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 3 responses by lowrider57

I'm interested in hearing about the F7. The input impedance spec of 10kHz makes it hard to find a suitable match with a tube preamp.

Have you compared the F7 with the F6?
I called Reno HiFi regarding the F6, F7 and was told that they probably couldn't drive my Gallo Classico floorstanders (88dB, 4 ohm). How well does the F7 push the bass of your Gallo 3.1's?