Frankyc2003
13-03-2013, 12:07
So there we are, FireBottle Valve Phono has safely arrived.
Very well packaged by Alan and promptly dispatched by Andy (thanks again to both), out of its box the unit is solid and functional, And surprisingly light for a valve based design… (those transformers usually weight a ton). Through the drilled top plate, I can see the reassuring Mullard yellow logo! Once the unit is powered up, the gentle orange glow starts to warm up the inside of the unit. Don’t be scared, it’s actually very well insulated I thought, compared to the MingDa unit I use, which can sometimes run fairly hot… So overall first impression is, although it’s a prototype, it’s almost marketable as it is now I feel.
So now, onto the actual way the unit sounds in my system.
I use a Ariand 845SET integrated, a pair of Triangle Antal ES with the addition of some Brooks Supertweeters to pick up any frequencies above 20kHz… Cabling is Tellurium Q Black for speakers duty. I use a Lundhal based SUT with Rothwell cabling from the SUT to Phono and silver litz IC from the Phono to Integrated. A very clean and open sounding system.
So, knowing that valves do take a little bit of warming up, I powered up the unit and left it on for 30-35 minutes just to get in the mood!
First thing that struck me was the inky black silence that followed… Not a hint of tube rush or any popping and hum… Black silence! That’s a great start!
On small disclaimer, I am not doing a comprehensive listening session here, this is just a very random collection of first impressions.
So first LP was Marianne Faithfull, Strange Weather (1987). OK, now I have to be really honest, I was blown away… The depth of the bass, the presence of the lead guitar, I could almost sense the strings sliding on the fret… Bloomin’ luverly! Marianne’s raspy voice was nicely textured and she felt ‘here’!
Onto Eric Dolphy’s Conversations (1963). As the unit gets warmer and more comfortable, the next thing that surprised me was the soundstage extension that I was getting. All instruments on ‘Jitterburg Waltz’ felt that they existed way beyond my speakers. The double bass had a real slap to it. Xylophone, trumpet were clearly delineated on the soundstage with plenty of air around them to breath. All this being the trademark of a great valve design. Great resolution of the midband and higher registers. One final thing on this track, the height of each instruments felt right according to scale. That is a difficult thing to achieve I feel, as the soundstage is usually measured in width not height…
Now a little bit of late 80’s pop. Tanita Tikaram, Twisting my Sobriety. Knowing that this track has been produced quite flatly, the FireBottle Phono resolved the orchestration with space and depth no problem, making a really enjoyable listen.
Next up was Larry Graham and Graham Central Station, Raise Up (2013). The first track on the first LP, is a wonderful drum session. And energy, punch and dynamics were there by bucket loads… The bass was clear, full of definition and kick.
Mid point to my informal listening session, I was delighted by what I was hearing, considering that my MingDa unit was heading for the thrift shop! But, hold on, hold on…
TO BE CONTINUED
:ner:
Very well packaged by Alan and promptly dispatched by Andy (thanks again to both), out of its box the unit is solid and functional, And surprisingly light for a valve based design… (those transformers usually weight a ton). Through the drilled top plate, I can see the reassuring Mullard yellow logo! Once the unit is powered up, the gentle orange glow starts to warm up the inside of the unit. Don’t be scared, it’s actually very well insulated I thought, compared to the MingDa unit I use, which can sometimes run fairly hot… So overall first impression is, although it’s a prototype, it’s almost marketable as it is now I feel.
So now, onto the actual way the unit sounds in my system.
I use a Ariand 845SET integrated, a pair of Triangle Antal ES with the addition of some Brooks Supertweeters to pick up any frequencies above 20kHz… Cabling is Tellurium Q Black for speakers duty. I use a Lundhal based SUT with Rothwell cabling from the SUT to Phono and silver litz IC from the Phono to Integrated. A very clean and open sounding system.
So, knowing that valves do take a little bit of warming up, I powered up the unit and left it on for 30-35 minutes just to get in the mood!
First thing that struck me was the inky black silence that followed… Not a hint of tube rush or any popping and hum… Black silence! That’s a great start!
On small disclaimer, I am not doing a comprehensive listening session here, this is just a very random collection of first impressions.
So first LP was Marianne Faithfull, Strange Weather (1987). OK, now I have to be really honest, I was blown away… The depth of the bass, the presence of the lead guitar, I could almost sense the strings sliding on the fret… Bloomin’ luverly! Marianne’s raspy voice was nicely textured and she felt ‘here’!
Onto Eric Dolphy’s Conversations (1963). As the unit gets warmer and more comfortable, the next thing that surprised me was the soundstage extension that I was getting. All instruments on ‘Jitterburg Waltz’ felt that they existed way beyond my speakers. The double bass had a real slap to it. Xylophone, trumpet were clearly delineated on the soundstage with plenty of air around them to breath. All this being the trademark of a great valve design. Great resolution of the midband and higher registers. One final thing on this track, the height of each instruments felt right according to scale. That is a difficult thing to achieve I feel, as the soundstage is usually measured in width not height…
Now a little bit of late 80’s pop. Tanita Tikaram, Twisting my Sobriety. Knowing that this track has been produced quite flatly, the FireBottle Phono resolved the orchestration with space and depth no problem, making a really enjoyable listen.
Next up was Larry Graham and Graham Central Station, Raise Up (2013). The first track on the first LP, is a wonderful drum session. And energy, punch and dynamics were there by bucket loads… The bass was clear, full of definition and kick.
Mid point to my informal listening session, I was delighted by what I was hearing, considering that my MingDa unit was heading for the thrift shop! But, hold on, hold on…
TO BE CONTINUED
:ner: