Offered here, for your consideration, an original prototype FirstWatt F6. Built and sold at auction in support of Burning Amp by Papa in 2023.
This amp is of the original design configuration that used SemiSouth JFETs, not the MOSFETs that the commercial F6 used. Note the dual LEDs on the front. I have no proof but I believe Papa assembled this himself. The amp was opened and pictures taken at BA that year, I have not opened it nor messed with it or put it on any test gear, but I have listened to it lots in my main system. There is nothing at all wrong with this amp. To my ears, and in my system, it is the most detailed amp I have heard, but for some mysterious reason I favor the air and liveliness of my F5m and Aleph Jzm more.
I paid $2600. I am asking $2600, plus shipping to your locale (it will come in the factory original shipping box). If you happen to reside in Northern California, I'm open to arranging a pickup but please be patient with me as I work for a living and have some travel coming up. This isn't about the money, it's not a forced sale, I'm not in a hurry, no low ballers, I know what I've got, etc., etc. I've just listened to this amp enough to learn from it and I'm willing to pass (haha! Pass) it on to another aficionado.
Thanks for looking.
This amp is of the original design configuration that used SemiSouth JFETs, not the MOSFETs that the commercial F6 used. Note the dual LEDs on the front. I have no proof but I believe Papa assembled this himself. The amp was opened and pictures taken at BA that year, I have not opened it nor messed with it or put it on any test gear, but I have listened to it lots in my main system. There is nothing at all wrong with this amp. To my ears, and in my system, it is the most detailed amp I have heard, but for some mysterious reason I favor the air and liveliness of my F5m and Aleph Jzm more.
I paid $2600. I am asking $2600, plus shipping to your locale (it will come in the factory original shipping box). If you happen to reside in Northern California, I'm open to arranging a pickup but please be patient with me as I work for a living and have some travel coming up. This isn't about the money, it's not a forced sale, I'm not in a hurry, no low ballers, I know what I've got, etc., etc. I've just listened to this amp enough to learn from it and I'm willing to pass (haha! Pass) it on to another aficionado.
Thanks for looking.
Attachments
This is truly a special and rare amplifier! I was kicking myself for not bidding on it at BA23, but luckily another SemiSouth F6 was auctioned at BA24 and I was fortunate enough to win that. If I didn’t already have one, I would have jumped at the chance to buy your amp. Good luck with the sale!
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I have the one from BA22 and have to say that it changed my mind about not wanting to build an F6 so now I have 2 diy F6s. One built by me and another built by Papa. I hope someone here can give yours a new home as it would be a terrible shame for it to wander into obscurity like a few of the pilot run F7s seem to have.
It's going into a black hole, trust me.
Some people NEVER sell.... they take it to their graves.
Maybe need a bigger pyramid?
He coulda won a Grammy (King Tut)
Buried with his amplies
Born in Catalonia
Moved to California
King Tut!
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Holly Crp..! This looks like my bedroom. Except there is no papa Pass under the glass (yet)
$600 for one power transistor?? It's more than WE 300B
Actually, that's an old picture, Queen Cleopatra brought more gifts..
You ought to see my home office.
The main bedroom system is actually quite restrained... a big Marantz 2325, ADS L810s, a Samsung tablet and a USB DAC. The TV is not hooked up to it... yet...
Oh wait, I sure hope Nelson doesn't see the comment:
" there is no papa Pass under the glass" 😡 😡 😉 😛
I meant that for me, not for Nelson. Yikes, are you calling us old?
You ought to see my home office.
The main bedroom system is actually quite restrained... a big Marantz 2325, ADS L810s, a Samsung tablet and a USB DAC. The TV is not hooked up to it... yet...
Oh wait, I sure hope Nelson doesn't see the comment:
" there is no papa Pass under the glass" 😡 😡 😉 😛
I meant that for me, not for Nelson. Yikes, are you calling us old?
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This was the star of the show at the BAF '23 fundraiser...
