FS: Nelson Pass First Watt F4

fallbalance · « **on:** 18 Oct 2011, 10:12 pm »

I'm selling a newly aquired First Watt F4 due to not having proper output voltage from my pre-amp. It is in excellent condition - very clean. Easily a 9/10.

This is in eBay now (currently at a good price, with 14 hours left) - http://www.ebay.com/itm/180748008837?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_310wt_155

roymail · « **Reply #1 on:** 19 Oct 2011, 03:25 pm »

I'm selling a newly aquired First Watt F4 due to not having proper output voltage from my pre-amp.

What would be the proper output voltage? What pre-amp are you using? Thanks.

fallbalance · « **Reply #2 on:** 19 Oct 2011, 04:07 pm »

I don't have a pre-amp... I was going to run it off of a Perfectwave DAC because I thought it output 8v rms... but that was only over balanced connections. It outputs half of that, 4v rms, over SE... which wouldn't be enough to drive an F4.

Basically you need at least an 8v rms signal, or about 12dB of gain on a typical 2v source output. Most active pre-amps are fine, as long as your speakers are at least 90db @ 8 ohms.

jackman · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 Oct 2011, 04:36 pm »

location?

fallbalance · « **Reply #4 on:** 19 Oct 2011, 05:10 pm »

95076, California.

roymail · « **Reply #5 on:** 19 Oct 2011, 05:25 pm »

Quote from: fallbalance on 19 Oct 2011, 04:07 pm

I don't have a pre-amp... I was going to run it off of a Perfectwave DAC because I thought it output 8v rms... but that was only over balanced connections. It outputs half of that, 4v rms, over SE... which wouldn't be enough to drive an F4.

Basically you need at least an 8v rms signal, or about 12dB of gain on a typical 2v source output. Most active pre-amps are fine, as long as your speakers are at least 90db @ 8 ohms.

Thanks for the explanation. Appreciated.

fallbalance · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 Oct 2011, 07:58 am »

Bump - price change. This is a good deal for a stellar amp, if I do say so myself, and in an easy 9/10 condition.

Want to sell - reasonable offers considered.

mr_bill · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 Oct 2011, 04:08 pm »

Quote from: fallbalance on 19 Oct 2011, 04:07 pm

I don't have a pre-amp... I was going to run it off of a Perfectwave DAC because I thought it output 8v rms... but that was only over balanced connections. It outputs half of that, 4v rms, over SE... which wouldn't be enough to drive an F4.

Basically you need at least an 8v rms signal, or about 12dB of gain on a typical 2v source output. Most active pre-amps are fine, as long as your speakers are at least 90db @ 8 ohms.

Does the F4 only have single ended inputs then - no balanced?

poseidonsvoice · « **Reply #8 on:** 23 Oct 2011, 05:15 pm »

Quote from: mr_bill on 23 Oct 2011, 04:08 pm

Does the F4 only have single ended inputs then - no balanced?

The First Watt F4 is a single ended input design. If you want balanced, then get two First Watt F4's, wire with parallel inputs and outputs to get 100 watts into 8 ohms.

Info is here and here.

Anand.

fallbalance · « **Reply #9 on:** 23 Oct 2011, 05:58 pm »

Right. In my case, I don't need the extra power of dual mono F4s (small listening space and low-moderate SPLs for me). I also don't want to spike my power bill nor can I afford to double my budget for 2 amps.

fallbalance · « **Reply #10 on:** 26 Oct 2011, 07:30 pm »

Bump for yet another price drop... Why isn't anyone buying a Pass amplifier at this price? You're all crazy.

vizion · « **Reply #11 on:** 27 Oct 2011, 02:58 am »

Hi there,

The F4 is a push-pull current buffer amp.

From Nelson Pass's site:

There have been eight designs released in limited quantities, all simple Class A circuits, each offering a unique approach to sonic quality. The F1 and F2 are both current source (as opposed to voltage source) amplifiers with no feedback. The F3 offers single-stage single-ended operation with new Jfet power transistors. The F4 is a push-pull current buffer with no voltage gain or feedback, and the F5 is a uniquely high performance push-pull amplifier with feedback. The new J2 and M2 continue to push the envelope in different ways.

fallbalance · « **Reply #12 on:** 29 Oct 2011, 10:42 pm »

Bump for a large price drop - now $1200 shipped, including Paypal fees.

Stu Pitt · « **Reply #13 on:** 30 Oct 2011, 01:16 am »

If I had $1200 and needed an amp, I'd be all over it. Such a great amp for such a great price.

Hell, if I had an extra $1200 and didn't need an amp, I'd probably be all over it too. The baby needs new shoes... And clothes... Her first birthday's coming up... You get the drift.

fallbalance · « **Reply #14 on:** 30 Oct 2011, 01:54 am »

I get the drift... you could always buy it as a gift for your daughter

fallbalance · « **Reply #15 on:** 31 Oct 2011, 05:45 pm »

now $1190 shipped.

fallbalance · « **Reply #16 on:** 1 Nov 2011, 10:32 pm »

fallbalance · « **Reply #17 on:** 5 Nov 2011, 04:06 am »

This is on eBay - ending in 14 hours from now... sitting at a good price as of now.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/180748008837?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_310wt_155

PaulFolbrecht · « **Reply #18 on:** 20 Dec 2011, 01:45 am »

You should have put this amp on audiogon before selling it for under $1200. I may get jumped-on for this, but agon is still where the lion's share of the high-end audio buyers are.

fallbalance · « **Reply #19 on:** 20 Dec 2011, 09:52 pm »

I actually had it in Audiogon for a while before I put it on eBay... but nobody was biting. I had lots of questions about it though. My theory is that the hesitance was two fold... On one hand, everybody's wallets have lost weight recently... and on the other hand, most people were scared off by either not knowing what the F4 is at all, or not trusting that the zero-gain design would push enough wattage... yet careful research would reveal that, in most cases, most amplifier gain is wasted anyways... and he who followed that path far enough could have picked up a beautiful amp at a good price... finally someone on the other side of the world got it.

Oh, and I agree - Audiogon is the place to go for market... I don't agree with people who bash it... Audiocircle is cozy and warm, but just doesn't have the numbers that Audiogon has, making it harder to find and sell specific used gear. Also, I've only had good experiences over there...