Getting in on this rather late... I’d have to agree with Almarg... The Pass XA25 is a terrific amp and well designed/implemented. I have the Pass XA30.8, a little bigger than the XA25 but very similar implementation. I also have a First-Watt SIT-2 and a nice 18-watt 300B SET amp. My speakers are Living-Voice OBXRW’s ~93-db with ~6-ohm impedance and are very tube and SIT-2 (8wpc) friendly, so not a good comparison to your speakers. I’d shy away from the First-Watt unless you have a fairly benign impedance and fairly efficient speakers. The SIT-2 is the most transparent and best sounding solid-state amp I’ve heard on my speakers. At moderate listening levels, it’s terrific and definitely on-par with my 18-watt 300B SET. I also love the sound of the Pass XA30.8 and I believe the XA25 would have the same sonic traits. While not as minutely resolving as the SIT-2 on my system, it is very satisfying. And on the 30.8, I've seldom ever seen the meter-needle move even playing at LOUD volumes! It never seems to run out of power. All the Pass and First-Watt stuff I've purchased have been through Reno Hi-Fi. As far as I'm concerned, the best Pass/First-Watt retailer in the U.S.
Aric Audio? First Watt? PrimaLuna?
Looking to purchase a new amp. Currently I have an Odyssey Khartoga SE. Speakers: B&W 705s2, 88db. DAC: Metrum Onyx using Coax from a Singxer SU-1 w/upgrades. Using a Raspberry PI running MPD. I have a fairly large collection of digital files. Turntable is a EAT C-Major w/Lehman phono amp. Aric Audio Unlimited preamp.
I am looking at an Aric Audio Transcend Push Pull, a First Watt J2, F6 or SIT-3, or a PrimaLuna DIaglogue Premium. I have always wanted a tube amp and I definitely want to take my amp to the next level. I feel it is the weakest link I now have. I don't want a tube amp that I have to bias and I don't want to have to replace the power tubes every 2 years at $600 up.
Heat is a concern. My "listening room" is my garage, unheated and uncooled except what I can get thru the kitchen door when the temps get above 90 or below 45. Between those I tend to leave the garage door open as I love the sunshine. So my components sit in a cabinet to protect them. I can leave the door open and I have cooling fans in the cabinet.
The First Watt interests me and the sound, from what I have read, seems like what I want. But then so do the tube amps. So, I am looking for .....wisdom. Yours specifically. What are your thoughts?
Thanks!
I am looking at an Aric Audio Transcend Push Pull, a First Watt J2, F6 or SIT-3, or a PrimaLuna DIaglogue Premium. I have always wanted a tube amp and I definitely want to take my amp to the next level. I feel it is the weakest link I now have. I don't want a tube amp that I have to bias and I don't want to have to replace the power tubes every 2 years at $600 up.
Heat is a concern. My "listening room" is my garage, unheated and uncooled except what I can get thru the kitchen door when the temps get above 90 or below 45. Between those I tend to leave the garage door open as I love the sunshine. So my components sit in a cabinet to protect them. I can leave the door open and I have cooling fans in the cabinet.
The First Watt interests me and the sound, from what I have read, seems like what I want. But then so do the tube amps. So, I am looking for .....wisdom. Yours specifically. What are your thoughts?
Thanks!