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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.





128x128keesue
4krow
79 posts
 
I too, have a sort of interest in this product just to audition it, or more. I forgot whether the unit would have an effect on treble. What have you found there? 
keesue's avatar
keesue OP
7 posts
 
It only affects the bottom end.  There is no affect beyond at all. It simply warms up the bottom end with a 9db plus (or minus) adjustment which I needed.  It is very satisfying and nothing like a traditional equalizer.  The device itself is flat to beyond audibility.  The specs are impeccable.  

The big plus is how it widens the soundstage on live recordings without sounding the least bit gimmicky. Been there - done that.  I am a stickler for tone, clarity and musicality. It is a well designed and well executed circuit.  Very well built.  It has transformed my listening space just as I was hoping it would.  Actually, I wasn't prepared for just how much.

Jeez, judging by this it sounds like the cocktail waitress served me a few already...still waiting but enjoying the music!
chayro
1,801 posts
 
I spent years working in recording studios and there are many, many devices that are used to "enhance" the recorded sound that manipulate phase and eq. While high-end has traditionally eschewed tone controls, equalizers and phase manipulation at the end-user, things seem to be changing a bit, IMO because of the popularity of super-revealing systems that sound good on first listening, but then become tiresome over time. Again, IMO. If you like the sound and you can wrap your mind around the fact that you are not hearing what was actually recorded, have at it.  But I can see where this would be abhorrent to those people who spent a lot of time and money assembling a system that was as true to the recording as possible.  I'm not sure they could intellectually enjoy a system they knew deliberately manipulated the sound.  The human mind is a strange thing.   
keesue's avatar
keesue OP
7 posts
 
Agreed.  I am one of them.  I spent good money on a very revealing all tube system for those same reasons.  I'm just stuck in a small room and my 3.7s can't disappear due to the physical limitations of placement and can't generate quite enough bottom due in part to their design as well as the room dimensions.  

This is a fix.  I was well aware of that in my deliberation.  But it is one heck of a good one.  I've have owned and have heard many enhancers over the years and never cared for them.  This one is done right.  Subtle, clean and unobtrusive save for the fact that it accomplishes what I need done.  I am a happy camper.
chayro
1,801 posts
 
There is nothing worse than speakers that won't work with the room.  I've said this many times, but in a normal domestic environment without a huge amount of placement flexibility, it is a total crapshoot in finding a speaker.  But when it clicks with the room, a whole world opens up.  Believe me, I know.  I had the Harbeth Monitor 30s and I so wanted to love them, but it sounded like everything under 100 hz was missing.  Then I tried the Opera Callas Monitor and it sounded perfect.  The errors in the speaker complimented the errors in the room.  My guess is you will eventually abandon this product and try for a better matching speaker because you won't be able to deal psychologically with inserting a $400 box in between all your expensive components.  Part of the audiophile mind.  Maybe not.  Try to enjoy.  
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