A few hours before the auction, there was a moment when we were setting things up, making the display table for the auction items where we thought it would be fun to remove the lids and show them off, and when this particular F6 was opened there was a bit of a shock and awe as the SemiSouth transistors were staring up at us...
A few hours before the auction, there was a moment when we were setting things up, making the display table for the auction items where we thought it would be fun to remove the lids and show them off, and when this particular F6 was opened there was a bit of a shock and awe as the SemiSouth transistors were staring up at us...
Used F6 amps sell for a lot less.... this is one heck of a nice amp. IMHO, worth the money.
Now, if Nelson would come up with a pair of SIT5s for the next auction.... do you guys take credit cards?
Now, if Nelson would come up with a pair of SIT5s for the next auction.... do you guys take credit cards?
Hot damn.
I'm 66 years old and I'm dancing as the system warms up. Where the F4 is darker, with extended treble, the F6 is DYNAMICS. More forward midrange and treble. Mind you, preamp can swing those 20Vrms...
Right now..
Rickey Lee Jones, Danny's All-Start Joint.
Downstairs at Danny's all star joint
They got a jukebox that goes doyt-doyt
A finger-snappin' deluxe to make your bebop bap
And your R&B go hep-scat
You can't break the rules until you know how to play the game
But if you just wanna have a little fun
You can mention my name
Keep your feet in the street
Your toes in the lawn
But keep your business in your pocket, mister
Where it belongs
Nelson.... thanks.... you're making this guy HAPPY. I can't stand still. gotta get up and dance.
Oh. no, the piano... gotta go, system is warming up.
I'm 66 years old and I'm dancing as the system warms up. Where the F4 is darker, with extended treble, the F6 is DYNAMICS. More forward midrange and treble. Mind you, preamp can swing those 20Vrms...
Right now..
Rickey Lee Jones, Danny's All-Start Joint.
Downstairs at Danny's all star joint
They got a jukebox that goes doyt-doyt
A finger-snappin' deluxe to make your bebop bap
And your R&B go hep-scat
You can't break the rules until you know how to play the game
But if you just wanna have a little fun
You can mention my name
Keep your feet in the street
Your toes in the lawn
But keep your business in your pocket, mister
Where it belongs
Nelson.... thanks.... you're making this guy HAPPY. I can't stand still. gotta get up and dance.
Oh. no, the piano... gotta go, system is warming up.
OK, I've been listening... Went to Jennifer Warnes..
I think the issue is the F4 likely needs more than a 20Vrms preamp in front. My tubed preamps both drive that much, but to get there, the preamp is being run towards the high volume. So, it likely starts to run out of juice, this affects the dynamics. At low levels it sounds fantastic, but at high levels it starts to compress.
Mind you, I'm running it into 84 db/w speakers, but the room is small enough (12x13 with an irregular cathedral ceiling from 9 to 12 ), well damped and I sit like 8 feet from the speakers so... it doesn't need to be LOUD to be loud...
I do have a pair of bridged F4s with a BA3B in front of them, so I know that the F4s can be dynamic.... in fact, they can overdrive a Maggie 1.7 with no problem... so they are dynamic.
Perhaps I need to get around and build the YITCDAF4 gizmo. It's on my desk...
The F6 does sound fantastic though. In this set up, it's effortless. Right now it sounds like Jennifer Warnes is standing right next to me, softy singing. It's darn eerie... sibilance, chestiness, cluck!
Note, my preamp has a digital gain display ( from 0 to 99)... to go loud, the F4 can see a solid 93..... with the F6 80 is actually louder... The DAC is set to 2Vrms.
Maybe I should try the Metronomes? Except, I think the AE1 are far more accurate and dynamic... oh well. Maybe we need a couple of Xs300s, a bigger house, a grant to pay the bills from SoCal Edison, another hole in my head and a new wife. 😛
Oh... WHY IS THERE NO FRONT PANEL OFF/ON SWITCH?
I think the issue is the F4 likely needs more than a 20Vrms preamp in front. My tubed preamps both drive that much, but to get there, the preamp is being run towards the high volume. So, it likely starts to run out of juice, this affects the dynamics. At low levels it sounds fantastic, but at high levels it starts to compress.
