Preamp for First Watt F7

You’ve gotten some excellent suggestions. I owned a Van Alstine T8 and enjoyed it.
A couple more: Dehavilland Ultraverve- impedance matching may be an issue but the cathode follower design helps. I used it within Bryston, Van Alstine, Akitika and pass amp camp diy monos
For solid state a used Bryston BP 20/25/26-tranparent and built like tanks 

Out of the box but if you’re handy Akitika PR 102- I built one and the sound is really good. You can also purchase assembled. The flexibility and control are bonuses to the sound. 
 

When I had an F7 I used the Manley Shrimp (good impedance match and adds tubes) and the wyred4sound stp-se level 2 (so I could hear the amp characteristics). Both worked well, I think the tubes added something nice/worthwhile. I had the MZ2 mentioned above, but not with the F7 - any one of those 3 will be a lot of fun, for the price (used) I’d start with the LTA MZ2. Enjoy!

Thanks for your feedback. Someone messaged me this article which talks about the synergy of the MicroZotl with the FirstWatt F7. Figured I would share it here. The output impedance I believe is single digit ohms. Worth a shot, I'll probably start here if I can find a used one.

@j_andrews -never thought if asking the manufacturer to adjust the impedance to better match - thanks for the tip

@coaster86 

I think the Van Alstine RB10 (which I have) could be a good pairing for the F7 but the F7 has a 10kΩ input impedance. 
If you buy a new one from Frank , he can make an adjustment to one of the preamp outs to be a super low output impedance that will drive the F7 nicely.  I think it drops the output impedance from something like 2200Ω to 47Ω.

Quicksilver is very nice and warmish….. So is a Belles 20A if you can find one….

For an affordable but excellent passive pre try one from Luminous Audio. They customize to your system. I recommend the Walker mods. Very transparent.

https://luminousaudio.com/collections/axiom-ii-passive-preamp

https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2012/12/30/mini-review-luminous-audio-axiom-ii-walker-mod/?amp

I'm looking for a warmer sound signature. I am no longer a critical listener, just want something that sounds good without bright edges. All of the components (Pontus, Tannoy, Firstwatt) lean towards that. The more I am reading up on things the more I'm leaning toward a tubed preamp. I've reached out to Van Alstine to see what they they think about the match up with an F7, will let you know if I go down that route. the 10RB is interesting for sure. The Rogues are also interesting, will message you privately.

I ran a Rogue RH-5 with an First Watt F6 and thought it was an excellent match. I just received it back from Rogue with a clean bill of health if you're interested. I also have a bunch of spare tubes if you are so inclined.

Please keep this in mind youDonot want any preamp with a Alps,or Bourne 

volume pot for they degrade the detail and sound quality 

they are a silver looking round can ,inside 2 plastic wipers with a conductive spray 

$25 , even some preamps advertised in magazines look at the inside any round silver can up front ,don’t buy it,a resistive ladder type, or relay volume remote 

you want.

The Schiit freya+ with tubes $1200

or linear tube audio under $2k 

+1 for the AVA T10 RB. Had one and should have kept it…

Schitt or if you can find one a used Don Sachs preamp

Again, this totally depends on what sound characteristics you’re looking for.  

I owned the Schitt Freya+ and sold it. The Schitt  Mjolnir I now have is better to my ears.

I have a Freya S and it’s very good 

Counterpoint SA-3000 or SA-5.1 and then you will be Soooo Happpy!

Thanks for all of your feedback. I'll check out these different options.

The F7 arrives tomorrow, so I don't have a preamp for it yet. I've got a Freya S downstairs which I'll try for a bit and maybe stick with that if it sounds ok. I use that currently with a 300b integrated for more inputs and volume control (I run it in passive most of the time, buffer mode some times).

I've had an F7 before for a short while which I used with a Freya +. It was an ok combination, it's honestly hard to remember. At the time I was using Zu Soul Superfly speakers which were high efficiency, but not my type of sound. So when I sold the speakers I sold off the whole system more or less.

I'm interested in the Quicksilver, Van Alstine, and also read good reports about the Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE if anyone has experience with that.

Quicksilver linestage. I use one with my FirstWatt M2, and it is simply superb. Also, it's easy on tubes, affordable, and allows me to listen to my entire collection with zero fatigue. I really think you'd love it with your F7.

In case I decided to go with a First Watt amp, I noted the “Van Alstine Transcendence RB 10 tube preamp + First Watt F8” was reported as a great combo by another forum member

What preamp are you using now, and what improvements/sound characteristics are you looking for?

Schitt Mjolnir ($1199)

I was planning on getting a First Watt to use with the Mjolnir but wanted to try the Schitt Aegir first (also Class A). The Aegir was a great match with the Class A Mjolnir. The First Watt is reviewed to be a bit better but I like what I have.

I use this for my RAAL SR1a phones but have used the Mjolnir with the Sanders Magtech on my office Magnepan LRS+ speakers. It was a fun listen. Not as clean as the Holo Serene preamp, but almost nothing else is.

I will be pairing the Mjolnir with a CODA #16 amp in my office this weekend for what I expect is another fun listen.

I was very happy with Rowland Capri with F7, Avalon Ascendant speakers...used/original version or v2 within your price range

Here ya go!