[EProvenzano]

Hi Bill,

Would you mind commenting on the sonic differences, strengths and weaknesses, between these two amps.

I'm considering driving inefficient monitors with this amp, and possibly a pair of efficient Line Source in the future.

Thanks for your thoughts.

BR,
EP

[Bill Baker]

Hello EP,
   I currently have two favorite Jolida integrated amps and these are the 801 and the new 707. Directly after these are the 502 and 102 depending on system.

  The 801 has become my favorite higher power amp for a few different reasons. One reason is due to the 6SN7 driver tubes. For modifications, I feel this piece has a bit more potential due to the fact that there can be much more point-to-point wiring applied within the circuitry that is not easily possible with the others. I actually remove a lot of the copper tracing in these amps and apply much more point-to-point wiring.

  There is something about the sonic signature of the 801 that sets it apart from the others. Again maybe due to the 6SN7 tubes and direct wiring. Also, I think it is the best looking of the bunch.
  I have modified quite a few of these amps now and always hate to see them go. For one reason or another, the 801 just seems to be much more neutral than the others in the lineup.
  After getting caught up on what I currently have on the benches, I plan on custom modifying one of these for myself to a degree that has not yet been done with only the best of the best used throughout.

  I am currently running a highly modified 502 in my personal system with Svetlana KT88s (PIC below does not show current tubes being used) that I use for testing various changes to our mods and other components and speakers introduced.

 Differences? Here are a few of my thoughts.

Sonically:
801 is much "smoother" and more coherent with the 502 being a bit more aggressive in the upper mids and treble. Not to the point of being unnatural but rather different as compared to the 801. The 801 justseems to do everything more effortlessly.

Strenghts:

The 801 has much more room within the chassis to add various upgrades that are not possible in the 502 such as a much better method of power supply bypassing. The 502 does not have the internal room for additional larger capacitors that would be prefered in bypasing the PS filter caps.

The 801 has more point-to-point wiring potential which I feel makes a substancial difference in the presentation of a tube amp.

  Please keep in mind that this does not mean that the 502 is not an exceptional value and very good performer as I have sold and modified more 502s than any other product I work with and have been enjoying my personal units for quite some time. With approximately 100 Jolida amps modified in 2003, I would have to say 60%-70% of these were the SE502. To date, there has not been one complaints or issues associated with any of them.

  Both units take very well to upgrade modifications.

[EProvenzano]

Thank you very much for your detailed response Bill.
I was leaning towards the 801. You've confirmed my choice.

Please feel free to drop me a line when you're done developing the full mods for the 801. I'll be very interested in knowing about that!

Best regards,
EP

[Bill Baker]

Hello EP,
  First let me start by stating that I just realized you mentioned the 302 and not the 502. Here we have even more of a difference in sonic presentation. To keep it short, the EL34 tube used in the 302 is much more seductive than the 6550 used in the 502 or 801. The 6550/KT88 has more control and authority over the EL34 tube but not quite as romantic sounding.

Please feel free to drop me a line when you're done developing the full mods for the 801. I'll be very interested in knowing about that!

  As mentioned, I have done quite a few of the 801 modifications and do have a complete listed of what is performed on this amp. The link below will take you to the Jolida mods page where there is a detailed list of 801 modifications. The only difference now is a few more options in coupling capacitors. I will be making a swith shortly to using the Theta AudioCap  in the coupling locations with larger value Sonicaps used in bypassing the power supply filter caps.

http://www.responseaudio.com/jolida%20mods.htm

[EProvenzano]

Thanks for the link Bill.

I checked out the mods, but I figured I'd like to wait until you've performed the 'full' mods to your personal unit, and see what extra goodies might be available.

After re-reading your web site, I noticed that the 801A has more noise compared to the 302 or 502. Why is that? Do the mods address this issue?

Thanks again!

[Bill Baker]

Update on the 801.
  The Jolida 801 has received some factory updates which include the following:
1) direct wiring has been replaced with a main circuit board. On a good note, the circuit board is a very good quality double sided piece.
2) the bias adjustment have been moved to the top of the unit eliminating the need to turn the amp upsidedown to make bias adjustments.
3) The unit is now much quieter. The circuitry has not changed so I would account this to the new internal arrangement.

  I have been performing many mods on these units now with an upgraded power supply being one of them. More information on these new updates can be seen on the Signature Mods page of my site.

  I have also now built the Reference version of this amp. WOW!!!

[David Ellis]

Bill,

Does the 801 board have any empty holes for power supply bypassing?  My 302b had some very nice holes   .  They were filled with Sonicaps.  

I was pessimistic about this before inserting the capacitors.  My pessimism feigned quickly after I started listening.  It was quite positive and all good.

Dave

[Bill Baker]

HI Dave,
  The new 801 power supply board does not have any left over capacitor locations but does have plenty of room to bypass the filter capacitors directly.
  I have also found the Sonicap to be an exceptional capacitor for bypassing applications and now use these in all of our modifications and custom built Jolida and ASL amplifiers.