Amp opinions- ATI-B&K-Pass Labs

Abecollins:
I am trying to suggest components that are not an enormous step pricewise from what is already present in the system. I agree with stereophile giving the gfp-750 a class A rating. I had it at the same time I owned the ARC Ref 1 and the Pass labs Aleph P. It was considerably more transparent than the ref1 & almost as transparent as the aleph P. While I think the Aleph P and ref 1 do sound a little better, they were all in the same general category. Personally I think they are one of the best bargains in high end audio.

Sayas:
I don't think the alephs are slow at all. They are about the FASTEST amps I've ever heard (spectral is possibly a little faster). I've used mine with audio physic tempos, virgos and avanti's (all fast speakers). Usually with nordost cabling. I've also used them with magnepans, spica's and vandersteens. Did you hear them with big speakers ? I know that the aleph 2's did make my vandersteen 3's sound a little less authoratative in the bass - I could understand from that perspective. They cannot control a large speaker that well.

I do agree that they are about the only solid state amp out there that sounds as smooth as a tube amp (an ultra pure one). A tube amp still has a little more magic and life to it.

All the above is mean't in good tone. Don't mean to be ornery, just my opinion.

I agree with the posts above. I have auditioned the x-1, x-2, x-150, x-250 with my Thiel 2.3's. I own the x-1,x150 are a perfect match. I believe that 60% of the sound is from the pre-amp. I'm saving for the x-250. I concur with the TAS review on the x-250; you get the best of both worlds tubelike performance with the power of SS.

best of luck

I own the Beethovens and have EAD epquipment running them in my home theater. You said this is for 2 channel. First thing I would do is look at the speaker cable,any type of monster product is going to cut you short on performance. Have you called Sumiko in California. If I am not mistaken the use Plinius amps.
Good luck
Tim
flemke@megsinet.net

I use the Aleph P through Nordost Red Dawn to Aleph 2 monos through Red Dawn. This amp system is quite fast, detailed, ULTRA-quiet, and linear. I too checked out the GFP750, and despite cousin Wes's review in S'phile, I was so put off by Adcom's poor customer service and the knowledge that Nelson simply sold them a design that I chose to buy a used P for $1800 instead of a new 750 for $1200. Nicest remote in the world, too!
The Akeph 2s pack 200w/ch into 4 ohms, so I don't experience the anemic bass some ascribe to the smaller Alephs. Far from it, as they power those incredible woofers in my Parsifal Encores to prodigious orchestral groundswells.
Alephs will also run in a dead short, and supposedly are indestructible. I would think that a used P and maybe an Aleph 5 stereo could be had for under $4k; $5-5500 with monos. I can't imagine I'll ever up(?)grade.
Some have criticised the P as being uninvolving. My experience is that it is simply extremely quiet, dynamic, and especially LINEAR. So if you need to "flavor" your system with a tubed pre, etc., then a P is not a good choice.
The P is SO revealing due to vanishing noisefloor and one-stage amplification that cable changes upstream are easily heard, as well digital artifacts that some creamier preamps can mitigate. Now that I'm running an ultraclean, resolving
front end (EC EMC-1) I no longer can fault my system for being ruthless up top. A much higher percentage of recordings sound great!
To capsulize, the Aleph combo will reveal the transducers' virtues and foibles at the ends of the chain quite clearly.
You probably love your speakers. The Alephs can do no harm there. I would then concentrate on a front end complement that is complimentary (oy!).
And then fine tune with cables. Just my experience, but it worked well.
Good Luck.

Hello Gelba4,
I would tend to agree w/Flemke. I own the Plinius SA-250 mkiv and this amp is awsome. But, in your case, I would recommend McCormack. I've heard both the DNA-125 and the '225 and both are excellent sounding amps. The '125 is cool and clean w/ very good detail and the '225 is the same w/a little more depth and more brute power. I beleive, IMHO, either of these amps would be a wonderful addition to your system. I've also heard that they are as smooth as tube amps. I cannot comment on this though, I've never listened to a tube amp. Now, if you wanted to step up the money some, plinius, again IMHO, is the best amp.