Dr. Feickert Analogue FIREBIRD
The FIREBIRD delivers pinpoint imaging, an expansive soundstage and remarkably low-noise poise, turning familiar records into vivid, emotionally direct performances. Part Time Audiophile admired its tangible focus, while Stereophile confirmed steadfast speed accuracy. Its three-motor drive and dual-arm-ready mounting make this a formidable analogue centerpiece for cartridge explorers.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
93/100
Build Quality
91/100
Features Usability
94/100
Value for Money
85/100
Pros
Produces exceptionally stable, tangible images, a large soundstage and an unusually low perceived noise floor.
Maintains accurate, consistent playback speed across 33⅓, 45 and 78rpm.
Accommodates two tonearms and makes fitting or swapping compatible arms more convenient than many rivals.
Cons
Its nearly 69-pound mass makes lifting, positioning and installation physically demanding.
Installing armboard bolts into the sliding mounting nuts can be difficult.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 93/100
The Firebird is described as an exceptionally composed and revealing source, combining precisely anchored imaging, a huge soundstage and an unusually quiet presentation. Review listening found it drew out performers' emotional expression with striking clarity and made music feel more immediate and involving.
Overall Sound
95/100
Part Time Audiophile heard stable images, an enormous soundstage and exceptionally tangible placement of individual performers. The review found its focus and clarity addictive, praising its ability to dig deeply into recordings and make music's emotional content easier to connect with.
Speed Stability
92/100
Stereophile found all three speeds accurate and consistently maintained throughout listening, while measurements were described as very good and unusually symmetrical. The three-motor arrangement is also designed to reduce torque effects, wobble and rumble, though the measured results were not presented as the very best encountered.
Tonearm Performance
90/100
Its mounting system makes fitting, adjusting and exchanging tonearms easier than on many competing decks. The Firebird can accommodate two arms at once, and one reviewer successfully used two separate arm-and-cartridge combinations; the reviews say little about the tracking behavior of any particular arm.
Noise Isolation
93/100
Listening impressions cite an unusually low noise floor and an extraordinary sense of poise. The three-motor layout, vibration-conscious plinth and platter damping measures support that quiet presentation, although the reviewer notes that the full analogue chain contributed to the result.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
91/100
The substantial 69-pound deck uses a high-mass plinth of aluminium and MDF, a POM platter with embedded brass cylinders, and a redesigned low-contact bearing. Its construction is explicitly engineered to control vibration from the three motors and improve stability.
Features Usability
94/100
Despite its size and ambitious dual-arm capability, the Firebird was described as exceptionally easy to set up. The quick-change arm mounting system, integrated alignment protractor and support for a wide range of 9- to 14-inch arms make it particularly practical for enthusiasts who regularly compare cartridges or tonearms.
Value for Money
85/100
The reviewed price is around $12,500 to $12,995, placing the Firebird firmly in the premium high-end market. None of the supplied reviews directly assesses whether its performance and flexibility represent especially strong or weak value against similarly priced rivals.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
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Specifications
- dimensions
- 560 mm x 460 mm x 160 mm
- right arm-slot
- 205 - 345 mm pivot-spindle (9 - 14 inch eff. length)
- left arm-slot
- 205 - 300 mm pivot-spindle (9 - 12 inch effective length)
- weight
- 23 kg (chassis), 29 kg (w/o tonearm)
- warranty
- 2 years (chassis and electronics), 5 years (bearing)
Manufacturer's Description — Dr. Feickert Analogue
The idea
… based on our previous experience with Woodpecker and Blackbird Turntables we have refined our applied concepts. The ability to handle two 12 inch tonearms was one of the principle design parameters along with simplifying the turntable setup and alignment procedures. We also focused on the visual perspective as well with evolutionary refinements in our form factor, fit and finish and presence. From a tonal standpoint the Firebird represents the pinnacle of the DFA product line, it is truly our new reference turntable.
The mission
… was not to simply modify the electronics used from the Woodpecker and Blackbird – that would have been to simple, no, instead we started from scratch with all new electronics. We developed a much more sophisticated type of hardware and completely rewrote our software, taking multi-motor-turntable operation to a never before seen level. Not to worry though, this new technology will also be integrated into our current Woodpecker and Blackbird tables, thus elevating their performance as well. Running on three motors we chose the only geometrical configuration that really makes sense – the equilateral triangle. As we have already shown with the Blackbird, the positive effects of reduced drag force on the bearing is bettered by the triangle configuration as it also stabilizes the bearing/platter assembly by cancelling out all acting forces. All tendencies of gyration are effectively eliminated. Combined with our all new bearing with 80% reduced area of contact - which will also be fitted to the Woodpecker and Blackbird models - we achieve much lower friction causing less rumble and improving the wow & flutter even more …
The result
… timeless elegance paired with perfect measurements. Ease of use at a new level that improves upon the experience from our smaller models. Easier to set up as we also designed new feet that allow a much wider range of leveling capability along with improved sonics. In addition we have also implemented and improved our well known built-in Protractor TT for setting up tonearms and cartridges. An all new and more refined armboard-design that makes assembly even easier than before with enhanced accuracy. You‘ll be amazed at how simple it is to achieve the best performance.
The sound
… pitch black background paired with pure dynamics, both macro and micro. Power and stability meets neutrality. Whatever your choice of tonearm/cartridge is – the Firebird will reveal the most you can get out of it opening new horizons for your listening pleasure. You will be completely confident that nothing is being held back. Sit back, relax, leave all discussions about the technical aspects behind you and just enjoy the music … Get involved – more and more …
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Authorized dealers for Dr. Feickert Analogue FIREBIRD
- A 10 Audio Room 4 Music — in-store — Amsterdam Nieuw-West, Noord-Holland, Netherlands (website)
- A/V Solutions — in-store — Pleasanton, California, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acoustic Technologies — online and in-store — Montréal, Québec, Canada (website)
- Afton Mountain Audio — in-store — Afton, Virginia, United States (website)
- Ana Mighty Sound — online and in-store — Paris, Île-de-France, France (website)
- Aris Audio — in-store — Salt Lake City, Utah, United States (website)
- Arizona Hi-Fi — in-store — Phoenix, Arizona, United States (website)
- Atelier 13 Audio — in-store — Forest Hills, Tennessee, United States (website)
- AUDIO 2000 — in-store — Wuppertal, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany (website)
and 51 more verified dealers