My thoughts on my First Watt J2 Amplifier

First Watt is on my list of things to buy.  That said, I have a Nakamichi and a Threshold, both designed by Nelson Pass.  Both very uniquely wonderful in what they do.  Neither is best suited for my high efficiency speakers though.  I'm sure they'd sound great but not a "best" match.  As a lover of high efficiency in speakers, I took a different approach.  I paired my speakers with a Decware SE34I.5.  A massive 6 watts/channel that gets plenty loud but is wonderful at all listening levels.  I have not yet heard the First Watt J-2.  Wondering if you have had a chance to sample Decware and compare?  I like both engineers approach and the Decware t-shirt sums things up well, "If the first watt sucks, why continue?"

I have not sampled a decesre, although they have always been on my list. I’m just afraid If I go tubed power amp, I may lose that deep bottom end that I have enjoyed with SS. 

Thanks for posting your review. My Zu dirty weekends love tubes. I wouldn’t be afraid to try them with your Omen Def. When I switched from SS to tubes the low end improved so much I thought the subs were turned on when they were not. 

Interesting. Thanks for kind words

@profnoodol What amp are you running with your Zu's?

I’m a First Watt fan. I run an F5,and a J2. Different seasonings for the same cut of Filet.  Wonderful amps. The J2 is currently being paired with an Aric Audio Motherlode II driving Graham Chartwell ls3/5’s. I don’t listen at ear bleed levels,and this combo always puts a smile on my face.  The F5 is paired at the moment with a Prometheus TVC driving Nola Boxer 2’s.  Again,always a smile.  If I had to split hairs,I would say the soundstage on the J2 is a little taller,and has a more textured presentation. The F5 has a bit more zip,detail.  Nice review on the J2!  

@aberyclark Inspire by Dennis Had KT88 SEP with his CJ5 preamplifier 

@rocray Thanks for the kind words. With the right speakers, the J2 can go earbleed and sound clear as day. The Motherload pre really looks like a nice piece of equipment

I enjoyed the review!

I also own the STA-200 which is a great amp (at the discounted price) however as stated in the review problematic for the high gain. A candidate for a passive pre. which I use with it in a secondary system. 

After selling my BEL 1001 MK5 (a poor decision on my part) I purchased a Pass XA25. Still getting to know this one. It is in rotation with an Aric Audio Transcend tube amp.  Driving Tannoy Sterlings. As you state with the J2, the Pass can go loud and remain clear as day. Must say I enjoy having both amps. They both deeply involve me in the music. 

Not much for writing reviews, my hearing is mine alone, would not impose that on anyone :-).

@rocray how do the Boxers sound with the J2 combination?  I have the Boxers 3S and have been considering a J2. 

Hi @emarcano,

     To my ears they sound phenomenal.  Wide,deep soundstage. Great texture,and tone.  The J2 seems to drive them with ease. I use the J2 in my main system in the winter months,and my secondary system in my finished basement in the summer. The J2 does run hot. I definitely would not put it in a cabinet,it needs to have airflow. I would highly recommend the J2 with the Nolas. Keep us posted.

@mesch the STA200 is a fantastic sounding amp. I wish I kept mine to switch in and out every now and then. The discounts offered for this amp made this the best amp bargain on the planet. Only if that gain was not so hot. 

I borrowed a friend's J 2 for about two weeks to run in my horn-based system (99 db/watt efficient).  I liked what I heard--dynamic, smooth, clear and detailed sound, but I would not mistake it for the tube amplification that it replaced.  It still sounded distinctly solid state, meaning it had a slightly artificially hard edge to the attack of notes.  While it did not render the sound as brittle as most other solid state amps, it was still unlike the low-powered tube amps that I prefer (there are plenty of tube amps that sound more brittle than the J-2).  Overall, I liked the sound a lot, and could easily live with the J-2; I happen to prefer my tube amps, but, all of them cost many multiples of the J-2.

I also liked the fact that the J-2 did not have much in the way of negative operational issues.  I heard no turn-on or turn-off noises with my high efficiency speakers and they ran noiselessly.  But, they run a little hot, so I would not leave them on all of the time.  They do take more time warming up than is the case with tube amps so they don't sound their best for at least 20 minutes or so.

I also heard a home-built version of the First Watt SIT amp, and that is also a winner.  I like this brand of amps a lot, more so than some of the Pass Lab high powered amps that sound a little bit lifeless to me at low power (common problem with almost all high-powered solid state amps). 

@rocray Thank you for your comments on the J2 and the Nola Boxers.

@emarcano,if you’re ever in the Rochester,NY area,I’d be very happy to give an audition. 

The only real issue I have with my J2 is the power button location (rear). However, I've learned to deal with it :)