Thoughts on the First Watt SIT Amps

Chadeffect,

Sorry, for not coming back and answering your question. I was out of town for couple weeks. After a few weeks, I thought this thread had disappeared. Anyway, no I do not think the SIT amp was over damped, but remember I was coming from the First Watt M2 to the SIT. If I was coming from a tube amp, then maybe I would think differently. I owned a number of nice (BAT, Art Audio, Cy Breeneman, and etc.) tube amps and just got tired of the hassle of tubes. Yes, the midrange and emotional impact is excellent, but the drawbacks (maintenance, reliability, colorization of sound, mediocre at frequency extremes, and etc.) just got to be too much. Convenience and hassle-free operation is important to me. That's why I got rid of my turntable in 1986, and never looked back.

I have had my differences with Srajan's writing style, but I think he eventually got the SIT-1 review right. Although, the last few pages of the review he rambled and was all over the map. Remember, Srajan was one of the biggest tube amplifier proponents for years. He has listened and reviewed every one of the First Watt amps and he seems to understand the character of each amp in his system. I'm sure in other systems the character of these amps might slightly change. That's why I think potential owners need to demo and listen to them in their own system.

The SIT 2 was/is the finest sounding solid-state sounding amp that I have ever heard with my horns. I have domed, owner and/or heard very one of Nelson Pass' low Watt offerings. The SIT is special. If the noise issue hadn't reared its ugly head, then I would still own the amp. If Nelson or I can figure out what was causing the noise in my system and alleviate it, then I will more than likely be the owner of the SIT-1 or SIT-2 amps.

Brawny and Phil with different perspectives (no surprise, different ears).Chad you`re going to have to bite the bullet and hear this amp in your system. It`d be very interesting how it compares to your modified Yamamoto SET amplifier.

Srajanebaen,

I read the SIT review and felt you were claiming that the SIT could possibly replace a DHT SET in most areas. I am interested in the SIT but suspect its the same old SS compromise.

I have been chasing the ultimate amplifier for many years. Probably like many here.

I surprised myself when I settled for a Yamamoto A08s. I installed it with EML mesh 45 and EML mesh 80, then with modified power caps (mundorf tube & silver gold in oil) and the coupling caps replaced (DuelundVSF copper). These mods & tubes I believe have taken the A08s as far as it can go.

The A08s is as you know it, but with more width,depth, slightly cleaner,less grain and a striking organicness. I believe this very adictive organic sound is helped by the duelunds coupling caps, & the extra detail is down to the mundorfs forcing more info to these coupling caps, but the duelunds remove any etching the mundorf can add. I tried many allternates before settling here.

Many amps (Tom Evans Linear/Halcro DM/ Yamamoto A011/Audio note conq/etc etc) have come to drive my AGs, and some do somethings things better. I.e lower noise floor.improved bass control, image size and so on. But within hours I'm bored by these amps. Whether they are tube or SS.

There is a harmonic beauty in the 45 tube especially with the mesh plated EML which helps music speak. Upon reading your review of the SIT I suspect this harmonic magic is not available to the SIT. Although you gain the usual SS attributes. Would you agree?

I think the Tom Evans is a excellent amp on my Trios though possibly a little forward. Would you say the SIT is more in the Tom Evans vain?I.e clean, fast with harmonic texture, but not as beautiful as a DHT SET.

I just wish for an amp that would remove the need for tubes.

Chad,
Why the need to avoid tubes? They obviously provide that something special your prior SS amps lacked or you`d kept one of them. Your Yamamoto SET is very simple,straight forward and reliable like my Frankenstein(minimal fuss). The tubes in these amps last for thousands of hours. Just continue to enjoy your wonderful system.I`ve been in pure musical bliss since I discovered SET amps with high efficient/easy load speakers.People talk about SET colorations, I can`t speak for all SET amps but the Frankenstein is more accurate to real instruments and voice than any SS amp I`ve heard. I`d imagine you feel the same regarding your Yamamoto.Realism and natural/organic- holistic sound is most important to me.This is what generates the emotion and utter involvement of music.Good luck finding that with SS amps.Could the SIT-1 be it finally?
Regards,

>>Anyway, no I do not think the SIT amp was over damped, but remember I was coming from the First Watt M2 to the SIT.<<

Adjacent to the FW M2, which is very good SS in its own right, the SIT-2 sounds liquid and lingering by comparison. So from that perspective of amps sequence I fully understand Brawny's view of it.

Phil