response audio feedback

Please note that the feedback found on these two pages is in no particular order.

Below is a short list of some of the feedback we have received from our customers regarding our products, services and company.

Frank

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Reference Jolida 801 amplifier and Musica Bella SP/AV-1 loudspeakers

Hi Bill,

Just dropping an e-mail to say thanks for the 801 ref. mod you did for me last June and the Bella sp/av-1's. I came up to Endicott with my cd's, you let me move the couch, you switched out speakers (the Adagio's were stunning however above my $$ range), I moved them around a little, then I loaded cd's and listened. Have been to many a store and was never able to at least try and duplicate my living room (which is small). You answered all my technical questions, with technical answers. At the end of the morning what put a smile on my face and made my body sway is what I bought. Thanks for the attention and the experience. When I get time to bring my jd100 up for v-caps can I listen to some vinyl? LOL

I listen to my system for 3-5 hours at least two days a week and for shorter periods the rest of the week (listened to 3 Lucinda Williams cd's in a row yesterday). The bella's? I do not tire of them. I keep wanting more, and at moderate volume levels they provide (rarely do I go above 10 o'clock on the dial which is less than a third of the total). My wife does not complain, even a little, about this system. She sings.

Good musicians are trying to make something special happen between them, whether it be those back up singers coming in just right, two musicians feeding off one another or the nuances of the solo artist,you should here that little something that emotion. I find myself tuning into a background sax, organ, vocals or the drummer and listening to what their doing to accent the lead. To borrow a phrase to describe not only the speakers but the system "They have an expansive, very natural, harmonious sound, and at the same time, they present great musical detail (but without being etched or aggressive)". That describes the system.

I also use the system for movies. My dvd player converts to stereo for the 801 and the sound is expansive. Bass is tight and low. Sit anywhere on the couch and its all good.

Finally upgraded the power cord from the stock. Made a tremendous difference in the overall dynamic.

Thanks again Mike

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Bill -

Got everything up and going with the Thorens table.

I recently found a MFSL original master vinyl recording of the collaboration LP between Nat King Cole and George Shearing. I'd been keeping it for today. I'd listened to the Red Book CD for quite a while. It's one of my favorites, and thru my Marantz SA-14v2 CD/SACD player, it always sounded really good, so I was really looking forward to the chance to compare the two.

Well, there's no comparison. This table, the Arum Beta S cartridge, and the MoFi technology, resulted in the most remarkable sound I've ever experienced at home. It's actually like a different set of takes, the difference is so profound. And this with a rather modest phono preamp.

Further, I know you hate 'em, (and I don't blame you) but you've got these Ming-Da monoblocs sounding absolutely #@$%$% incredible. As they've continued to run in, the idle noise is down to practically nothing, and their ability to control the 9" woofers in these Silverline Boleros has really tightened up. I really cannot thank you enough for all that you've done on my behalf. They're really a joy now.

Well, just wanted to let you know how great that table sounds. I know the performance won't be quite as impressive with more common LPs, but nonetheless, I'm really, really pleased.

Hope you and yours are well, have a great weekend, and as always....

Very best regards

Reference Jolida 801 / SP Technology Continuum / Sonoran Cable w/ Micro Bearing Fill

7/17/06
Bill, It was wonderful to make the "Pilgrimage" to Response Audio. Your accommodation after all the anxiety and trepidation the past couple of weeks brought you could have closed another man down. Kudos to you and during my ride home and reflecting on the time, conversations and topics. You know I really had a great engaging evening quite unexpected and a moment in time were I can embellish with the foundation of truth about you, your business and talk about how extra, extra cool your were to me as a perfect stranger, but we had that magic and common thread of music to build our beginning business relationship. I look forward to being able call you a friend in the truest sense. I thought you were terrific in your complete emersion and passion for your craft and I respect that more than you could really understand. Mainly because I am a real prick when someone is in a position of authority and power over me and begins to come off causal and confident. Hell you are the most down to earth and well balance guy I have met in the past year. Musicians can be a real narcissistic bunch and I don't think of, nor do I call people friends lightly. I know that the audiophile crowd is just as opinionated as the musician crowd.

