The first tube pre i had was a Jolida and it was noisey as hell (old house syndrome maybe. It just picked up every bit of EMI it could find and send it to my amp even without the TT connected. I tried every gizmo i could find and i finally sent it back. I bought a Project tube box SE II and have tried some different tubes but the stock ones sound great,probly just my hearing is too far gone. I did have to mess with the MMF at one point i had a channel imbalance, turns out the connection at the cartridge was compromised so i had to pull some wire through the tone arm and resolder the ends on. When changing the cartridge i always use a precision screwdriver to gently leverage the connectors off so i like to believe i didnt damage the wires myself. As for coming down that way, perhaps one day if i ever/can get a passport.
