Nelson Pass’ First Watt Introduces New SIT-3 Stereo Power Amplifier

2018 AXPONA, April 13, 2018 — The successor to First Watt’s legendary SIT-1 and SIT-2 amplifiers is now going into production.  Like them, the new SIT-3 uses a Static Induction Transistor (AKA VFET) in the power stage of a simple no-feedback amplifier.  This SIT was uniquely fabricated from Silicon Carbide with the character of a tube Triode – acting more like a voltage-controlled resistor than a current source.  This character gives it a much more desired audio quality, and is different from ordinary Fets whose character is more like a tube Pentode.  One benefit is that the SIT operates at voltages and currents much more convenient for driving today’s loudspeaker impedances.

Unfortunately, there was only one production run of this transistor, commissioned by First Watt and made by SemiSouth, unfortunately now defunct.  Most of the SIT parts were used in the first two amplifier models, but nearly half were held for service and also this new design.

There is a major difference – the SIT-1 and 2 operated the SIT device in Common Source Mode, which delivers both voltage and current gain.  The SIT-3 operates in Common Drain Mode, which delivers only current gain – it is a follower.

It is additionally unique because it operates in a push-pull topology I named DEF – the Depletion type N channel SIT is mated with an Enhancement type P channel Mosfet to form a self-biasing Class A power follower.  Apart from the simplicity, this has an advantage in reduced/eliminated degeneration and high thermal stability with a Triode character.

This follower stage does not provide voltage gain, so the SIT-3 uses a high quality auto-former to boost the preamp voltage by 11 dB, buffered by push-pull Jfet followers to give an input impedance of 200 Kohms.

Here is the simplified schematic showing the topology of the SIT-3:

Unfortunately, there was only one production run of this transistor, commissioned by First Watt and made by SemiSouth, unfortunately now defunct.  Most of the SIT parts were used in the first two amplifier models, but nearly half were held for service and also this new design.

There is a major difference – the SIT-1 and 2 operated the SIT device in Common Source Mode, which delivers both voltage and current gain.  The SIT-3 operates in Common Drain Mode, which delivers only current gain – it is a follower.

It is additionally unique because it operates in a push-pull topology I named DEF – the Depletion type N channel SIT is mated with an Enhancement type P channel Mosfet to form a self-biasing Class A power follower.  Apart from the simplicity, this has an advantage in reduced/eliminated degeneration and high thermal stability with a Triode character.

This follower stage does not provide voltage gain, so the SIT-3 uses a high quality auto-former to boost the preamp voltage by 11 dB, buffered by push-pull Jfet followers to give an input impedance of 200 Kohms.

Here is the simplified schematic showing the topology of the SIT-3:

ere is an example of that 2nd harmonic character seen in blue:

“While a lot of people love them, the SIT-1 and SIT-2 have the kind of distortion figures (deliberately) that the ‘Measurements-are-God’ folks would shake their heads at.  The SIT-3 has 1/5 the distortion, so is more mainstream.”    —Nelson Pass

(The first unit, above, literally “on the kitchen counter”)

The SIT-3 represents a bit of a departure from the SIT-1 and SIT-2.  You could say that the design has moved closure to the mainstream in amplifier offerings in almost every respect, including a lower price tag.

Did I mention that it is a stereo amplifier?

This doesn’t say very much about the sonic performance, which is subjective, but this design beat several other contenders (all of them a lot easier to make) in extensive listening.

The SIT-3 has an organic quality that breathes more depth and life into the music, stopping short of cartoon.  This is one of those all-night, year-after-year pieces.

—Nelson Pass

SIT-3 Specifications

Maximum output                           18 watts @ 8 ohms,

30 watts @ 4 ohms

Input Impedance                            200 Kohms

Gain                                                 11 dB  non-inverting phase

Damping Factor                              30

Frequency Response                     10 – 50 Khz – 3dB

Suggested Retail Price                   $4,000

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