A new FPIII in BC

[Aural Robert]

I spent waaaay more time on the appearance of this guy, relative to the build time under the hood. Got it fired up last weekend and it is totally AWESOME already. This is my 5th Bottlehead build and this amp replaces my FPII which was my first amp ~ 10 years ago already.

I was somewhat skeptical every time I read how much of an improvement the III is over the II. No longer am I skeptical YIKES it was immediately noticeable - the soundstage is wider and deeper, the bottom end seems to go lower and is much fuller, and the separation of instruments is much improved (not that it was bad before!!!). And that's after maybe 2 hours of run time. I am one happy listener.

Aural Robert

 

[Paul Birkeland]

Do you have one black Paramour and one red Paramour to match?

That is a sweet concept, it must have taken quite some patience and masking tape!

-PB

 

[Aural Robert]

Thanks. I think I was a bit ocd on it, but am happy with the result. I need to redo the black on the base, maybe next summer.

My Paramours are not matching, I started color coding after I put them together. My Seduction is similar to the FPIII, and the speakers are red and black to match the channels. Same for all my home grown cables - red / black techflex. I'll take some system pics and put them up, my room is a disaster right now tho.

Aural Robert.
ps going to see Paul McCartney tonight in Vancouver, should be excellent, 14th row on the floor

 

[howardnair]

love the colors--full of fun

 

[earwaxxer]

Love it!

 

[aragorn723]

like the colors! (looks like my racing bike  8)  what tape did you use to get such nice lines?

 

[randy@matrixq.com]

That is one great looking Foreplay.  I love the attention to detail you gave in alternating the tops of the screws to contrast.

 

[Aural Robert]

like the colors! (looks like my racing bike  8)  what tape did you use to get such nice lines?

I used automotive pin stripe tape. Laid the pin stripe down first, copious amount of masking tape on one side and paint right up to edge.

 

[denti alligator]

I'm totally stealing this idea for my next amp! Did you use the exact same kind of paint and poly for base and plate? How many layers of each?

 

[Aural Robert]

I'm totally stealing this idea for my next amp! Did you use the exact same kind of paint and poly for base and plate? How many layers of each?

It's been a trial and error approach for me. I went with paint products all from the same manufacturer - primer, color coats, and clear top coat. FYI, I used all RustOleum Painter's Touch products. Primed the top plates twice, sanded in between coats, then 2 coats of color, sanded in between coats, then 2 coats of clear on top. The bases took more primer coats, as I wanted a very smooth surface and didn't want the wood grain to show. It's taken me quite a while to get it all to where I'm happy, but I'm not done yet, I still have to finish my Eros top plate. I stripped one of the Paramount plates 3 times back to bare metal to get it "right". I'm quite pleased with the results.

The biggest challenge is PATIENCE. I learned (the hard way) that it's best to leave at least a week between the color coats. I decided that since this system is going to last me for 10 years probably, I'm not going to rush this part, because there is no going back once you start mounting the hardware.

It was definitely a bonus having all 4 amps available to work on simultaneously. The color match is perfect. At this moment, I have 5 of 8 bits totally finished - I need to finish up my PM bases, and as I said the Eros top plate.

Glad to provide some inspiration to others. I am confident they will sound fabulous.

Aural Robert.
... you'll get the bonus you deserve, from doctors we trust ...