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First Watt vs McIntosh vs Ampzilla

I'm searching for a power amplifier to pair with a McIntosh c712 preamp and Zu Omen Def speakers. 
I want it to be melodic and clear (not mellow and round) and with a good soundstage, capable of filling my big living room (12m x 6m) with powerful party levels sound - not necessarily ear splitting levels.  
Nearby I can purchase a First Watt M2, a McIntosh MC7150 or an Ampzilla 2000 (stereo) for a good price. 
I cant audition them at home with my system, so besides my personal opinion on the sound at the different shops, what do you have to say regarding these three models? Any of them is better than the others? Better sound? Better reliability? 
Any opinions?

128x128migueca
16 responses Add your response
migueca's avatar
migueca OP
112 posts
 
Thank you all for the inputs. 
I had to put this issue on standby for a while and when I got back to it, I followed a different path. 
Bought a pair of monoblocks from Temple Audio and I'm very happy with the result. Everything I was looking for, I found it in these little boxes. They output 100W in class D and the sound - signal coming from the McIntosh C712 preamp and going to the Zu Omen Def - is fantastic! Clear, powerful, amazing soundstage at a very affordable price. 
timlub
2,039 posts
 
@migueca    At this point I would have to assume that after 5 months that you have chosen one of these amps.  My Taste would lean toward the SST Son of Ampzilla 2000

sharethemusic's avatar
sharethemusic
8 posts
 
i had the m2 with double impacts..dumbest move ever to sell it..perfection...  i also had a sit-2 and j2..allllll amazing..im about to re-buy a sit-2...the most perfect solid state amp ive ever heard...
captmobley's avatar
captmobley
11 posts
 
I use a PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium Preamp with a M2 and Tekton Double Impact speakers and couldn’t be happier!
mg16's avatar
mg16
118 posts
 
I use a First Watt F6 with Proac 1SC. I second it for Nelson Pass amps. Class A Mosfets ,with lots of bias juice sounds incredible. IMHO.
Mg16
hddg's avatar
hddg
123 posts
 
I'd find out if any Pass XA30.8 available around you. You'd have everything and more for these Zu...
mcslipp's avatar
mcslipp
123 posts
 
Any of the three would be nice. That said, the 3 times I've seen Sean demo Zu's it's always been with Pass gear. That would be a strong endorsement for the First Watt.
audioaffin's avatar
audioaffin
7 posts
 
I think your Zu Omen Def speaker can easily go with tubes. My tube amp Cayin CS-100A KT88 has about 70watts p/c and is very dynamic and clear with a little bit warmth. With your efficient speakers you will be able to make party. It is not necessary to have 200 or more watts. The quality is more important than the power. 
donnellym60
1 posts
 
Biggest mistake I made was selling my GAS ampazilla amp. Tons of power, quiet never came close to pushing its limits.

mickeyb
575 posts
 
First watt with your speakers should pair very nicely. Class A with those speakers is the way to go. 
bojack
652 posts
 
The M2 has been my only amp for the past 3 years, and paired with my Spendor 1/2s and AI Modulus 3B (or Quicksilver Pre), it is an astonishingly good sounding component. It does everything well, imo, and will reflect accurately what is upstream, whether it be the source or pre, etc. It creates 28W and will rock your Zus, guaranteed. The one caveat is that Nelson Pass  specifies its noise w/o signal at 500uv, whereas the other First Watt amps are slightly quieter. The music mine makes, though, outweighs this minor fact, though...it is a  keeper. 
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,468 posts
 
I had an Ampzilla...... very pleased with it.   I gather you sit away from the amp..Ampzilla has a cooling fan that was not intrusive to me, but it might depend where you sit in relation to it.
roncagg
61 posts
 
I recommend an F7, those 20w go a long way, and it will be more resolving/less rounded sounding than the M2 (which I have been told is more like the aleph 30 I had than the F7). I run it into DeVore speakers, not as efficient as your Zus and I never have an issue with volume in my large room.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
Given that you have those Zu speakers, First Watt is definitely the way to go.
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,402 posts
 
The McIntosh will give you a slightly mellow sound, the Ampzilla is a powerful and excellent sounding amp and the designer was one of the Audio greats. The First Watt are low powered Class A amps.  Never have heard the First Watt, I would go with the Ampzilla, and this is coming from a Mac guy. 
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