2. amps-preamps
  3. 146492-121162

Get your First Watt SIT-3 now?

I am just saying this because I found it very interesting.  I just purchased (ordered) a new First Watt SIT-3.  I was hoping to save to upgrade my speakers but love my F7 and read so many great reviews on the SIT-3 that I thought, 'with only 250 being made, maybe I should pull the trigger'.
Well, looks like the right choice.  I trust my dealer, he has always been fair and truthful.  Anyway, he said when he contacted Pass, he was told I got the last one they are producing.  I had already paid for the Amp.  I heard they were making 250 only anyway, but mine is reportedly number 107.  What about the other 143?  Is it numbered in an odd way?  none of that matters.  
I only write this because if it is true and you are seriously looking at getting one, I would jump on it before it is no longer possible.
dseltz
testpilot
896 posts
 
Amplifiers are typically manufactured in "batches", therefore, your amp could be one from the last production run/batch
wolf_garcia
6,626 posts
 
The Pass Labs XA25 costs about the same as the SIT-3 and doesn’t seem to be tied to a Transistor Anachronism...both amps are well regarded nearly to the point of astonished worshipful reverence, but I want an XA25. Why? Just because it’s there, although I doubt my single ended tube amp is going to explode any time soon which would be my only reason to drop the coin on a Pass. Still...it’s there...haunting me...now if they'd just put a meter on the front...
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Those considering purchase of a SIT-3 should keep in mind that its gain is only 11.5 db, which is extremely low for a power amp.  Consequently it requires a single-ended input of about 3.2 volts to be driven to its rated maximum power capability of 18 watts into 8 ohms.

That is particularly likely to be a problem in applications where it would be driven directly from a DAC, or in vinyl-based applications if an active preamp providing something like 15 db or more of gain is not being used, and of course in just about any application in which a passive preamp is used.

The XA25, in contrast, provides 20 db of gain, which is still below average but should be ok in most applications.

Regards
-- Al 

lwin's avatar
lwin
568 posts
 
Almarg  brings up some very good points. There is more than just the efficiency of your speakers involved if you want to get the most out of this amp. I am fortunate to have one and it is a beautiful sounding amp but even if you match up everything perfectly you will might find some albums that because of the way they were recorded just won’t have enough volume. The amp sounds so good that I am willing to accept this but others might not.
jetter
2,958 posts
 
Al, the xa25 is also an amp that hit my radar, perhaps for a future purchase. It would be appreciated, I think by more than a couple of us, if it wouldn’t be inconvenient, if from time to time you might provide progression reports of how it acquits itself in your system. Thanks, George
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