First Watt SIT-3 proper speaker matches

As I recall from a recent review of the First Watt SIT-3, they work well with speakers that are 4 ohm and have 88dB sensitivity. In the review, the reviewer raved about how the Magnepan .7i pair sounded. However, they have a 86dB sensitivity. I have an SIT-3 (as a second amp) and Maggy 1.7i pair which also are 4 ohm and 86 dB. They sound great. Of course the volume knob on my preamp turns more to the right to move up the volume compared to my more powerful amps. So I am due to take delivery of my new second pair of speakers, the Magico A3. They are rated at 4 ohms and 88 dB. So I’ll see how they sound.  

I am very interested in this discussion. So, if the Spatial Audio M3 TriodeMasters are 12 ohms and 93 dB, that would not be a good match for a First Watt SIT-3, right?

I don’t want to hijack this thread, but that makes me wonder which First Watt would match the TriodeMasters well. I know they’re designed for tubes, but I’d like to try a lessor powered solid state amp with them. 

my answer is probably backwards, but I currently have an F7 driving a pair of Rethm Maarga and it is doing a wonderful job.  The retime are a wonderful sounding horn with built in powered bass.  I am awaiting my SIT-3 which I suspect will also drive my Rethm beautifully.  And I am planning on trading out the Maarga for Saadhana at the end of the year.  They are 100 dB efficiency so fairly easy to drive.  I would seriously consider auditioning a pair of Rethm before you make any final decision. not a dealer, just a big fan.

5560

I have the SIT-3 (18 w @ 8 ohms), and the Audio Note AN-E/SPe HEs (sensitivity 97.5 db, impedance 6 ohms for most of the audible audio bandwidth).

I find music from this combination to be viscerally involving, totally satisfying, and very revealing.  In "I don't believe in you," by "Talk Talk - The Colour of Spring," the bass is deep and resonant, the plucking of guitar strings is clear, and at times resonant, the vocals and treble are crisp and distinct, and the separation and depth make the music 3D. Similar to Herb Reichert's description in his review of the XA-25, for me the SIT-3 is very transparent.      
 
In your search for a proper speaker match, I think a good place to start is Herb Reichert's real world review of the SIT-3, which compares how the SIT-3 sounds through different speakers. Here's a link to Herb's review of the SIT-3:
  
https://www.stereophile.com/content/first-watt-sit-3-power-amplifier

Then I would read Herb Reichert's review of the Pass Labs XA-25, which contains related comparisons. Here's a link to that review:

https://www.stereophile.com/content/pass-laboratories-xa25-power-amplifier

Here are links to other reviews that I recommend:

https://www.6moons.com/audioreviews2/firstwatt5/1.html

https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/first-watt-sit-3-stereo-power-amplifier/

https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2018/07/15/review-first-watt-sit-3-amplifier/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeU4AEq_5Uc

There is so much information in these reviews that I had to take notes. As an owner of the SIT-3, even if you've already read these reviews, they are an interesting read. 

@kcpellethead 

I suggest you look more closely at the specs on the 3M TM, which I own, that sensitivity spec is only applicable above 200 hz.  So you will get plenty of volume in the mid-range and above with low powered tube or SS amps but anemic bass output. I've tried it.