Vfet / SIT Amplifiers

@mikem, that is great to know, thanks for sharing.
Since the NP designs are single output transistor designs, means that replacements should be drop-ins...which is great!
....hope I never need them for my FW

The C1 isn’t the only vfet preamp, the first Audio Note (kondo) M7 was vfet based but I’ve never seen one for sale. 

@thebiglebowski, not sure I follow.

The AN M7 looks like a state of the art preamp, which I would not mind owning, but it sure is not a vfet based preamp.
ECC803S x2, 6072 x2 (Phono)
6072 x4 (Line)
EZ81 x1 (Rectification)

perhaps you are thinking of a different preamp?  The C-1 :)

@thebiglebowski, sonetduo is right, it's not a vfet preamp, at least according to the official specs


I just got the Hitachi working. Well, she's not a bad amp, but she's not even close to the B-2 or the B-3. Sure, she's an integrated amp and wasn't even hi-end at the time of the release, but I soft of expected more. Every possible aspect of the sound is worse, except maybe for the bass response, which is quite good.

C1 is still under repair, as well as N7B. I hope it's going to be done soon.

Hi @kitri
I am glad to hear you have the Hitachi sorted out 👍 

I also want to point out that it is possible to make the amp sound worse than they actually did when new, if critical components ate not replaced with proper replacements. That said, your assessment of the Hitachi vs the Yamahas, is just about right. 
About the C-1 and the Sony, 
I hope you find someone qualified for the job. Remember, if something wrong with any of the Sony vfets, there is still a possibility you might get it to work again. That changes drastically when it comes to the C-1. Yamaha has service bulletins out for the C-1 that must be implemented, depending on the serial number of the unit, otherwise you might end up with a beautiful door stopper. I wish you good luck in bringing those two statement pieces back to prime.