RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
Angeboten wird „FIRST WATT F5“ von Pass aus der Kategorie „Transistor-Endverstärker“ bei audio-markt.de - dem Online-Marktplatz für High-End. Das Inserat mit der Nummer 4044689498 endet am 18.07.2026 um 08:30 Uhr.
Should you pay €3,990 for this one? Against your recent comps, that sits above the 75th percentile of €3,831, so it reads ambitious rather than fair; the spread versus the €3,023 median is big enough that I’d want a stronger reason to stretch. It’s not absurdly out of line, but it is priced at the top end of the current used cluster.
The upside is that this is a respected First Watt design: compact, single-ended Class A-style simplicity, very direct sound, and a strong reputation for clarity and musical drive when paired with the right speakers. If the unit is genuinely clean and complete, that helps, but at this price I’d still be looking for either rare condition, fresh service history, or included extras to justify the ask; otherwise, there’s room to negotiate.
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.
