The BLACK ICE F35 Tube Integrated HiFi Amp Review. Power, Finesse and BASS SLAM! WhooHoo!

[@HiFiHuff]

Correction: the f11 and f22 are also balanced designs, they just do not have the XLR inputs.

[@CrescendoHomeTheater]

It is stunning! My old Jolida amp still gets compliments to the day! We had an event in Beverly Hills a few months ago with the F22 and that was the center of attention.

[@fletchermunson6225]

The Hafler name is interesting. In the 70s and 80s. Hafler was an audio manufacturer. Made amps, preamps and they were available in kits. They had the green/gray matte finish like NAD.

[@carlosalvarez7445]

Nice! Surprised you didn't mention the Galion TS120...

[@ChristopherSimmons]

I bought the f22 year ago and put in cryo treated tung sol 6550 tubes as best fit with my focals......love it!

[@F1Hotlips]

what happened with the buchardt?

[@boniccie]

Thank you for a great review AGAIN. I had mine with GL KT77 and I am enjoying tremendously.

[@scottroberts4551]

Love to hear your thoughts on the new Rogue Audio Chronus Magnum3 DARK.

[@richarddias5285]

Thank you for the review! How would you rate/compare the F35 to the Galion? If you have heard the Prima Luna Evo 400, same question. Thx!

[@HiFiHuff]

They are all great and slightly different. The Galion has the class A/B feature. The Galion SE is a bit more lit up in the treble. The Prima Luna has the auto bias and to me sounds more rounded. The F35 IMO has the nicest fit and finish/looks. Sound will be up to you. All are fantastic. The F35 has warmth and detail, very balanced and smooth. Details but not harsh in any way. Can’t go wrong with any really.

[@joenovak6393]

The Galion is a nice 1st start for Thomas. PrimaLuna EVO line and technology is completely ahead in the industry with Real "Adaptive AutoBias", Bad Tube Indicator, Triode to Ultra-Linear from the remote control, In-House custom toroidal transformers, Point to Point Wiring. Matter of fact you could Mix KT88, 120, 150, EL34 in the same amplifier and it would work.

[@Alephkilo]

@@joenovak6393 It is a rebadged Dodge

[@jedi-mic]

No phono stage? and if yes what's it sound like?

[@dougg1075]

Looks great.

[@raymondtaveras9371]

I have two of those amps for last 3 years and tried a lot of tubes even kt170

[@BumminTrout]

What did you think of the kt170's in the F35? I own one too and am close to pulling the trigger on the kt170's. I am currently running the stock el34's, so the changes going to the kt170 should be pretty big. If you'd care to share your thoughts on the kt170 I would greatly appreciate it!

[@craigosterberg5045]

Thanks

[@chrishmeet]

I just purchased a tube preamp it's being built, i wouldn't mind if you could review it

[@neps4th]

😅

[@HiFiHuff]

I believe I will be reviewing the preamp soon!

[@andreemilsen369]

This, and the Martin Logan 15A 😊

[@anilsanjivan756]

HI. Love the way you articulate your thoughts . I have to choose between the Mckintosh ma252/352 ( available in india ), or the F35 which i have to purchase in USA. I have sorted out the service issue with Black ice audio. Is mckintosh worth the extra price?

[@johnarenskov6623]

I’m very disappointed that there is no mention of Jim Fosgate in this review. It’s totally his design/circuitry. I was privileged to hear this technology in its infancy through its final release . Please give this genius some credit the next time you review anything from Black Ice Audio

[@RexLipa]

It's unforgivable not mentioning Jim fosgate, agreed .

[@MrRourk]

KT 88's have a nice bass. I have been trying to decide if I need the balanced output? If can live with the smaller F22?

[@ChristopherSimmons]

I ended up with the F22 and using with a nice DAC, and works great with old CDs, cassette, record player, etc. I'm using 6550s with my FOCALs. Never felt like I am missing something with XLR. Only real reason to get is if you need looooooong run cables.

[@MrRourk]

@@ChristopherSimmons Thanks for the info

[@arielrodriguez6980]

Will it drive Magnepans that demand power?

[@bobb.9917]

Thomas' Galion TS120 or the Black Ice F35?

[@glenlapwing8468]

Basically a fender amp for hifi

[@truman4956]

Jolida had a reputation of unreliability, has that changed under the new badging?

[@MsCorbacho]

I have bought a Jolida phono-pre about 12 years ago , still going strong , granted is not an integrated amp but still...........

[@Alephkilo]

Likewise .. my jolida preamp blew up.. but I must say that the black ice audio amps look stunning

[@jos5067]

Thanks for this great review! Unfortunately, I’m living in Europe, but perhaps I can import them for European users. So, I will contact them about this option.

[@davidresch7830]

Which amp would you favor to run klipsch heresy iv?galion ts120 or black ice. F35

[@jackstraw1756]

Damn I thought it was made in America.

[@peternilsson1645]

🎯👏👍🙏❤️

[@edwinter8424]

Seems like a lot of upgrades needed for a so called flagship amp

[@StrangeBrewReviews]

allows more budget minded consumers to get the foot in the door and upgrade tubes later,which can be just as much as the amp itself...being affordable is part of the brand philosophy

[@PetraKann]

I prefer the Willsenton R8 (half the price too)

[@tothemax324]

And half the output power of the F35

[@PetraKann]

@@tothemax324 Output power is one of the least important considerations when selecting a vacuum tube amplifier for a domestic environment. I can't see how anyone would require more than these power output specs in a domestic situation Mr toeax423 Wilsenton R8 25W+25W (RMS triode working state) 45W+45W (RMS ultra linear working state) (KT88) 25W+25W (RMS triode working state) 40W+40W (RMS ultra linear working state) (EL34)

[@tothemax324]

@@PetraKann Where your R8 will fall short vs the F35 is headroom, the R8 linear limits has no advantage over the F35 higher wattage and better quality transformers

[@HiFiHuff]

I’ve had the pleasure of having both, the Willsenton isn’t close for sound. Design and build and warranty also bests the Willsenton. I love the value of the Willsenton but it should be compared to the $1800 f11. The f35 here is solid as it gets in build, design and sound. Truly.

[@dariuszsalamon9441]

@@PetraKann transformers are most important, the best on e are made in Japan