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Can you provide context on First Watt?

Hi all,

I just signed up for this forum. After 30 years of enjoying my Rotel/B&W setup that I bought in college, I decided it is time for an upgrade. Yes, I know ... 30 years. Anyway, for the last two months I've gone deep down the rabbit hole trying to get caught up with the audiophile world. 
 

Long story short, after all of my reading and assessing my needs, I decided on a combination of components and speakers. This week I've made two big purchases: a Wyred4Audio STP SE pre with stage 2 upgrades and a First Watt J2 amp (both purchased used). As far as I can tell, though, First Watt (Nelson Pass) doesn't seem to be making new amps, except for the F7? I just noticed that Reno HiFi is no longer in business. 

Could someone update me on the current status of First Watt? And, if down the road I ever require a service, would I contact Pass Labs for that?

Thanks for your time in orienting a 55-year old newbie to the scene.

Tal

surlydale
surlydale OP
12 posts
 

The easier the load the better. I am currently running a pair of Nola Boxer II’s, 90db sensitivity, and an 8ohm load without the J2 breaking a sweat.

I checked out those Nolas. Yes, I've been keeping my eye out for speakers with a sensitivity in the 90s and up. 

My J2 was supposed to get here today, but USPS tracking indicates that it is still "Moving in the system." I was hoping to fire it up tonight, but I may have to wait until Monday. I'm several months out from buying my speakers, but the B&W DM 560s that I'll be replacing have a sensitivity rating of 90db, so they may be a good enough speaker for the interim.

rocray's avatar
rocray
1,448 posts
 

@surlydale , I feel your pain waiting for a shipment.  It’s nerve wracking for sure. I agree with your assessment that your current speakers will work with the J2. Also,since you will have some time with the new amp and your current speakers, this may give you a chance to figure out what you really need to check all the boxes, speaker wise.  Hopefully your J2 shows up tomorrow! Enjoy! 

speakerpeeper
10 posts
 

Replying to the OP's original question, what I have read is that First Watt makes 100  of each and then provides the design to the DIY community. There are not many originals out there but many clones. They may have changed this 100 amp limit-not sure.

surlydale OP
12 posts
 

Update:

Well thank you to everyone who chimed in on this thread. My system is ALMOST complete. As I explained, I purchased a First Watt J2, and I placed a Wyred4Sound STP SE (2 stage upgrades) in front of it.

Well, on a recommendation from "pangeek," I did a lot of research on Omega Speakers. I was pretty much set on saving up and going through the process of ordering from Louis when a B-stock pair of Omegas dropped on his website. I jumped on them. They're "V8" monitors (RS-8 driver, 98 db sensitivity (!). Best of all, since I'm limited to setting my speakers on top of 2 1/2 foot tall bookshelves, they are front ported. 

I received them today and have been listening for the last 3 hours. Unfortunately, they sound good but not great, yet: acoustic instruments are very realistic, bass is nice and controlled and the midrange is great, but the upper frequencies are a little shrill at times. Now, I've read, and Louis recommended, that they need 100 hours of break in. But quite frankly, I think the culprit is my streamer/DAC. I've assembled a beautiful system, but on the front end I'm using an inexpensive Wiim Pro Plus (a $200 streamer/DAC". 

So ... once I recover financially, I'm going to find an external dac downstream from the Wiim. I think a Chord Qutest could be a good call, but I need to do the research. I live in western Colorado, and I don't have access to audio stores to test drive equipment. I may need to visit my buddy in Denver and shop around.

Anyway, I just wanted to thank everyone for their thoughts. It helped a lot.

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