Jolida 502 KT120 tube swapping

Other than the "upgrades" they did on the amp before shipping there are no mods...I just dropped the 120s in and I bias them to the 502P specs and check it with my trusty Radio Shack meter just for the hell of it (a compulsion, but I'm getting better at not burning my fingers while poking the probes into the test port), even though the "ez bias" works well...In fact, now that the KT120s have settled in it sounds better than I noted in my last post, just fuller and brighter. Highly recommended! I bought the 4 "matched" tubes from "Ctech" on Ebay mostly because of their price, and they're on the East Coast so they shipped really fast. I don't think there's anything to risk buying one of these amps as they seem to be an insane bargain for something that sounds this good.

Upon reading this thread I tried the KT120. Its almost 2 weeks now and I really like it a lot!

Just wondering what pre-amp tubes should I use? I got a recommendation from a Jolida tech that SED (Winged C) is a good option. Have someone tried it?

Thank you for sharing!

There are a LOT of "small tube" suggestions around...I'm using "preferrd" 7025s (12ax7) from thetubestore, and recently added a pair of Mullard 12at7/4024s. Jolida's Jerred likes GEs, Michael Allen likes Phillips Mini Watt tubes...I like whatever sounds good and doesn't cost a fortune.

Hi Rattosecond

Welcome to the club. Like Wolf said there will be LOTS of preamp tube suggestions from owners to tube sellers.

Here are some combos that others have recommended to me and some that I have tried.

Tungsram 12AX7 tubes platinum or gold matched paired with Mullard CV4024 12AT7 type tubes.

I too also liked the Preferred 7025 from the tubestore paired with the Mullard CV4024 tubes.

If your source is a bit laid back or mellow to get more detail out of your music I liked the combination of Penta Labs 12AT7 tubes paired with Groove Tubes Gold Series GT-12AX7-C.

If your source is forward or has a high gain I liked pairing reissue Tung Sol 12AT7 and Mullard reissue 12AX7 tubes together.

Again this is all system dependent and in the systems I had these last 3 combinations is what I found after weeks of listening. I had Tung Sol KT-120 tubes in my Jolida at the time.

Best of luck on your search. I hope I have not confused you further.

I should have said "ordered" the Mullards...they don't get here until Monday or something. The only tube Jedinite24 seemingly doesn't have (and I do have) are the el cheapo Sovtek KT88s I bought a while back...and damn if they don't also sound great in the Jolida, although the KT120s are in there currently. I nominate Jedinite as the official 502p tube information and testing source...I might send him my KT88s for a review! Somebody should make a little LED lighted tube holder so you could enjoy extra tubes as visual art, instead of sticking them in a drawer like I do.