First Watt F7 owners, impressions?


Let's discuss speaker and preamp pairings you have found to work the best and why. I love this amp but maybe haven't been able to get the best out of it yet. 
  • Preamps: DIY Pass B1- great except for dynamic scale and deep bass, of course with no gain I also had to jack the volume a lot more; Manley Shrimp - better slam, more density, 12db gain helps a lot overall a better match. Want to try: microZOTL, Pass x-1
  • Speakers: Gallo 3.1 - easy to drive though only 88db sensitivity, controlled well by the F7, plenty of tuneful bass, plenty of volume using the Shrimp and impressive soundstage; Devore gibbon 8 - just acquired these and am getting used to them, definitely leaner and less bass but I like the midrange and punch a lot, soundstage is excellent too, and their look and footprint appeals. Want to try: Harbeth monitor, Spatial M4, Zu Soul, all of the speakers Srajan of 6 moons owns!
So far I agree with all the reviews of this amp I've read, their observations coincide with mine. Do you find the same?
Ron
roncagg

Showing 1 response by fritzspeaks

For more info regarding the difference between the J2 & F7 (and the Pass SIT-1 mono blocks), check out John Richardson's Part Time Audiophile write up on all three amps with 3 different loudspeakers including Zu's Druid Mk. V, ATC's SCM 19 version 2 and my own Fritz Carbon 7SE's.
https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2016/09/09/review-j2-sit-1-and-f7-first-watt-amplifiers-by-nelson-pas...

Also, check out the Stereophile review by Herb Reichert of the J2 with half a dozen loudspeakers at http://www.stereophile.com/content/first-watt-j2-power-amplifier#mEgFspqof6P0VdkH.99