First Watt SIT-4 First Watt, October 24, 2023

The SIT-4 is the First Watt power amplifier using the industrial grade Static Induction Transistors. It is preceded by the ground breaking SIT-1, 2, and 3 and follows their technical philosophy and construction.

An important difference in the SIT-4 is the SIT device itself. The previous three designs used Silicon Carbide to make a custom vertical power Jfet with a low impedance Drain whose character nicely emulated a power Triode tube, but directly operating at the current and voltage that would drive loudspeakers without the requirement for an output transformer. SITs lend themselves to high quality audio performance with very simple Class A circuits with little or no dependence on other active circuit elements or negative feedback. The Common Source mode SIT-1 could do the job surrounded by only passive elements, and the SIT-2 required only bias from a current source. The SIT-3 upped the game with Common Drain design biased by a novel Pass circuit, MUFF (Mu Follower/Follower). The SIT-4 follows in the Common Source footsteps but ups the game with an industrial SIT. The SIT-1/2/3 gain transistors were rated at a few amps and about 50 watts dissipation. This amplifier uses a Tokin THF51s rated at 600 volts, 30 amps and 400 watts. As a practical matter, the limitations of the SIT-4 circuit are the size of the heat sinks. And this big Jfet manages a bandwidth of 50 megaHertz… The circuit of the SIT-4 is simple. Q1 is a new-old-stock Toshiba 2SK170 which drives the Gate of the Q2 SIT, whose output is biased by a mu-follower current source Q3.

Press Release Documents

Website Address

https://www.firstwatt.com/
More Press Releases
September 19, 2024
Luxman
DA-07X Giving new life to digital sources A new command center, opening up your listening experience to the future
As high-resolution music distribution and high-quality audio streaming services become more commonplace, LUXMAN unveils our new USB equipped D/A converter, the DA-07X, fully compatible with today’s diversifying digital music ecosystem. In order to competently handle current digital sources, LUXMAN has combined cutting-edge digital circuitry with our advanced analog audio technology know how. The DA-07X is a core component that breathes musicality and new life into digital audio reproduction and
Read more
May 21, 2026
Raidho
The new Raidho X1.6 Reference — a significant evolution of the highly acclaimed X1.6
Handbuilt in Denmark, the X1.6 Reference combines Raidho’s in-house ribbon tweeter and 6.5” ceramic/aluminium driver. Improvements over the standard X1.6 are a fully handbuilt crossover featuring Mundorf components and Nordost Valhalla technology cabling. A rear-mounted passive radiator gives this compact loudspeaker a level of bass authority and musical scale that reaches far beyond its size and class.
Read more
January 22, 2026
Meze Audio
Introducing STRADA - premium closed-back dynamic headphones
Meet the STRADA - a pair of closed-back dynamic headphones crafted for tonal balance and musical intimacy. With its full-bodied sound, excellent noise isolation, and natural sense of space, the STRADA delivers a harmonious acoustic experience where detail, texture, and dynamics come through with effortless precision.
Read more
FOLLOW US