For Sale: AKG K1000 + First Watt F1 clone (for real this time)

Hi everyone!

Some of you might have seen me listing my beloved combo a few times over the past years, only to close it a few days after with second thoughts.

This time, though, I've got to let it go.  I'm preparing to move onto a boat and I'm trimming my stuff pile down.

For those who haven't seen it, I'm offering the legendary AKG K1000 in perfect condition (with original wood box), paired with my handbuilt First Watt F1 clone.

Here's my previous posting:

The combo is a match made in heaven, as many here know.  For those who don't know, the First Watt F1 is a class-A current-source amplifier that transforms input voltage to output current - not voltage.  It's balanced, has massive headroom (rated 10W/channel at 8ohms) and extremely low distortion.  It ignores filters, so really brings the K1000s (normally limited) bass to life.

My version includes two protection modules to both eliminate the biasing click on startup, and to open the circuit if a significant DC current develops (protecting the headphones in the case of amp failure).  It features a direct attach port for the K1000s on the front, and two balanced XLR ins on the back.  The blue LED switch on the front glows dimly when the amp is in standby, flashes while it is warming up (5-10 seconds) or if there's a fault, and solid blue when the amp is ready.

Full disclosure - while the amp itself is rock solid and built like a tank (weighing in at 30lbs), there is a tiny 60hz buzz in one channel that is just audible in a dead silent room (ie. noise floor <12dB).  It comes from the placement of the transformer next to one of the audio inputs.  You can't hear it with even the quietest program playing, and I wouldn't even have noticed it if it wasn't visible on the scope.

That said, I recognize the risk of buying homebuilt gear.  Though this amp cost me nearly $2000 to build (relays, components, custom boards, casing... it all adds up), I know it's not worth anything near that.

So, I'm asking $1750USD for the pair, shipped.

If you want more pictures or have any questions, just let me know!