Best of High End
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Academy
  • Factory visits
  • First look
  • High End Munich 2025
  • Tech talk
  • News
  • Reports
  • Reviews
Contact us
  • Academy
  • Factory visits
  • First look
  • High End Munich 2025
  • Tech talk
  • News
  • Reports
  • Reviews
No Result
View All Result
Best of High End
No Result
View All Result
Home News

First Watt SIT-5 Power Amplifier

Finn de Kroon by Finn de Kroon
March 15, 2025
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
First-Watt-SIT-5-Power-Amplifier

RELATED POSTS

Fresh ‘n Rebel new CLAM ACE 2 headphones

High End Munich 2025 facts and figures

Linn 360 Speakers New Cabinet, New Drive Units, New Electronics

The First Watt SIT-5 is the latest addition to the prestigious line of amplifiers produced by First Watt, marking its place as the fifth amplifier to utilize a Static Induction Transistor (SIT) as the primary power amplifying device. This innovation builds upon a legacy that began in 2011 with the introduction of the first SIT amplifier, which featured a custom Silicon Carbide (SiC) transistor manufactured by SemiSouth.

The Evolution of SIT Amplifiers

The journey of First Watt’s SIT amplifiers began with the SIT-1, which utilized a single power device operating in a single-ended Class A Common-Source mode. This design delivered 10 watts of power while emulating the warm, rich characteristics of a triode vacuum tube, all without the need for an output transformer. The success of the SIT-1 paved the way for subsequent models, including the SIT-2, which provided similar performance with improved efficiency and dual-channel capabilities within a single chassis.

In 2018, the company introduced the SIT-3, which employed the SIT transistor in a Common-Drain (follower) mode, again without feedback, further refining the audio experience for enthusiasts.

Overcoming Challenges: The Search for SIT Components

The path to the SIT-5 was not without its challenges. Following the bankruptcy of SemiSouth, First Watt faced difficulties in sourcing the unique SIT components that had become integral to their amplifiers. However, fortune smiled upon them when they discovered Tokin, a Japanese company known for producing industrial Silicon SIT parts suitable for audio applications. Despite the devastation of Tokin’s production facility during the Fukushima earthquake and tsunami, First Watt managed to procure these components from existing inventories, allowing them to continue their innovative work.

The newer Tokin SITs not only maintain the triode-like character that audiophiles cherish but also offer significantly higher voltage, current, and power ratings compared to the original SITs.

First-Watt-SIT-5-Power-Amplifier-1

The Unique Characteristics of SIT Devices

SITs are a special variety of JFET invented in Japan during the 1950s. They gained popularity in the 1970s through high-end audio amplifiers produced by Sony and Yamaha, which are still revered today. However, the complex and costly manufacturing processes associated with SITs made them less competitive compared to later bipolar transistors, leading to a decline in their use until recently, when the audio community began to recognize their superior qualities.

One of the standout characteristics of SITs is their ability to closely simulate the anode-current to anode-voltage behavior of triode vacuum tubes. As noted in inventor Nishizawa’s patent abstract, the drain-current to drain-voltage characteristic of SITs mirrors that of triodes, allowing for operation on Class A load lines. This results in a harmonic structure that is rich in second-order harmonics while minimizing higher-order distortion, a quality that many audiophiles find desirable.

The Resurgence of SIT Technology

Historically, SITs have found applications in fields such as microwave and radar technology, but their foray into the audio realm in the 1970s and 80s was short-lived. After their decline, they remained primarily as industrial components until a recent resurgence led by companies like Digital Do Main in Japan, which developed audio amplifiers based on newer Tokin versions of original Yamaha parts. First Watt also continued its commitment to this technology, utilizing the custom SemiSouth Silicon Carbide SIT in its earlier models and transitioning to the Tokin THF51s for the SIT-4 and SIT-5 amplifiers, which are rated at an impressive 600 volts, 30 amps, and 400 watts in a 10 watt per channel configuration.

Tags: First WattFirst Watt SIT-5Power Amplifier
ShareTweet
Finn de Kroon

Finn de Kroon

I made short movies with my stuffed animals as a kid, since then I knew from a young age I wanted to be a videographer. My parents always said I had a great eye for video/photo, so I made my job out of it. Now I make professional corporate video's. I love to learn all about new gadgets and electronics that come to the market, that's why I write/edit for "Best Of High End".

Related Posts

freshnrebel-new-clam-ace2-headphones
Headphones

Fresh ‘n Rebel new CLAM ACE 2 headphones

May 28, 2025
high-end-munich-facts-and-figures
Events

High End Munich 2025 facts and figures

May 28, 2025
Linn-360-Speakers-New-Cabinet,-New-Drive-Units,-New-Electronics
News

Linn 360 Speakers New Cabinet, New Drive Units, New Electronics

May 27, 2025
CH-Precision-D10-Reference-Transport-Optical-Disc-Playback
News

CH Precision D10 Reference Transport Optical Disc Playback

May 27, 2025
Bang&Olufsen-Beogram-3000C-Turntable
News

Bang&Olufsen Beogram 3000C Turntable

May 27, 2025
Ascendo-Talks-to-Elephants
News

Ascendo Talks to Elephants

May 27, 2025
Next Post
Samsung-Announces-Partnership-With-Vu-Technologies

Samsung Announces Partnership With Vu Technologies

The-Gold-Note-HP-10-Headphone-Amplifier-40

GOLD NOTE HP-10 DELUXE HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

Tag cloud

4K Acoustics amplifiers AV processors AXPONA 2025 Bang & Olufsen Bowers & Wilkins Cables CD player CES 2018 CES 2025 DACs Dali Dan D'Agostino Digital amplifiers Estelon Focal Genelec Gold Note HDR Headphone amplifiers Headphones HIGH END Munich 2025 High End® Integrated amplifiers LG Loudspeakers Lyngdorf Lyngdorf Audio McIntosh OLED Panasonic Power amplifiers Preamplifiers Projectors Samsung Sony Steinway Lyngdorf StormAudio Streaming audio Studio monitors Subwoofers Turntables Vitus Audio Wireless speakers

Silent Angel CEO Eric Huang talks about the Silent Angel Extreme Trio and the Roon stack at their booth at High End Munich 2025.

