Auditioning the NiWatts

NiWatts in a "Proper" System (click to enlarge)

The future owner of NiWatt s/n #003 and 004 wanted to audition coupling caps, and we brought our pre-production prototypes to his place to carry this experiment out in his system.

There were several viable candidates, but the winner came from (surprise) Jupiter Condenser.

The specific model has no relevance to you, but know that we'll work to tailor your selection to your taste and your system. 

Flexibility and Tuning

Throughout the NiWatt's development, we employed a subtle tuning element.  The temptation was to transformer couple the input to the driver stage.

We retained choke loading however, which allows us to use a high quality capacitor to couple it to the driver stage.

The driver stage is transformer coupled to the 300B output with the magnificent Monolith Interstage Transformers (all of the critical iron is from Monolith).  

The NiWatts are so sensitive to component changes that a 2" length of wire makes a difference.  A single, high quality capacitor provides all the system tuning you'll ever require, without adding excess components and parts complexity.

Think of this single capacitor the way you would if you were to change from a Koetsu cartridge to one from Murasakino, My Sonic Lab, etc. in your vinyl rig.

We'll work with you to select the right coupling capacitor for you (ignore the parts values in the stock component photos, below).

Related Posts

NiWatt Amplifier Build – Part 3

(click to enlarge)This is part 3 of our NiWatt build log (installment #2 is here).  We’re nearing the finish line with about 3 hours’ work remaining for each amplifier. The observant reader will note that this is a photo of the right ampifier (note the binding post and output transformer location on the left side of

Read More

NiWatt Amplifier Build – Part 2

NiWatt Build in Progress (click to enlarge)Part 2 of our NiWatt build log (installment #1 is here).  At this point, in the build, about 7 hours’ work remains for each amplifier.   Shown here are the glass/fiber epoxy boards after “staking” the turrets: 3 boards for each amplifier.   Preparing boards to the point shown here

Read More

A Pass Labs XA-25 Demo With Rockport Speakers

(click to enlarge)We just demo’d a Pass Labs XA-25 amplifier at a customer’s house. The amplifier showed its pedigree, with all of the clarity, delicacy and nuance you’d expect from a Pass Labs design. At the same time, the Rockport speakers showed how power hungry they are. While the amps never sounded stressed (up to sane, but loud

Read More

Thom


Your Signature

Never miss a good story!

 Subscribe to our newsletter to receive a sample setup report we created for a customer.

Subscribers also receive discounts on all accessories, including Audiodesk, Feickert and AnalogMagik. 


This report is in 3 sections:  


Documentation of the customers's setup and QC

30 pages packed with general setup information - tricks you may not have seen before
An appendix with a guide to tools and other setup tips, including how build your own azimuth gauge


Click the photo below, to subscribe.

Click for Free Setup Report