While I've long used Class AB amps, I have a stock First Watt F4 amp that I may want to use for driving my forthcoming ~ 94db speakers. But aside from the F4 needing a line stage of ~ 5 volts to drive it, I wondered if there are current commercially available and/or DIY V-FET amps which may sound better-and also perhaps more like the best 300B or GM70 tube amps.
I've read how many DIYers lament the discontinuation of Yamaha and/or Sony V-FET semiconductors. But if those currently produced V-FETs do, in fact, sound as good as the SemiSouth or other esteemed unobtainium of days passed, which are among the best DIY AND commercial amps that use them?
I've read how many DIYers lament the discontinuation of Yamaha and/or Sony V-FET semiconductors. But if those currently produced V-FETs do, in fact, sound as good as the SemiSouth or other esteemed unobtainium of days passed, which are among the best DIY AND commercial amps that use them?
AFAIK the best sounding V-FET semiconductors are OOP, while NOS is almost nonexistent. Hopefully, I'm wrong.
https://www.stereophile.com/content/first-watt-sit-3-power-amplifier-page-2
https://www.stereophile.com/content/first-watt-sit-3-power-amplifier-page-2
I think the question is what "currently produced V-FETs" are you referring to?
I believe your best luck if you want them badly enough is harvesting from an old Sony or Yamaha amp.
Also, afaik, the F4 is as close as it gets to straight wire with current gain. My experience has been it will take on whatever sonic flavor you put in front of it. As Nelson's manual describes in Section 3, put a 2A3 or 300B amp in front of it and it'll sound like one. https://www.firstwatt.com/pdf/prod_f4_man.pdf
I believe your best luck if you want them badly enough is harvesting from an old Sony or Yamaha amp.
Also, afaik, the F4 is as close as it gets to straight wire with current gain. My experience has been it will take on whatever sonic flavor you put in front of it. As Nelson's manual describes in Section 3, put a 2A3 or 300B amp in front of it and it'll sound like one. https://www.firstwatt.com/pdf/prod_f4_man.pdf
Yes, I well remember that. But any 300B SET will easily have ample power to drive my speakers. So then what need for the F4? So the question is what line stage by itself would sound most like a 300B amp, albeit with only ~ 1 wpc output? Presumably, that's a question best answered by the tube section of this forum?
Have you looked at a 300B preamp like Manley Labs offers? https://www.manley.com/hifi/neo3br
And, yes, might get a stronger response in the tube section.
And, yes, might get a stronger response in the tube section.
Almost twice what I'd want to spend on a line stage. https://upscaleaudio.com/products/manley-neo-classic-300b-preamplifier
I'll have to try my luck over at the tube section. Thanks.
I'll have to try my luck over at the tube section. Thanks.
As soon as I have my paper ready & published, triode outputs with common semi's (and a few resistors) are possible again.
Paper is now at 75% (J-fet, BJT, not: mos), publishers are hard to find, demand 'smart' topic's only...
Patience.
Paper is now at 75% (J-fet, BJT, not: mos), publishers are hard to find, demand 'smart' topic's only...
Patience.
Schade feedback and making triodes out of SS devices is a favorite topic here. I put together a preamp to drive the F4 with a sound comparable to a DHT preamp. In fact, one of my goals was to stop searching for unobtainium devices, such as tubes from the 20s and 30s. It turned out pretty well.
Using the F4 with a tube or triodish preamp is an excellent way to get great sound. After VFETs, it is my favorite amp.
Using the F4 with a tube or triodish preamp is an excellent way to get great sound. After VFETs, it is my favorite amp.
I think I posted in the wrong thread. Sorry. There are three threads with similar topics by member oltos.
Nah. You can get them here: https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...tested-with-curve-tracer-and-vgs-data.384300/
