The XA-25 would be more flexible with system in general - Still gives me class A
May have a chance to hear them this week
First Watt J2 & speaker pairing ?
I'm trying to decide if the J2 is worth the effort ? All reviews are favorable , some even glorify the sonic nature of this 25 watt amp. I'd like to see what the deal is with a class A amp - it seems like it's all I could ask for in an amp * Except and this is a big exception -the need for highly efficient speakers to appreciate the amp.
Don't mind shopping for another pair of speakers but realistic choices seem so limited. Zu audio seems to be a big favorite pairing .
I'm running a Rogue audio cronus mag lll with Dahlquist DQ 10 speakers ( older speakers ) also have Spendor s5e's Don't think either will ideal match with J2
Really enjoy the open ,wide range of the DQ10's
Any suggestions are most welcome
thanks in advance
- ...
- 29 posts total
IMO you should not get to caught up in the rating of 25 watts per channel. There is sooooooo much more involved in the ability of an amp to drive speakers. I will take a great 25 watt amp like this over a lot of 200 or 300 watts per amps where the watts suck. They named the company First Watt because if the first watt sucks so will all the rest on your way to 300. When the first watt is magic so will be 10,15, and 25! Only your ears can be your judge. Enjoy the music. |
I had a J2 in my system for two weeks (borrowed from a friend) and it was one of the better sounding solid state amps I’ve heard—vivid and lively when playing at modest levels and not lifeless and non-engaging as is the case with many other solid state amps at lower volume levels. My speakers are easy to drive at 99 db/w efficiency. |
I’ve heard many say that the First Watt amps are usually great second or third amps but usually not the heart of your only system. There are a lot of class a or high bias class a/b amps that will give you most of the sonics but a lot more flexibility. Here is one of them the first 15 watts are class a… mostly second harmonics like the j2 but 150 watts at 8 ohms. And since it is preowned… very little depreciation downside risk. https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649971060-wells-audio-innamorata/ |
To the OP, "looking for better sound stage & imaging , dynamic with reasonable accuracy", and following your other notes, I can vouch for the J2 giving fully what you seek, in my case, using transparent 104dB single driver horns. The J2 gave slightly more separation, layering and great organisation of music than my treasured AD1 4w + 4w SET, just without that certain valve quality that in the end I preferred. (Given an opportunity I would try an FW SIT3 or F8) The minimalist design principles of First Watt passes on more musical information by design, and so, I wish you luck finding the loudspeaker system that synchronises with this approach to your satisfaction. |
- 29 posts total