[Telstar]

Hello, I'm going to use this wonderful amp with my Bastanis dipole speakers.
I dont need gain, but I have been suggested for an active pre with high current drive, such as Pass labs or a diy design like the pumpkin.

The F3 has 0,675V sensitivity and 10kOhm input impedance. Of course I'm looking for the best match.
My goal is absolute transparency, reasonable price and i need 60+ volume steps and remote. I do not need gain, but the F3 may not like a passive with resistors.

I was thinking at the Placette Active and at the SMC vre-1, but both are quite expensive.

[wilsynet]

Could you mention what source you're planning to use, what it's output impedance is, and also, what's your budget?

[Telstar]

Could you mention what source you're planning to use, what it's output impedance is, and also, what's your budget?

No, because the exact configuration of the DAC (the only source) has not been decided yet.
I plan to use a passive ouput stage in it, but i can choose or devise an output stage that will match with the F3.

I'm also looking into the LDR "Myth", see here:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=60935.60

I just sent an email to George, the designer for more info and matching issues. It'll likely need a buffer and i dont fancy the idea too much.

On tge diy side, I could put the VC into the dac box (as i have no space in the F3) and use Tent labs nicelooking remote controller with display.

Lastly, my budget is as low as possible without making any compromises in sound quality. Which means that an used placette active would stretch my budget a bit, a new Bent TAP-X would fit it confortably, but I think i can achieve even higher transparency with a LDR.

[wilsynet]

I have a Red Wine Audio 30.2 amplifier which has often been mentioned as sonically similar to the First Watt F2, F3, F4 amplifiers.  When I was searching for my own active preamplifier, I strongly considered the following:

Dodd Battery Preamp, Red Wine Audio Isabella, Modwright LS 36.5, Wyetech Jade, Lamm LL2 Deluxe, Shindo Aurieges L.

The Dodd's 16db of gain may be too much for you.  But otherwise its features, price and sonic signature are exactly what you're looking for. 

The Isabella is excellent and can switch between 0db and 12db of gain.  This is the preamp I have.

The Modwright 36.5 is similarly excellent and has a fixed 12db of gain.  I would recommend its high value brother the SWL 9.0SE but it's just way too hot at 17db gain.

[jhm731]

Have you looked at this:

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatran&1232386286&/Pass-Labs-First-Watt-B-1-passi

[Telstar]

I have a Red Wine Audio 30.2 amplifier which has often been mentioned as sonically similar to the First Watt F2, F3, F4 amplifiers.  When I was searching for my own active preamplifier, I strongly considered the following:

Dodd Battery Preamp, Red Wine Audio Isabella, Modwright LS 36.5, Wyetech Jade, Lamm LL2 Deluxe, Shindo Aurieges L.

The Dodd's 16db of gain may be too much for you.  But otherwise its features, price and sonic signature are exactly what you're looking for. 

The Isabella is excellent and can switch between 0db and 12db of gain.  This is the preamp I have.

The Modwright 36.5 is similarly excellent and has a fixed 12db of gain.  I would recommend its high value brother the SWL 9.0SE but it's just way too hot at 17db gain.

I havent auditioned the Red Wine amps, but i dont like any class D i have heard so far. So the comparison to the F3 do not stand for me. it may hold for the f1 and f5.

Said that, the Dodd was already on my list, but I'm not sure that tubes match well with the F3. i didnt put in the thread but basically i'm looking for a passive or a low-gain design.

[Telstar]

Have you looked at this:

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatran&1232386286&/Pass-Labs-First-Watt-B-1-passi

Yep, the B1 is on the list, probably as a part of a LVC.
Unfortunately i cannot audition it, i can only audition current pass labs preamps.

[wilsynet]

You should hear the Red Wine, it isn't class D and doesn't sound like class D.  When I think class D I think Nuforce and Bel Canto.  This isn't that, not even close.  Read the 6moons review on the 30.2.  I think Srajan describes the amp very well.

The Isabella is a low gain design.  0db or 12db, switchable.  I use the 0db gain setting with the 30.2 amplifier and a pair of Zu Druids.