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

@charles1dad  What's crazy is that Nelson not only makes the commercial First Watt amps, but also releases (for free) additional FW-like designs for the diy community.  I was just reading about a single-ended 8W SIT amp that he's going to release kits for soon:  https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/357517-simple-se-sit-amp.html

I like this quote from him regarding the design:  "I tried to make it more complicated and obscure, but it's just not in me."  

Just more evidence in favor of the combination of sensitive speakers and low wattage amplifiers in my book.

Lots of talk about First Watt but also consider the Bakoon 13R which imo works excellently with Cube Nenuphar’s 

I've only heard superlative reviews for the Bakoon products, would love to hear one.

Cal,
Absolutely right about the non Commercial DIY offerings. A few years ago Nelson Pass designed a push pull version of the of the stereo S.I.T. 2 at 35 watts pure class A circuit. A generous Audiogon member loaned me his for a period of 3 weeks.

This was a really good sounding amplifier and actually one of the best transistor amplifiers I’ve heard. Just terrific with my Coincident speakers. Directly compared to my Frankenstein MK II 300b SET there were very similar characteristics. Switched the amplifiers twice over the 3 week period for direct listening comparisons.

I could have lived contently (very) with the D.I.Y. S.I.T. 2 amplifier.
But when the SET is put back in the audio system there’s just more 3 dimensional tactile- reach out and touch aura. A bit richer tonality and fuller more fleshed out vibe is present. Ultimately more emotionally engaging . The basic stuff I find that SET simply does better. I know however that some listeners would prefer the other excellent amplifier.

@toetapaudio I’ve never heard the Bakoon amplifier but reviews and word of mouth say they’re quite splendid. I don’t doubt they could go toe to toe with the First Watt (F.W.) No question the F.W. built by the esteemed Nelson Pass are far more known within the High End audio community and thus mentioned more often.
Charles

I agree--have read only superlative things about the Bakoon13R no matter what it drives.

But I have heard the following amps driving my Nenuphars (listed in order of preference):

1. FW SIT-1 
2. FW SIT-3
3. Tektron One 2A3

All with both the Shindo Giscours and Pass Labs X-32 pre amps.

And what bested all of these by a long chalk? The Vinnie Rossi L2i-se Integrated with the Elrog 300b as DHT in pre amp stage.  I know I've said it before, but since I don't see anyone considering this amp as a Nenuphar driver, I had to put my two cents back in.  Yes, it is $18K but you get both pre and amp end-gamers (for me anyway).  The synergy got even better with a Shunyata Sigma V2 power cord with the L2i-se and then my most recent addition of Shunyata Alpha V2 speaker cables.  VR now offers 30 day auditions from what I understand.

Upcoming: audition of a Shunyata Alpha V2 XLR interconnect from my TotalDac to the L2i-se.

What sets the VR apart from say the FW SIT-1, which I thought was out of this world and was happy to settle down with permanently?  The VR is more life like, with a big open natural presence that is highly detailed and rich without calling attention to those attributes.  It is a sum-bigger-than-its-parts type component, which I also found true of Shindo amps.(Cortese and GM70).  But it does not have Shindo's undeniable coloration, a subtle sunniness that pervades like a filter.  Nor does the VR have the slightly dark tonal richness of the SIT-1.  It has a natural richness that is even more engaging and a natural timbre that I keep trying to find fault with but can't. People have told me that I'm trying to describe something that takes the best of tubes and merges it with the best of SS.  But no, the combination is better than either and a thing apart.  From biting trumpets to compelling cellos it simply disappears as an electronic component adding no coloration or flavor that I can hear (of course the Nenuphars have a lot to do with this neutrality).  I have often been impressed initially by a component only after extended listening to say, "Ok, it's doing that to the mid-range or this to the bass or this other to highs."  I might like it and live with it for quite awhile.  But it ultimately grows tiresome, adding a sameness to the music.  

Ok, that was more than two cents.