In the under $4,000 price range, for the amount of power you have, I would consider Tekton Double Impacts, Rethm Bhaava, and Audio Note AN-K speakers (or other models used).
High Output Preamp for First Watt SIT-3?
I'm new to the audiophile world and recently purchased a First Watt SIT-3 with Magnepan .7s. I have a Mytek Brooklyn Bridge for streaming, though I prefer to play vinyl with my Mofi Ultradeck. The Mytek serves as the phono stage (69dB gain for MM?), and I don't use a preamp; the Brooklyn is connected directly to the First Watt.
I understand that the SIT-3 is only 11.5 dB of gain, and that's extremely low compared to most amps. I like most everything about the system except for the fact that I have the Mytek maxed out volume-wise many days. Certain LPs are cut quieter, and I wish I had more power. There are times streaming where the Maggies aren't getting to their sweet spot. I realize the Maggies are a lower sensitivity speaker.
What should I look for in a preamp to fully drive the SIT-3? Eventually, I'd like to replace the phono stage instead of relying on the Brooklyn. Is there a tube preamp featuring a phono stage with sufficient output to drive my amp in the $4k range? Otherwise, I'm eyeing the Modwright PH 9.0 and a linestage preamp, realizing that this will probably be costlier. I'm looking for a warm sound, not analytical but engaging.
Any help is greatly appreciated. I'm a working musician with a basic understanding of related electronics but little experience in this world.
I understand that the SIT-3 is only 11.5 dB of gain, and that's extremely low compared to most amps. I like most everything about the system except for the fact that I have the Mytek maxed out volume-wise many days. Certain LPs are cut quieter, and I wish I had more power. There are times streaming where the Maggies aren't getting to their sweet spot. I realize the Maggies are a lower sensitivity speaker.
What should I look for in a preamp to fully drive the SIT-3? Eventually, I'd like to replace the phono stage instead of relying on the Brooklyn. Is there a tube preamp featuring a phono stage with sufficient output to drive my amp in the $4k range? Otherwise, I'm eyeing the Modwright PH 9.0 and a linestage preamp, realizing that this will probably be costlier. I'm looking for a warm sound, not analytical but engaging.
Any help is greatly appreciated. I'm a working musician with a basic understanding of related electronics but little experience in this world.
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- 85 posts total
Regardless of its output, putting a dedicated preamp in front of your power amp will not make the power amp output more power. It may well change, and likely improve, the overall sonic presentation, but your decibel levels won't change. I can't think of a planar speaker that will work with your SIT; but there are open baffle speakers that will (e.g. Spatial). |
Excellent comments by the others, and I certainly agree that the pairing of the SIT-3 with the Maggies is not ideal from a power capability standpoint. Regarding the original question, however, depending on what phono cartridge you are using, and assuming (as I suspect) that the gains of the Brooklyn Bridge are similar to those of the Brooklyn DAC (as measured by Stereophile), based on my calculations it appears that for many recordings on LP you may be falling several db short of being able to drive the SIT-3 to its 30 watt/4 ohm power capability, even with the volume control at max. (Although you certainly should be able to do that when using the Brooklyn Bridge as a DAC). Meaning that when playing many LPs you may not be able to drive the amp to output levels of more than say 10 or 15 watts, depending on the rated output of your particular cartridge. I could be more specific if you let us know the make and model of your cartridge. In which case a simple and inexpensive solution may simply be to insert something like an Antique Sound Lab Line Two DT ($450) between the BB and the amp. I used its predecessor model (the Line One) for a while some years ago while my main preamp was down, with fine sonic results. And I see no technical incompatibilities that it would present with your equipment, in terms of impedances, gain, etc. Good luck. Regards, -- Al |
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- 85 posts total