Specifications:

Type: Stereo integrated tube amplifier

Tube Complement: 2 matched pairs (4) of EL84 power output; 2 pcs. 12AT7 driver,

 and 1 pc. 12AX7A pre-amplifier

Circuit Type: Ultra Linear, Class AB1

Power Output: 20 to 25 wpc at 8 ohms (1kHz),

                        40 to 50 wpc at 4 ohms (1kHz)

Frequency Response: 14Hz to 80KHz (+3dB; 0dB @ 20 Watt)

Distortion THD + N: Less than 1.5% at 15W output

Input Impedance: < 250Kohms

Input Sensitivity: Maximum 900mV for 20 watt output at 1kHz

Output Impedance: 4 ohms and 8 ohms

Negative Feedback: Less than 7dB

Signal & Noise Ratio S/N: 70dB below rated output from 10Hz to 200khz

Dimensions: 12 x 8 x 5 (WxDxH in inches)

Weight: 20 pounds

My eBay Price: $977 + S/H.

  To the average audiophile, the name JoLida should be no stranger. Mike Allen, founder of JoLida, has been designing and manufacturing tubed 

and hybrid amplifiers and source equipment for quite some time. Over the years, I've had more than a few pieces of Mike's gear through 

the old homestead. 

The JoLida JD-102-CRC is a classic EL84 push pull, Ultra Linear design. This circuit design is simple and very reliable.  

JoLida uses printed circuit boards in their amplifiers and this one is no different. 

Over all, this amp is quite the little ‘looker'. It's very attractive in brushed aluminum with chrome knobs and feet. It's amazingly small an as such, 

I doubt that you'd get much static at all from your wife or girlfriend about its looks sitting on a shelf or out in the open.

The Sounds

The JoLida 102 comes stock with the Electro Harmonix EL84 output tubes. The Jolida 102 uses a single EH 12AX7 as a preamp tube 

and a pair of EH 12AT7's. 

The EH tubes really isn't because of the sound, its because they are so reliable... from these tubes. In turn, it is encouraged for 

everybody to try different tubes.

The driver tubes are the 12AT7's), 

With conventional two way speakers, believe it or not, Its preferred to use the EH 12AT7's best. That's cool though, it just means we've 

got another nice sounding, new production tube to choose from all of the available tubes.

As you might expect from the push pull design and the quality transformers, the 102 digs plenty deep. Most are impressed 

that little JoLida maintains good control of the speakers on these tracks. I'm not noticing any excessive flabbiness at all. The other thing, 

where many amps with wimpy output transformers start to roll at about 40Hz, this little EL84 is darned solid down at least to 30Hz.

Moving our way up to the ultra critical midrange, this is where the JoLida starts to really shine. Anybody familiar with the sound of an 

EL84 will tell you that their upper bass and midrange harmonics are what make these little amps so damned inviting. When well done, 

they have a very clean presentation yet give you all of that big tube sound so many of us love 

(don't read plump and veiled into that statement).

The 102 delivers loads of midrange clarity.

Running the bias on the JoLida up to about 30mv gave me a few more watts. That defiantly helped drive the Epiphony's a little better. 

Running a higher bias comes with a bit of tube life reduction. Nothing to major but it should be noted that this will happen. 

 In the grand scheme of amplifiers, that is well on par most affordable amplifier offerings today. When it comes to imaging the little JoLida 

does a fine job of resolving placement of each drum strike across our imaginary soundstage. The image portrayed clear and concise 

without being overly exaggerated. That's pretty darned impressive for a $1000 to $2000 amplifier.

If I were forced to pick nits about this fine little amp, I honestly wouldn't find too many things to complain about. The first might be the 

heat generated. Though its not excessive (in tube amp terms), the tighter concentration of the tubes and trannies condenses that heat 

into a compact area. If you are thinking about placing this on a shelf, be sure that it's well ventilated and you should be fine. The next thing 

would be slightly narrowed soundstage of a push pull design (when you compare it to a good single ended design). It really isn't fair 

picking on the JoLida in this respect but you need to know that the Jolida JD-102B-CRC comes with that slightly closed sound 

associated with any push pull design. Honestly, after that and considering its cost, one should not be able find a darned thing to 

complain about, if one is considering this tube amplifier from a cost ratio to performance at $1000. 

Lastly, the remote for this jolida JD-102-CRC isn't available in this eBay listing..

In The End 

JoLida has done a really nice job ‘voicing' his creation. Its not hyper detailed, its not veiled, it's nearly a perfect balance sounding tube amplifier. 

There is enough here to satisfy nearly anybody.

The factory JoLida JD-102-CRC will work great with a variety of speakers. Many, tried different pairs of speaker of varying efficiencies 

and loads. Each time, this little gem just continued to sparkle. You high efficiency guys out there that are looking to add a little more 

wattage on the cheap, might want to give the  factory Jolida JD-102-CRC a listen, A $1000 isn't a lot of money for a real Tube Integrated Amplifier.

Sonically, I think you are going to like what this amp has to offer. For those of you that are looking to find out what a truly fine sounding tube 

amp sounds like without spending scads of money, this is your ticket. The Jolida JD-102-CRC does everything a really good tube amp should do. 

All of those rich EL84 harmonics come through without sounding ‘tubey' or sacrificing an once clarity.

I know you may be wondering about the puny 20 to 25 watts and your low efficiency speakers. As long as your speakers don't present 

too nasty of load or need tons of current to come alive, this little amp should perform pretty well. I'm hitting 95db peaks with 86db speakers

in fair sized room and it sounds darned fine to my ears. Besides, you can coax a few more watts, up to 25 Watts out of this amp by taking 

the bias up to 30 milliamps rather than the 20 JoLida recommends. Granted, it shortens your tube life a bit, but EL84's are dirt cheap for 

a current production matched quad.

I can't recommend this amp highly enough. It's a screaming deal at $1000. It's compact, built like a tank, attractive and puts out some 

phenomenal sound. 

Could you find some very minor faults with it? Sure you could if you picked at it long enough but at $1000 bucks, it would be pretty foolish to try. 

Sonically, this doesn't sound like the rest of the JoLida lineup. This little gem is clean, clear and an absolute pleasure to listen to.

To finish up, Well, after listening to JoLida JD-102-CRC, I'm amazed nobody has found this little gem either.