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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
jond's avatar
jond
5,846 posts
 
First of all, "drinking from a fire hydrant" is an awesome descriptor thank you! Looking at some of the current preamp listings this jumps out:

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/phono-edge-electronics-si-1-2017-12-22-preamplifiers-59ecf403-a357..

$695 is well below your $1K budget, for a preamp that retailed for $2150. I've not heard it specifically but I've owned two other pieces from Edge over the years, a Signature One preamp and one of their more entry level amps. Both were excellent. You are right about no return policy but buying something used at the right price can make for pretty easy resale if it doesn't work out. As always just one opinion YMMV.  Good luck!
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,312 posts
 
Sorry the Freya wasn’t your "cuppa" with the J2. Am using one with a First Watt F7 but it is well broken in and I’ve rolled tubes. Very happy with the sound.  More than tubes, interconnects from source to Freya and from Freya to amp seem to have a big effect on sound when that pre-amp is in the chain.  Driving Silverline Prelude Plus speakers, a Cardas Golden Reference XLR is between Gungnir and Freya and a Cardas Parsec SE between Freya and F7. It works for me and I’ve battled "harsh" in the system long enough to know! :-)  The F7 is very mellow and mates well with the Freya, or so I think.  Good luck in your hunt.
tk78's avatar
tk78 OP
6 posts
 
Thank you! Well, I am still giving the Freya go.  I have a buddy that has supplied me with a bunch of different tubes.  There are some that are definitely making it more smooth.  That's interesting about the interconnects.  I am running ZU missions to my Freya and ZU mission balanced XLR's to my J2.  I hear you that yours sound mellow but mine just seems very forward and fatiguing  so far.  I only have about 10 hours on it so I am hoping it will break in more so we shall see. 
jond's avatar
jond
5,846 posts
 
Ghosthouse makes a good point about rolling tubes and just for fun can you try single ended cables from the Freya to your J2? It might relax the sound a bit you never know.
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