[ldp82]

Hi all,
I’m Luke I’m somewhat new to the hobby/obsession. I started with an NAD 2400 and some Klipsch cornwall 2’s, then I got some Boston Acoustic 702’s or something or other, then a pair of Theil CS2’s. I sold everything off and picked up my current setup: Rega R1’s on sand filled B&W stands, Audioquest cv-6 cable
and a Jolida 302b tube amp.  This has taken place over several years I’m just about to graduate college, I know this isn’t the best set up, I like it and feel it has great bang for the buck.

The Jolida has the stock tubes in it and they are in need of replacement. I would like some advice on what tubes will work best for me, I listen to just about everything, primarily rock some classic rock and acoustic stuff  the only thing I do not listen to is rap. I am not looking to spend a lot of money but I don’t want to buy crap.
I love this set up but wonder if it could easily be made better with more then just tube rolling. After having the amp stock for two and a half years I have the itch to play with it. I have heard of people getting mixed results and some people saying leave well enough alone. On the other hand, the 302 was made to a cost and I could see upgrading some cheaper ageing components as maintenance not sacrilege.  So any one who has a modded 302 please speak up!  I was looking to do this to it (http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=17354.0)

I was told to replace all the capacitors for higher quality faster ones, is this necessary? I am looking for the least costly highest reward mods.

I like the way it sounds now but know it could get better. I hate the sound of “tinny” set ups that punish you on the high end, I feel some B&W speakers can do this and would like to stay away from that with my changes.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and for your advice.

[ebag4]

Here is a sight that talks about modding the 302b:
http://www.themorgue.org/audio/jolida-302b/

[gprro]

Give jolida a call. They can do the mods for a good price. They have their own specialized caps and resistors also.

[rivieraranch]

I have a 302B, bone stock, and it sounds terrific with Svetlana Winged "C" EL34's, 1960's Sylvania 12AX7's labeled Baldwin and Mullard 6201 gold pin driver tubes.   

[ldp82]

hey guys time for an update:

i got some winged "c" el-34's some NOS GE 12ax7wa's and i found a set of Telefunken ecc803s 

i also bought a rotel 1040 power conditioner

the amp sounds great and i am very happy with it.... but i think i am going to send it to jolida for some mods this fall or winter.

     -Luke

[mgalusha]

You might want to contact Bill Baker of Response Audio (he has a circle here). I suspect Bill has done more Jolida mods than Jolida has. I believe he offers several levels of mods and would be able to tell you exactly what the most cost effective upgrades are.

I have lightly modded a Jolida 302B with new coupling caps, some Stealth diodes, carbon film grid stop resistors and added some bypass caps to the power supply electrolytic's. I thought the results justified the cost and effort. The thread you reference is full of good information and this is a fairly easy amp to work on if you're comfortable with that sort of thing. Of course the usual caution about poking around in gear with high voltages is to be 100% sure all the caps are discharged so you don't get toasted.

mike

[lonewolfny42]

Here's the Response Audio Circle......Bill does some nice work...

[billc]

Echoing lonewolfny42 and mgalusha (who have long and wise histories on this forum) -

Bill Baker modified my Jolida 502 about two years ago and the improvement in the amp was amazing.  It really moved the amp to a significantly cleaner, more dynamic level, with much better soundstage, improved bass performance, and clearer highs.

If you are thinking of having the mods done by someone with extensive experience with the 302 amp, you should give Bill a call and discuss options.  My experience is that the Jolida amps have very good transformers, and good circuit design, but upgrading the caps and resistors creates a much improved amp, with a similar but cleaner, more open, and dynamic sound. 

Good choices on the re-tubing.  Better parts inside will let you hear their capabilities.

Bill C

[pbrstreetgang]

Bills Bella 3205 is a whole league better than the stocker. I had the original years ago and thought it was just OK, it took some convincing by Bill to try the Bella and love it! My only amp now

[ldp82]

thanks for the input guys. as im moving and need to replace my car soon i have some time before i have to make a decision. i will call Bill soon and may be able to head out to his shop when i head to Watkins Glen for a track day