Firebottle MM/MC phono amp

[Gazjam]

Adding to what is said in another thread here...
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showt...ght=firebottle

(Apologies for nicking the pic, but mines looks the same )

I've had one of Alan's Firebottle phono stages in my system for a few Months now.
The difference between mine and the one above is that I have the option for MC Carts as well.

Bit of an interesting history between me and Alan's Firebottle...

When I decided to set up a vinyl system I thought I'd make a decent stab at it.
Had a chance to buy another make of phono stage for a good price from a fellow AOS'er so got that first.
A mate had a get together at his where we had the chance to hear his new Gerrard 401 with a couple of different phono stages. I brought mine over to try as I hadn't even heard it!
Doing the honours were Alan's first Firebottle stage, a 2 grand valve output stage box and my wee box that I brought over.

Very interesting, the short version is that Alans Firebotttle got very close to the 2 grand phono stage and absolutely pee'd all over the one I brought over.
Ok...at least I knew not to keep my own phono stage and buy something from Alan.

Time went by and I was lucky enough to pick up a good vinyl setup, which went through various stages of improvement.
Firstly though I knew I wanted one of Alan's phonostages, best bang for buck I'd heard in a long time.
At that time Alan had a "Mk2" box out, the Firebottle Plus, which had better circuitry in it as far as I know.
I emailed Alan with my specific circumstances and requirements and he was brilliant in helping out and getting me exactly what I needed. Recently he's been absolutely brilliant suggesting component upgrades to take the Firebottle even further, as though that was needed.
As always I was looking to do it once and do it right, too many times in the past have i thrown good money after bad, but dealing with Alan I knew I was getting a product that was the best I could realistically afford and offered great value.

So decided on my Vinyl setup, and was lucky enough to pick up a heavily modifed Gyrodec with all the Orbe upgrades.

Right out of the box Alans Firebottle sounded fantastic with the Michell, fell in love with vinyl all over again.

My experience though has shown that new kit needs some time to bed in, particularly valve based kit, so decided to let it run in for a few weeks before I formed a final opinion on it.
In this time, (just to complicate things ) I had several further upgrades done on my turntable, new motor, tonearm rewire, new springs, belt etc and most significantly I guess, a new cartridge.
Had a 2M red in there as a loaner before (thanks to Dave Brook at MCRU), but fitted the deck with a Dynavector XX2 Mk2, which is a bit of a step up from the Ortofon.
Again though, it needed to burn in so I held off putting down a final opinion on the sound.
One thing I DID notice was that every change I did to my vinyl setup the Firebottle was transparent enough to show the difference, even when it was still running in.

So some time has passed, things are just about run in so what do i think?

Honestly, I've not heard a lot of other phono stages and I dont really feel the need to?
This thing is superb.
As my cart has been running in its opening up, particularly in the bass, and I've been really taken back by how good the whole thing is sounding.
With a lot of new kit burning in at the same time I decided it best not to try and isolate what was doing what but take the vinyl setup as a whole.
Over the last few weeks its been getting better and better.
The Firebottle has been "good enough" to show the best of a good quality MC cartridge like the Dynavector, and various other system upgrades so can say that its REALLY good.

Extremely happy with it, highly recommended.
Thanks Alan.

[struth]

Good to hear the dynovector is coming good Gary.. I have a Firebottle plus(slightly modified from norm) as well and agree that it is as good as you'll get for twice the money imo, and beat the pants off a whest.

[Thebiglebowski]

Is there a demo unit available? I just foolishly sold my Whest Two and am looking for a good replacement.

[Mike g]

Chris - get in touch with Alan (goes by Firebottle) and he'll let you know where the demo unit has got to.

Having heard the demo unit I now own a + version. I'm not allowed to play with till chtistmas day as it's a present from my wife but I can't wait to get it plugged in.

[Andrei]

Is there a demo unit available? I just foolishly sold my Whest Two and am looking for a good replacement.

The Whest Two is a great phono stage - very much on the Truth side of the truth -vs- beauty continuum. However, looking at the rest of your analogue kit I suspect a valve phono stage may be just the ticket.
(PS whatever you do avoid a Project phono stage.)

[DarrenHW]

Is there a demo unit available? I just foolishly sold my Whest Two and am looking for a good replacement.

Hi Chris, I've recently recieved the demo FB, as Mike g says above email Alan to get on the list.

[Firebottle]

Hi folks, just to make the situation clear with the loan unit. I have just 'retired' the original Firebottle MC/MM unit, for a couple of reasons.

The loan preamp that Darren has is a new Firebottle Plus MM only unit.
Chris (Thebiglebowski), is your cart the high output or low output moving coil?

Alan

[Thebiglebowski]

It's the 0.8mV medium output but I'm probably going back to a ZYX which is 0.24mV