First Watt SIT-3 preamp pairing advice

I use the LTA MZ2 to drive my SIT-3 with superb results. Very good synergy between these two units. The MZ2 is not a gain monster but I have no problem driving the SIT-3 to a happy place. The SIT-3 really showcases the unique blend of tube liquidity and solid state speed that the LTA units offer.

I also have a Don Sachs Model 2 that I use with the SIT-3. The Sachs sounds very good, but in my system I prefer the MZ2 paired with the SIT-3. The Sachs unit is more romantic sounding and has more tube character, but I miss the bass and clarity I achieve with the MZ2-SIT3 combo.

Edited to note that I didn’t read closely enough to see you were asking about directly comparing the MZ3 with the Pass pre; I haven’t heard the Pass; sorry about that.

@longinc My speakers are 95db Omega single drivers, and in my system/room and my listening tastes, I have no gain issues using the MZ2 with the SIT-3. Others may have different experiences, of course.

The Don Sachs is an excellent preamplifier, but after extensive A/B with the MZ2, the different strengths and weaknesses of each are immediately apparent. Both excellent, and more than anything I think the choice comes down to personal tastes/preferences rather than any objective sense of which is “better”.

My advice would be that if you are looking to land on the cooler side of neutral rather than full-on classic tube bloom, the LTA would be the better choice. And for bass management, to my ears, the LTA is definitely much cleaner and tighter. Again, all a matter of taste.

Also want to second what Nelson Pass said, and which @vinpic highlighted earlier in this thread: the SIT-3 behaved like a different, happier amp when I wired resistors in parallel with my 8 ohm speakers to drop the load the amp sees down to 4 ohms.  I felt kind of dumb trying this with 8 ohm speakers, and wasn’t expecting much, but it definitely improved the overall presentation, which was already excellent. A fun, inexpensive tweak to try.