I've owned Aleph 3, Aleph 30, XA30.5, and for the past 5 years First Watt SIT-2, along with lots of tube and SS amps from other companies. SIT-2 was a revelation, marrying many of the best qualities of SS and tube amps.
I recently decided to try the SIT-3 and it just takes the beautiful voice of the SIT-2 to the next level. More vivid, more detailed, more present with better bass control. SIT-2 sounds more laid back by comparison.
I was so impressed with the SIT-3 I bought an XA25 a week later for another system and damned if I don't love it too. It has a slightly drier and more neutral sound than the SIT-3 and more linear top to bottom. Better bass control still and a little fuller/denser tone to instruments, better speed. SIT-3 is juicier, sweeter, with wider soundstage and better sense of air and space around and between instruments. Sometimes voices and certain instruments can sound hauntingly beautiful.
Both are just so good and having the fortune of owning both, being able to interchange them, is a joy. I'm also happy to report that they both drive my Magnepan 1.6QR very nicely, though mine have the completely different from stock Magnestand crossovers so I don't know what the real impedance curve looks like.
I recently decided to try the SIT-3 and it just takes the beautiful voice of the SIT-2 to the next level. More vivid, more detailed, more present with better bass control. SIT-2 sounds more laid back by comparison.
I was so impressed with the SIT-3 I bought an XA25 a week later for another system and damned if I don't love it too. It has a slightly drier and more neutral sound than the SIT-3 and more linear top to bottom. Better bass control still and a little fuller/denser tone to instruments, better speed. SIT-3 is juicier, sweeter, with wider soundstage and better sense of air and space around and between instruments. Sometimes voices and certain instruments can sound hauntingly beautiful.
Both are just so good and having the fortune of owning both, being able to interchange them, is a joy. I'm also happy to report that they both drive my Magnepan 1.6QR very nicely, though mine have the completely different from stock Magnestand crossovers so I don't know what the real impedance curve looks like.