Engineered for everyone.
How We Got Started
In 1984, Jolida was hired to design a series of large, low-noise transformers for an industrial customer. We realized that if we made the transformer smaller, it would be amazing in a tube amplifier. The transformer is the heart of a tube amp and the most important component, so that’s where our audio story began.
Built for Everyone
Back then, the median price of a tube power amplifier was $3,600. We saw a chance to build reference-level audio gear at prices everyone could reach. Since 1997, our products have earned CEA Design and Innovation Awards, product of the year awards, the Oasis award, and spots in Audio Review’s Hall of Fame. We’ve also earned great reviews around the world, including one from Time Magazine.
Our Story
The Jolida Years, 1983 to 1998
Mike and Hansen founded Jolida in Maryland as a vacuum tube distributor, naming it after their moms, Jo and Lida. A transformer contract led to their first amp in 1992, and in 1995 the SJ302A debuted at CES and won two Engineering Design and Innovation Awards.
Growth and Grit, 2001 to 2013
We launched tube CD players, Ez Bias, and the Glass FX line, opened one of the few American-owned factories in China, and began working with Jim Fosgate. After fighting a trademark battle on two continents, Jerred Dunkerson took over operations in 2013 and introduced the Luxor line.
Black Ice Audio, 2015 to Today
Our Fusion amps brought DC filament voltage to tubes, lowering the noise floor to compete with solid-state. In 2017 we launched Black Ice Audio with circuits designed by Jim Fosgate and Jerred as CEO. Jaime DeMarco joined as a partner in 2022, and in 2024 we moved all production to the US.