First Watt amps

Emil · « **on:** 11 Jan 2014, 03:36 pm »

Hi all

been on the hunt for an amp my newly acquired Cornwalls. Plenty of good suggestions from friends suggesting tubes for my Cornwalls but what about First Watt amp? I'll be using a Dehavilland Ultra 3 as a preamp.

Any experiences anyone would like to share?

Emil · « **Reply #1 on:** 11 Jan 2014, 03:37 pm »

opnly bafld · « **Reply #2 on:** 11 Jan 2014, 04:03 pm »

Newer or older model?

Emil · « **Reply #3 on:** 11 Jan 2014, 04:06 pm »

Looking at the F3 and J2. Guess they would be considered newer.

opnly bafld · « **Reply #4 on:** 11 Jan 2014, 04:14 pm »

Sorry, I meant the Cornwalls.

Emil · « **Reply #5 on:** 11 Jan 2014, 04:22 pm »

Quote from: opnly bafld on 11 Jan 2014, 04:14 pm

Sorry, I meant the Cornwalls.

the 2s

Triode Pete · « **Reply #6 on:** 11 Jan 2014, 04:26 pm »

Emil,
You know my suggestions...

You may be better off posting here... https://community.klipsch.com and most specifically here... https://community.klipsch.com/index.php?/forum/29-2-channel-home-audio/, where 2 channel rules, specifics about "Talk about stereo amp and speaker matching there"

My $0.02,
Pete

opnly bafld · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 Jan 2014, 04:49 pm »

F3

F4 (although your preamp gain may be borderline if you like it loud)

SET

SEP

Lin

Freo-1 · « **Reply #8 on:** 11 Jan 2014, 04:53 pm »

Look at the M2. It's very musical, no feedback Class A design that uses a passive transformer for the gain. At 25 watts, plenty of power for the application.

The M2 is big hit in the Asian markets.

Emil · « **Reply #9 on:** 11 Jan 2014, 05:26 pm »

Quote from: Triode Pete on 11 Jan 2014, 04:26 pm

Emil,
You know my suggestions...

You may be better off posting here... https://community.klipsch.com and most specifically here... https://community.klipsch.com/index.php?/forum/29-2-channel-home-audio/, where 2 channel rules, specifics about "Talk about stereo amp and speaker matching there"

My $0.02,
Pete

Been there, Pete. They actually liked the First Watt amps

roscoeiii · « **Reply #10 on:** 11 Jan 2014, 05:37 pm »

Haven't heard the J2, but have heard all of the F amps and the M2. Of these the F3 was my favorite. Njce combo of warmth and speed. Sweet spot in the line for me. M2 was a little too soft for me, F4 didn't have enough meat on the bones. A bit lean.

But a lot will be personal preference and system synergy.

None of the amps were anything less than great.

Tyson · « **Reply #11 on:** 11 Jan 2014, 07:34 pm »

I have the F5 and am building a Burning Amp 3 (an F4 with gain, basically). Love the sound of them. And that's coming from a tube guy. One of the best aspects of the FW amps for high sensitivity speakers is that the amps are VERY quiet. Great tonal density and dynamics.

opnly bafld · « **Reply #12 on:** 11 Jan 2014, 08:08 pm »

One thing to think about, IME some of the older Klipsch speakers sound better with amps that put out less (or the same?) power into lower impedances.
Not sure about the Cornwall IIs.

roscoeiii · « **Reply #13 on:** 11 Jan 2014, 08:42 pm »

Yeah, not sure you'd need the extra power of the F5, J2 or M2 with the Klipsch speakers.

Emil · « **Reply #14 on:** 11 Jan 2014, 09:03 pm »

The input impedence of the F3 is 10K. Can that cause problems for tube preamps?
Is it a concern at all?

roscoeiii · « **Reply #15 on:** 11 Jan 2014, 09:11 pm »

Would depend what the tube preamp output impedance is.

My preamp's output impedance is less than 0.5 ohms (!!), so that wasn't a concern for me.

opnly bafld · « **Reply #16 on:** 11 Jan 2014, 09:57 pm »

http://www.dehavillandhifi.com/UltraVerve-Preamplifier.htm

output circuit Cathode follower, minimum 10k Ohm load

Freo-1 · « **Reply #17 on:** 12 Jan 2014, 12:29 am »

Given the OP's speakers, I would think the M2 would be a great match.

sts9fan · « **Reply #18 on:** 12 Jan 2014, 01:38 am »

Quote from: Tyson on 11 Jan 2014, 07:34 pm

I have the F5 and am building a Burning Amp 3 (an F4 with gain, basically). Love the sound of them. And that's coming from a tube guy. One of the best aspects of the FW amps for high sensitivity speakers is that the amps are VERY quiet. Great tonal density and dynamics.

That's what I love about the F5.
Not sure your budget but there is also the SIT-2. Amps using special FETs designed by/for Nelson Pass? Yes please!

Emil · « **Reply #19 on:** 12 Jan 2014, 02:14 pm »

Got an email from Mark at Reno HiFi

The F3 cannot be driven by most tube preamps. Solid state is fine.