2. amps-preamps
  3. 133507-107286

Preamp help for First Watt J2/ZU Omens combo

Hi, I'm an all analog guy.  Just a turntable with a phono pre.  I bought a First Watt J2 a couple of months ago and can't seem to find the right preamp.  My speakers are high efficiency ZU Audio Omen Mk2's.  I tried a luminous audio axiom passive and while the midrange would blow you away not much else was there.  I also tried a Schiit Freya which comes with a passive and tube side....passive side real weak and the tube side is like drinking from a fire hydrant.  It's detailed but really in your face and forward.  Very fatiguing.  The people with Pass/First Watt all say a PASS preamp will do the trick like an older X-1 or the like but those are expensive still and kinda out of my budget right now.  Plus, buying used there is not much of a return policy if it doesn't work out.    Trying to keep it $1000 or less. But, it needs to sound right too so If I need to jump up I could. Any help would be greatly appreciated! 
128x128tk78
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
I use First Watt B1 (buffer preamp) for my First Watt F2J (current source) power amp.

My speakers are Zu Druid (101db) and while the power amp is less than 5 watt, i use only 10-20% of the volume control (in my big living room) on FW b1 with my phono preamps.

Out of curiosity i’ve bought another preamp (Pass Labs Aleph L, latest version which is passive if the volume control is 3 o’clock, it became active only if the volume control is more than 3 o’clock).
cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
I haven't gotten to try mine yet (it's coming next week), but you might investigate the hornshoppe "the truth" pre. It's at your price point, with a 30 day trial period. Various threads around, and a detailed review at: http://www.high-endaudio.com/RC-Linestages.html#ClA
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,841 posts
 
Your amplifier is balanced, so a preamp that drives a balanced output would be a good place to start.

Given the distortion character of the amp, which is very good, I'd go with a tube preamp but finding a balanced one in your price range might be a bit of a challenge. To really take advantage of balanced operation, the preamp at the very least should support the balanced standard, aka AES48.

Well the passive I first used was a luminous axiom and while the midrange was strong and powerful everything else was lacking.  Bass was there but lacked any punch.
This is a common complaint with passives.


chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
If you need balanced preamp look for Pass Labs Aleph P mkII with remote.

For the bass just look for Zu Audio Undertone mkII SUB :)

I wouldn’t use any tube gear with First Watt amp, my previous tube amps were a nice WLM Minueta (with the best NOS Telefunken tubes) and Luxman tube amp, but my First Watt F2J with B1 buffer Preamp simply kill them all !!!

I have no problem with bass if it’s on the record, First Watt gear is much better than any tube amps i’ve tried with any NOS tubes i’ve tried.

Also with Druid speakers you don’t need an active preamp at all. Your FW amp has more power than mine, but with Druid even 2 watts is enough. I think it's the same with Omen. 
geek101
284 posts
 
Do you mind if the preamp comes with DAC?. 
Check these out, totally over engineered for the price:
Audio-Gd Dual ES9038Pro D-27
If you like R2R DAC:
Audio-Gd R-8

You can get these used sometimes over at head-fi and other places. I have only good experience with Audio-gd. Totally outrageous value for $ in my opinion. 


More to discover