Jolida JD-100A -> Senn 595 with modded amp?

[dogbert]

Hey Head-Fi'ers

Slightly different spin to the CDP and headphone question...

I plan to sit in my leather arm chair, put on the cans, and

with they tunes. Music? basically local Austin Blues/Country/Rock type... SRV, Nickel Creek,Joe Ely, Allison Krauss, Keb Mo with the occasional Pink Floyd and Bruce Hornsby.

So, I probably want a good CDP and a headphone out. This suggests a Jolida CDP driving into a Senn 595 or 650 (Yeah the impedances are quite different). So, The though is to have somebody, say Underwood, integrate a headphone amp into the CDP. Frankly, I really don't want all the added hardware in my study to drive a set of speakers since I will keep "turning it up" until I upset the better half.

What do you think of this plan?
I *could* spend ~3-4k on the rig but I'd rather be more practical.

Dogbert

 

[bahamaman]

If your goal is to have as few a number of components as possible, why don't you at least initially try the Jolida without any external amplification? In Elrod-Tom's recent review of the Jolida on this website, he was quite complimentary of its headphone out section. Others here have said similar things.

I am presently running my new Jolida "ampless" with A900s and have been very pleased. Admittedly, the Senns are not as efficient, but it might nevertheless be worth a try.

BTW, sorry about your wallet

and greetings from a fellow Texan!

 

[dogbert]

Bahamaman,

I read Elrod-Toms review and one other that suggested that the headphone out was the best but still not as good as an amped system. Yet, you are probably right; I should just get the CDP and hold off on the amp. Later, if I am not satisfied, I can tap off the tubes and add an amp.

It sounds (pun intended) like you are 100% satisfied with the Jolida. Any down side? On the 595's... I think I'll wait until the dust settles on the reviews. As of now, it seems like the best set of cans for my listening requirements.

It's not the Bahamas but I will be in Belize in June for a week.. Then I return to catch the ACL festival... Not a bad summer.

Dogbert

 

[mojoman]

I have the JD-100A and the HD650s. I've found the headphone amp section to sound pretty good at lower volumns but you have to turn the vol. knob on the Jolida up to about 2 o'clock before you get reasonable sound out of it. As far as the sound of the Jolida headamp, I think it sounds better then my portable Meta-42. Tubes will make a big difference with the Jolida. The stock tubes should be used for breaking in the player, then tube roll. For new tubes that are cheap I like the Svetlana 12AX7 and the EI Elites. My favorite so far is the Mullard 12AX7s. Keep an eye on ebay and you can sometimes steal a pair for something like a reasonable price.

 

[tom hankins]

If you have that much to spend you could get one of the Shanling CD-T100 cdp's with the level 1 or 1+ mods from underwoohifi.com and add the W.E. tubes to the headphone section of the player. I had one and it drove the Senns to high volume levels and good sound with no problem. Plus you would already have a much better CDP than the Jolida. Although at a much higher price. The Shanling with the mods are very, very, good players.

 

[bahamaman]

Dogbert-As regards any downsides yet on the Jolida, the answer is a resounding no! Though I've yet to fully burn it in (Jolidas are notororiously dependent upon a long burn-in time) and am still using the stock tubes, my initial impressions are of a liquid, lush, non-jittery sound that is eerily close to what I recall from my analog days.

Let me be specific. I remember my first quasi-audiophile set up from many years ago - Pioneer components, high quality turntable, Klipsch speakers, etc. The first LP I played was Joe Sample's Rainbow Seeker, a stunningly good recording from one of those companies offering limited pressings (Mobile Fidelity, I think?). Though I don't remember the individual aspects of the sound, I cannot forget the magic I experienced during that afternoon of listening. Ever since, it seems that my journey has largely been the story of trying to recapture the feelings from that first listening session.

The first CD to go into the Jolida was (of course) Rainbow Seeker and I was nearly in tears from the experience. For the first time in perhaps twenty years, I felt that same magic.

I don't want to oversell, however. So, be advised that there are CD players out there that will undoubtedly outperform the Jolida (I lusted for months after the Shanling especially). Also, my point of reference (a series of very average Best Buy CD players) should cause you to take some of my observations with a grain of salt. I mean, who wouldn't notice a huge improvement coming from a 77 dollar player!

Once I get back home from working in Europe, I'll keep you posted as my impressions crystallize (and as I move from the stock tubes to some Electro-Harmonix 12ax7s and some Sylvania Gold Brand 5751s).

One final thought - if you decide to go in the direction of the Jolida, there are a number of very reputable merchants. As Tom Hankins mentioned, underwoodhifi.com has a great reputation around here. I would suggest you also contact Brice at soundodyssey.com (from whom I acquired my modded Jolida). He was a delight to work with and patiently answered my endless questions.

 

[dogbert]

Tom and Bahamaman,

I considered the Shanling, Cary, Meridian etc.. but felt that Jolida was a CDP that bridged the digital vs tube issue quite well without hammering the wallet. The biggest question at this time is the proverbial universal CDP vs Redbook. Since I am 6 months out on a purchase, I can certainly re-evaluate the landscape and determine if universal is a better match at Christmas time. Frankly the new Cary is more than I want to spend so I assume that the other audiophile SACD players will follow suit.

Bottom line... I'll give the Jolida a try with the Senn-595 if I stay with redbook. Besides, there is a used one at Underwood for ~$760 that is calling my name and is getting tougher and tougher to resist.

This is a great site Headfiers.. Thanks for the helpfull information over the last year of lurking.

Dogbert.

My quote for the day... " Outsource.... Outsource..... We don't need Manufacturing... We don't need IT... We don't even need Engineering. All we really need is a great stock option package for us Execs.."