Bill I would consider it a very humbling request. Please feel free to quote or paraphrase anything that I have said or e-mailed to you. I am an open book and as such I am not constrained by angst or anxiety of what people may or may not think of my points of views or remarks. You know when we were hanging out it was a good fit. Sometimes you just know you could be real good friends if we were geographically closer. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed to the tenth degree the hospitality you showed and kindness you demonstrated by meeting me on my crazy time schedule. Hell you even gave me a Pepsi. Man that was one of the best I had had in a while, after 3 plus hours in the car and not eating and drinking much that day. Whew, that hit the spot. It was just Cool, Cool, Cool to walk into your shop, only through e-mails, web site browsing and I don't know how to describe it but I felt comfortable and not the least bit worried that I was putting myself at tremendous financial risk not having a significant previously developed relationship. It was the music Karma. I am very lucky to let music kind of direct me at all facets and I am pulled in directions every year that if you had told me what I was going to participate in, I would say your nuts! LOL. Bill Words really can't describe my gratitude and my outright luck finding you and your incredible skill and commitment to music in your own way. Music makes us brothers and music is always going to open doors to pleasant places and great people. You know working with the public, every 6 or so months you come across a banana, but it seems that more and more people are believing in you and your product line and philosophies. I do. So you have my permission to use me as a reference and a customer, quote me etc... That is the least I can accommodate you with. Allot of work on my part to say that. Yeah right! You do the work. I just feel like the luckiest guy in the world with my new system. I am going to be out of town for the next week with the family. Going to Cape May, NJ for a beachy/peachy time. You have my cell phone if you every need to call and the line is always open. Peace bratha and I will touch base with you when I get back in a week to 10 days. Otherwise bang out an e-mail at your leisure and I will respond. Sometimes I am the biggest knuckle head because I have so many Irons in the proverbial fire. My bad, but my credo is " I will sleep when I am dead" So that's that. Enjoy the last month of the Summer. Too, too fast. Again I hope all is finally cleaned up and you are back on track after the flood. I keep good thoughts for you and your family always. I honestly mean it. Chuck

Well, it has been four weeks since I took delivery of the Ultimate Dared 845 modified amp that you did for me. The V-caps are breaking in more and more, so it seems like a good time to give you feedback about the modified amp, and it's fit with the Ultimate Usher 718's that I bought from you earlier.

Keep in mind that my previous major system was either a pair of Magnepan 1.6 QR's or Reference 3A MM de Capos, driven by Cary 805C's, so I was spoiled. The Dared felt like a good risk to take for my smaller system, and with your mod and the Super TNT 845B's, it is amazing. The spaciousness and listenability of this amp/speaker combo is beyond anything I could have hoped for or expected. Bass is most respectable, and I don't find myself longing for my Sunfire sub. Vocals just seem to float on the soundstage and are locked in focus. The layering of the instruments and voices is much more 3-D and well placed compared to prior to the mod. The highs are NEVER harsh or rolled-off, two things I was prepared for with tubes or the 845 tube itself.

Your work on both the amp and speakers shows complete care and careful placement of wiring and parts. The amp looks more like an F1 racing engine than the mass of wires that was inside the Dared when I took ownership. When I first called you to see if you would do the mod, you told me "Careful work and top quality parts, combined with a decent amp or speakers will most always beat the high priced competition hands down." You proved that with this amp, that I so enjoy, and these speakers that perform way out of their price and class. It tickles me to know that the V-caps aren't even completely broken in yet, and I am still happier with this system than I have been in years. Driving this amp and speakers with a tubed ModWright modified Philips SA1000 has shown me that careful investment in sonically sound equipment, combined with professional, top-notch modifications is the way to go.

Thank you Bill for all your time, care and craftsmanship. You have been, and continue to be, a joy to work with and someone to whom I will return and refer in the future!

Hi Bill,
Thought I would give you some follow-up after about 200 hours of use on your modded Tulip. At present, with Sophia meshplate 45 tubes, I've never had a better amp in my home. It is truly amazing and sounding wonderful. I also can't recommend those tubes more highly. I thought that the amp didn't do well with the 1940's Sylvania 45's. Well it isn't the amp. The Sophia tubes really make it perform. Thanks again for a wonderful product and happy new year,
Marvin Amstey

This is a handsome unit which, in stock form, can be had new or lightly used for as little as $500. The build quality is very good, the wiring is point-to-point and the volume pot is from Alps.

