First Watt SIT-3 preamp pairing advice


Hi There,

I have Nelson Pass's First Watt SIT-3 power amplifier. I am using a ~15 year old VAC (Valve Amplification Company) Standard Preamplifier with NOS Telefunken 12AU7 and 12AX7 tubes for the 2 stages. I am looking to upgrade the preamp and am considering the Passlab XP-12 or the Linear Tube Audio MicroZotl MZ3 preamp. My impression is that both preamps are fairly popular when pairing with First Watt amps. Anyone here have paired both these preamps with the SIT-3 and can provide impressions that might help me decide? If there is 3rd option that you like very much, I am all ears too. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Andrew
longinc
Thanks @cal3713 for your impressions! Very helpful. And i tend to agree that anyone that spends time on creating a highly engineered outboard power supply likely has a good product. I am in the camp that a good portion of the sound (quality) of a piece of audio equipment comes from the power supply. 
The MZ2 has more air and transparency. I would agree with zm's characterization of the MZ2, but it still has that tube liquidity. I do think the other 2 choices are good pieces, and I still haven't sold my Supratek Sauvignon . I've been thinking about building or buying a Don Sach's phono stage.  My MZ2 has remote volume control and an external power supply, they are both options and it is considered a Stereophile A rated headphone amp. With  both options it costs a little over 2K. The pictures of the MZ2 don't give the fit and finish of the unit justice. I believe the case work is done by Fern & Roby. It is very well built.
I was going to purchase the Pass HPA-1 but it doesn't have a remote control. As I'm writing this response, I'm listening to Ronnie Earl and I feel like I'm in the studio/hall with them.
Hi Andrew, 
I have a SIT3 currently paired with a "The Truth" passive preamp with photocell attenuation.. My speakers are Cube Nenuphars (92db, 6ohms). I have no gain issues at all playing digital but analog is my primary source. My analog front end has plenty enough volume with only one or two exceptions of records that are relatively quiet pressings. The recent pressing of "Abby Road" being one. I've been very happy with "The Truth". It's about as pure as it gets. But I am feeling the itch to explore other possibilities. I had a MZ2 for a short time once when I was using a 2A3 SET amp. The ZOTL did not pair well with the SET. It made beautiful pure tones but the sound stage and 3d dimensionality of the 2A3 amp went flat. Still, it was an amazing headphone amp and I miss it. I'm certain it would have been completely compatible with the SIT3. I am seriously considering the MZ3. I would like to buy another MZ2 and save the cost difference for other things. But the word is that the sonic delta between the MZ2 and MZ3 is more than worth the additional cost. The SIT3 and Nenuphar deserve a preamp of equal endgame caliber. LTA says the MZ3 is the full realization of the potential of the ZOTL circuit.  I am certain there are other vastly more expensive preamps out there that would be appropriate for the SIT3  but  I'm not sure *any* more costly pre would actually be better in my system. At least I'm willing to see if this is true.
So yes, I intend to purchase an MZ3.
HI @mrubey , Nice! and thanks for sharing your journey. Looking forward to hearing your impressions of the MZ3 paired with your SIT-3. I would reach out to Nicholas at LTA, he is really responsive to questions.