I first became interested in Jolida’s glass-enclosed, cube-shaped integrated amplifier when I saw the cute, little thing at the 2008 Rocky Mountain Audio Fest. I wasn’t even drunk. I was, in fact, completely sober. I mean, look at it. It’s so adorable! And then I heard it.
I was impressed by how far its 10W could go without stressing out too much, even when partnered to a pair of 88dB loudspeakers. How might the amp sound when mated to something more efficient?
Jolida’s Michael Allen told me that the amp was geared toward a younger audience—besides being cute and small, it has a front-panel iPod input, and costs just $450—and, of course, I liked that about it, too.
For many months, I kept it in the back of my mind, on some long, messy list of “gear to check out,” and then I pretty much forgot about it.
When it was decided, however, that I’d have my own monthly column in the magazine—the first installment of “The Entry Level” will appear in our January 2011 issue—I began researching affordable loudspeakers. I requested a few review samples, including the 92dB Klipsch Synergy B-20 ($279/pair).
Then one night, after a long party, I stumbled up the three flights of stairs to my apartment and found, blocking the entrance, a large brown box. What the hell is this? I wondered. I turned the box to one side and saw the logo: Klipsch.
It was right at that moment, drunk and staring down at that big brown box and knowing what was inside, knowing the promises of efficiency and ease, that it occurred to me: Match these speakers with that cute, little Jolida amp!
And so here it is. I can’t wait to see how things go.
