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(Jolida) Black Ice Audio Foz SS-X Sound Enhancement

I could find only a few reviews of this device and a few forum entries here. They were all favorable. I sorely needed the bass enhancement circuit for my Maggie 3.7s. I have a Marchand X.26 crossover handling them and the sub but the integration was not ideal. The pre and amps are Cary Audio Class A mono blocs. The source is transparent and very revealing. I did not want anything to upset the glorious sound of the tubes. I also needed something to offset my small-ish listening room. The Maggies ’stand watch’ but I can’t get the distance I need for them to bloom. The SS-X seemed to fit the bill - tube driven, clean specs and a solid designer pedigree. I respect Jim Fosgate.

I ordered the SS-X on the strength of his engineering expertise, particularly in tubes, viz-a-viz Jolida. Not having heard the device it could be considered a leap of faith or a plunge into disappointment. I held my breath.

Straight to the chase: Maggies now have a sweet bottom end, the sub has been dialed back and has disappeared and the top to bottom synergy is spot on and very satisfying.

But wait, there’s more...

The spatial imaging adjustment: Well, I listened to several of my favorite studio recordings. Clean, thankfully. I then put on a nightclub recording of the late Ben Webster live in Amsterdam. I nearly fell out of my chair. The speakers disappeared and I was looking around for the cocktail waitress. The drum kit, the piano, the double bass were all present in the venue with all of its ambiance and Mr. Webster was doing what he did so incredibly well: swinging the audience ala Ellington with that big smooth sax. You could hear everyone present as if you were sitting there.

I’m still waiting for the cocktail server. Incredible device and worth every penny and the anticipation.





keesue
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Looks like this is one of those units that needs to be on for many hours to sound its best.

Last night after 12 hours power on it was sounding better.

This morning after nearly 24 hours it is a LOT better.

Think I will just leave it on all the time, after all only 1 small 12au7 tube.

And I just bought a Bugera tube so will see if tube rolling has any impact.

More updates later.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Tube rolling definitely has a huge impact even with just the one little tube.

I am very fortunate to have a local audiophile friend ( thx Rick) who has a good stash of tubes so......

TungSol .... Bottom of the pile, too rounded, lost detail and impact.
Sylvania .... Nice neutral tube, nothing to say bad, but nothing to make you dance too either.
Mullard long plate .... Plenty of impact but top end detail not as refined as I would like.
The winner from my little pile is....

RCA ... Has it all, nearly. Not quite as insightful bass and mids as the Mullard but very nice highs and piano is to die for.

Pretty interesting that a few simple tube swaps can change the character so much.
4krowme's avatar
4krowme
542 posts
 
I do appreciate your honesty, and understand how tube rolling would make a difference. No doubt, I will be trying an RCA tube soon enough. RCA impresses me if the tube is well selected by the seller for performance, noise, and so forth.
 FWIW, I changed the knobs on my unit to ones with markings. Pretty simple fix I'd say.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
4KROWME
Very good idea on markings for the two knobs, would have been easy for the factory to do along with a center "null" position detent on each one.

Overall I would say it is well worth the $299 shipped price I paid.
4krowme's avatar
4krowme
542 posts
 
Couldn't resist. Got a Gold Lion re-issue on the way from the Tube Store. After it arrives, I will be ready for it to audition. If I don't care for it, on we go to another tube. Second choice will be a special selected GE from Antique Audio Tubes? Andy is the owner, and I have had great results with his discrimination/selection process. 
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