(See 10/13/99 review)

Since my 10/13/99 summany on the JD601A cd player I've encountered a significant upgrade. As mentioned before, removing the stock Chinese tubes & replacing them with a non-Chinese pair are essential for good sound. My replacements were G.E. JAN 12AX7WA. The G.E.s removed coarseness from the sound & imparted a sense of ease. It also added a bit of sweetness. (I mostly listen to classical.)

But a new version of the 12AX7 has appeared on the market: the Sovtek 12AX7LPS ("LP" stands for "long plate"). What Hi-Fi? magazine raved about its sonic qualities. I therefore purchased a pair for my JD601A and was surprised with the improvement in sound. Soundstage is moderately wider & significantly deeper than with the G.E.s. There's also significantly more detail, yet the music is more relaxed and natural-sounding. Music is a touch less sweet & more neutral than with the G.E.s. Noise floor also seems to be lower. Using the Sovtek 12AX7LPS creates as big an improvement in sound quality over the G.E. JAN 12AX7WA as did the G.E.s did over the stock Chinese tubes.

I purchased a matched pair from TubeDepot.com for $26.79 (including shipping). But if you purchase elsewhere beware that one online dealer from the Chicago area sent me a pair of Electro-Harmonix 12AX7EH, stating they were identical to the Sovtek 12AX7LPS. They are NOT the same tube. (This dealer also refused to give a full refund when I returned the Electro-Harmonix pair.)

Anyway, try the Sovtek 12AX7LPS for the JD601A. It's great!

(NOTE: There's also a "12AX7LP" version from Sovtek but it won't work in some ciurcuits. I don't know if it'll work in the JD601A. Get the 12AX7LPS version, not the 12AX7LP.)

(NOTE: I don't know how significant a role it played but when inserting tubes into my cd player or preamp I always dab the tubes' pins with a thin layer of Caig's ProGold to enhance the electrical connection. I got a small bottle from AudioAdvisor.com for about $17.00. But be sure to wipe off the excess from pins with a q-tip.)

Lovely, rich sound. Isn't that what it's all about?

Goofy remote but that means very little to me.

My first tube CD player and I am VERY presently surprised. I bought this unit 2nd hand. Original owner had performed some basic mods: upgraded power cord, feet were place by Diamond racing cones, material used to dampen vibrartion. The sound is very nice-Armstrong/Sinatra/Ella it does voice very well. Classical pieces have been wonderful-I just feel in love w/"Peter and the Wolf" and the sound fills the living room. The string instruments from some bluegrass that I listen to sounds so real. All of the above is w/o the tube changes that are suggested below. I'm not generally a tube person but I'm thinking of tinkering. There have been reviews suggesting that the Jolida is a bit flimsy...I wouldn't know. I treat my equipment gingerly to begin w/thus never testing it's stress capacity. Bottom line: I think very highly of this CD player.

Associated equipment: Rotel RB980 amp, Rotel RC980 pre, Snell Model D speakers, Audio Magic Spectra IC, Audio Quest Type 6/Type 4 homemade bi-wire

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Sony 7ES changer, Rotel 955AX, Denon 920 and many others