I bought a lightly used MC-7R for my bedroom system, but first gave it a listen through my main system with an Audio Note DAC 4.1x Signature upstream and both Blue Circle BC-8 and AtmaSphere M60 monoblocks downstream to actively biamped custom loudspeakers. In such a highly resolving system the stock Ming Da showed both its strengths and limitations. The midrange was glorious. The soundstage was wide and reasonably deep, with that "air" enveloping instruments and performers that I've only experienced with quality tubed systems. Alas, the bass was mushy, the highs rolled off and microdetail retrieval was poor compared to a $3000+ Musical Design SP-3 SS preamp (outboard 1.2 Farad psu, all Black Gate caps and tantalum resistors, yada yada) it replaced.

I visited the Response Audio website after reading a 'Gon classified ad for Ming Da mods and found that Bill Baker offered a "Signature Mod" package for my preamp model and its near twin, the MC-3R. Being a cautious sort, I phoned him for more info and found him to be down to earth, patient and knowledgeable. Off my MC-7R went!

The Signature modded preamp barely resembled the stock unit (musically, that is). The midrange magic remained, but the bass was now quite articulate, allowing the powerhouse BC-8 monoblocks to really strut their stuff. Treble extension was much improved, complementing the OTL amps' transparency.
Micro-detail retrieval was much better, though not quite up to my SS pre. Overall, though, I actually preferred the modded Ming Da in my main system. There's nothing like the realism of tubes done right. And this for less than $300 over the cost of the stock unit!

Shortly thereafter, Bill announced his "Reference Mods" featuring the new VH Audio "V-Caps". (Teflon units in the signal path with the new V-Cap Oil impregnated output capacitors). I called him and learned that the new mods raised the preamps sonically to a level competitive with the world's best. A pretty bold assertion, but I'd come to trust Bill's ear and work - so off again the MC-7R went!

I've now had the opportunity to hear the "Reference Moddded" MC-7R in my home for about 75 hours. In short, it doesn't just merit the designation of "extraordinary value for its price" (for me, under $2000 total including cost of the stock unit). Rather, it truly lives up to the advance claim of "as good as it gets"! It is quiet, with micro-detail retrieval capable of realistically extracting the ambience of every venue on live CD recordings (I love live music...)I own - be it jazz, rock, chorale. The "air" around singers and instruments is uncanny. The holography of great tube gear is there in a big way. Highs soar gracefully. On well-recorded CDs the attack and decay of cymbal crashes and the like are nothing short of lifelike.

I've also put the "Reference Modded" MC-7R into my bedroom system (Tube Technology Fulcrum CDT > NorthStar DAC192 > Ming Da MC-7R > Ming Da MC805-A monoblocks > Zalytron Phenomenal 3 loudspeakers) with the same result. This system cannot produce the dynamics and scale of the actively biamped floorstanders (Raven R3.1 ribbons/dual 12 inch PHL 4530s) in my main rig, but has that "SET thing" going in a big way with those 805 output tubes. Yet the midrange realism, "air" and holographic soundstage of SETs came through even more beautifully with the "Reference Modded" MC-7R in the signal path. So much so that I snapped up a demo MC-7R from Bill for future "Reference Mods" and use in this system as well.

My SS preamp (great as it is)? Well, make me an offer...

I really can't find the words to describe the deliciously "you are there" experience that the "Reference Modded" Ming Da MC-7R has brought to both of my systems in a far from subtle way. It is such a blessing AND relief to have found a preamp to keep for life.

Please note that I use NOS 12AU7 and 12AX7 tubes in the MC-7R, of the $15-$50 per variety - nothing terribly exotic in my stash. The stock Chinese rectifier needs no substitution, with rugged and inexpensive NOS military replacements available from "DIY Hi Fi" on the web.

