chrysalis

It looks like Red Wine Audio will launch SLA power-supply for non-RWA products soon. http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=pt92o22fvq9j7mmo64ik5a2ssglcuci3&topic=72215.0

I used "pro grade" db25 to xlr (8 channel) from Sweetwater (about $125) to First Watt J2 that feeds DeVore Super8's. And I used a pair of xlr connectors to connect to headphone amp. I think using 8 channel version gives me more options. As far as sound quality goes, it is already fantastic and I don't think I would get dramatic improvement in sound quality with "audiophile" grade cable that's many times more expensive. Ken

I can use the Apple IR remote to control the volumn on Amarra Model 4 so I assume that there is an IR sensor on the front panel but I never found the reference to IR sensor on their ULN-8 spec. Ken

Sorry about hijacking the thread (which forum can I post impressions/evaluation?) but I wanted to give an update on the J2. I received my FirstWatt J2 today and I immediately hooked it up to Amarra Model 4 and DeVore Super8's. Without any burn-in, I played my familiar demo songs. Compared to FirstWatt F1 and Red Wine Audio Signature 30, one thing I noticed right away was that I can locate sound sources more easily. Instruments and singer(s) seem to occupy less space than what I used to hear. This is not to say that sound stage got smaller; it's actually the opposite. Sound stage seems wider because each sound source is much more focused. Another thing I noticed was that sound has more depth. In my small den I sit 8' away from the speakers and with the J2, it seems like I gained 3' of depth than before. In my first post, I said Sig 30 and F1 give me "I am there" sound but after a quick listen to J2, I am happy to retract that statement. I plan on having long listening sessions this weekend. Ken

Thank you Clay. I will be getting serial number 707 today. Ken

This is my first post on this forum. I upgraded from using Logitech Transporter to Amarra Model 4. I used Red Wine Audio Signature 30 and FirstWatt F1 as my amps and DeVore Super8 in my small den. FirstWatt F1 is not well matched for the Super8 but still, it is a very accurate amp -- much more revealing than Signature 30. I am expecting delivery of FirstWatt J2 today and it should match my Super8 well. A day after listening to Amarra Model 4 (rebadged ULN-8 with possibly some firmware changes), I didn't bother with comparison against the Transporter since the difference was apparent to me. I played dozens of 24/192, 24/96, 24/176 downloads and regular 16/44 aiff files using Amarra on my MacMini (64G SSD with 500G Seagate Freeagent Go external as my music disk) and I am very happy with "I am there" sound. Of course, bad recordings still suck, but great recordings even at 16/44 sounds fantastic. Ken