Pass Aleph 1.2s.... Anyone familiar

My speakers are Talon Peregrine Xs. They usually present a light load to the amplifier. They are rated at 90.5 db/watt but i hear they really have an effeciency of over 94 db. I dont know how damped my speakers are?

I think in the end i would probably end up buying an Aleph P preamp, but woud the amps low input impedence make using a passive preamp presently a real problem? Just curious... Thanks

I owned the Aleph 1.2's for a short period. They are fantastic and I have also heard the Levinson 33H. I say IMHO forget the 33H, it is not nearly as musical or emotionally invoving as the Aleph. Actually I'll be honest, after hearing nearly the Levinson ref sys (have not heard the 33 monos) I find it all just terribly bad sounding. I just got a 31.5 which I think is perhaps the worst sounding transport I have ever had in my home... Oh, yeah back to you :) I also owned the Talon Audio Khourus at the time I had the Aleph 1.2. I did not think there was a synergy there. The 1.2 did not seem to have the intestinal fortitude if you will to drive that speaker correctly. This came across as a closed in sound with less than stellar dynamics. I hear great things concerning the Talon gear and either the Pass Labs X350 or X600 monos.

Holiday Wishes,

Mike M

I have Aleph 2 monos (100/200 8/4) driven by a P, and find it thoroughly effortless with an 88dB/1w speaker with a 4 ohm woofer quite flat to 30Hz in room.

The lowish imput impedence DOES preclude passive use, IMO.
Using a P also allows running balanced with longish ICs at no sacrifice. The combination, even with my unshielded Red Dawn (Alephs LOVE Nordost) ICs the setup is DEAD quiet. Phew!

Can't imagine the 1.2 wouldn't drive your speakers handsomely....

Also, the P drives my Sennheiser 600 well right off the RCAs.

I am not trying to be a smarty pants by saying this, but... I understand Subaruguru's point of "Can't imagine the 1.2 wouldn't drive your speakers handsomely....", however, I owned the 1.2 and the Khourus thus I do not have to imagine, it is not a good combination for the reason I stated in the prior post.

Best regards,

Mike M

Mikeam, certainly your empiricism is compelling...wonder if there's something unusually cruel about that speaker's impedence curve?