Music used during review:

A Love Supreme - John Coltrane
O Christmas Tree (A Bluegrass Collection) - various
A Childe is Born - The Bell' Arte Singers
Inside - Dave Van Ronk
Shaking the Tree - Peter Gabriel
Lotus - Santana
My Goals Beyond - Mahavishnu Orchestra
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers (self-titled on Impulse)
Bad Brains (self-titled on Rohr)
I, Eye, Aye - Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Have Moicy - Michael Hurley, Unholy Modal Rounder, Jeffrey Frederick and the Clamtones
Blackheart Man - Bunny Wailer
Original Rockers - Augustus Pablo
Absent Lovers- King Crimson
Squeezing Out Sparks/Live Sparks - Graham Parker and the Rumour
Win This Record - El Rayo X
More Guitar and Faithless - Richard Thompson Band

Comment: John, very glad to hear you are enjoying the modified MC7. Part of the magic you are hearing is the combination of the V-Cap Teflon & Oil impregnated capacitors working in harmony to provide the sonic flaor you desired. Thank you for the kind words and have a great holiday season and happy, healthy new year!

Bill Baker

Hi Bill,
Just a bit of feedback: there is now about 150 hours on the amp. It has
astounded a number of my musician friends from the Eastman School - and
of course, me. I've been through a number of tube sets and have learned that RCA 2A3's (double filaments) sound better than Sylvania 45's. There is a bit more bass control. Actually it is the bass response that is most amazing given 3.2 watts. Even with 90 db Thiels, the amp performs better than any I have had. If anybody asks, however, the Decware HDT speakers (96 db) with a single Fostex driver are better than any I have had. More importantly, my wife believes these are the best speakers that we have ever owned. You folks run a good show down there, and I'm pleased that I found you. You can certainly add my name to any list of endorsers.
Have a great holiday and happy new year,
Marvin

Bill:
Now that I've had some quality time to listen to the Ultimate Usher 718's
I purchased from you, I can give you some clear feedback. So far I have
listened to them with 12 and 25 wpc SET's, and an 80 wpc hybrid. The last
2 way monitors I owned were the Reference 3a MM De Capos. In comparison, the Ushers give more detail, better transients and cleaner vocals. These speakers have a wonderful sense of wholeness or continuity, providing very specific imaging and layers of depth. I have found them to be the kind of speakers that unlock aspects of my favorite LP's and discs that I truly had not heard before. The bass on the Ushers is incredible, both in depth and focus. No mush or boom here, just tight bass that makes listening to Earl Klugh or Bella Fleck a pure joy. It is obvious that the crossover mods, reference grade resistors and premium wiring wring every
pleasant bit of sound out of what start out as very good speakers. I can truly say that my concerns about subwoofers was unfounded given the amount of bass that these Ultimate 718's produce.
As another customer has stated, I would be remiss if I also didn't comment on the extreme quality of communication and friendliness that you have shown to me. It is rare to find someone with a commitment to the quality of his products who exhibits that same commitment to his customer. You have been a true gem to work with. Thanks, Bill!

Thomas Portney, Augusta, Georgia
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"I recently purchased an ASL Tulip amp from a private owner that had been modified by Response Audio and Bill Baker. Considering that I knew nothing about the amp or Response Audio's service, I was taking a big chance to purchase the amp unseen and unheard. After receiving the amp, I was very pleased to see that the amp appeared as new and sounded great. Because it had low hours (about 75) I was curious about burn-in with the new caps and resistors and contacted Bill. He was extremely forthcoming and willing to discuss his work. It is fair to say that he is intimately familiar with the amps he modifies. I am impressed that he can recommend what sounds best for a given amp due to this familiarity. Looks like a great service. I only wish I had known about it sooner. I can imagine how 22 watts of tweaked SET power would perform on my speakers."

09.10.04: At long-last, my dream system is complete; the arrival of my Usher SW-102 and Bill's gorgeous custom length Usher speaker wires and custom made 20 ft. interconnects finishes off the aforementioned stereo system passionately built by Bill. The Usher sub is a thing of beauty. Its statement of presence and musicality is beyond reproach. Due to what I perceive as "exquisite control", the SW-102 does *not* take a center stage position in the listening field as many powered subs do. Rather it serves as a fine compliment to an already solid full-range performer in the Ultimate Usher X-718's. Listening to a wide range of music yesterday, from Marilyn Manson to Sting, Pink Floyd, Venus Hum, Mozart, and the oh-so-critical Toccata and Fugue in G Minor by J.S. Bach, the SW-102 served to reinforce the excellent full-range tonality and presentation of the X718's, not overpower them or out stage them.

