A visit to RJS, aka mixing it with the big boys.

[RichB]

The Firebottle KIN preamp is my swansong of design, a giant killer at rather less than a giant price. So far proven as a line preamp, following up shortly with the phono section as well. A sample will be at NEBO6, unfortunately that's not a lot of use to you where you are presumably.

Treats in store!!! I'll look forward to hearing that.

Great thread and pics guys.

[Qwin]

That looks a meaty set up, I can imagine it would sound VERY good!

Also looking forward to hearing the phono stage at NEBO6.

[awkwardbydesign]

That looks a meaty set up, I can imagine it would sound VERY good!

Also looking forward to hearing the phono stage at NEBO6.

Can I have video link?

[Firebottle]

To achieve better you sometimes have to take the left field approach. Everyone must know I am a big fan of OTL power amps

So when the opportunity arose to hear a new model around at Rob's it would have been churlish of me not to take advantage.
This is the beast, from Absolutor, still in its pre-production guise:



A very well constructed unit with some quality components inside, rear view here:



It's a single ended 4W class A with paralleled output tubes.

Having said the sound was excellent previously it was now sublime. Difficult to come up with the superlatives, a real clarity and extension to the soundstage. One of Rob's test tracks from Bjork with 'lethal' bass on it was so coherent at the bottom end it makes you realise what limitations there are with output transformers, however massive/expensive.

Equipment line up was Lampizator transport, Lampizator Golden Gate DAC, Firebottle KIN preamp, Absolutor OTL, hORNS FP-15 speakers.

Heavenly. The tracks played were mixed up a bit, one of the better known being Hotel California from the Eagles, very well known by me.

Just the best ever, ever. I need a lie down just thinking about it

[walpurgis]

That certainly looks the part!

[Ali Tait]

How much is the amp going to be?

[Firebottle]

I'm told about £2.5K

[hifinutt]

good to see RJS on here . I rather miss robs input on a certain other forum . having heard those lampizators here I am rather taken with them

[rjs]

good to see RJS on here . I rather miss robs input on a certain other forum . having heard those lampizators here I am rather taken with them

Hi Phil,

Yes it's been a while, and thanks for the warm welcome. Alans Firebottle Kin pre is an outstanding piece of work by the way - well worth a listen.

Do feel free to PM me if you fancy catching up offline/in the actual, genuine, real world .

Robert

[Barry]

To achieve better you sometimes have to take the left field approach. Everyone must know I am a big fan of OTL power amps

So when the opportunity arose to hear a new model around at Rob's it would have been churlish of me not to take advantage.
This is the beast, from Absolutor, still in its pre-production guise:



A very well constructed unit with some quality components inside, rear view here:



It's a single ended 4W class A with paralleled output tubes.

Having said the sound was excellent previously it was now sublime. Difficult to come up with the superlatives, a real clarity and extension to the soundstage. One of Rob's test tracks from Bjork with 'lethal' bass on it was so coherent at the bottom end it makes you realise what limitations there are with output transformers, however massive/expensive.

Equipment line up was Lampizator transport, Lampizator Golden Gate DAC, Firebottle KIN preamp, Absolutor OTL, hORNS FP-15 speakers.

Heavenly. The tracks played were mixed up a bit, one of the better known being Hotel California from the Eagles, very well known by me.

Just the best ever, ever. I need a lie down just thinking about it

I'm not too familiar with OTL circuitry, so I hope you won't mind me asking a few, possibly, naive questions. To obviate the need for an output (anode) impedance matching transformer, I assume the (single ended?) output valves are wired in parallel. Do they act as cathode followers? How is the inevitable DC offset blocked - do you use an output capacitor?

I have heard that under fault conditions, things can go wrong - disasterously wrong! Can you elucidate what can happen?

Thanks