Considering a First Watt F-4

My pre-amp has 20 db of gain. How much output voltage are you talking about?
What pre amps would have enough gain and output voltage to make an F-4 sound good?
I know about Marks offer at Reno Hi Fi, How ever I would like to here more about the amp from all the experts in this audience before I take the plunge and get one.

I would go all the way and ask Nelson Pass himself all of your questions! His email is right there on the FW site.

You'll need about +/-20Vpk drive, or 14Vrms to get full power.

http://www.firstwatt.com/pdf/prod_f4_man.pdf

Francis

I love mine. Ths is the best, and most flexible, First Watt amp I've had--to include the F3, F4, F5, J2, and an Aleph J clone. A hint of warmth and great clarity without becoming brittle.

The often unmentioned thing about this amp is the size of the soundstage. Surprising for a ss amp.

I would not recommend using it with speakers under 90db. If you do, you wll need two for a monoblock configuration. Interestngly, that sound is just a little warmer and more tubelike.

If you have a statement or near statement preamp, tthe F4 is an HUGE sleeper.

Lee

The often unmentioned thing about this amp is the size of the soundstage. Surprising for a ss amp.

Could you be more specific, Writer2? Is the F4's soundstage truly large in all three dimensions? And does it actually extend beyond the width of the speakers, and even behind them? Even the J2 couldn't do that, said Larry, at least not compared to his parallel fed SET amp
http://https//forum.audiogon.com/discussions/first-watt-to-pass-labs
With your really great recordings how precisely are images rendered by  the F4? Do vocals and instrumentals each seem to be oriented in a defined space? Lastly, how is the F4 when playing orchestral recordings? Do you hear any distortion towards the louder and/or more complex parts? If the sound does then get a bit harsh or distorted, does it get less so if complex and/or orchestral material doesn't have a lot of deep bass? Or if you happen to be using a pair of powered subs that take over from the F4 at around 70Hz?