Valve Phono Stage

[vegman1973]

Hi all

I'm new here, my name is Scott. I'm a fruit and veg man, hence the user name. My passion is my music. Only recently I got into vinyl and well I love it. I purchased a Rega Rp6 for my 40th last year and can't believe what I've been missing.
Now that I've had my TT for over 6 months I feel it time to step things up a gear, so I'm fancying a valve phono stage.
My current rig comprises of Arcam a65+ Arcam cd75 Wharfdale 8.3 diamond, plus sonos connect and dac magic plus
Any suggestions on Pre amps would be greatly accepted. I've been reading lots of reviews on the Icon Audio Ps1 but think its a lot of money and don't think my system is good enough for something like that?
Cheers
Scott:)

[walpurgis]

Hi Scott. Welcome to AOS.

Many of us here enjoy vinyl. I'm one. I don't think you can spend too much on a phono stage, just buy the best you can afford. The Icon Audio phono stages are pretty decent sounding.

[Ali Tait]

A no brainer, PM Firebottle on here and he will send you details of the valve stages he builds, can't do better for the money IMHO.

[vegman1973]

Thank you
So this fella Firebottle builds phono stages eh?
Sounds very interesting. Do you use one Ali Tait?
Be really interested in some feed back and of course an Audition.
I borrowed a Graham Slee yesterday to get a feel for what to expect
Had a little blast this a.noon with Pink Floyd Dark side of the moon
Was pleased with the difference but think valves is what I'm after

[Jimbo]

Hi Scott, I have had the pleasure of listening to the Firebottle phono stage and I can't recommend it more highly.
I would have one myself if I hadn't got the fantastic Croft 25r which also has a wonderful phono stage.

[vegman1973]

Hi Jimbo
Thank you for that report on Firebottle sounds like a bit of a
Mavrick this fella. I've heard of Croft but never listened to there stuff
I'm borrowing Ming Da phono stage next week. My plan is to get
Phono stage that is MM and MC as my next upgrade after Phono stage
Will be MC cartridge
Regards
Scott

[Jimbo]

Hi Jimbo
Thank you for that report on Firebottle sounds like a bit of a
Mavrick this fella. I've heard of Croft but never listened to there stuff
I'm borrowing Ming Da phono stage next week. My plan is to get
Phono stage that is MM and MC as my next upgrade after Phono stage
Will be MC cartridge
Regards
Scott

Hi Scott,
The Firebottle phono is MM and MC. Unfortunately the Croft is MM only.

[rubber duck]

Is MC stage valve or solid state on the Firebottle?

[Firebottle]

Hi Jeff,

The MC stage is a special Jfet for very low noise,

Cheers,
Alan

[Floyddroid]

I use a Whest 30 RDT special Edition and need a PS for myy second TT. Guess what, i am going to give the Firebottle a whirl.
Thank you
So this fella Firebottle builds phono stages eh?
Sounds very interesting. Do you use one Ali Tait?
Be really interested in some feed back and of course an Audition.
I borrowed a Graham Slee yesterday to get a feel for what to expect
Had a little blast this a.noon with Pink Floyd Dark side of the moon
Was pleased with the difference but think valves is what I'm after

[Smen]

Hi Scott
I have just spent my first week with a previously owned Icon PS1.2 - the earlier version not the current mk 11, and can vouch for it being excellent. I am sure it will work well with your RP6 and you will hear the benefits in your system I am sure. My system is here http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?32864-Hello-from-Biot-in-France . PS1.2's appear second hand at between £450 and £550 but one recently went at the very low price of £350.00 which I regrettably missed (did ok with my one but not that well!) - if you look out for one of these at a sensible price they are excellent. The Crofts could be a good option for you and are not as expensive as a new Icon PS1. I am hoping to give the Firebottle a whirl too.
Simon

[vegman1973]

Hi Simon,
Just wondering how your getting on with the phono stage department? I'm waiting to test the firebottle out. I have a bespoke phono that is very good but does suffer from Rf interference not so good
Scott

[Barry]

Welcome to AoS Scott,

I can concur with others here that Firebottle's valve phono stages are well worth considering.