A word about wires from the ultimate skeptic/cynic. My patients with the US Postal system was rewarded with the receipt of a pair of Response Audio custom length, custom terminated Usher speaker cables. Out of necessity, I was using a middle grade pair of Monster cables from my amps to my X-718's. When I swapped them for the Usher cables, several things immediately happened; the sound image grew in height, the midrange came forward, and the breadth of the stage grew perceptibly. Aside from the fact that the aesthetics of these cables are quite pleasing to the techno-geek eye, they make an appreciable difference in delivery and staging. Once again, I bow in adoration to the magicians in Endicott, N.Y. I am a dyed-in-the-wool 2-channel guy, and I am very happy to have yet another magnificent example of RA's work in my media room! Leaving the house to go to work keeps getting harder and harder.... :)

8-03-04: Taking the term happy-camper to new sonic levels of auditory bliss, I set up my fully modified Response Audio system. Bill Baker built specifically for me, a pair of Reference Musica Bella RAM40 watt mono-bloc amps and a pair of custom Ultimate Usher X-718's. I could list at least 20 adjectives to describe the staging, depth, transparency and width of this meticulously crafted system, and still not completely describe the awe I experience when I sit and listen to my music.

Beyond the system itself, I would be regretful had I not included my experiences in my dealings with Bill. In this day and age of Internet invisibility and anonymity, Bill Baker makes himself easily accessible for questions and answers. My experiences with Response Audio have been timely, courteous and highly professional. It was difficult for me to buy a system, sight-unseen (sound unheard), from a manufacturer 3200 miles from home and mail in a check for many thousands of dollars. Yet, in speaking with Bill regarding what I had wished to accomplish, my reservations quickly became certainties, and my trust has not been challenged; my appreciation for Bill Baker has elevated beyond my expectations.

I proudly make myself available as a personal reference for any one who is in need of a satisfied customer to speak with.

Sincerely,

Clint Kapp
San Diego, CA

7-26-04: Bill, I just want to tell you that your deluxe, fully-upgraded ASL Orchid is just too great for words! Yep, that's my Orchid pictured on your website - the first you've made. I've had it for several months now, and its component parts have broken in rather nicely. Instead of waxing poetic over this bad boy, I'll just say it's worth every penny - and then some. It now has the same detail, speed, and holographic presentation as my Decware 84C-S, but it's way more lush and has way more power and bass. Maybe it's the big and beefy transformers. No hum or extraneous noises at all from this amplifier - it's dead quiet between tracks. Explosive macro dynamics and delicate micro dynamics at the same time. And I haven't even put in my Telefunken 12AX7's scavenged from my low-hour Fisher 500C (I'll do that after my new speakers have had their 200+ hours of breaking in time). By the way - don't bother hooking your cable box or TV to this system. This amplifier is so accurate and great-sounding with a good and clean signal that you will simply not put up with the tinny, harsh, and mechanical-sounding signal from the TV or cable box. If the signal source is clean and lush, this amplifier will give you a clean and lush sound. I did not expect this integrated amp to be a microscope for an audiophile; it was a very pleasant surprise.

Folks, Bill is absolutely right about using speakers of 95dB+ sensitivity. With the right one, your system will just sing (and shout if you like obnoxiously loud music). I heartily recommend the Decware HDT single-driver speakers (got them last week) as a suitable mate for the amplifier. At 96 dB sensitivity, 8 Ohms impedance, and no cross-over to mess things up, my system as a whole is now fast, powerful, and has lease-breaking volume and bass. Collective Soul (and even a classical music CD every now and then) never sounded better. I was very surprised that with the volume control at the 12:00 position, the system was so annoyingly loud that even I had to turn it down to 9:00. My Rogers dB 101's sounded fine with the Orchids, but the Decwares just blew them out of the water in terms of bass and volume. The imaging and sound staging is 95% there, but the speakers will sound better over time. And both the amps (about 20 hours) and speakers (2 hours) are still just breaking in. Considering the way I listen (I work very long hours), I expect them to start to gel in another year or so. Cheers!

Also, we absolutely must thank Bill Baker of Response Audio for building the incredible sounding Jolida 801's that were used. I guess its about time I shut up about tube amps 'cause I didn't know what I was talking about in the past. Those babies were incredible! They didn't have the mushy low end or edgy highs I've heard from tube amps in the past. Although I will make one point in my own defense. I've always said that there was no reason that tubes COULDN'T sound as good as S-S, just that few manufacturers ever make them. Well...Bill's one that DOES! That thing was one of the best amps I've ever heard - PERIOD. Bill had to build the thing in time for the show and he came through with time to spare. Thanks Bill - you da' man!

Bill, your Signature mods have elevated an already fine product to one that is hard to beat at any cost. You were absolutely correct about the benefits of the Sonicaps and Cardas wiring! Microdynamics and low level detail in my music have really been brought out. Bass is now tight, with quite realistic timbre. The very appealing midrange of the stock preamp is fully preserved.
You have a real winner here with unbelievable bang for the buck!

John - Utah

I have talked to Bill Baker maybe 6 times now. He has always been generous with his time and his guidance, even before I ever bought anything from him. It took me from last February until now to finally be able buy my Music Hall MMF CD-25! It's too long a story for this space, the reasons were my own with money & what to upgrade first, or should I say second. I've talked with other knowledgeable people in Home Audio from Mike Allen at Jolida (I still owe him for time spent in auditioning Jolida tube amps in his showroom) to some great people at Audio Circle. I almost forgot all the brick and mortar audio dealers. Of all of those people, Bill Baker is Unique in the advice he offers, in his manner of leading you to what you want/need. He is the most ethical, kind, generous, knowledgeable, honest & helpful person I have ever bought anything from in my entire life. Last February I was leery of buying audio equipment on-line. Thanks to Bill that has all changed and I'm on my way to building/re-building a great little home audio system. Tubes rule and so does Bill Baker! Bill, thank you for being such a great man and a great teacher.

Marty

Special Edition Jolida 302B

Bill,

I waited until I had some hours on my unit before sending you my impressions as I wanted to be sure to give the new caps some time to settle in. I also intend to post a review on Audio Asylum when I can pull myself away from the music long enough to compose one!!!!

Let me say up front, that I was very pleased with the sonics of the stock Jolida JD 302B, but being a sometime "tweaker" myself, I also know that to keep pricing down, Jolida (as well as other manufacturers building to a "price point") has to make compromises on some passive part selection in the construction. This is not a criticism - in fact, I find it very commendable that Jolida has chosen to make such high quality sound affordable to those of us who have a deep love of music, but not necessarily the deep pockets that some of the "high end" tube gear has as a requirement for ownership. At any rate, I knew that: A) the basic circuit design was a good one - the sound of the stock unit was extremely three dimensional and "refined". Probably the least fatiguing (non-triode)amp I've ever owned (and I've owned a few over the years....). B) As good as it sounded, I knew that some well chosen upgrades could significantly enhance detail resolution and transparency.

Your SE modifications to my JD 302B have exceeded my expectations both in sonic results and in the pleasant and positive nature of my dealings with you. I'm glad I made the appointments to come up to the shop and meet you - it really is a nice drive from CT!! Maybe I'll take a ride up on the bike sometime this summer........!

So.... the audible improvements as I hear them - first what DIDN'T change - I DIDN'T lose any of the refinement of the originals presentation!!! In fact, the presentation is smoother with an even creamier, more 3-D midrange than stock! The midrange on up is what I've always loved most about the EL34s - and I feel I am getting even more palpability now. On well recorded CDs and LPs the SE can put a vocalist or instrument right in the room with me - something I had only experienced with triodes prior to this.

The amp also seems subjectively "faster" to me than it had as a stock unit. There seems to be a bit more "snap" to a struck snare drum for example. It's as though leading edge transients have sharpened a bit; but without adding even a trace of harshness to the sound. This also ties in with a definite increase in low level detail and the delineation of images across and through the very well defined - broad and deep - soundstage.

The best word I can think of to describe the resulting sound of the amp with the SE mods is - "organic". That is to say more organic than the original. The mods did not really change the character of the amp - it took what were already the strengths of it's sound and elevated them to the next level.

I honestly did not feel that I could have afforded this quality of sound before I had you modify my unit. I am experiencing in my own system, in my own home, sound that I had only experienced before while daydreaming in high-end audio boutiques listening to systems that go for more than my customized Harley-Davidson would sell for. Since I am currently listening to the Jolida with ACI Sapphire IIIs(on 24" stands) and a Velodyne CT-120 sub, I really can't comment on bass performance, but the subwoofer outputs you added sure come in handy and work great! There is no noticeable effect on the main outputs that I can detect in my system.

