[Folsom]

Indeed, 50w class A is a lot. I just sent a whole amp package to a fellow in Indonesia because his F5 was baking the cabinet he uses.

[thetakeout]

Very old topic here but hey!

I am wondering if anyone still has an M2 in their system?  If you guys moved on up the road from the M2, what have you moved on to?  Any regrets?  Has anyone that had the M2 gotten to compare it to some other pass models (f7/j2/pass ...)?

I would love to hear how this developed for you guys.  Also any synergistic preamps?

I have an M2 and am enjoying it.  I have run it with a passive volume control, with a gain stage (parks puffin) and a tube pre.  All sound great.

Hopefully this brings back some memories. 

[AvsFan]

I too want to know more about this amp. I have the opportunity to buy one.
I also have very efficient ZU Audio speakers.

[FullRangeMan]

I too want to know more about this amp. I have the opportunity to buy one.
I also have very efficient ZU Audio speakers.

Stereo PushPull 25W 8 ohms 40W/4 ohms,
JFet + Mosfet, No NFB, RCA input,
https://www.firstwatt.com/m2.html
Owner Manual
https://www.firstwatt.com/pdf/prod_m2_man.pdf

[Tyson]

I've heard most of the Pass and First Watt designs, and the one to beat, IMO, is the Burning Amp 3:

https://www.firstwatt.com/pdf/art_ba_3.pdf

and the build thread with pictures:

https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/258301-ba-3-amplifier-illustrated-build-guide.html

Now, I can hear you asking "Wait, Tyson, do you actually like this amp better than even the (in )famous SIT amps?"  Yes, I like it better than even them.  The BA3 is an astonishingly great amp. 

[FullRangeMan]

Interesting, what are the BA-3 specs ?
Its not that 5W amp?

Only found its 40W 8 ohms, found more now:
It use 3 transistors pairs p/ch, without listen them I could choose the Odyssey Stratos, just 2 Sanken pairs per ch.

[lokie]

I've heard most of the Pass and First Watt designs, and the one to beat, IMO, is the Burning Amp 3:

https://www.firstwatt.com/pdf/art_ba_3.pdf

and the build thread with pictures:

https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/258301-ba-3-amplifier-illustrated-build-guide.html

Now, I can hear you asking "Wait, Tyson, do you actually like this amp better than even the (in )famous SIT amps?"  Yes, I like it better than even them.  The BA3 is an astonishingly great amp.

Thanks

[Tyson]

The one I built is 25 watts and is the closest to a tube amp type sound I have ever heard from an SS amp.  It's incredibly good.

[FullRangeMan]

Great, do you could post inside photos?

[Tyson]

Great, do you could post inside photos?

The amp pictured in the build guide I linked to earlier is my actual amp that Jim (6L6) and I built together.

[FullRangeMan]

Thanks these are great macro photos.

[Tyson]

And for about $700 in parts from the diyaudio store you get one of the best amps in the world (if you are a tube lover like me). 

[FullRangeMan]

How do you could compare his SQ with the Odyssey Stratos?

[Tyson]

How do you could compare his SQ with the Odyssey Stratos?

I don't have a Stratos to compare it to, but I do have the Kismet mono's and I'll say this - the Odyssey amps are smooooooth and very powerful, great bass and outstanding dynamics.  The BA3 is softer and sweeter and with a deeper soundstage.  The Odyssey sound like outstanding SS amps, the BA3 sounds more like a tube amp. I'm glad I have both because they each have different strengths and are each excellent in their own way.

To expand the comparison further, the BA3 sounds more like a tube amp than any other amp I've heard, including all the other First Watt designs (and definitely more tubelike than the Pass Labs stuff). 

And at 25 watts pure Class A, it runs about as hot as a tube amp too, haha.

[garyalex]

I built the First Watt M2x a couple of years ago.  It was just my second build, the first being the Amp Camp Amp.  I needed help from the more experienced builders at diyaudio.com but I got it done.  It really is a wonderful amp.  It has a natural organic kind of sound.  It does run hot, though.   

[FullRangeMan]

Thanks guys I appreciated your first hand report