New First Watt F8

Ritmo

Ritmo

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Just ran into the announcement of the new First Watt F8 amplifier.

FIRST WATT

F8 Power Amplifier
f8_html_26649cb9.jpg



Originally created almost 6 years ago, the F8 is a stereo two-stage single-ended Class A amplifier using the NOS Toshiba 2SJ74 P channel Jfets and SemiSouth R100 SiC power Jfets for signal gain, plus IRFP240 Mosfet mu-follower current sources, for a total of three devices per channel.
It is similar to the J2 amplifier, but has only one front end transistor instead of six, operated as a current feedback amplifier (CFA) as opposed to the J2's voltage feedback (VFA) differential input. This front end is more consistent with the single-ended approach to amplifier design and yields a purer second harmonic character, less distortion with lower negative feedback, greater bandwidth and higher damping factor.
The owner's manual can be downloaded here: F8 Owner's Manual
Availability is September 2020 at a list price of $4000.


Are you watching Joe?
 
Oh boy I am.

Nelson Pass is a genius in my opinion. I can’t wait for this amp. Apparently he’s been kicking around the idea for many many years. I think this design started with Joe Sammut who Nelson says had golden ears and was very familiar with the subtle changes Nelson made.
 
joeinid said:
Oh boy I am.

I think this design started with Joe Sammut who Nelson says had golden ears and was very familiar with the subtle changes Nelson made.
Click to expand...

Joe,

Do you know how & when Joe Sammut passed?

I always considered him a friend, and then I noticed he was gone... :(
 
I’m sorry Jim, I don’t. I remember seeing one of the recent videos on YouTube with Nelson and Steve Guttenberg where Nelson briefly mentioned it.

I’ll see if I can find it and post the video. It was probably the video about two months back.
 
Randy Myers said:
Looks great, unfortunately there is no way it is compatible with my Magnepan's :).
Click to expand...

You might suprised. I remember a couple reviewers saying the Maggie .7 (or was it 1.7?) worked really well with the SIT3, so there's a possibility the F8 might work. Might be worth doing some research, at least.
 
joeinid said:
Oh boy I am.

Nelson Pass is a genius in my opinion. I can’t wait for this amp. Apparently he’s been kicking around the idea for many many years. I think this design started with Joe Sammut who Nelson says had golden ears and was very familiar with the subtle changes Nelson made.
Click to expand...

There's no question in my mind Nelson Pass is a genius. In my opinion, he's at the level of Andrew Jones, Caelin Gabriel and Tim de Paravincini.
 
Puma Cat said:
You might suprised. I remember a couple reviewers saying the Maggie .7 (or was it 1.7?) worked really well with the SIT3, so there's a possibility the F8 might work. Might be worth doing some research, at least.
Click to expand...


Current feedback Amp , so 8 ohm Speakers best apply ...!
 
Yea, I figured no matter what 15 WPC is not enough for any Magnepan speakers. I also watched Steve Guttenberg's video review of the MG .7's which he absolutely loves (I believe he said they are his favorite speaker). He made a point to mention that he was powering the speakers with a Pass amp that is 25 WPC into 8 ohm, but it is 50 WPC into 4 ohm.

If I ever had an opportunity to try a First Watt F6 again I would love it. It is basically the First Watt version of the Pass amp that Steve was using. It is one amplifier that I really miss and would love to get my hands on another one.. Now if I could get that amp with balanced inputs... that would be amazing!

I would also say the T+A is very similar sound signature and performance to the First Watt! I know the First Watt is class a and the T+A is a/b, but over all music performance gave me the same feelings with the two.
 
Dizzie said:
Yes. From the owner's manual:

Damping Factor40 @ 8 OHMS

Output power 8 ohms 25 watts @ 1% THD, 1KHz

Output power 4 ohms 15 watts @ 1% THD, 1KHz
Click to expand...
I wonder what the power output would be for 18 ohm Avantgarde speakers?

Being Class A and consuming 170 watts, this is likely to be a 24/7 consumption figure – there’s no Standby Switch and presumably no Auto-Standby circuit. The only way to stop this waste of energy is to fumble around amongst the cables for the rear panel on-off switch. Totally illegal in EU as amps need to use only a few watts when not in use. Sorry, but however good it sounds and however much of a genius Nelson Pass is, it’s a flawed design.

If the T&A AMP 8 really sounds similar, I’ll give that alisten.
 
Hear Here said:
I wonder what the power output would be for 18 ohm Avantgarde speakers?

Being Class A and consuming 170 watts, this is likely to be a 24/7 consumption figure – there’s no Standby Switch and presumably no Auto-Standby circuit. The only way to stop this waste of energy is to fumble around amongst the cables for the rear panel on-off switch. Totally illegal in EU as amps need to use only a few watts when not in use. Sorry, but however good it sounds and however much of a genius Nelson Pass is, it’s a flawed design.

If the T&A AMP 8 really sounds similar, I’ll give that alisten.
Click to expand...

If this product doesn't represent a value proposition or meet the requirements for a given customer, no one's twisting their arm to buy it, either.
 
I had the SIT1 monos and they were glorious on my Avantgardes. If my room was bigger and if I was able to sit further away from the speakers, I’d still have them. They filled up the room with an awesome soundstage and tremendous 3D presentation.

My SIT3 is a little more laid back and suits my setup a little better.

My F7 splits the difference between them and gives me the best of both.

I think the F8 is a super refined J2 which should be great as well.
 
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Jim Smith said:
Joe,

Do you know how & when Joe Sammut passed?

I always considered him a friend, and then I noticed he was gone... :(
Click to expand...

Joe passed a few years ago. Joe and I were Life long Friends. I actually got Joe involved with “High End Audio” when I sold him a pair of Quad 57’s back in the day. That’s how we met, when I used to live in the Bay Area ( San Francisco/Oakland ).

A great guy with a real love of music.
 
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