First Watt to Pass Labs


I am considering buying a First Watt or Pass Labs preamp and amp. I've never compared the units side by side, but I see the benefit of the First Watt simple circuit approach.

So I am confused to see some Audiogoners selling their First Watt gear and moving to Pass Labs gear.

Would you please share your thoughts on the transition? Did you just need more power? Does one sound better than the other? I realize it's all subjective, but curious to hear your thoughts.

Also, if anyone has compared the First Watt amps and preamps to the Pass Labs amps and preamps, I'd be curious to hear your thoughts. Thanks!
bigamp
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?
I'm really enjoying the First Watt J2. I tried out a F3 first and there was an impediance miss match with my preamp (Hovland has a low output).

Mark at Reno Hifi is one of the greatest retailers I've worked with. He shipped me the F3 and then shipped me the J2.
If your speakers are 104db efficient and don't have a passive crossover, I would check out the F2J or F1J. F2J is one of the best I have heard in my system. Easily the best solid state.