Vfet / SIT Amplifiers

@zm , the preamp could be the culprit. I have not tried anything else other than the Yamaha C-1, but I probably should, to see how much influence the vfet preamp has on the "SIT-3 sound".

I have a SIT-3, which is paired with a Supratek pre and Klipsch Forte III speakers. The Supratek has high gain, which I dial back about 40% via the gain pot and still have plenty of drive and wonderful sound. 

I mostly listen at reasonable volumes (70 db to 80 db range) and find the music doesn't have to be loud to sound good. 

I also have a Rogers EHF 200 Mk. 2 integrated, it has 5 x the power,  more body--and also sounds awesome--but can't match the finesse and intimacy of the SIT-3/Supratek combo. 

Which is "better" would be a matter of a coin toss. 

@jayrossi13 ,
thanks for sharing!
re: " I mostly listen at reasonable volumes (70 db to 80 db range) and find the music doesn’t have to be loud to sound good. "
and
re: " Which is "better" would be a matter of a coin toss. "

I personally prefer finesse and quality over brute force. However, I am spoiled to have both with either one of the classic vfet amps...The finesse and airy sound of SIT-3, plus the "whoomph" to shake things when required.

I have not tried anything else other than the Yamaha C-1, but I probably should

@sonetduo Yes. Your Yamaha is outclassed by the amplifier. You might try a tube preamp; I think you'll hear a transformation.

@atmasphere curious what you think about the idea that a preamp with relatively modest 10db of gain (Microzotl MZ2) paired with the SIT-3, itself a low gain amp, might be contributing to the issues I’m having with the SIT-3. Is that likely to be a "problem’, so to speak, or is it more likely that my speaker’s impedance swings would be the defining issue here? (If I had another preamp just sitting around to try, I would - but wondering if I should invest in a higher gain preamp.)

Basically, in my system the SIT-3 sounds a little dark, limp, anemic, and closed down, especially at the volumes I listen: ~65db.

My F2-J on the other hand - pure heaven. Literally designed for the single driver, crossoverless speakers I use.