WHY TUBES Many people are starting to realize (again) that tubes just sound better. They provide a much more "listen-able" presentation in most circumstances without the long term fatigue that plagues much of the solid state and/or AV components on the market today. This is the reason tube audio has made such a comeback over the past several years and why Response Audio is so dedicated to tube components. The same holds true for vinyl also. If you want to be drawn into the music, you will want tubes somewhere in your system.

HOW MUCH POWER IS NEEDED Your speakers, listening room and listening habits will play a large role in choosing an amplifier that will meet your requirements. More power does not always mean better sound but can be the deciding factor when it comes to dynamic control. If you have speakers that are of a low to moderate sensitivity, consider more power to bring out the full potential of your speakers

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A AND B SERIES The differences between these units is basically purely cosmetic. The new "B" Series amplifiers are housed in a chassis that utilizes a separate face plate and has a cover over the transformers. Our exclusive Special, Signature and Reference Edition units are housed within the "A" Series chassis. The chassis is slightly different as it does not use the face plate or transformer cover but the circuitry within the units is basically identical. The newest "B" Series amplifiers also contain slightly upgraded components in such areas as the volume control and one added capacitor in the power supply as compared to the stock, discontinued "A" series. This is not a factor in our exclusive products as we completely rebuild these units from the ground up using components that are superior to even the latest, current production Jolida units.

CULTURED PEARLS Made famous by Mikimoto, nearly all pearls sold on the open market are cultured. Cultured pearls evolve in a similar manner as natural pearls, with the distinction being that cultured pearls have an irritant intentionally placed by a pearl farmer to start the formation of a pearl. The process may take one to several years. Japan, China and various places in the South Pacific have traditionally been major suppliers of cultured pearls. All pearls sold on this website are cultured pearls.

NATURAL PEARLS (UNCULTURED) These are the most rare form of a pearl. They form without human instigation. The process begins when an irritant positions itself inside the oyster. As a defensive measure, the oyster secrets layers of nacre which cover the irritant. This nacre forms the "pearl" as we know it. The amount, quality and shape of nacre that surrounds the irritant particle essentially determines the quality of the pearl. Because of their rarity and low demand, natural pearls can only be bought at estate auctions and through private dealers.

JAPANESE VS CHINESE AKOYA PEARLS Japan is famous for its introduction and promotion of the cultured pearl. Unfortunately, pollution has devastated Japan's pearl harvests and has decreased the quality of their pearls. China initially started culturing pearls in the 1980's and is now producing pearls of equal and sometimes higher quality than many of the pearls coming from Japan. Since the waters in China are less polluted and warmer, Chinese pearls have a thicker nacre and often a higher luster. Some Japanese firms have even started importing Chinese pearls and labeling them as Japanese pearls since it is more expensive to grow the pearls in Japan.

WHITE SOUTH SEA PEARLS White South Sea cultured pearls are grown in large tropical or semi-tropical oysters in Australia, Myanmar, Indonesia and other Pacific countries. These generally range in size from 10mm to 20mm and command premium prices because of their relative rarity and large size. They come primarily in white, yellow, yellowish orange, blue and some black tones. The overtones are rose, green and blue.

MABE PEARLS These are grown in Japan, China and the United States. They are hemispherical cultured pearls grown against the shell of an oyster rather than within the oyster's body. They generally are used in earrings or rings which conceal their flat backs.