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  3. 143268-72364

(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

Showing 11 responses by sgordon1

sgordon1
460 posts
 
Very happy with my unit, a definite keeper.  I thought I
would want to "play" with the bass and soundstage knobs, and
I was wrong.  For me, it is "set it and forget it."

The unit is sensitive to vibration control and good cabling.
I have not replaced the tube and leave the unit on for a
few days at a time.

Like Coach said, "They are who we thought they are."
sgordon1
460 posts
 
Every claim about this product is confirmed, based
on only a few days in my system.  I had broken it in
to get some time on the tube.

It puts more "meat" on the sound, through the tube "filter."
I don't have a preamp, and placing the SS-X between my
cd player and amp has dispelled any questions about
what I may have been missing.  This is my first tube product.
The music seems to have more body, and the instruments sound
more substantial, in a natural space.

I am happy with the bass adjustment, and am content to leave
the control on neutral.  In this position it sounds more full than
what I was hearing before.  Now I have the option of changing it,
whenever desired.  (I do not use a subwoofer.)

The sound staging in the "wide" mode, is really excellent, too.
It also seems to add more depth and height to the sound.

The SS-X is well built and definitely responds to quality cabling and
vibration isolation.  (I replaced the fuse with SR Blue.)

The people at Black Ice (Jolida) in Maryland are great to talk to and
have responded to questions easily.

At $400, I think this product is a unique steal.  In a single unit, you can
control variables that are not addressed by any other piece of electronics that
I know of.

It very simply does what it claims to do!
sgordon1
460 posts
 
I am surprised.  I thought it would be fun to
listen to the same cd and vary the settings.
Or, change the settings with different discs.

"Set it and forget it" is working very well,
thank you!
sgordon1
460 posts
 
Suggestions:

Use quality power cord and interconnects
Isolate for vibration control

To get the best sound, attention to detail
with SS-X is very critical.  The effort and
associated costs will be worth it.
sgordon1
460 posts
 
Great comment, bowenski.  The FOZ proves to be a 
remarkable piece, for those who can overcome their "purist"
thinking and focus on great sound presentation.

I wanted to make sure that I have a spare for the (factory)
Tung-Sol tube.  After doing some reading, I ordered and installed
a Psvane 12AU7-S tube.  Especially after a relatively short 
break in, the noise floor was noticeably lowered, resulting in even
greater detail, overall.  (My bass setting typically is at 9 o'clock and
the soundstage at 3 o'clock.)
sgordon1
460 posts
 
To "supercharge" your SS-X, apply a small amount of
anti-static fluid with a brush or cloth to the unit, and to the
supporting shelf.

sgordon1
460 posts
 
Jim Smith, from "Get Better Sound" on tonal balance:

p. 92 "We perceive warm or cool sound to some extent
by the amount of energy present in the lower
midrange/upper bass.  If we bring our speakers (or microphones)
a bit closer togeether, the reproduced sound "couples"
ever so slightly better, slightly shifting the balance to "warmer."

p. 94 The other extreme, "pinpoint stereo imaging," results from
"very wide separation, which thins out the tonal palette of
the music.  You can make an orchestra (or band, etc.) sound
bleached out, thin, and totally uninteresting by going too far in
your quest for pinpoint imaging." 

Enter SS-X!
sgordon1
460 posts
 
I tried the SS-X in my headphone system, between the
amp and cd player.  The result is so good that it will have to stay there.
Nice improvement in all aspects of the sound, with no perceived drawbacks!

So I had to order a second unit for the main system!  It will have the upgraded
resistors and output capacitors.  And a new SR Orange fuse!

It is just amazing what this unit can do...
sgordon1
460 posts
 

The upgraded version of SS-X is tremendous.

Call Jerod and get 'er done!

 

sgordon1
460 posts
 

Apos Ray 12au7 really takes the sound of SS-X to another level.

This tube is mentioned in other posts here, and is featured in many glowing reviews.  Highly recommended.

sgordon1
460 posts
 

The upgrade was done by Black Ice.  I am not seeing this option now on their website.  The current “V2” designation is strictly cosmetic.

I am using a Synergistic Research fuse.  I think quality cables and proper vibration control are important.

I have little knowledge and experience with tubes.  When I got the idea to change it, I wanted a new option that I would want to keep.  This resulted in following recent information touting the Apos Ray fuse.  This is working well for me.

”I’d rather be lucky than smart.” 

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