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Offered is „First Watt Sit 4“ by Pass as second-hand device from the category „Transistor-Poweramp“ on audio-markt.de - the online market place for high-end. The advert with the number 7007778467 ends on 17.12.2026 at 12:51 o'clock.
The SIT-4 is a notably rare, low-powered single-ended Class A amplifier, and EUR 4,500 looks fair rather than a bargain. A documented used example has sold around EUR 4,150, while the original price was about EUR 5,000 equivalent, so this sits close to the established market rather than clearly below it.
Its appeal is real: 10 watts into 8 ohms, distinctive SIT-derived second-harmonic texture, excellent timing, and unusually engaging tone with efficient speakers. It is especially well suited to Altecs, Klipsch, JBLs, Lowthers, and similar designs, but the 4-ohm output impedance means it is not a universal match and offers limited control with difficult speakers. At EUR 4,500, buy confidently if the unit is clean, fully functional, and complete with original accessories; otherwise, there is room to negotiate toward EUR 4,200.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
First Watt emerged from the visionary mind of Nelson Pass, the renowned American audio engineer and founder of Pass Labs, in the early 2000s. Established as a boutique extension of his primary enterprise, it was conceived not as a conventional company but as a personal laboratory for experimental amplifier designs. Pass launched First Watt to delve into unconventional territories overlooked by mainstream hi-fi, drawing on his decades of expertise in single-ended triode and solid-state innovations, much like the legendary early Marantz and VFET amplifiers that inspired him.
The brand specializes exclusively in low-power Class A solid-state power amplifiers, typically delivering 10 to 25 watts per channel into 8 ohms—modest outputs by modern standards. Models like the SIT4, F1, and F7 employ zero-feedback topologies, JFETs, Static Induction Transistors (SITs), and even current-source architectures that prioritize purity over brute force. These handcrafted units eschew preamps, phono stages, or speakers, focusing instead on driving efficient, high-sensitivity loudspeakers with exceptional transparency and musicality.
First Watt commands a cult following among high-end audiophiles as a niche boutique icon, revered for its heretical yet revelatory sound that challenges voltage-source norms. Positioned at the pinnacle of purist amplification, its amplifiers—often priced around $4,000—appeal to discerning buyers seeking "a handful of quality watts" over high-power generality, cementing Pass's legacy in the vanguard of innovative, speaker-specific hi-fi.
See all First Watt listings on RADAR.
