Purchased the F35V.2 with Kt170 tubes, along with the phono amp and CD/DAC/Transport/WiFi streamer. I’m running them through my MoFi SourcePoint 10 speakers and no matter if I’m listening to vinyl from the Technics SL-1200G or one of the other sources, the music comes through crystal clear, dark background but with a big punch in bass, mids and highs that touch my soul! Nice review.
Gotta ♡ tubes - don't have a push-pull ~ I'm a single ended guy ~ but you definitely conveyed the silky grunt of the Black Ice F-22 V2. Setting the Bias current seems pretty straight forward. Agree with your pro's & con's, along with the Oldskool vibe opinion. Pre-senting the amp with a varied collection of speakers shows that this amp can drive pretty much anything. Thanks for putting together this entertaining video :).
I am new to Tube Amps, and to get a touch and feel, I recently got the Black Ice Glass FX10H. I like the sound, and already can say, that this will not be my last Tube Amp. Your review presents lots of valuable information. Thank you also for sharing your experience, give your history with Tubes.
Great stuff, I need to checkout the F22, Love Black Ice. I use a Black Ice Audio FOZ SSX Sound Stage Expander connected to my Decware Zen triode. Perfect match.
I run the Black Ice Audio F360 stereo pre (w/ RAYS TUBES Reserve tube) and their Fusion9 MkIII phono pre (w/ NOS Telefunken tubes). I love both of my components and would not hesitate to try out anything Black Ice Audio offers. Real solid build quality. Great "retro" looks. Real nice people to deal with behind the scenes. You really can't go wrong with this brand...
@@UnitedStatesofAnalog One of the guys was just on the phone with me for like 20 minutes the other day, because I wanted some info for helping a woodworker build me some custom housings/cabinets for my 2 components. The guy wasn't going to make a cent from that...but he went out of his way to deal with me regardless. Little things like this matter to me. They really do...
Totally agree with you on customer service. I emailed Jaime at Black Ice and he suggested I call instead. He spoke with me for 40 minutes and answered all my questions. Here’s a partner in the company taking the time to explain his product. Unbelievable. Just received a F11 amp as well as a FX Glass Tube DAC. Amazing build quality and performance. I’m a Black Ice customer for life!
I just ordered a Xduoo A10 preamp to go into my reisong A10 I hope it sounds good I like it loud to drum too😊 Klipsch 50m. This is becoming another addition lol.
I like the looks. Would look nice next to my piano black mmf 5.3 turntable. I’ve had an eye on the Cronus integrated from Rogue for a few years now. Still made in the US, I think. Would love to know how they compare.
Only 2 and a half mins in and compelled to post. Is experimenting with bias settings a good idea? My understanding is that running tubes outwith their ideal bias can lead to, at worst, overheating and tube damage and at best, reduced lifespan. Do Black Ice recommend messing with Bias settings or was it just an audiophiles urge to tweak going rogue?
Seems to lack a pre input. Best feature of my R8 , I can use a Freya plus and play with the pre amp tubes without monkeying around with the amp i have tried about 2 dozen tubes what pre tubes you have is the most important thing to how your system sounds. I settled on cv161 on buffer side and Russian 6ns7 gold pin on gain. Hifi Rose for streamer dac. My Verity speakers get too high with tubes like bad boy 3 hole. Long winded way of saying I cant live without pre in.
I have a couple SE tube power amplifiers, a KT88 and an EL34 I know enough to know that I am not qualified to judge SE tube amplifier build quality I have seen expert tear-downs of Chinese tube amplifiers which were janky and even downright dangerous and have watched the incredible amount of time it took to do some modifications that made them safer and achieve marginal sound quality There are a number of excellent builders here in the United States and Canada so that there is no reason to take chances with janky Chinese build quality Hopefully Black Ice figured out how to work with a Chinese manufacturer that could build something worthwhile Fortunately everyone can get what they want
@@middleearthltd Good notes. I've had that Jolida for over 30 years. I guess all we can do is conduct our best research and choose wisely. I appreciate the watch. Rock on!
