F8

We do not do planned obsolescence at PL. The X amplifiers are 25 years old
this year, and when we introduce new versions we retain the old versions for
a couple years. You would be surprised to know we have distribution that still
buys the .5 amps after 5 years.

I like to have product that holds its value...

:snail:
 
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Wonderful if the F8 is Balanced inputs. Really nice to see the FW's that have added balanced in capability.

I wish I can see balanced input design templates more in Pass Labs forum. Current option is somewhat limited...
Are you guys using transformer?


Summary of the key criteria can be found here:

FIRST WATT PRODUCTS


For DIY, the J2 is the latest FW offering that I know of with balanced inputs.
 
There is a very respectful review in the coming stereophile Dec 2020 from Herb about the F8.

He sees an advantage over the J2 and a close race to his beloved Line Magnetics....culminating in the sentence:

“But the F8 +
LS3/5a revealed more of each recording’s
sonic and poetic essences than did
the F8 + O/93—or possibly, any other
system I’ve used in the bunker."

Congratulations Nelson!

Why did let wait the world five years!

😀😀
 
“But the F8 +
LS3/5a revealed more of each recording’s
sonic and poetic essences.....

I can't believe that the LS3/5A is still being used as a reference, a design from the 70's as a compromise box used for mobile studio monitoring. Incredible!

I always loved KEF products owned several models over the years, and still have many drivers including the classic B139.

Cool 😎

Cheers
 
well, "compromise'', but not in bad way

LS3/5 is example of highly successful product made for specific set of goals;

as long anyone is aware of these goals, there is no jeopardy of expecting anything else from product itself

is it possible nowadays to make better ones - yes

besides that - I'm pretty sure that I read HR's words in meaning he intended when writing - accent isn't on LS3/5 at all - his personal reference (one of them) and we all know that "reference" doesn't need to be ( and often is not) absolute peak of quality in field of interest

as I wrote in one of e-mails to mein Bruder Generg ( as me having some experience with original LS3/5, also having very similar DIY ones for prolonged time, eons ago) - it's fun speaker, having plenty of qualities ( "honest sound" above all others), but one thing you can't expect from them - dynamic capabilities which we all are expecting, being spoiled with Papamps and all Aclass/livinginnaturenaked/cojonesdanglingfreely/manafromheaven way of life

:clown:
 
I can't believe that the LS3/5A is still being used as a reference

I always had a love/hate relationship with the LS3/5A. I had the opportunity to refurb a pair for a friend. I gave up on them when a similar size diy job made them sound boxy and congested.

But a reference is just a standard that can be trusted to be pretty much the same no matter who or when they wer built. LS3/5A just has too many compromises for me.

dave
 
But a reference is just a standard that can be trusted to be pretty much the same no matter who or when they were built. LS3/5A just has too many compromises for me. dave

Something like all the studios mixing on Yamaha NS-10's when there are beautiful full range Altec/Audiomarketing Big Red's hanging on the walls. 😱🙄

Cheers

PS sorry didn't mean to turn this into a speaker thread. Way to go Nelson on the review of the F8, cool.