The Pass Labs First Watt amplifiers are seriously good amps. Simple class A circuits and good execution. However, I believe that execution is just as important as the basic circuit design. So, taking the execution level up to seriously tweak levels will allow you to really hear the beauty of the basic circuit. All parameters of sound can be made better by tweaking these babies. Below is a partial list of things that can be done to the First Watt amps to make them sound better (a lot of these same things can improve any other amp, as well):
1. Remove the indicator LEDs.
2. Remove distorting limiters and thermistors on the incoming AC power.
3. Change the binding posts to WBT nextgens.
4. Change all steel hardware to non magnetic stainless steel or brass hardware.
5. Remove the steel cover and screw from the main power transformer and lift the transformer off the chassis using plywood and use tie wraps or brass hardware and wood to hold down the transformer
6. Better input jacks.
7. Better input and output wiring.
8. Bypassing the power supply rails with modified Wima Polyprop caps.
9. Tightly twist the AC wires to and from the power transformer.
10. Damp various parts including the heatsinks.
11. Use Audiophile fuse.
12. Upgrade resistors and capacitors.
13. etc, to infinity
All the First Watt amps are made using the same parts and execution.....so all mods can be done to all the various amps. If you think your Sit 3 or J2 sounds good stock......well once modded you will be mind blown with all the information you had no idea was in the music......more music, more dynamic, more micro info, more macro info.......more goosebumps.
Of course, modifying the amps will void the warrantee. However, we do nothing to make them less reliable and they are seriously reliable and because the circuits are simple would be simple to fix. We warrantee all the work we do for life! Any work ever needed to the amps would be billed at cost of parts plus $25 per hour labor (dirt cheap).
If interested, please call to discuss. Our mod pricing is modest. 831-600-7102, Pacific Time.
