[friend2alldogs]

Seller is selling a new Jolida cdp for 700 clams and has perfect feedback from four buyers. On closer inspection of his feedback, several of his buyers submitted feedback within one or two days of joining Audiogon and the longest time between joining Agone and buying from the seller for feedback respondents was one week. All feedback for the seller was submitted in one 11 day period by all four buyers. I asked the seller if the cdp was still available and he said yes and to respond asap, which he said two weeks ago when I asked the same question. Scam or no scam?
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlplay&1166409056

[whopnyc]

No idea if it's a scam but if you are uncomfortable, don't do it.  I've avoided a few headaches by passing on deals like these.  There's plenty more around.

[boead]

Not sure but the price is ok. I know the player well, my buddy had one for some time and I’ve logged hundreds of hours with one. The stock tubes sucked in it, the player changed drastically with tube rolling. In direct comparison to a CAL Sigma-II 24/94 DAC, the presentation of the Jolida had upfront mids and a top end sparkle. With the stock tube sit was downright edgy and bright but to put that in context, I like la somewhat dark and laidback sound that’s I believe is more musical and less fatiguing.

He replaced it with a Meridian that overshadows the Joilida many times. The Jolida has a nice faceplate and remote and does have the appearance of an expensive component but when you open it up you see a nearly empty box, tiny transformer and a plain-jane transport of no special merit. The tube output stage is done right and is uses two tubes which is not necessary for this level of component and just makes it twice as expensive to put good NOS tubes in it.

In direct comparison, the Arcam FMJ-23 is many times the Jolida. Like the Meridian, the FMJ outshadows the Jolida. I was a believer in tube sources for some time till I heard a choice few solid state players like the Namm, Meridian and Arcams. The Arcam has deeper, richer and more robust bass, lush and beautifully transparent midrange with a perfectly balanced topend. Soundstage is wide and deep and focus of instruments within are precise. The units are made extremely well, open it up and its chocked full of quality parts, large multistage power supplies and so on. Seriously and with no exaggeration, the FMJ-23 makes the Jolida sounds lackluster with a foggy soundstage and units NOT a bad player, its actually very good.
I see used FMJ-23’s selling for between $800 and $1200 on Audiogon which is a very fair price. Mine was $2300 msrp and sold for about $2200 when it was new. I bought it when it was about 2 to 3 years old and paid $1100 and plan on keeping it for as long as I possibly can. Whats funny is that a used Jolida will sell for $500 or so and its SO not worth it. Maybe for $300, I’d pick one up but I got better sound from an older CAL DAC then I ever heard from the Jolida.

[friend2alldogs]

wow-thanks for the excellent reply boead. the jolida cdp had garnered nothing but praise since it's introduction. I've had one in my rig but prefer my current player (ss done right) rega jupiter...

[miklorsmith]

If you find a great price but aren't sure about the seller, look into escrow.  I haven't done it, but they will hold the money until both parties are satisfied.  Ebay has their own escrow service, you'd have to find your own for Agon.

[Dan Driscoll]

This one doesn't pass the smell test. Maybe the guy is legit, but there are far too many warning flags flapping for my tastes.

[Bill Baker]

I would recommend asking the selling some questions.

1- What is the origin of the player. - make sure it's not a 220V unit.
2- Why selling a brand new unit - I know some people are forced into such situations but it doesn't hurt to ask.
3- Ask for the serial number - if the player is legit he won't have a problem giving it to you.
4- Is it returnable if you find out it is a converted gray market unit.

 As others have mentioned, there is enough suspicion to do some homework before laying out the cash.

[ajayrav]

I'd be careful, especially since the zip.code provided is not a legit US zipcode

[Tubeburner]

This seller had this cdp on an Audiogon auction starting at $550 and noone took it. His feedback is suspicious as the people who gave him feedback are all new and their only feedback is from him. Too many warning signs for me.

[john1970]

Remember the following:

"If it looks to be too good to be true it probably is."

 I would not purchase anything on-line without calling the seller and confirming a serial number, age of product, etc.  Moreover, I would only pay by mail order through an escrow account.  If the seller seems reluctant to answer questions or will not use an escrow account I would avoid the purchase.

Best,

John