Mind you, I'm running it into 84 db/w speakers, but the room is small enough (12x13 with an irregular cathedral ceiling from 9 to 12 ), well damped and I sit like 8 feet from the speakers so... it doesn't need to be LOUD to be loud...
I do have a pair of bridged F4s with a BA3B in front of them, so I know that the F4s can be dynamic.... in fact, they can overdrive a Maggie 1.7 with no problem... so they are dynamic.
Perhaps I need to get around and build the YITCDAF4 gizmo. It's on my desk...
The F6 does sound fantastic though. In this set up, it's effortless. Right now it sounds like Jennifer Warnes is standing right next to me, softy singing. It's darn eerie... sibilance, chestiness, cluck!
Note, my preamp has a digital gain display ( from 0 to 99)... to go loud, the F4 can see a solid 93..... with the F6 80 is actually louder... The DAC is set to 2Vrms.
Maybe I should try the Metronomes? Except, I think the AE1 are far more accurate and dynamic... oh well. Maybe we need a couple of Xs300s, a bigger house, a grant to pay the bills from SoCal Edison, another hole in my head and a new wife. 😛
Oh... WHY IS THERE NO FRONT PANEL OFF/ON SWITCH?
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Soft but natural in a way that creates the singers presence is a good way of describing the F6. I would think the Semisouths would take it up a notch. I think the gain on that amp is only 14 or 15.
The reason for no front switch is that you have to work hard for that first watt! 🙂
The reason for no front switch is that you have to work hard for that first watt! 🙂
Female voices just are... no strain, no harshness, just are. You can tell if they're closed miked or if they are a bit farther back.
There was a duet, male and female.... the male voice sounded a little bit "bigger", Warner's was palpable though. This could be the recording. Red book from Tidal HiFi.
I've never had an issue with system gain with my CJ preamps. Both of them have the teflon caps and do 20 Vrms.
First watt... I think it's likely putting out 10 watts on peaks... the AE1 are 84 db/w speakers. They are being run wideband.
I also have a Rolls SX45 Stereo Two-Way Mini Crossover -as a low pass filter- driving a Parasound Zamp into a pair of Dayton Audio MKSX4 subwoofers. Speakers and subwoofers are driven in parallel from preamp. I keep the bottom end not too loud, just enough to fill in, letting the main speakers handle the dynamics of the bass notes.
Sort of like Calculus... the F6 and AE1s do the derivation of the bass while the subwoofer is the integrator of the bass energy. The merging is quite good, not quite as good as the Entecs in the living room, but then this is a smaller room.
The "attack" on the bass notes is very good, tom toms have flesh to them. The cymbals are metallic without smearing. Guitars being plucked sound natural, you can tell its a an acoustic being plucked, not strummed. Instruments are separate, depth is OK, not as good as in living room.
Unfortunately, I can not bring in the turntable in this room and I doubt I will set up this system in the living room. But there, the amps are all pushing 100 wpc, and more. So, it's a bigger sound...
I could try schlepping the F6 to drive the Audio Notes though... hmm... what a hoot... replacing the A2s with an F6. Speakers are 91db/w though... LP12/P3/Iron Pre Bal... hmm... it would an interesting listening session. What if I like it? Do I swap the DAC there too?
There was a duet, male and female.... the male voice sounded a little bit "bigger", Warner's was palpable though. This could be the recording. Red book from Tidal HiFi.
I've never had an issue with system gain with my CJ preamps. Both of them have the teflon caps and do 20 Vrms.
First watt... I think it's likely putting out 10 watts on peaks... the AE1 are 84 db/w speakers. They are being run wideband.
I also have a Rolls SX45 Stereo Two-Way Mini Crossover -as a low pass filter- driving a Parasound Zamp into a pair of Dayton Audio MKSX4 subwoofers. Speakers and subwoofers are driven in parallel from preamp. I keep the bottom end not too loud, just enough to fill in, letting the main speakers handle the dynamics of the bass notes.