In closing - your Jolida SE mods get a big thumbs up from me!!! The biggest problem I'm having now is getting out of my listening chair!!!! The SE 302B seems to be a GREAT match with my upsampled Njoe Tjoeb 4000 CD player. It's like I got a new music collection to listen to! Even poorly recorded recorded CDs are more listenable - they still are revealed as poorly recorded - but somehow more easy to listen to. Currently Yo-Yo Ma(Obrigado Brazil) is in my living room....... Can't be rude - I have to go listen to his performance........!!! Say hi! to Leanne from me and Peta!!!! You haven't heard the last of me yet!!!

Peace,

Jeff Fayle

COMMENT:
HI Jeff,
Thank you for the kind words. I am very happy to hear you are happy with the amp and working with myself. Please be aware that if you swing in this summer on the Harley, you may end up needing to call for a ride back unless I have mine by then and we can lock the doors and go for a cruise.

Please do keep in touch with any further questions, comments or concerns you may have. It's always a pleasure.

On a final note, I did receive my new bypass caps and will send you some the first of the week

Jolida SE502 Custom Basic Edition

Well it has been over 3 months with my Basic Edition 502. It has exceeded all my expectations.
I have called and bugged Bill a number of times with all the modifications that I have done at work. Bill has always been very helpful and takes the time to talk to me about the amp. I have been tube rolling and took out the selector, balance pot with new rca jacks and wires on the input.
Last week I also changed all 6 of the electrolytic caps with low ESR versions and the sound has improved dramatically.

Thanks again Bill for the amp and all the help.

There is no reason for me to have taken this long to place feedback for Bill and Response Audio, other than the fact that I've been so wrapped up in other things and therefore behind on my computer time. I've had my modded Jolida 302B since just after Christmas, and I've put in maybe 15 hours of worthwhile listening on it. I had added one of the RAM PC3 power cords and the Clarity "Emberglow" series interconnects with the order, which was the icing on a very nicely modified cake (the Special Edition mods with 2 Bybee purifiers in the B+ voltage, silver wire for two of the inputs, subwoofer output and removal of the balance control). Bill was excellent and very helpful when it came to decisions on what to do to the amp, and the results were wonderful. The only thing I had to change were the stock feet on the amp, which I would recommend Response Audio do as part of their mods package. The stock feet are crap. I had some issues with shipping, but Bill worked with me with!
out any hassles. I felt comfortable with Bill and his company from the get-go, and am very pleased with the goods. I would do business with Response Audio again. Thanks Bill!

Comment: Thanks for the kind words Joel and very glad to hear you are enjoying your amplifier. Considering you are not the first to mention (recommend) replacing the feet on these units, I will start offering something with the forthcoming Special Edition units.

Greetings, Bill! I only just got the rack unpacked and assembled. I am very impressed with the quality of manufacture and would not hesitate to recommend it. Continued success!!

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Custom Built Jolida Special Edition 502 (x2)

My brother and I each purchased a Jolida SE502A from Response Audio with the following modifications to the SE package: removal of the selector switch along with all but one set of RCA inputs in back and dual volume controls added. Electro-Harmonix 12AX7 and 12AT7 input/splitter tubes and SED KT88 output tubes added. One amp is configured for triode mode, the other in pentode (ultralinear). The triode amp also has 2 Quantum Purifiers added to the B+ power supply.
Both amps arrived well packaged and in mint condition. We have listened to them for about 2 months now. The pentode version excels in imaging, expansive 3D sound staging and details, details, details. The triode version, used with a suitably efficient loudspeaker, goes one step
beyond the pentode version in being "sweet" yet retaining the finer details of the music. The low end is also improved. Listening to Miles Davis "Sketches of Spain" SACD on the Pioneer Elite DV-59AVi with Acoustat speakers will literally put you in the recording session. We would also like to thank Bill for following up on phone calls & e-mails, he made extra effort to exceed our customer service expectations. We certainly recommend these Jolida 502A SE amps from Response Audio.
Terry & Tom