First Watt Amplifiers
From the First Watt site, where Nelson Pass says it best:
First Watt exists because I wanted to explore a variety of amplifier designs in what I think of as neglected areas - amplifiers that might not fit into the mainstream and are probably not appropriate to my more commercial enterprise, Pass Labs.
With oddball characteristics and output power ratings of 25 watts or less, First Watt is not for most people. If you have efficient loudspeakers, listen at reasonable levels and are obsessed about subjective performance, then you probably have come to the right place.
The reviews of these amplifiers are all stunning. Raves keep coming from so many different reviewers. Do a quick web search and get all of them. A perfect match for the Cube Audio speakers, with enough power to drive to an unreasonably loud level.
SIT-3
The SIT-3 is a new, and unique amplifier. It provides outstanding dynamics, and a big, open soundstage that is simply intoxicating.
18 watts a channel into 8 ohms, a high-esh output impedance of .26 ohms. 200K input impedance. 50 uV of noise.
This uses a unique SIT transistor that is available only to First Watt. 250 of these amplifiers will be made in a limited production run, and then they will be out of parts. Get them while you can.
Pricing
SIT-3: $4,000
Reviews
“It’s about bringing out the beauty in recordings"
“Sounds Juicier, bolder, richer, soundstage is massive"
Steve Guttenberg, The Audiophiliac
F7
Unique two-stage push pull amplifier. Very little feedback, a little positive current feedback gives this amplifier a unique sound and great control.
20 watts per channel, low output impedance (high damping factor), and a relatively low input impedance of 10K ohms.
As close to a perfectly transparent amplifier as you are going to see.
Price
F7: $3,000
Reviews
“The F7 is easy to embrace musically. Its sound is sufficently addictive that I’m finding it extremely difficult to evict it from the reference system. For the record, it ’s likely to stay put for many weeks to come. "
“Simply put: oneof the best low-power amps money can buy."
Dick Olsher, The Absolute Sound
J2
Stereophiles Amplifer Product of the year in 2016.
JFET driver, JFET power transistors provide 25 watts in a push-pull configuration. JFETs are widely recognized as having the highest audio quality of any transistor.
The circuit is very linear, requiring minimal feedback. Yet the sound is very clear and tight.
Pricing
J2: $4,000
Reviews
“Every day, it made me and my favorite speakers very happy"
Herb Reichert, Stereophile