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Firebottle
05-01-2016, 09:20
Details without thread crap.

http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/tt97/Paramotorpilot/Firebottle%20Axolotl/Firebottle%20AIR/P1050189.jpg

Combining the best of valve (tube) and solid state technologies, the AIR utilises a regulated high tension supply powering the super linear triode gain stage. This drives a high power low impedance MOSFET output stage within a zero feedback circuit.
This results in very low distortion and a natural and transparent sound.

http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/tt97/Paramotorpilot/Firebottle%20Axolotl/Firebottle%20AIR/P1050292.jpg

Specifications:
Valve line-up: PCC85 (7ES8) double triode. There is no substitute.
Supply voltage: 240V AC.
Input impedance: 68K ohm. Input sensitivity: 0.71 volt rms for full output.
Output power: 90 watts per channel rms into 8 ohms at rated supply voltage.

Introductory price: £550

Some testimonials of the AIR:

* It does this thing of plugging the music directly into your head, it carries a tune really well and lets you hear the "point" of the song.
* Its a very "organised" sounding amp, but not in an artificial way.
* Music is naturally spread out, everything in its right place.
* Its noticably quite detailed sounding too, but not at the expense of overall flow of the music.
* Midrange is particularly good as well, very open and transparent.

'I thought detailing and channel separation were particularly good, as was the sense that this was an amp on the smooth side, but in a good way - no loss of detail, but easy to listen to all day.'

'The AIR has a really transparent sound to it. There is good separation between instruments, imaging and soundstage are really good, with instruments appearing to come from way beyond the speakers.'

Bigman80
05-01-2016, 10:00
I loved this and the Firebottle KIN yesterday. Beautiful sound and clarity.

Rodrigo y Gabriella sounded particularly clean and airy.

CageyH
05-01-2016, 10:06
Yes, a great sounding amp, and a bargain at the introductory price.

awkwardbydesign
05-01-2016, 11:20
Is that a volume control on the front?

Firebottle
05-01-2016, 13:13
It's an input mute switch. A passive can be fitted as required, also white, blue or red for the power switch illumination.

Ali Tait
05-01-2016, 13:29
Good amp this, bargain at the price.

awkwardbydesign
05-01-2016, 14:36
It's an input mute switch.
Ah, OK. That makes more sense, at least to me.

Firebottle
19-02-2016, 17:01
I've had a couple of feedback comments that the AIR can lack a little depth in the soundstage when compared to other quality gear.

I think I have now found where it was hiding :bulb:
I've done a little modification, but as ever there is no free lunch so the gain is reduced a little. :yay:

awkwardbydesign
19-02-2016, 19:05
Does that mean I have get it back again? :doh:

Firebottle
19-02-2016, 20:10
This is with another unit I have, it's not the loan unit :cool:

CageyH
19-02-2016, 20:13
Is it a "difficult to perform" mod?
I am impressed that you can get it sounding better.

Firebottle
20-02-2016, 07:51
No it's not difficult, the worst bit is unwinding the component leads from their terminals.

We are talking knat's proboscis here but that's all the fun isn't it :eyebrows:

Just listening this morning to a variety of tunes and I think I've found the cherry on the top :guitar:

Plus I can fit the mod so that the front panel mute switch can be made 3 way to select between modes: High gain - Mute - Lower gain with cherry on the top.
I shall be fitting this to the 04 and 05 units I have.

:)

Simon_LDT
01-04-2016, 09:52
Hi Alan,

How does it handle speakers with a 4ohm impedance? My XTZ's are rated at 4-8ohm and I've been told that although they don't dip really low they do operate nearer to 4ohm than 8.

WESTLOWER
01-04-2016, 10:13
hi Alan
I'm very very interested in your Phono stage,
is there a Demo unit available or someone in London / Herts who has one?
Best

Firebottle
01-04-2016, 10:43
Hi Adam, i have added your name onto the loan list.
See this thread http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?36603-Firebottle-phono-MM-MC-loan-list&p=737940#post737940

:)

Firebottle
01-04-2016, 10:44
Hi Alan,

How does it handle speakers with a 4ohm impedance? My XTZ's are rated at 4-8ohm and I've been told that although they don't dip really low they do operate nearer to 4ohm than 8.

Will drive 4 ohm speakers no problem Simon.