@@UnitedStatesofAnalog Thomas has his well received amplifier as well so the code may have been cracked Was not familiar with Jolida looks like a number of interesting components
Jolida & Black Ice Audio are the same brand, fyi. Also, there's a ton of high quality product coming out of China these days. I even purchase bespoke/handmade sneakers from a Chinese guy via Instagram. He specializes in Air Jordan 1 high tops, and he can build 'em as well as anyone out there. ...and there are literally guys out there building them out of elephant and shark hide. Just sayin'. ...and as for mass production, that's pretty simple, too. It's very much a "You get what you pay for" kind of thing. When a brand pays for garbage product from China to put their badge/logo onto, they receive garbage. When that same brand pays for solid product from China to put their badge/logo onto, they get solid product. It all depends on WHO the brand is doing business with and whether they're ordering up/paying for shelf filling cheap crap, or solid stuff. Black Ice Audio also do in-house QC. When you order a vacuum tube component from these guys, they may not ship it out for many days because they do XXX hours of "burn-in" to ensure their product is functional. Black Ice's "top tier" product IS built in the US as well. It's far out of my price range, but I'd plop down the funds if I could afford it. The fact that they do business w/ a Chinese build house wouldn't stop me. It's just not wise to paint with such a broad brush here. A human being shouldn't be judged solely on where they were conceived...so why should it be any different for anything else? Besides, some of the biggest brands on the planet do business w/ Chinese manufacturers these days. There are literally $2,000 Balenciaga luxury items that were made in the same factory as trashy $2 items that fill the racks at Dollar General Store, or whatever. That's just the way it is nowadays.
Purchased the F35V.2 with Kt170 tubes, along with the phono amp and CD/DAC/Transport/WiFi streamer. I’m running them through my MoFi SourcePoint 10 speakers and no matter if I’m listening to vinyl from the Technics SL-1200G or one of the other sources, the music comes through crystal clear, dark background but with a big punch in bass, mids and highs that touch my soul! Nice review.
I got a F35. Don’t hesitate. Hear the music the way it was supposed to sound. I am running KT170s and it is glorious
Reviewing that now
@@UnitedStatesofAnalog it’s an amazing amp. I suggest not using the stock Psvane 12AX7. They were pretty weak
Gotta ♡ tubes - don't have a push-pull ~ I'm a single ended guy ~ but you definitely conveyed the silky grunt of the Black Ice F-22 V2. Setting the Bias current seems pretty straight forward. Agree with your pro's & con's, along with the Oldskool vibe opinion. Pre-senting the amp with a varied collection of speakers shows that this amp can drive pretty much anything. Thanks for putting together this entertaining video :).
I am new to Tube Amps, and to get a touch and feel, I recently got the Black Ice Glass FX10H. I like the sound, and already can say, that this will not be my last Tube Amp.
Your review presents lots of valuable information. Thank you also for sharing your experience, give your history with Tubes.
@@kempfand Keep tubin'! Thanks for watching! I saw the 10H at a show. Enjoy!
I know everyone has different thoughts, but I like back lit logos on the front. I think it looks cool.
I run Black Ice stereo and phono preamps. Can confirm the logos look awesome. The components sound pretty good, too. :)
There is something for everybody in this audio game!
Holy Crap, that is Out if Your League!!
Tell me about it!
I can't wait to get it from you. Good Video.
@@OldGuyHifi Thanks, Ed! I requested the shipping label! I promise!
@@UnitedStatesofAnalog No worries my friend.
I have their FOZ expander and XTR phono crosstalk reducer. Great stuff!
@@lokerola Congrats! Thanks for watching!
Black Ice is good stuff. I had my friends Black Ice Phono Pre, the high end one. It was fantastic. I wish I had bough it off him
@@MOOeymania I've heard 2 of their phono preamps... great sounding stuff! Thanks for watching!
Looks sharp. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you watched!
Great stuff, I need to checkout the F22, Love Black Ice. I use a Black Ice Audio FOZ SSX Sound Stage Expander connected to my Decware Zen triode. Perfect match.
@@noblesavage23 I used a DBX Dynamic Range Expander for years (80's) ... I liked what it did with vinyl!
@@UnitedStatesofAnalog I’ve got a DBX DRE I refurb’d. Amazing what is does for CDs, great for vinyl and for todays compressed music.
Wow, what a beautiful unit. Another great video from The United States Of Awesome!
@@mikecampbell5856 Thanks for your amazing support, Mike!
I run the Black Ice Audio F360 stereo pre (w/ RAYS TUBES Reserve tube) and their Fusion9 MkIII phono pre (w/ NOS Telefunken tubes). I love both of my components and would not hesitate to try out anything Black Ice Audio offers.
Real solid build quality. Great "retro" looks. Real nice people to deal with behind the scenes. You really can't go wrong with this brand...
@@dizzle1119 I agree. They have been great to me!
@@UnitedStatesofAnalog One of the guys was just on the phone with me for like 20 minutes the other day, because I wanted some info for helping a woodworker build me some custom housings/cabinets for my 2 components.
The guy wasn't going to make a cent from that...but he went out of his way to deal with me regardless.
Little things like this matter to me. They really do...
Totally agree with you on customer service. I emailed Jaime at Black Ice and he suggested I call instead. He spoke with me for 40 minutes and answered all my questions. Here’s a partner in the company taking the time to explain his product. Unbelievable. Just received a F11 amp as well as a FX Glass Tube DAC. Amazing build quality and performance. I’m a Black Ice customer for life!
I still use my tube amp to tame those old CDs I listen to.
