Cube Audio Nenuphar Single Driver Speaker (10 inch) TQWT Enclosure

@rwpollock Perhaps you’re just suggesting that pass finds a new manufacturer for the SIT devices? The first run was custom made by Semisouth for Pass Labs (hence the Pass label on the transistors), but they have since closed the factory.

Some interesting discussion here with input from Nelson: https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/222098-semisouth-goes-dodo.html

Correct. It's not my field, but I wouldn't be surprised if there aren't chip foundries that will do custom work and small runs. Not cheap, but perhaps Pass could buy a passel from Aries Cerat or have their supplier make a different version.

Maybe he will given the success of the sit amps. I've heard they're starting to get low on their supply and the sit3 was only possible because the parts have been so reliable. Previously, those transistors had been held in reserve for replacement service. 

Funny that Nelson said this in 2012 (from the above thread on diyaudio):  "I predict that long before I run out of SITs there will be some new, perhaps more interesting devices to play with."

“New models within the Ianus Series include the Geminae (€110,000) Class A amplifier that produces 130 Watts @ 8 Ohm. Aries Cerat’s Essentia (€39,000) is the little brother that produces 40 Watts @ 8 Ohms”.

That makes the FW SIT-1 a bargain. Given the FW SIT-1 has 2 watts/ch at 1% distortion, yet it sounds more like 50 watts/ch. I have 9ft ceilings and my dedicated listening room that has no back wall to speak of is open to a decent size kitchen/eating area (shaped like an “L” close to 600 sqft) and I’m never wanting for high volume.

I also want to report that the FW has opened up nicely and has a beautiful mid bass response. I also found that like the Ayon Audio Odin, the FW SIT-1 benefits greatly by adding SR ECTs near the on/off switch, binding posts, the male IEC connector and on top of the transformer. I had these on my Ayon Audio S-5 also and they eliminate high frequency grunge that provides a multitude of benefits in the recreation of music.

One other thing I left out:  I started with the Tidal Audio Impact amplifier on the Nenuphars.  That amp has a damping factor of 200,  two separate transformers (left and right channels), 8 transistors per channel, 145 watts/ch class AB but it runs hot so I think the first 25 watts are class A, listed for $32K, built to deliver high current, and weighed 120 lbs.  I didn’t hold a candle to the FW SIT-1.  It would sound dry more times than not and at higher volumes there was a loss in clarity.  I was afraid I would blow the Nenuphars if I was careful with the Ayon S-5 preamp remote.  I was glad to sell that one to someone that had Dynaaudio loudspeakers which it matched well to.