Firebottle KIN line/phono preamp

[Firebottle]

BIG sound and yet very detailed.

Many thanks to you and yours for the hospitality Phil. I did rather enjoy the sounds coming from those Martin Logan 'stats
Stunning speakers.

[hifinutt]

Many thanks to you and yours for the hospitality Phil. I did rather enjoy the sounds coming from those Martin Logan 'stats
Stunning speakers.

its a pleasure . I love them too

[Elephantears]

Alan, the KIN sounds very interesting indeed. Can you tell me what is the output impedance?

[Firebottle]

Hi Andrew, the output impedance is 20 ohms.

[Elephantears]

Wow, that is low. So I guess that means it will drive anything.

[Elephantears]

One more question, why 80dB on the MC gain? It is incredibly high. I realise that has the advantage of being compatible with all carts, even the lowest output, but it is likely to be overwhelming on the average 0.3 - 0.5mV cart. For example, I have an AT50ANV, which is 0.12mV, and 70dB is plenty.

[Firebottle]

Ahh, I have now lowered the gain, it was in all reality a bit excessive.

The byproduct of the high gain has been the removal of an electrolytic cap in the signal chain, which is of course a benefit

Just listening to vinyl through the KIN with a new development on the power amp end of things, it's sounding rather (exceedingly) good. Will be getting a second opinion over the weekend

[Elephantears]

I would love to hear it, having been already impressed by the your phono stage. If you are ever demoing it anywhere near London, please let me know.

[Qwin]

Just picked up on this thread.

Looks like a very interesting product in the making, looking forward to hearing it at NEBO6.

On the subject of cost, you can't compare this Pre/Phono with a Croft Micro 25 (my current Pre/Phono) as the picture earlier in the thread shows a lot more in terms of components under the hood than a Micro 25 and I mean a lot more. If you work on the basis of three times the parts = three times the work to put together then a ballpark price of x3 is not a bad starting point. The case is by far the biggest single cost and they both have one so deduct a little, rounding to about x 2.5 and the asking price would fit that area. (Croft £700). I know this is simplistic, having designed and costed hundreds of projects in my time, but these ball park finger in the air estimates can be pretty close to the mark. I would say from the pure heft of components the price would be in that region.