@@Keith-ux9ku Pro Move!!!
Thanks!
Hey, Bryan... I appreciate that!!!
Thanks, Bob. Always enjoy your reviews. Next time you’re on your way to Houston on 290, stop in Cypress and I’ll buy you a cup of coffee.
@@bryandelph3221 you're on!
@@UnitedStatesofAnalog Just give me a heads up. Would enjoy meeting and discussing hifi gear with you.
I use a tube bias probe from Euro tubes for my guitar amps very easy
@@kenaiello4851 I need to see if that could be handy for me! Thanks!
I just ordered a Xduoo A10 preamp to go into my reisong A10 I hope it sounds good I like it loud to drum too😊 Klipsch 50m. This is becoming another addition lol.
I wish you could do a part 2 where you use KT170 inside those are amazing tubes. They crush almost anything else and I used to love KT88 only.
I like the looks. Would look nice next to my piano black mmf 5.3 turntable.
I’ve had an eye on the Cronus integrated from Rogue for a few years now. Still made in the US, I think. Would love to know how they compare.
How does this sound sonically in compare to the Willsenton R800i or the Heaven 11 Billie MKII?
Only 2 and a half mins in and compelled to post. Is experimenting with bias settings a good idea? My understanding is that running tubes outwith their ideal bias can lead to, at worst, overheating and tube damage and at best, reduced lifespan. Do Black Ice recommend messing with Bias settings or was it just an audiophiles urge to tweak going rogue?
Missed opportunity. This should have been the F22 Raptor Amp, although their may still be some hurt feelings about blown up balloons.
Cool bird!
Seems to lack a pre input. Best feature of my R8 , I can use a Freya plus and play with the pre amp tubes without monkeying around with the amp i have tried about 2 dozen tubes what pre tubes you have is the most important thing to how your system sounds.
I settled on cv161 on buffer side and Russian 6ns7 gold pin on gain.
Hifi Rose for streamer dac.
My Verity speakers get too high with tubes like bad boy 3 hole.
Long winded way of saying I cant live without pre in.
to compare this to Willsenton is very comical!!!
I have to confess: I have NO idea what “not lacking authority in the dynamics department” means. Can you enlighten me?
Sure... do you want to meet for coffee? You're buying!
Seriously, John... how does one explain poetry and word play? You'll figure it out... thanks for watching!
I have a couple SE tube power amplifiers, a KT88 and an EL34
I know enough to know that I am not qualified to judge SE tube amplifier build quality
I have seen expert tear-downs of Chinese tube amplifiers which were janky and even downright dangerous and have watched the incredible amount of time it took to do some modifications that made them safer and achieve marginal sound quality
There are a number of excellent builders here in the United States and Canada so that there is no reason to take chances with janky Chinese build quality
Hopefully Black Ice figured out how to work with a Chinese manufacturer that could build something worthwhile
Fortunately everyone can get what they want
@@middleearthltd Good notes. I've had that Jolida for over 30 years. I guess all we can do is conduct our best research and choose wisely. I appreciate the watch. Rock on!
@@UnitedStatesofAnalog Thomas has his well received amplifier as well so the code may have been cracked
Was not familiar with Jolida looks like a number of interesting components
Jolida & Black Ice Audio are the same brand, fyi.
Also, there's a ton of high quality product coming out of China these days. I even purchase bespoke/handmade sneakers from a Chinese guy via Instagram. He specializes in Air Jordan 1 high tops, and he can build 'em as well as anyone out there. ...and there are literally guys out there building them out of elephant and shark hide. Just sayin'.
...and as for mass production, that's pretty simple, too. It's very much a "You get what you pay for" kind of thing. When a brand pays for garbage product from China to put their badge/logo onto, they receive garbage. When that same brand pays for solid product from China to put their badge/logo onto, they get solid product. It all depends on WHO the brand is doing business with and whether they're ordering up/paying for shelf filling cheap crap, or solid stuff.
Black Ice Audio also do in-house QC. When you order a vacuum tube component from these guys, they may not ship it out for many days because they do XXX hours of "burn-in" to ensure their product is functional. Black Ice's "top tier" product IS built in the US as well. It's far out of my price range, but I'd plop down the funds if I could afford it. The fact that they do business w/ a Chinese build house wouldn't stop me.
It's just not wise to paint with such a broad brush here. A human being shouldn't be judged solely on where they were conceived...so why should it be any different for anything else? Besides, some of the biggest brands on the planet do business w/ Chinese manufacturers these days. There are literally $2,000 Balenciaga luxury items that were made in the same factory as trashy $2 items that fill the racks at Dollar General Store, or whatever. That's just the way it is nowadays.
May want to rethink WiiM with
their low-end power supplies 😮
Avoid tubes as they don't put out
Majority of Maggie owners run SS