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 21, 2023
Sennheiser
The Sennheiser brand opens Audiophile Experience Center in Tullamore, Ireland
On September 27th, the brand will open the doors to its inner sanctum for the first time, offering guided tours through the state-of-the-art facility that is home to many audiophile staples including the prestigious HE 1. ​
Read more
November 12, 2025
Marshall
Meet a brand-new Marshall colour
Introducing the newest colour in the Marshall palette. Burgundy is rich, resonant, and exists to inspire creativity.
Read more
September 1, 2025
Monitor Audio
Introducing the Creator Series Mount Boxes
Monitor Audio’s new Creator Series Mount Boxes make it easy to surface mount any Creator Series In-Ceiling or In-Wall speaker, delivering high-fidelity sound in spaces where fully integrated installation isn’t possible.
Read more
FOLLOW US