Firebottle Power Amplfier

[CageyH]

Ok, so it's a keeper.
I have not yet had time to do a back to back test with my Proprius monoblocks, but I have been thoroughly enjoying what the AIR does with my FH3s.
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.
It also seems to have more grip on the bass, and it's taught and punchy. From memory, it also seems less bright, but this could be down to the additional stuffing I have placed in the FH3s, the "Rockin' Rollers" or just the amp.
At the "Bake Off" it was just a change in amp that highlighted this. This is what I want to investigate further to confirm.

It's a great match to the FH3s, and I am tempted to try my other speakers to see what it can do with them.
Now I am wondering how much better a KIN will be than my Project Pre Box RS.

[CageyH]

Here is a picture of my AIR, with the blue power button LED that I asked Alan to fit for me so that it would match most of my other boxes.

[Ray]

My Air amp arrived yesterday.
First it just feels solid and quality,,, and I was not disappointed when I turned it on!
I got it plumbed in and from the moment I switched it on I was in love.
I just put on one of my sailing playlists and let it go (11 HOURS) ,,, I like Beth Hart but the realism and emotion it brings to her voice it stunning,,, the track "Tell Her You Belong To Me" came on and all tools were dropped as I stood there even more in love,,, it seems to be something to do with the grip it has on the vibrato in her voice. Christine Collister was another that grabbed my attention also the sound of Saxaphones and Oboes have a magic that is enchanting.
At this stage I will not go on about weight air treble mids and bass as I am doing a full renovation on the house and I am unable to work with positioning speakers and damping, much of the house is into the brick at this stage, and I just do not have luxury of time to sit listening for hours a the moment,, it is all a very temporary setup at present really.
The amp does however to my ear sound very natural with nothing over emphasised.
Sometimes music playing in the background would start to grate and I would have to turn it off, but it was playing until bedtime last night and I can say I really enjoyed what was pouring out and I had a strong feeling of not wanting to turn it off,,,,,,,,, just yet !
This is only a quick impression and I do need to spend time with it but to quote Kevin "it's a keeper" but I got a white LED on the power button.
I am using it with a pair of Markaudio 10.3a drivers in a small enclosure (built for the boat) I am familiar with what the speakers do and have tried them with various amps.
I do have a pair of FH3 in the pipeline but they will have to wait on getting a house completed.

Ray

[Gazjam]

So the Air has landed in Scotland...
Had a few days with it before I passed it on to another Scottish Mafia member.

Bottom line?
I really enjoyed it and it sounded very good.
Not in the market for one having recently went back to valves, but if I was, I'd be looking at this.

Some observations:
* 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 quite detailed sounding too, noticably so actually, but not at the expense of overall flow of the music.
* Midrange is particularly good as well, very open and transparent.

What all of the above does is let the amp get out of the way...your listening to the music not the kit its being played through.

Only one thing I'd mention?
We found it took a while to show its true colours, maybe half hour or so after being powered up.
Not an issue at all, sounded good right away but we did notice it got better with some time on it.
Like all equipment though, its about how it interacts with the rest of your system, so its great that Alan is letting folk hear it giving them the opportunity to check if it works with their own system.

Its a great amp at a good price, well done Alan.


Ps: If its not black with a red LED its just not right

[struth]

So the Air has landed in Scotland...
Had a few days with it before I passed it on to another Scottish Mafia member.

Bottom line?
I really enjoyed it and it sounded very good.
Not in the market for one having recently went back to valves, but if I was, I'd be looking at this.

Some observations:
* 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 quite detailed sounding too, noticably so actually, but not at the expense of overall flow of the music.
* Midrange is particularly good as well, very open and transparent.

What all of the above does is let the amp get out of the way...your listening to the music not the kit its being played through.

Only one thing I'd mention?
We found it took a while to show its true colours, maybe half hour or so after being powered up.
Not an issue at all, sounded good right away but we did notice it got better with some time on it.
Like all equipment though, its about how it interacts with the rest of your system, so its great that Alan is letting folk hear it in their own systems giving them the opportunity to check if it works with their own system.

Its a great amp at a good price, well done Alan.


Ps: If its not black with a red LED its just not right

How did it compare to your set Gary?

[Ali Tait]

I thought it compared well, though it doesn't quite do the air and space in the treble that the 300b does. Given that the 300b is several times the price it's no criticism though.

Had this since NEBO, so had the chance for a good listen in my system, though I wanted to try it in Gary's so I could hear it driving a full range speaker - it was only driving from 200Hz up in my active system.

I really liked the midrange and soundstaging of this amp, which I thought were it's outstanding strengths. Not to say bass and treble were poor, far from it. In my system it was compared to my Monarchy Audio SM 70 Pro. I thought the mid of the Air bettered that of the MA, but the MA edged it in the treble. A great result given the Air is about half the cost.

I also 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. Gary also commented on this when we played it in his system. He also commented that it was considerably better than the Brio R - which retails around the same price.

As Gary said, it does take a while to warm up, bass was a bit soft at first, something we both commented on, however this improved and was deep and tight after about half an hour.

This amp is a bit of a bargain IMHO, way better than anything commercial I've heard at this price.

[struth]

So its about 500 pounds then... Or is the brio more than that?

Anyways sounds like i would like it so best i dont try it lol

[Ali Tait]

Yes, I think it's selling for £500. I think you'd like it. :-)

[brian2957]

Get thee behind me ..... temptation

[Firebottle]

The introductory price on the first 5 is £550 Brian.

If you would like to try the one that is in Scotland at the moment I'm sure that could be arranged