My silver plated Neutrik XLR plugs should be waiting for me when I get home, so I should be able to get rid of the cheap looking Project XLR to RCA adapters tonight, and give the amps proper appraisal.

I am also going to do a quick back to back test just to make sure that the AIR is the correct decision.

Due to the distractions caused by the littl'un I only managed to make up the cables last night.
I gave them a bit of time to "burn in" so as soon as time allows I shall report back.

To be honest, I don't see the result being much different from our little bake off, although there is a small sub involved at home.

Ali has the first build AIR at the moment Brian so maybe you will get to hear it soon.

Could make for an interesting wee bake off. My Air should be with me early next year- 57s/frugels/spendor sp1s. Alis all conquering slage pre/tvc promethius. kel84 monos/power amp.

Plenty of excuse for a get together and some cake consumption.

The AIR is staying.
I am thoroughly impressed with what Alan has managed to achieve. The amp has such a transparent sound, with superb imaging, soundstage and detail.
In my listening room, with the FH3s being driven by my modified SL1200 fitted with an SAE 1000LT (I must get a spare SAE 1000E while it's still available) into the Project Pre Box RS, which feeds the AIR the sound is absolutely superb.
The amp has such a good grip on the drivers, making bass deep and taught (it's amazing what the 4" drivers can do ). It also has great punch. I am really happy with this combination and would suggest anybody who has a set of FH3s to give the AIR a try. Now I am wondering if I should start saving for a KIN or a Croft 25R, but I don't know how much better they will be than my current pre-amp, or if I need to aim a bit higher for a big difference.



The other thing I would suggest that the owners of the FH3s do is to get hold of a set of the Rockin' Rollers from Steve at Electric Beach. He does a set for the speakers that have made a very welcome improvement to the speakers.

Nice one, that seems like it was a painless decision. Having heard the combination with the Graham Slee monos on the back of the speakers you weren't exactly coming from a bad place and that you're prepared to replace them speaks volumes. I'll be having one myself next year 

Can't say I'm surprised though. Anyone who heard my builds together with the Dared DV-6C Hybrid left with an enduring image of transparency and open acoustic, scale and presence. I guy went straight home, sold his DIY SET amps and built himself a hybrid. The cohesion and detail from the Alpair 7 driver has obvious charm - but when the system is balanced for bass and the amp can manage the potential transparency I find a level of performance access that steps further away from reproduction. 

I think Alan made a good move with the name choice, it's evocative of the presentation.

I had the Croft 7 power amp with a passive volume control fitted and liked many aspects of the combination, but I can't live without a remote; my system's on the other side of the room and without one I'm up and down like a whore's drawers!

Done