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First Watt SIT-3 Power Amplifier In my opinion, this is the best amplifier of the First Watt series. Mythical amps from the genius of Nelson Pass. There are not a lot of these worldwide. Even less in Australia (maybe a max of 5 units). A first batch of 250 were made then another batch of 25 were made. This unit is part of the 2nd batch. The richness of the midrange of this amp is incredible. I have the original shipping box so shipping is possible at buyer cost. Condition: Mint Payment Method: Paypal F&F, EFT Region/State: (WA) Western Australia/Australia By Colonel Sanders 5 Comments
The timing matters a bit here because the SIT-3 is a later-generation First Watt design and there isn’t an obvious newer replacement that makes it obsolete; at A$5,400, though, this sits above your recent comparable market, which puts it ambitious rather than outright cheap. Against the A$4,386 median and A$5,146 75th percentile, it’s priced about at the top end of the spread, so I’d want the presentation to be excellent.
That said, First Watt amps are highly regarded for their speed, tonal purity, and low-powered, no-nonsense grip, and the SIT-3 in particular has a strong reputation with efficient speakers and listeners who value texture over brute force. A like new example is the right sort of condition to pay up for if it includes box, manual, and proof of careful ownership; if those are all present, it’s a legitimate buy for the right system, just not a standout bargain at this asking.
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.
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