Jolida 502b, Manley Stingray & VTL- I85 compare ?

I have a stock Jolida 302b from Underwood hifi that has no problems driving
my Mission 751s (89dB, 6Ohm) to loud levels. My first tube integrated as
well. The 302b actaully feels like it has more power than my Linn LK85 (85W)
power amp. The 302b is very dynamic with great rhythm and pace. The only
thing is that the bass could be tighter, which I believe is true for the 502b.
The 502b should make a good unit for listening to Rock.

However, all of this depends on the sensitivity and impedance of your
speaker.

Another tube amp to consider might be the Cayin TA 30. I heard many good
things about it and it can use KT88 tubes as well as EL34s. Sorry, but I have
not had a chance to listen to the other amps. I'm interested in the other
anwers you might get though.

Good luck!

Thanks, Jdrox for the correction. The Jolida 302B can be upgraded to a 502 in
the same way, so that it can use only KT88 tubes. I am not sure though about
Verastarr's conversion, I thought that one works for both EL34 and KT88 by
choosig some intermediate value of the bias resistors. The Verastarr 302b/
502b might be worth checking out.

Boa2, since I have seen your recommendation for the Aero Prima before: How
does the prima compare to the Unison Unico for example? The Aero Prima
CDP and hybrid amp do look very interesting. I have seen your posts on the
CDP, would you mind eloborating on the sound of the hybrid?

Rene

Saki70, I hope we are not abusing your thread here by discussing the Aero
Prima vs Jolida.

Howard (Boa2), thanks for your great description of the Prima (I always liked
your detailed and great descriptions/reviews in discussions here on
audiogon, no problem with being too wordy).

Engaging is probably the best description of the Jolida. One of the best
affordable amps I have heard in that respect. Running stock tubes on my
302b so far, it is missing only some detail especially in the highs. Bass could
be a little tighter as you say. I just got some Svetlana EL34, EH 12AX7 and
Mullard 12AT7. Installing them yesterday my preliminary impressions were
huge improvements in the highs with much more extension and detail. As far
as I can tell the bass got slightly tighter and bunchier as well, however not
quite on par with the Linn Solid State pream/amp I used before. I wish I could
listen to the Prima in comparison to the Jolida but there's just no dealers
down here in the desert in New Mexico.

Saki70, I hope the description of the Jolida will help you a little bit as well.
Sorry I can't tell you much about the Underwood mods (although I bought my
stock unit there. I would be interested in answers to that questions as well.
Sounds like the Prima Hybrid might be a good match in your system, though.

Best regards and Good luck to you, Saki70,

Rene

Saki70, good to hear that we didn't lead your thread astray too much.

By the way: I have seen the older(?) version of the Audio Aero HyBrid here on audiogon for as little as $750. For some reason they seem to be selling fairly slow. Although that should change if more people are reading your (Boa2) enthusiastic threads here on Audiogon. Are there any differences to the newer version?

Howard (Boa 2), thanks for the suggestions for the tubes. I have been hoping somebody would suggest some tube rolling on my virtual systems page. I noticed a big change in going to the Mullard for the 12AT7. More involving (hard to believe but true), better timing and rhythm and even better smoother midrange with out softening the bass and the highs too much. The gold pin EH 12AX7 brough in a lot more detail but sounded a little more sterile compared to the stock Jolida tubes. Only problem is that the 12AX7 NOS are usually much more expensive than the 12AT7. Well maybe sometime later.