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Pass First Watt models ... confused

I'm curious about the First Watt products. I'm a very happy owner of a Pass x250.5 AB amp but interested in experiencing full class A. No plans to sell my less than 1 year old x250.5, and I'm not rich so I won't be sinking cash into the exorbitant prices of a new XA series. A used Aleph is a possibility, but those are getting fairly old and I wonder about maintenance issues.

Therefore I am looking at the reasonably-priced First Watt line from Nelson. But I'm quite confused by all the different models. Can anyone help clarify this puzzle for me? Thanks.
abrew19

Showing 3 responses by charles1dad

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,222 posts
 
Al,
You're right about the limitations and the need to have appropriate
speakers to get the most from these amplifiers. The 6 Moons articles-
reviews spell this out very clearly. Apparently with the proper speaker
match these amplifiers are quite exceptional. No surprise actually, great
designer, class A, very simple circuit with fewer parts (but good quality) =
good sound.
Charles,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,222 posts
 
Abrew19,
Srajan Ebaen has done a very thorough and systematic review of each of
the First Watt models at 6 Moons.com. there are comparisons between the
various models, you won't find a more comprehensive source. Beginning
with the F1 all the way to the current SIT amplifiers! They're all covered.
Charles,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,222 posts
 
Agree with Roscoeiii, each First Watt amplifier is unique. They have different design objectives and are not of equal utility with a given speaker load. Some models have NFB and others do not. Some are voltage sourced, others current sourced. 6 Moons has covered and compared each one of them comprehensively.
Charles,
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