Sort of like Calculus... the F6 and AE1s do the derivation of the bass while the subwoofer is the integrator of the bass energy. The merging is quite good, not quite as good as the Entecs in the living room, but then this is a smaller room.
The "attack" on the bass notes is very good, tom toms have flesh to them. The cymbals are metallic without smearing. Guitars being plucked sound natural, you can tell its a an acoustic being plucked, not strummed. Instruments are separate, depth is OK, not as good as in living room.
Unfortunately, I can not bring in the turntable in this room and I doubt I will set up this system in the living room. But there, the amps are all pushing 100 wpc, and more. So, it's a bigger sound...
I could try schlepping the F6 to drive the Audio Notes though... hmm... what a hoot... replacing the A2s with an F6. Speakers are 91db/w though... LP12/P3/Iron Pre Bal... hmm... it would an interesting listening session. What if I like it? Do I swap the DAC there too?
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I have used a lot of REL-CAPs (teflon) and they seem to never fail me. I just bought a Miflex cap (0.33uF 600V copper) which I am trying in a DAC at the moment, this is my first go at fairly expensive capacitors.
I had a Parasount ZDAC at one point. It was pretty nice for what it was. I would imagine that ZAMP is pretty decent. Especially for sub duty. Only 45 watts though right?
The F6 (going off of memory) had decent attack and bass for a small amp. It kind of did what the F5 did but in a warmer way.
If you replace the A2 with the F6, post what you think. That could be interesting.
I had a Parasount ZDAC at one point. It was pretty nice for what it was. I would imagine that ZAMP is pretty decent. Especially for sub duty. Only 45 watts though right?
The F6 (going off of memory) had decent attack and bass for a small amp. It kind of did what the F5 did but in a warmer way.
If you replace the A2 with the F6, post what you think. That could be interesting.
Zamp are 30 watts for v1 and v2. 45 wpc for the v3. Heavy little suckers with a big transformer in them! They sound pretty good. Remember I gave one away at last BAF24? I might bring some more to BAF25 -it is a good cause after all. I hope Jim doesn't set the dates while we're travelling in Nihon. If he does that, I will take pictures of the Technics TTs at the Panasonic museum in Osaka BUT will not show them to him. 😛
( Hmm... did Matsushita ever make an honest to goodness belt drive? My first turntable was a Panasonic after all, in '74. MY dad also had a Quad (SQ-QS-CD4) Panasonic system with a turntable! I don't think they were DD. )...
It turns out, after the pandemic and working from home, that I ended up getting a bunch of that Z gear. I even got three of the mini racks. I got one little set up in current static display -I had that running the Quad 12LS actives. They sound very fine actually. I really ought to get a v3 preamp. I only have the v1 and v2. And the tuners, equalizers, SCAMP ( the power unit ), remotes... I sort of went nuts. We weren't going anywhere... so my money just sat there and I love chasing used stuff at good prices.
I'm not using them. Tony's Audio Museum.
I've thought about getting the Z-DAC, just to complete the collection, but there are much better units for the price. So.. Try the top Nitsch with the Unison USB DAC board.. which is a Schiit on steroids. A fantastic sounding DAC. We've been discussing those in the "inexpensive Chinese DAC" thread... hint... there ain't one..
I got a DIY F5 already. getting ready to build the F5m. ( I'm getting to the point where I question my audio quest... ... ... Naw... )... 😉
Both of my CJ preamps have the teflon cap upgrades... not cheap since they are "CJ" branded and I had the factory do the work. They took about 400 hours to truly break in but they are worth their money in terms of sound. The preamps changed tremendously in sound quality. It was likely the only "High End Snake Oil" that was worth it. The PV9, even though it's 36 years old, sounds extremely competitive with any today... with a full complement of factory sourced Russkie (Svetlana) tubes. The phono preamp in the PV9, with lots of gain and a 100 ohm load, is really good... the P2 and P3 are worthy alternatives... not better mind you, just a lot quieter and more adjustable.
