FirstWatt J2

[Peter M.]

Originally Posted by Tea-Bag

So with a novices eyes, this 'Aikido mu follower'appears to be a close representation of the J2 simplified circuit.

The two tubes on the left are replaced by 2x 2sk170 on top, and 2sj109 on bottom on the negative rail. Followed by the SemiSouth JFETs.

Of course, I think that's what Nelson said....

The Aikido has mu-follower input, and a cathode follower output.
The only thing similar is that both has some sort of Mu follower in it.

[Jon Ver Halen]

So you want to end the suspense. I have heard the J2, both at RMAF and in my home.

It is stunning. Just a touch of sweetness, extended, fast, ultra-low distortion, transparent to the source as you could want. My E-Mu 1616M running 24/192 dubs off the master tapes sounded exquisite. Until the J2. Now I hear the op-amp.

Not that it is ruthless, and imperfect stuff is annoying as hell (true of amps which run too much global feedback, squeezing the dynamics and life out of the music), it does allow a clear view of the recording. But that touch of sweetness, and the clear dynamics - they make things sound, well, like music! Yes, I heard the op-amp, and thought it could be better. But that never made me want to turn the music off.

Listened all day at RMAF, then held after-hours sessions for friends and guest. No fatigue, but tons of fun.

Not good. Not great. Phenomenal. The best First Watt yet.

Guess what? This does not end the suspense. You have to hear one to believe it. Only that will end the suspense.

[Melon Head]

you are killing me

[Phil Townsend]

Yes Jon All of what you say is true. And yes Jon, I Had to order one from Mark. I can't wait to pop the lid.
What hath Nelson wrought?
I have built a number of his designs over the years and each has been a revelation at the time. This will be a first for me to actually PAY real dollars for a design. But you know what?...It feels good to help support people like Nelson,Colin, partners and others.
Thank you Nelson Pass and Family etc.

BTW seems one of The Feastrex guys, Chris Whitmer, was killed yesterday on his bike.
More info on the Feastrex fourm. The guy have a wife and 7 girls. So sad.

[Melon Head]

I am also seriously considering buying one. But I'll have to rip it out of that nice chassis and put it into another one (ie ugly), so my wife will believe that I built it myself.

[Zen Mod]

Originally Posted by Phil Townsend

.........

BTW seems one of The Feastrex guys, Chris Whitmer, was killed yesterday on his bike.
More info on the Feastrex fourm. The guy have a wife and 7 girls. So sad.

oh man ........

sad , so sad .

RIP.

[Nelson Pass]

That is stunningly bad news.

[tryonziess]

BTW where can I buy a J2 close to Atlanta and how much do they cost? I can not afford an X.5 but the J2 is doable. I think we are getting closer to the Grail.
Thanks Nelson for these toys.

What would you recommend for a speaker setup to achieve maximum benefit from this product?

Tad

[Nelson Pass]

All I have is mark@renohifi.com and Welcome to Lowther America

[Jon Ver Halen]

Since Nelson answered the first part of your question (dealers), I will answer the second (speakers).

The amp is rated at 25 wpc. So you need something of moderate to high efficiency, depending on how loud you play music. If you like really loud music, think in terms of 95 dB. That will get real loud, and a have a bit of headroom.

If you are more reasonable in your listening, 85-90 dB speakers will work just fine, with some headroom. You always want some headroom, amps sound better when not stressed as a rule, although I can't say I have stressed the J2's too much with my 99 dB speakers.

Of course the ideal speaker is a Lowther Field Coil, but I will freely admit bias here.