Low heat alternative to FIRSTWATT J2 ?


Any Gainclone or Class D or battery power alternatives available? I like the crazy good micro dynamics and rhythmic cohesion of the J2. My speakers are 93db full range. Also interested in AMP/DAC combinations like the devialet or NAD D7050 that meet the J2 performance (those 2 mentioned don't)
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Showing 1 response by larryi

I borrowed a friend's J2 for two weeks and enjoyed it the whole time.  The case gets fairly warm, but, that is, in part, a result of the whole unit being fairly small in size.  In terms of the total amount of heat being radiated by the amp, I only notices that it was slightly more than that of my low-powered pentode tube amps.  

I have also heard that same friend's DIY build of the First Watt SIT amp.  That was a really nice sounding amp too, but, I suspect it puts out even more heat than the J2. 

I don't know of any solid state amps I like over the sound of the two First Watt amps I heard (although I have not looked extensively at solid state amps).  I heard the Devialet and thought it was okay sounding, but, as with the case of solid state amps, it did not hold my interest the way good tube gear does.  The brand of conventional solid state amps that I find to be nice sounding and engaging is Ayre.