Pass Aleph P versions

Danielk141,
if I got it right, I guess you got an X1 after the Aleph P: how do they compare ?
Moreover, do you know the 'sonic' differences between your Aleph 1.7P and the "first generation" Aleph P ? Which versione is the one to search for ?

Daniele g,

I went from an Adcom GFP750 to the Aleph P.
The Aleph P was slighty better overall, and had a much better motorized volume control.
Then I moved on to an X1 with the full size power supply.
After a couple years I tried the XP-10, and now I have the XP-20.
If your price point is around $1500.00, I'd look for a Primare Pre 30 (fully balanced with a nice digital display volume control) - I have one in my second system. You can find these used for $1,000.00 - $1300.00.

To Danielk141,
i was under the impression that the Aleph-P was a very good preamp with Class-A circuitry honed down to as few parts as necessary. it compared favorably with a passive attenuator in a Stereophile comparison. No doubt Pass has improved their pre's even more over the years, but i have a friend with a very good system using the original Aleph-P and it sounds "real" to my ears.

Daniele g,

The Aleph is very simple & sounds clean. The differences I noticed when I went to the X1 were a bigger soundstage & noticeably better bass.
This is to be expected, since the X1 I had with the full sized power supply contained a circuit board populated with capacitors.
When you compare an X1 to the Aleph, you must decide if the price difference (or savings by getting the Aleph) is justified.

I once owned a late version Aleph P. It certainly was good but it was somewhat lacking in dynamics. Maybe that's the same comment as above about the bass. Ultimately I only kept it maybe a year and then sold it. I found the gain controls of limited value and occasionally I found I had to unplug it then plug it in again to get the volume control to work.

I continue to use and greatly enjoy an Aleph Ono, which I have owned for well over a decade.