First Watt Amplifier Chassis Question

Hi DIYers,

I am planing to build a First Watt amplifier, thinking of the F4 with Nelson's gain stage front end.

I picked up a junk Forte Model 6 to part out and use for the chassis, power supply and heat sinks. The heat sinks are 7" high and 8" wide. Will these accomodate most of the output boards for the kits on DIY? (I see no dimensions) Also, I have a problem, I fixed the Model 6. The thing is mint, and only had fatigued bad 8A rail fuses. I could sell the existing amplifier boards to recoup costs as the IGBT devices are valuable. Should I keep this amplifier ASIS or use it for my DIY chassis???

What Say You?
Gary
 

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If you can sell it working for around $800 -$1000, that seems to be the better way,
and you'll have much money left over after buying all the Pass amplifier parts.
And the parts will all be brand new. IGBTs are not really considered to be good output devices.
I rebuilt an Ashly that came out great which I sold on the bay. FedEx smashed it to pieces and it still worked. I agreed to partial refund the buyer for the damage. A lot of work that went unrewarded. FedEx recently smashed an Aloia I bought and now I have a Proceed coming via FedEx. I hope that one makes it. I'd rather keep the Forte or give it to my son who has the Model 4 and 5. Before I could blink, he was here tonight to borrow it, as I just got it yesterday. I'm not sure what the rush was, as he just got a new Bryston 3B cubed last night.
 
It seems like a waste to trash a working Forte amp for a DIY project. I wouldn't.
Hmm, I could easily attach a large bottom & top plate to a large pair of heat sinks for a chassis. Add a front an rear plate and be done, I read some of the worst amplifier reviews ever on the model 6 "P.O.S" and is why I thought it would make a good DIY project. Tonight I read some much better reviews.
 
I rebuilt an Ashly that came out great which I sold on the bay. FedEx smashed it to pieces and it still worked. I agreed to partial refund the buyer for the damage. A lot of work that went unrewarded. FedEx recently smashed an Aloia I bought and now I have a Proceed coming via FedEx. I hope that one makes it. I'd rather keep the Forte or give it to my son who has the Model 4 and 5. Before I could blink, he was here tonight to borrow it, as I just got it yesterday. I'm not sure what the rush was, as he just got a new Bryston 3B cubed last night.

Maybe he wants to compare them, and return the Bryston if he likes the Forte better.
 
"Maybe he wants to compare them, and return the Bryston if he likes the Forte better"

Here's the troubling review

https://www.soundstagehifi.com/inde...r-buy-something-without-first-listening-to-it

Not a chance! He did compare them, Bryston 3b3 vs Forte model 4, model 5 (in his collection) and model 6 (mine). Out of the Fortes he rated the 4 (best), 5 a little worse and 6 absolutely garbage. It seems the longer Nelson Pass was gone, the worse the amplifiers got. On the brighter side. I rebuilt a Threshold model 400a for him and he says that's the best of his collection Cudos! to Mr Pass. Now, I am going to build him a First Watt F4 with Nelson's 2022 gain stage. My son has good young audiophile ears and agrees with the article above.
 
Build from scratch for sure. These Pass designs deserve it. Especially since the Forte doesn't seem to be of garbage quality (physically). Maybe post it for sale locally.
F4 is a great amp. So is the F1, F2, F3, F5, F6, F7.... And there goes your savings...
 
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