First Watt to Pass Labs

Great thread. I'm very interested in the First watt amps as well. Luckily, I have 107 db efficient horns and just assumed that the First Watt amps would sound better on efficient loudspeakers. Is that the case? Has anyone actually compared First Watt's offerings to Pass's offerings with efficient loudspeakers? Also, has anyone comapred the First Watt F3 to the new M2? If so, what are the sonic differences?

I listened to the following Pass amps:

-FW J2
-FW F3
-Pass 350.5

And I have to say the J2 was the best in MY system. For 107 DB, the F3 should be awesome if the output impedience works. My Hovland needed more tan the F3.

Mark at Reno hifi is a great guy. Call him up, and audition a few amps to make your choice.

Also, 6 Moons reviewed and compared all the First Watt amps. Check out the site.

I would call Reno Hi-Fi and ask. Mark at Reno Hi-Fi owns and has ecperience with high efficiency horns matched to both Pass and First Watt amplifiers

Are the J2 and M2 both designed for similar types of speakers
and the choice would be based on preferred "flavor"
or is one better suited to certain kinds of speakers. Seems
like the J2 power output behaves more like a tube amp (lower
power into 4ohms) and the M2 for like SS (higher power into
4ohm). My speakers are Merlin VSMs which "on paper"
would seem to be well suited to the J2, but I have not heard
either. I have owned the Aleph J and XA30.5 with the Merlins
(smooth, highish impedance, 89db) and they both sounded very
good, but not sure that I did not prefer the J which surprised
me given the price difference at the time (good have been
better compatability with my Joule preamp I owned at the
time). Thoughts?