The tubed gear is great for driving F4s, BTW.
I'll give a try swapping amps this weekend just to see how it goes. I had the 252MOSFET -and the 252SIT before its immolations- in there, and they sounded fantastic too. Just that the A2 have beguiling mid range -my back up for the Maggies- and tons of power. Sometimes, well, sometimes I like to crank it up! I think the 252SIT was the best sounding in there so far. The MOSFET was very close. But the A2s are damn good as well.
Anyhow. this particular F6 is beautiful sounding, I think it sounds better than the F5 and it's more dynamic than the F4. What really comes out in the F6 is the palpability of the voices and the metallic sound -clean- of the drum kit. I even cranked some Kiss the other day.. Sounded fine in my small office...
I wanna rock all night
With an F6 all day....
😉
I'll let you know how it goes... in the main system it will meet the P3 and Iron Pre Bal.... and a belt drive with a Keel.
I'll post my impressions here since this is not a "normal" F6 and Jim will get mad at me if I post my "Tony's impressions" without thinking too much about it. Hmm... did I just do that? Oh well....
Great sounding amp, regardless.
( Hmm... did Matsushita ever make an honest to goodness belt drive? My first turntable was a Panasonic after all, in '74. MY dad also had a Quad (SQ-QS-CD4) Panasonic system with a turntable! I don't think they were DD. )...
It turns out, after the pandemic and working from home, that I ended up getting a bunch of that Z gear. I even got three of the mini racks. I got one little set up in current static display -I had that running the Quad 12LS actives. They sound very fine actually. I really ought to get a v3 preamp. I only have the v1 and v2. And the tuners, equalizers, SCAMP ( the power unit ), remotes... I sort of went nuts. We weren't going anywhere... so my money just sat there and I love chasing used stuff at good prices.
I'm not using them. Tony's Audio Museum.
I've thought about getting the Z-DAC, just to complete the collection, but there are much better units for the price. So.. Try the top Nitsch with the Unison USB DAC board.. which is a Schiit on steroids. A fantastic sounding DAC. We've been discussing those in the "inexpensive Chinese DAC" thread... hint... there ain't one..
I got a DIY F5 already. getting ready to build the F5m. ( I'm getting to the point where I question my audio quest... ... ... Naw... )... 😉
Both of my CJ preamps have the teflon cap upgrades... not cheap since they are "CJ" branded and I had the factory do the work. They took about 400 hours to truly break in but they are worth their money in terms of sound. The preamps changed tremendously in sound quality. It was likely the only "High End Snake Oil" that was worth it. The PV9, even though it's 36 years old, sounds extremely competitive with any today... with a full complement of factory sourced Russkie (Svetlana) tubes. The phono preamp in the PV9, with lots of gain and a 100 ohm load, is really good... the P2 and P3 are worthy alternatives... not better mind you, just a lot quieter and more adjustable.
The tubed gear is great for driving F4s, BTW.
I'll give a try swapping amps this weekend just to see how it goes. I had the 252MOSFET -and the 252SIT before its immolations- in there, and they sounded fantastic too. Just that the A2 have beguiling mid range -my back up for the Maggies- and tons of power. Sometimes, well, sometimes I like to crank it up! I think the 252SIT was the best sounding in there so far. The MOSFET was very close. But the A2s are damn good as well.
Anyhow. this particular F6 is beautiful sounding, I think it sounds better than the F5 and it's more dynamic than the F4. What really comes out in the F6 is the palpability of the voices and the metallic sound -clean- of the drum kit. I even cranked some Kiss the other day.. Sounded fine in my small office...
I wanna rock all night
With an F6 all day....
😉
I'll let you know how it goes... in the main system it will meet the P3 and Iron Pre Bal.... and a belt drive with a Keel.
I'll post my impressions here since this is not a "normal" F6 and Jim will get mad at me if I post my "Tony's impressions" without thinking too much about it. Hmm... did I just do that? Oh well....
Great sounding amp, regardless.
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