2. amps-preamps
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Preamp help for First Watt F3

I'm thinking about getting the First Watt F3 to power my Zu Audio Druid MKIVs, but I've hear its a tougher amp to pair since its input impedance is 10k. I was wondering if you guys had some recommendations about which preamps go well with it? I was thinking about the Red Wine Audio Isabellina but not sure if that would work. My requirements are pretty simple, just a pre with the usual set of digital inputs. USB would be nice but not required.
danyal711
wilsynet's avatar
wilsynet
264 posts
 
Some DACs that are reputed to function well without a preamp are:

PS Audio PerfectWave DAC (MKI and MKII)
NAD M51 (reviews on the Australia and UK based boards are overwhelmingly positive)
Mytek Stereo 192
Antelope Zodiac Plus (and the more expensive Gold)
Berkeley Alpha
Weiss DAC 202

I own the PS Audio PWD MKII and am perfectly happy with it. If your source is computer based, they've made some great strides with dithered digital volume control with some of the software based players like Audirvana, JPlay, and PureMusic, so you may find you don't even need the DAC to support remote volume control.
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
Just check the output impedance of all the recs that wilysnet just gave you. Some digital sources can have higher output impedances than what is common for preamps (though that may not be the case for these digital sources with volume control. I do not know).
gopher
499 posts
 
I only owned a rawson clone, but found the Shin do Aurieges to be a nice match for it,
rrebello
10 posts
 
CJ ET 3 (100 ohms) or SE version (preamp - high output)
NAD M51 (100 - 200 ohms) (DAC/Preamp)

I have both and they are highly recommended.
singleendedsingle
664 posts
 
Frederic Beudot of 6 moons is using his First watt F5 with the Burson HA-160D as a preamp/dac.

No doubt it will work nicely with the F3.
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