#SilentAngel #EricHuang #highendmunich2025

0 0
Open
Silent Angel CEO Eric Huang talks about the Silent Angel Extreme Trio and the Roon stack at their booth at High End Munich 2025.
#SilentAngel #EricHuang #highendmunich2025

Rotterdam-based Fresh ‘n Rebel has unveiled the Clam Ace 2, a game-changing upgrade to their popular over-ear headphones.

#freshnrebel #clamace #headphones

0 0
Open
Rotterdam-based Fresh ‘n Rebel has unveiled the Clam Ace 2, a game-changing upgrade to their popular over-ear headphones.
#freshnrebel #clamace #headphones

With a record-breaking turnout of 22,818 visitors from 92 countries, 501 exhibitors from 42 countries, and a vibrant atmosphere, the world’s leading audio show solidified its position as the ultimate rendezvous for audiophiles, industry professionals, and music enthusiasts.

#highendmunich2025

0 0
Open
With a record-breaking turnout of 22,818 visitors from 92 countries, 501 exhibitors from 42 countries, and a vibrant atmosphere, the world’s leading audio show solidified its position as the ultimate rendezvous for audiophiles, industry professionals, and music enthusiasts.
#highendmunich2025

Quantum dots are ultra-fine semiconductor particles that are tens of thousands of times thinner than a human hair. Learn more in this Academy post 🎓

#Samsung #QuantumDot #television

0 0
Open
Quantum dots are ultra-fine semiconductor particles that are tens of thousands of times thinner than a human hair. Learn more in this Academy post 🎓
#Samsung #QuantumDot #television

The D10 sets a new benchmark in optical disc playback, establishing itself as the most advanced transport ever created. Drawing inspiration from the critical insights and proven architecture of the D1.5, the D10 expands upon its predecessor’s foundation to redefine every facet of disc data retrieval. The result is a transport that epitomizes precision, fidelity, and sonic excellence.

#D10 #discplayback #CHPrecision

3 0
Open
The D10 sets a new benchmark in optical disc playback, establishing itself as the most advanced transport ever created. Drawing inspiration from the critical insights and proven architecture of the D1.5, the D10 expands upon its predecessor’s foundation to redefine every facet of disc data retrieval. The result is a transport that epitomizes precision, fidelity, and sonic excellence. 
#D10 #discplayback #CHPrecision

The Bang&Olufsen Beogram 3000 series has long been celebrated as an icon in the world of high-fidelity audio. Now, this legendary turntable from the 1980s has been reimagined and upgraded into the Beosystem 3000c a modern-day Hi-Fi system that seamlessly blends vintage design with cutting-edge technology. Limited to just 100 units worldwide, this exclusive release is a tribute to craftsmanship, history, and innovation.

#bangandolufsen #beogram3000 #turntables

0 0
Open
The Bang&Olufsen Beogram 3000 series has long been celebrated as an icon in the world of high-fidelity audio. Now, this legendary turntable from the 1980s has been reimagined and upgraded into the Beosystem 3000c a modern-day Hi-Fi system that seamlessly blends vintage design with cutting-edge technology. Limited to just 100 units worldwide, this exclusive release is a tribute to craftsmanship, history, and innovation.
#bangandolufsen #beogram3000 #turntables

From May 10 to November 23, 2025, the Biennale Architettura in Venice, Italy, hosts a pioneering exhibition titled “Talking to Elephants.” This innovative installation is a collaboration between ASCENDO Immersive Audio GmbH, a leader in infrasonic subwoofer technology, Marc Sherratt of MSSA (Sustainability Architects), and Franco Schoeman of B1DR Laboratory.

#ascendo #elephant #biennalearchitettura2025

0 0
Open
From May 10 to November 23, 2025, the Biennale Architettura in Venice, Italy, hosts a pioneering exhibition titled “Talking to Elephants.” This innovative installation is a collaboration between ASCENDO Immersive Audio GmbH, a leader in infrasonic subwoofer technology, Marc Sherratt of MSSA (Sustainability Architects), and Franco Schoeman of B1DR Laboratory.
#ascendo #elephant #biennalearchitettura2025

Best Of High End I Linn 360 Speakers #technology #sound #linn #speakers

1 0
Open
Best Of High End I Linn 360 Speakers #technology #sound #linn #speakers

Acoustical System CTO Dietrich Brakemeier takes us on a tour in his room, introducing a lot of new products under which a new compact turntable and a full-system rack.

#acousticalsystem #dietrichbrakemeier #highendmunich2025

6 0
Open
Acoustical System CTO Dietrich Brakemeier takes us on a tour in his room, introducing a lot of new products under which a new compact turntable and a full-system rack.
#acousticalsystem #dietrichbrakemeier #highendmunich2025
  • About us
  • Advertising
  • Contact
  • Terms and Conditions

© 2025 Best Of High End - by NOKYTECH

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Academy
  • Factory visits
  • First look
  • High End Munich 2025
  • Tech talk
  • News
  • Reports
  • Reviews

© 2025 Best Of High End - by NOKYTECH

This website uses cookies. If you continue to use this website you give permission to use cookies as described in our Terms and Conditions.ACCEPTTERMS AND CONDITIONS