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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. 

murphbass
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Murphbass,
Didn't see your latest post until I'd left a reply. Anyway I feel you made a good decision when all is factored in. There are truly excellent higher sensitivity dynamic speakers available (I listed a small sample a couple of days ago). I don't believe that you will miss the Magneplan speakers. 

I also believe you'll love SET amplifiers if you decide to go that route. As with mglik I'm a devoted SET aficianodo. 
Charles 
dascar
5 posts
 
I have a Rogue RP-1 driving a FW F5 (clone) which seems to be a very good paring. 
The RP-1 also has an exceptional phono stage.  

https://www.stereophile.com/content/rogue-audio-rp-1-preamplifier

coachpoconnor's avatar
coachpoconnor
383 posts
 
One other suggestion.. The CAF 2019 “Best sound at Show” included the following components: MicroZOTL Z10 Integrated Amplifier, Spatial Audio M-3 Sapphire Speakers, Lampizator Amber 3 DAC. Given that you own Magnepan .7 speakers you must enjoy that very transparent, open airy sound. Your Mytek DAC is a good piece but you need to reassign the Mytek to just DAC duty. The 2 most open and airy preamps I’ve heard are the Dodd Audio Battery preamp (truly special) and any on the MicroZOTL preamps. The Dodd is not produced anymore but can purchased used for 1200 to 1500. The MicroZOTL’s are still being made and are sold by Linear Tube Audio. My guess that the aforementioned preamps paired with your Mytek DAC, Sit-3 AMP and a set of Spatial Audio M-3 Sapphires would make a truly magical system. If your a follower Terry London, you might run this combination of kit past him. Herb Reichert as also reviewed many of these pieces. Good luck in your synergistic search,
I’ve also had issues with the gain, using the Brooklyn as a preamp.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,128 posts
 
I think I'll listen to the sentiment of most of the contributors to this thread and build around the better of the two variables: my amp. I like the idea of having a high efficiency speaker on hand when I add an SET amp. Since it's hard to demo most of what's out there, I really appreciate everyone's recommendations.
Back in the 1970s Radio Shack made a number of low power transistor amps, varying between 1 and 6 watts output depending on the model. You'd be surprised how much power than can actually be; Radio Shack did well with these amps and made sure they had plenty of fairly efficient speakers on hand to take advantage of that power. These little amps have an ardent following to this day; I own one myself and can vouch that they sound surprisingly good (when properly refurbished), and just like the Pass they have a predominate 2nd harmonic as part of their distortion signature.


So you need more efficient speakers. One of the reasons this amp doesn't have a lot of gain is its meant for speakers of greater efficiency where the gain simply isn't needed. There's been a lot of good advice here- get that amp on a speaker that has good efficiency and the results will be excellent. There isn't a reason why resolution has to take a back seat to efficiency either- so I wouldn't worry about that. To keep distortion down though and yet still make reasonable power, I'd be looking at an 8 ohm speaker rather than 4 ohms.
murphbass OP
9 posts
 
To keep distortion down though and yet still make reasonable power, I'd be looking at an 8 ohm speaker rather than 4 ohms.
I wasn't aware that distortion could be a function of a speaker's impedance.  Or, at least, I assumed a lower impedance speaker driven by a solid state amp wouldn't stress the amp as much as a higher impedance speaker playing at a similar SPL.  Tube amps, I'm guessing, could be a different story? 

What's the theory behind lower distortion from higher impedance loads?
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