steveharman
26-10-2018, 09:48
It's almost 9 months since the Firebottle Vivant arrived so I thought it might be worth doing a quick follow-up to my initial "first impressions" review.
TLDR summary: It's still amazing.
Sometimes it's easy to get carried away and self-justify new kit, convincing one's ears that the investment was worth it. Then after a while things settle down, doubt creeps in, the eBay "Sell" button comes into focus and so the cycle continues. The Vivant doesn't fall into this category.
Yesterday with an album that, like many I've known for years ("Wish You Were Here") I sat down for a coffee and a quick listen. Goose bumps. Sounds I hadn't heard before, notes at the beginning of tracks that still made me jump even though I knew full well they were coming. And somehow a new "dimension" to the sound that I didn't mention previously. Somehow the Vivant managed to place a horizontal wave, or layer of sound midway between me & the speakers. I don't know how Alan manages to do this with the Vivant, I'm only grateful that he does.
But the Vivant doesn't just suit "classic" albums from the '70s where people say production values and analogue mastering were better than today. Take "Oh Wonder's" eponymous album from 2015 (https://ohwondermusic.com/) - I've been listening to this on Grotify for a few years, having only recently acquired the vinyl version. The Vivant brings an entirely new perspective to the whole album. There are things in there I simply never heard in the dozens of times I've listened to it digitally.
Same thing for the two Christine & The Queens LPs (http://www.christineandthequeens.com/) from 2016 / 2018.
To really experience the magic of the Vivant, throw a magic album at it in the form of Will Varley's new "Spirit of Minnie". https://www.willvarley.com/ Passionate, British folk / rock at its best, I can't recommend his music highly enough. Goose bumps on goose bumps. managed to see him live in Norwich the other week - almost as good as the Vivant. ;-)
Was the Vivant cheap? Well it did cost a fair amount of money, yes. But then well designed, well manufactured, well supported things always do. Does that make it "expensive" ? I wouldn't say so, no. And since hearing our Vivant the parents-in-law ordered one for themselves. Haven't actually discussed a referral programme loyalty point scheme with Alan yet, but it's on my list. :-)
Sorry eBay, you won't be getting seller fees out of me with this one.
Steve
TLDR summary: It's still amazing.
Sometimes it's easy to get carried away and self-justify new kit, convincing one's ears that the investment was worth it. Then after a while things settle down, doubt creeps in, the eBay "Sell" button comes into focus and so the cycle continues. The Vivant doesn't fall into this category.
Yesterday with an album that, like many I've known for years ("Wish You Were Here") I sat down for a coffee and a quick listen. Goose bumps. Sounds I hadn't heard before, notes at the beginning of tracks that still made me jump even though I knew full well they were coming. And somehow a new "dimension" to the sound that I didn't mention previously. Somehow the Vivant managed to place a horizontal wave, or layer of sound midway between me & the speakers. I don't know how Alan manages to do this with the Vivant, I'm only grateful that he does.
But the Vivant doesn't just suit "classic" albums from the '70s where people say production values and analogue mastering were better than today. Take "Oh Wonder's" eponymous album from 2015 (https://ohwondermusic.com/) - I've been listening to this on Grotify for a few years, having only recently acquired the vinyl version. The Vivant brings an entirely new perspective to the whole album. There are things in there I simply never heard in the dozens of times I've listened to it digitally.
Same thing for the two Christine & The Queens LPs (http://www.christineandthequeens.com/) from 2016 / 2018.
To really experience the magic of the Vivant, throw a magic album at it in the form of Will Varley's new "Spirit of Minnie". https://www.willvarley.com/ Passionate, British folk / rock at its best, I can't recommend his music highly enough. Goose bumps on goose bumps. managed to see him live in Norwich the other week - almost as good as the Vivant. ;-)
Was the Vivant cheap? Well it did cost a fair amount of money, yes. But then well designed, well manufactured, well supported things always do. Does that make it "expensive" ? I wouldn't say so, no. And since hearing our Vivant the parents-in-law ordered one for themselves. Haven't actually discussed a referral programme loyalty point scheme with Alan yet, but it's on my list. :-)
Sorry eBay, you won't be getting seller fees out of me with this one.
Steve