I do see frequently that Herb (and mostly Steve G.) will run inefficient speakers with low watt amps and say they sound fine and have plenty of volume, but I get a little wary when I start seeing actual customers trying to power inefficient speakers with 1/6/12/25wpc amps and not quite getting the results they were expecting. Not everyone is running Zu or Klipsch or Tekton, and I'm not sure where the disconnect is. Maybe what they consider an acceptable volume doesn't translate well to other peoples' listening habits.
High Output Preamp for First Watt SIT-3?
I'm new to the audiophile world and recently purchased a First Watt SIT-3 with Magnepan .7s. I have a Mytek Brooklyn Bridge for streaming, though I prefer to play vinyl with my Mofi Ultradeck. The Mytek serves as the phono stage (69dB gain for MM?), and I don't use a preamp; the Brooklyn is connected directly to the First Watt.
I understand that the SIT-3 is only 11.5 dB of gain, and that's extremely low compared to most amps. I like most everything about the system except for the fact that I have the Mytek maxed out volume-wise many days. Certain LPs are cut quieter, and I wish I had more power. There are times streaming where the Maggies aren't getting to their sweet spot. I realize the Maggies are a lower sensitivity speaker.
What should I look for in a preamp to fully drive the SIT-3? Eventually, I'd like to replace the phono stage instead of relying on the Brooklyn. Is there a tube preamp featuring a phono stage with sufficient output to drive my amp in the $4k range? Otherwise, I'm eyeing the Modwright PH 9.0 and a linestage preamp, realizing that this will probably be costlier. I'm looking for a warm sound, not analytical but engaging.
Any help is greatly appreciated. I'm a working musician with a basic understanding of related electronics but little experience in this world.
I understand that the SIT-3 is only 11.5 dB of gain, and that's extremely low compared to most amps. I like most everything about the system except for the fact that I have the Mytek maxed out volume-wise many days. Certain LPs are cut quieter, and I wish I had more power. There are times streaming where the Maggies aren't getting to their sweet spot. I realize the Maggies are a lower sensitivity speaker.
What should I look for in a preamp to fully drive the SIT-3? Eventually, I'd like to replace the phono stage instead of relying on the Brooklyn. Is there a tube preamp featuring a phono stage with sufficient output to drive my amp in the $4k range? Otherwise, I'm eyeing the Modwright PH 9.0 and a linestage preamp, realizing that this will probably be costlier. I'm looking for a warm sound, not analytical but engaging.
Any help is greatly appreciated. I'm a working musician with a basic understanding of related electronics but little experience in this world.
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- 85 posts total
- 85 posts total