(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.





128x128keesue
Having left the unit on for 24 hours after putting in the new Gold Lion ECC82, I decided that this enough time for a better listen to the unit in my system. I am not stating a very long review because I only listened to one album, bot before and after, i.e. Pink Floyd's Wish you were here. I felt that the recording was not going to let me down, and I could just concentrate on the music. One tell tale sign for me that I am impressed, it the inability to move once the album staterted. I didn't want to miss one single note. I think that it is also important that you know an album well enough in the first place in order to at least have a sense of what you expect.
 So, in a word, this tube (and maybe the unit itself) has the clarity that I am looking for. Bass is not only well defined, but I hear no strain for it. In that aspect, things are the same before and after. Midrange is a touch better when it comes to sibilance, and that is always appreciated. The treble is not more open, but there does seem to be better extension. I hear higher up than normal. Yes, this may be a bad thing for someone with exquisite hearing, but I am more than happy for this  improvement. No doubt, I need to listen to quite a few more albums, but this is my initial impression.
Glad to hear you are finding tube rolling to give an improvement.

I now have a Bugera tube in mine and I am liking that one quite  a lot so far but early days as it was brand new and need to get some hours on it.

Bass definitely does seem to be more taut but still deep and powerfull.

Its a great little box imho, whether it offends the purists because it is another item in the signal path well oh shame.

I have no intention of removing it from my system anytime soon.
Hi there, I recently purchased this item, to try it as a replacement for my WLM EQ (between music server and integrated tube amp). It does everything as advertised and mentioned in this thread. I struggle with one drawback, however, and that is slightly more emphasis on sibilance (I can't stand that). There is no change in the high quality interconnects and power cable connected to the unit (same as to WLM) so the problem is in the new unit. I am trying tube rolling without major improvement. Any advice?
Mine is very well burned in as it was an ex demo unit before I got it.
I have tried several different tubes and I cannot say as sibilance was ever noticeable at any time.

Keep piling hours on it!