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High Output Preamp for First Watt SIT-3?

I'm new to the audiophile world and recently purchased a First Watt SIT-3 with Magnepan .7s.  I have a Mytek Brooklyn Bridge for streaming, though I prefer to play vinyl with my Mofi Ultradeck.  The Mytek serves as the phono stage (69dB gain for MM?), and I don't use a preamp;  the Brooklyn is connected directly to the First Watt. 

I understand that the SIT-3 is only 11.5 dB of gain, and that's extremely low compared to most amps.  I like most everything about the system except for the fact that I have the Mytek maxed out volume-wise many days.  Certain LPs are cut quieter, and I wish I had more power.  There are times streaming where the Maggies aren't getting to their sweet spot.  I realize the Maggies are a lower sensitivity speaker. 

What should I look for in a preamp to fully drive the SIT-3?  Eventually, I'd like to replace the phono stage instead of relying on the Brooklyn.  Is there a tube preamp featuring a phono stage with sufficient output to drive my amp in the $4k range?  Otherwise, I'm eyeing the Modwright PH 9.0 and a linestage preamp, realizing that this will probably be costlier.  I'm looking for a warm sound, not analytical but engaging. 

Any help is greatly appreciated.  I'm a working musician with a basic understanding of related electronics but little experience in this world. 

murphbass
kinara
6 posts
 
There is an incredible level of "shoot from the hip" commentary about the SIT-3 and the Maggie 0.7 pairing. Yes - Maggies are notorious for being a tough load. But - as Vladimir Lamm put it to me a long time ago, "it's not about the watts , it's about the current". For those of you interested, I connected my SIT-3 to a pair of 20.7's I own and while they didn't blow the doors down, they ran the Maggies to satisfying levels. Earlier comments are spot on - Herb Reichert (whom I respect as a straight shooting reviewer), did in fact say the 0.7/SIT-3 combination was fantastic. So did Steve Guttenberg. So, armchairs reviewers can take a back seat to those of us who have actually experienced the combination. Several posters here have heard the combination or own it - listen to them. Forget the rest.
tweak1
3,561 posts
 
I have owned 3 open baffle speakers I love/d 2 of them. Which one didn't I? Magnepan 3.5Rs. I tried so many things, biamping, then active XO. After 2 frustrating years I replaced them with Emerald Physics KCIIs (open baffle, super efficient and about half the height,

EP is getting ready to move their factory and is blowing out available inventory. See USAudiomart for a couple of gems for pennies on the dollar


hth
jlarryk
16 posts
 
I also have a SIT-3.  I recently sold my Magnepan 3.7i, but I can tell you I was surprised at how good the SIT-3 sounded on them within reasonable volume. I currently have Devore 0/96 (nominal impedance 10 ohms) and the SIT-3 doesn’t seem to be a great match for them. I recently got Tekton Moabs (4 ohms) and the SIT-3 is a very nice match and very musical combination.  The SIT-3 is a wonderful amp with the right speaker
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 

kinara,

murphbass began this  thread by explaining in many cases he's been very happy with the sound quality (SQ) of his S.I.T.3 and Maggie pairing. He did however certainly cite  that there are some observed shortcomings as well. He wondered if it could be a lack of power "I wish I had more power" in certain situations or is more gain needed?

He straightforwardly was soliciting  input/suggestions on this forum regarding his dilemma.  IMO his generated some very informed responses and interesting dialogue and commentary. Posters did not dispute his claim of very good SQ with his amp/speaker pairing. Opinions were expressed and shared in regard to what might be suitable solutions to his 'stated'  concerns. I believe that murphbass gained some additional insight and appreciates the many  good responses he received.

So I don't understand your characterization of "shooting from the hip" which seems dismissive of what were well intentioned and thoughtful replies to murphbass's clearly stated concerns. I don't doubt you hear very good sound with your S.I.T. 3 and Maggie 20.7 but would this be your ideal long term amplifier for these speakers? It so then I hope they continue to provide you many years of listening pleasure.

Charles.

kinara
6 posts
 
Charles, I apologize if that was the impression, there have certainly been some informed and cogent replies except that they were not addressed to the question at hand. I was just somewhat surprised by the fact that the subject heading - the search for a suitable high gain preamp for the SIT-3 quickly devolved from the first post into "you have the wrong speaker-amp combo". That was not what the poster was asking for or about, but since that appeared to way the thread was going, I threw in my two pennies worth on Maggies and their infamous power requirements. Frequently it's an issue of how the speaker behaves across it's impedance curve and the demands that makes on partnering amps. For example, driving Quad ESL 57's has never been about watts but finding amps that can cope with the ESL's wicked load impedance behaviour. After all, Peter Walker drove them with 15W amps. Similarly, I drive my Harbeth P3's with 10 watts (admittedly near field) from a Luxman SQ Integrated with great success. My SIT-3/20.7 run was simply an experiment, in normal existence , they are driven by 450W VAC amps, which is more appropriate. Someone once told me that "tube watts are not the same thing as SS watts and Class A watts are not the same thing as Class A/B watts". I think there's some truth to that. I am planning to match my SIT-3 up with Harbeth 30.2's but within a near field listening envelope and I am pretty confident it will work well, albeit not to head banging levels. I would still love to hear some thoughts from everyone on appropriate high gain preamps to pair with the SIT-3. The Modulus 3B has a ton of gain but customer service and reliability issues plague the Company. Happy to hear some input on that. Thank you.
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