ENGINEERED FOR EVERYONE
History of Black Ice Audio/Jolida INC.
First a little background on how we ended up in the Audio Business.
In 1984, Jolida was contracted to design a series of large transformers for an industrial customer with the main criteria being low noise over a wide signal bandwidth. We realized that if the size of the transformer was reduced, it would be amazing in a tube amplifier. The transformer is the heart of a tube amplifier and unquestionably the most important component.
At that time the median price of a tube power amplifier was $3,600 and we saw an opportunity to build reference-level audio gear at prices that were obtainable by everyone. Since 1997, the Black Ice Audio has won Design and Innovation Awards from the CEA, product of the year awards, the Oasis award, and has products in Audio Review’s Hall of Fame (these are consumer appreciation awards). Additionally, the company has garnered numerous positive worldwide reviews, even one from Time Magazine for our audio components.
Our Timeline
1983 - Mike and Hansen start Jolida as a tube distribution company, Jolida Inc. a privately held company that was incorporated in the state of Maryland. Jolida’s primary line of business was the distribution of vacuum tubes, cavities, and assorted electronic parts.
Jo - Hansen’s mom
Lida - Mike’s mom
1984 - Jolida wins a contract to build a silicon steel transformer, a completely new transformer type.
1991 - When Mike and Hansen realized that the technology could not be made to meet the requirements of the contract; they decided to use what they learned and develop a transformer for audio amplifiers.
1992 - Mike and Hansen build the 1st Jolida circuit/amp.
1995 - Jolida changes its primary line of business from the distribution of vacuum tubes, cavities, and assorted electronic parts to audio amplifiers with the Jolida SJ302A tube amplifier.
1995- The Jolida SJ302A debuted at the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and won two Engineering Design and Innovation Awards from the Electronic Industrial Association.
1996 - The Jolida SG 202 tube amplifier is released.
1997 - Hansen passes away.
1998 - We introduce hybrid tube amplifiers the JD1701, then JD1501, and JD1301. Jolida then built CD players. The JD601/602/603 were the first tube CD players without OP Amps.
2001 - Introduction of JD300B amplifier and JD100, which was the longest run for a tube CD player.
2005 - Jerred Dunkerson joins the Jolida Audio team and Ez Bias was introduced.
2006 - Jolida Audio builds one of the few American owned factories in China.
2007 - A Chinese company steals the Jolida IP and Trademark. Jolida successfully sues and wins in a Chinese court. The same Chinese company that lost its lawsuit in China brings a suit in the United States shortly after.
2009 - Jolida Audio introduces the Glass FX line.
2010 - Jolida and Jim Fosgate work together for the first time and manufacture Fosgate-designed components for Musical Surroundings.
2012 - Despite overwhelming evidence and a judgment in our favor from a Chinese court Jolida decides to settle the U.S. lawsuit. Mike had a serious health scare and the cost and stress were almost too much to bear. As a concession to settle the lawsuit we agreed to give up introducing new products using our Jolida trademark.
2013 - Jerred Dunkerson takes control of operations in the US and China and introduces the Luxor Line.
2015 - We introduce our Fusion amps with DC filament voltage which lowers the noise floor, making tubes competitive with solid-state.
2017 - We introduce the new Black Ice Audio brand with circuits designed by Jim Fosgate. Jerred becomes the new CEO of Jolida/ Black Ice Audio.
2018 - The first Black Ice Audio products become available to the public.
2022 - Jaime DeMarco joins Jerred as a partner in Black Ice Audio.
2024 - Black Ice Audio moved all production to the US.
Mike and his girls.
Hansen and his wife Iping.
Jim Fosgate with the F11.
Jerred working on a Fusion amplifier.