@mikem I've actually owned the XA25, tried in multiple systems, and my comment stands. In FW land, only have heard the SIT3 not the newer F8 though.
Fist Watt F6 vs Pass Labs XA 25
I’m thinking about an upgrade regarding my power amp which is a First Watt F6 dual mono (source: LAB 12 Dac 1 Reference, "speakers": Abyss 1266 PHI TC, preamp: Dave Slagle Autoformer).
I can’t say I wouldn’t be satisfied with this configuration but I’d like to try something even more engaging.
For the moment I’m intrigued by the XA 25 but never had the chance to give it a try in my system.
Most of the reviews just compare the F7 to the XA 25 but I would be happy to hear experiences from users who had F6 and XA 25 side by side.
Is it worth an upgrade and which exact differences could I expect sonically?
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I don't have the XA 25 but I do have the 30.8, the F6 and the J2. I like them all I think the F6 has the most delicate sound. The 30.8 sounds like it's 3X as powerful as either of the first watts but maybe a little more harshness to the sound but much bigger sound and more bass. They each have their own flavor and it depends a lot on the speakers that are being used. I can get good volume out of the super power hungry Maggie LRS with the 30.8. The F6 and J2 can't hang with the LRS. with something way more efficient I like the sound of the F6 better and for that matter I far prefer the Decware Zen triode 2 watt amp to any of these with super efficient speakers. |
@ejlif I am in the process of building in F6 amp, what speakers do you think sounds best with it? Or perhaps I should ask what have you had the chance to use with yours? |
I have used the F6 with only Klipsch. The forte III, Cornwall IV and vintage la scala. I like it best with La Scala, those are the most efficient of the bunch and the F6 has plenty of power for those speakers. I feel like it's not the most ballsy of amps but is very smooth and even tubelike compared to the J2 or 30.8. The F6 is a sweet amp just not the most powerful sounding but for the right music and the right system and room size it could be just right. |
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