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
April 4, 2025
Bowers and Wilkins
The New Pi8 McLaren Edition
We’re proud to announce the all-new Pi8 McLaren Edition True Wireless earbuds. Crafted in partnership with McLaren, the Pi8 McLaren Edition combines the unrivalled performance of our flagship True Wireless earbuds with iconic McLaren-inspired design.
Read more
December 14, 2024
Grimm Audio
PW1 Phono Preamplifier
This is a story about the first phono preamp of Grimm Audio, the PW1. I have designed quite a few phono preamps in my time, between 10 and 20 I guess, and using all types of technology: transistors, fets and tubes. I also analyzed and modified three or four times that number of commercial phonos for friends and clients.
Read more
December 14, 2021
MSB Technology
The M205 Mono Amplifier
After the resounding success of the S202 Stereo Amplifier, there were many requests for an improved mono amplifier in the same compact chassis. The M205 refines the S202’s already incredible performance with an upgraded input stage and a doubling of the power supply transformers and capacitors. The result is a spectacular increase in sound quality with increased sound-stage definition, vocal realism, and instrument solidity available from the very first notes.
Read more
FOLLOW US