Post by robbiegong on Oct 9, 2021 21:28:35 GMT
Well here it is and hard to know where to start, been into music and hifi since I was a kiddie, my deep passionate love of music of course brought me to hifi / system behaviour, they go hand in hand dont they.
So where indeed to start ? I guess where I currently am would save a heck of a lot of time so lets start there.
Some of you will be aware that despite being in this game for so long and a complete vinyl head, I've only just dipped my toe in the world of the stand alone phono stage, always relying on the inbuilt stage of the various integrated amps I've had over the years.
Recently having the kind pleasure of usage of Andy Smangus-Electronumpty's Firebottle OTP Mk1, my eyes were opened and my listening pleasure increased.
Let me just say that the OTP is what we'd deem as a budget phonostage, and that for me is simply because of its small change price tag, BUT and trust me it most certainly is no 'budget' performer. It was well received on it's launch and has seen many very happy owners/users including myself.
It's clear that Allan-Firebottle didnt just bang a few components together and plonk them inside a tidy case, oh no, Allan definitely put thought, intention and process into what he produced and from what I've read about another of his phono stage creations, the Viviant and the big smiles that brings too, it appears that Allan's way is to produce something proper - end of.
Now, as is often the case with creators/techs, they learn from each project, and in their pursuit of perfection will bring that to the next outing as has been the case with the OTP. Allan took a very good phono stage and improved it with the MK2, lower noise etc etc and the testimonials / reviews I read from users of it had me salivating at the thought of getting hold of one and then asking Allan to trick it out further. Allan obliged, ultra low noise resistors etc - that'll be The OTP Mk3 to you and me sir ! - yay !
And here we are. Now, I'm quite an anal OCD type and like things to suit if you know what I mean. My MK3 bares the same body as the Mk2 and it's a lovely thing. The casing is simple but stylish, non ponsie, I really like it, BUT being me and just as to have it look perfectly at home in my set-up, I got to a little bit of simple, lets say 'customizing'
Here's my lovely OTP MK3 on receipt / BEFORE;
190 by
189 by
And AFTER ...
212 by
213 by
214 by
And IN SITUE ...
217 by
218 by
219 by
Now all I'll add at this very early stage is that I plumbed everything in earlier today to get some heat flowing through it. Could not get to any listening as had to spend the day getting some long overdue/overgrown, long front and rear garden malarky sorted, and take advantage of the dry day ( it's rained loads lately).
Had a shower and some grub and now tunes - YAY !! YAY !! YAY !! , and with all total honesty, absolutely right off the bat, this thing sounds fantastic - Allan ! You're a bl&&dy genius / you got skills fella...
More to follow......
So where indeed to start ? I guess where I currently am would save a heck of a lot of time so lets start there.
Some of you will be aware that despite being in this game for so long and a complete vinyl head, I've only just dipped my toe in the world of the stand alone phono stage, always relying on the inbuilt stage of the various integrated amps I've had over the years.
Recently having the kind pleasure of usage of Andy Smangus-Electronumpty's Firebottle OTP Mk1, my eyes were opened and my listening pleasure increased.
Let me just say that the OTP is what we'd deem as a budget phonostage, and that for me is simply because of its small change price tag, BUT and trust me it most certainly is no 'budget' performer. It was well received on it's launch and has seen many very happy owners/users including myself.
It's clear that Allan-Firebottle didnt just bang a few components together and plonk them inside a tidy case, oh no, Allan definitely put thought, intention and process into what he produced and from what I've read about another of his phono stage creations, the Viviant and the big smiles that brings too, it appears that Allan's way is to produce something proper - end of.
Now, as is often the case with creators/techs, they learn from each project, and in their pursuit of perfection will bring that to the next outing as has been the case with the OTP. Allan took a very good phono stage and improved it with the MK2, lower noise etc etc and the testimonials / reviews I read from users of it had me salivating at the thought of getting hold of one and then asking Allan to trick it out further. Allan obliged, ultra low noise resistors etc - that'll be The OTP Mk3 to you and me sir ! - yay !
And here we are. Now, I'm quite an anal OCD type and like things to suit if you know what I mean. My MK3 bares the same body as the Mk2 and it's a lovely thing. The casing is simple but stylish, non ponsie, I really like it, BUT being me and just as to have it look perfectly at home in my set-up, I got to a little bit of simple, lets say 'customizing'
Here's my lovely OTP MK3 on receipt / BEFORE;
190 by
189 by
And AFTER ...
212 by
213 by
214 by
And IN SITUE ...
217 by
218 by
219 by
Now all I'll add at this very early stage is that I plumbed everything in earlier today to get some heat flowing through it. Could not get to any listening as had to spend the day getting some long overdue/overgrown, long front and rear garden malarky sorted, and take advantage of the dry day ( it's rained loads lately).
Had a shower and some grub and now tunes - YAY !! YAY !! YAY !! , and with all total honesty, absolutely right off the bat, this thing sounds fantastic - Allan ! You're a bl&&dy genius / you got skills fella...
More to follow......