but I can tell you from having the same poor initial experience, you are wrong, so wrong. Here is some good advice: Give Bill Baker a call and tell him what you have told us.....then hang up quick before the lashing begins.