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K1000 amps: First Watt F1 & Red Wine Audio Signature 30 (A mini-blog) - Page 8

post #106 of 175
9/19/06 at 9:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by J-Pak
Any particular types of music that lends its way to one amp or another? I'm guessing the F1 wins out with rock?
Yes, the F1 is so detailed, it really pumps rock music.
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post #107 of 175
9/19/06 at 9:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JzzMaTzz
Wow great review! Being that I am a detail freak, I'm pretty sure I'd prefer my F1. As far as engaging, it's all about system syngery, warm cables and a tubed source might bring you closer to the sound of the Sig 30 without the loss in resolution and bass extension .
Yes,

Srajan Ebaen used a tube pre-amp (Eastern Electric Mini-Max) to add some tube flavor to the detail and purity of the F1.
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post #108 of 175
9/20/06 at 12:28am
Thread Starter 
OMO, Sig 30 wins on solo vocals and light instrumental (my favorites). This amp adds a lot of body and dimension to solo instruments / vocalists. With the Sig 30, solo instruments and vocalists rise to the foreground (so they are a little 3D). Where I found the F1 to be a flatter image.

The F1 did better with music that requires punch, power and authority (rock). The F1 also did a better job reproducing room ambience and a large soundstage (as least when driven balanced from my Wadia).

After hearing the Sig 30, I found the F1 sound kind of cold and flat. As Tom pointed out, the addition of a tube preamp may be just what’s needed to make the F1 really shine. If money were no object, I’d love to hear the F1 paired with a balanced tube preamp.

P.S. While I enjoy listening to classical music on FM, it's not something I play on my main rig or K1000s, so I can't comment here.
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post #109 of 175
9/20/06 at 12:35am
Thread Starter 
The following quote is from the First Watt F2 manual, describing the difference between the F1 (balanced design) and the F2 (SET). The Sig 30 has been described by others as very SET-like in sound quality. To that end, this quote may shed some light on why the F1 and Sig 30 sound the way they do (balanced amps are know for detail, while SET are known for warmth)...

“Most customers also have no use for balanced inputs, which is
fine because the purely single-ended F2 circuit cannot use a
balanced signal in any case.

While the F1 had a crisper sounding 3rd harmonic signature, the
F2 has a richer 2nd harmonic character, one that is sufficiently
different to justify another version of a current source amplifier.“

P.S. I do not know this to be fact. This is just a guess on my part.
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post #110 of 175
9/23/06 at 6:10pm
A week later, and I am really enjoying both amplifiers. I would confirm the comments that I made in my earlier review. I would say that the Signature 30 is even more warm and open after another week of break-in.

For the moment, I have the F1 driving a pair of Omega Revolution speakers and the Signature 30 driving my AKG K1000s, but this could easily change in the future.

I am a very happy camper with these two amps!
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post #111 of 175
9/23/06 at 7:17pm
Thanks for those impressions

I think based on that I will stick with an offering from Pass for the type of music I listen to.
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post #112 of 175
9/24/06 at 11:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alwayswantmore
....While I enjoy listening to classical music on FM, it's not something I play on my main rig or K1000s, so I can't comment here.
I have found that listening to radioio.com classical

http://radioio.com/radioioclassical.php

and radioio.com jazz

http://radioio.com/radioiojazz.php

on my K1000 + SAA Equinox + Signature 30 delivers very enjoyable listening for me (better than FM).
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post #113 of 175
9/24/06 at 11:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by J-Pak
Thanks for those impressions

I think based on that I will stick with an offering from Pass for the type of music I listen to.
IMO you won't go wrong with the Aleph 3 or Aleph 30. Nelson Pass has really thought through the kind of circuitry (SET) needed to drive the K1000s to perfection!
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post #114 of 175
9/25/06 at 6:07pm
Has anyone directly compared the Pass Aleph 3 to the Sig 30 or F1?

Also, is anyone looking to rid themselves of an F1?
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post #115 of 175
9/25/06 at 6:41pm
I have an F1, no K1000s, my speakers are lower than 89db, need $$ to take a global trip, so I want to sell my F1.
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post #116 of 175
10/1/06 at 5:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PaulDB
I have an F1, no K1000s, my speakers are lower than 89db, need $$ to take a global trip, so I want to sell my F1.
You should list it in the Amplification for Sale / Trade Forum.
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post #117 of 175
10/1/06 at 6:44pm
Dont worry, I bought it within an hour of him posting that ...
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post #118 of 175
10/1/06 at 7:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Akathriel
Dont worry, I bought it within an hour of him posting that ...
Congratulations! It is a great amplifier for the K1000s.

You do have a pair of K1000s, don't you?
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post #119 of 175
10/1/06 at 8:56pm
Yeap. Mine are December 2005 production with probably less than 300 hours on them.
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post #120 of 175
10/2/06 at 1:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Akathriel
Yeap. Mine are December 2005 production with probably less than 300 hours on them.
Consider upgrading the cabling on your K1000s. I found that it made a great difference, particularly when being driven by the FirstWatt F1.
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