I built an F6 clone from the DIYaudio web site a couple of years ago. great site, great members and highly expd with great advice and willingness to help. It cost about $800 in parts and the cabinet, I think the F6 from First Watt is about 3500. Nelson is also active on the DIYaudio forums which is pretty cool. The amp sounds great, very musical and as I put it in a large housing with big heat sinks it doesn’t run that hot (it’s a pure class A amp). Like many of his amp it has a lower than average input sensitivity so when compared to other amps you may find you’ll need to run your pre- amp volume higher than typical, though if you’re running very efficient speakers it’s a moot point.
Pass Labs 1st Watt Rundown
I have become intrigued with the 1st Watt series and I am trying to wrap my head around the series and the differences within the series, but the internet discussions seem shallow.
Can anyone give me a rundown of the different models, versions, whatever?
What are the differences from one to another?
Did the newer iterations correct problems of the previous models and what were they, or did they simply address differences in power?
Stereo? Monoblocks?
What pre's and the sensitivity of the speakers you used with them.
Anything else you can think of as to characteristics of the different models.
Thanks
- ...
- 19 posts total
The Pass XA-25 seems more in the realm of the First Watt stuff than any other Pass amp, and since the XA-25 sounds so damn good I've never been tempted by a First Watt amp. Maybe if my XA-25 explodes or something...However, I like the way old Nelson thinks, and it is unique that a namesake and designer of a major brand like Pass Labs designs quirky, great sounding other (First Watt) stuff, and even shares his designs with the DIY community. |
Steve Guttenberg did a video comparing a number of First Watt Amps and the Pass Labs XA-25. Link below https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OppGU7SJnuY
|
Steve Guttenberg owns four of the First Watt amps, and also the XA-25, and he reviews and compares them on his youtube channel. Hes also has some really great interviews with Nelson Pass. I see jaduio1 already posted a link. :)
|
- 19 posts total