Apart from Dark Side of the Moon, what else do you enjoy listening to?

Welcome again

Regards
Barry

[Floyddroid]

What else is there other than Dark Side Of The Moon?

Seriously, welcome Scott.

[Haselsh1]

At some point in the not too distant future, I am hoping to upgrade my Croft Micro 25 Basic preamp to a Micro 25 R preamp. This of course contains one of Glen Crofts fabulous m/m preamps and as long as I am using m/m or high output m/c his preamps will always be by first choice. Five hundred quid for a fabulous preamp has just gotta be an amazing bargain in my eyes. Lovin 'em.

[Haselsh1]

Welcome to AoS Scott,

I can concur with others here that Firebottle's valve phono stages are well worth considering.

Apart from Dark Side of the Moon, what else do you enjoy listening to?

Welcome again

Regards
Barry

Wish You Were Here...?

[awkwardbydesign]

Welcome to AoS Scott,

I can concur with others here that Firebottle's valve phono stages are well worth considering.

Apart from Dark Side of the Moon, what else do you enjoy listening to?

Welcome again

Regards
Barry


Wish You Were Here...?

"I listen to a wide variety of music." :lol:

[vegman1973]

Hi,
Thanks for the welcome.
One of my favourite albums is WYWH. But my collection is quite eclectic and I'm more into Richard Hawley at the moment
My other favourites are the Doors as for me Jim Morrison was one hell of a front man, pity the good die young
I spoke to Alan yesterday Aka Firebottle and he's just sent it out in the post ( very excited)
Will give my opinion on the phono.
I'm still using MM as that's what came with Rega rp6 but my thoughts are maybe considering MC but I wouldn't know where to start or what kind of improvement this would ad to my system? Any thoughts on this would be very much appreciated
Cheers Scott

[Haselsh1]

Absolutely loving the music of Richard Hawley especially 'Lady's Bridge' on vinyl. I got to see said bridge last year whilst in Sheffield for a visit.

[Haselsh1]

LOL Scott, I have just noticed that you are indeed from Sheffield.

[struth]

Hi,
Thanks for the welcome.
One of my favourite albums is WYWH. But my collection is quite eclectic and I'm more into Richard Hawley at the moment
My other favourites are the Doors as for me Jim Morrison was one hell of a front man, pity the good die young
I spoke to Alan yesterday Aka Firebottle and he's just sent it out in the post ( very excited)
Will give my opinion on the phono.
I'm still using MM as that's what came with Rega rp6 but my thoughts are maybe considering MC but I wouldn't know where to start or what kind of improvement this would ad to my system? Any thoughts on this would be very much appreciated
Cheers Scott

Mcs usually give a more sophisticated and detailed sound i have found while mm gives a bit more drive but it does depend a lot on what cart and arm plus phono stage. The firebottle plus does all but the lowest output mcs. Alan gas a simple mod to give more should you need it , unless he has incorporated it into the standard design now. Great stage with any cart ive tried or heard from the fairly cheap to the fairly expensive mc like Gazjams dynavector

[vegman1973]

Thanks Struth,
This Firebottle sounds like the dogs danglies and like I said really can't wait to hear it
Yes I am from Sheffield got to support the locals ;)
My favourite RH album is True loves gutter only I don't own that on vinyl
Gutted as its around £180 to buy now. But a close favourite is late night final it ticks all the boxes for me and I can just sink into my comfy chair and melt away listening to it

[Firebottle]

Scott you are in for a treat, it's not the Firebottle Plus I am sending up it's the Firebottle 2 :)

[Floyddroid]

And i can vouch that it's flippin good. Without doubt gives the EAR a run for it's money. I know cos i has got one!
Scott you are in for a treat, it's not the Firebottle Plus I am sending up it's the Firebottle 2 :)

[vegman1973]

Woooohooooo [emoji7]

[vegman1973]

It's arrived and plugged in warmed up and sounds lovely. You were right Alan I was in for a treat. Just relaxing now to Richard Hawley just got him at right volume.
First thing I notice is soundstage is bigger than my other phono and the separation of instruments is very good. Great detail really picking all those instruments up
Thanks again for letting me try it out