Matching preamp for Pass Labs Aleph 5

Getting in late here, but I use an Audio Research LS-15 run balanced into my Aleph 5. Each of these products can be had for around $1500 on Audiogon, so they also make a nice pair from a price consideration.I auditioned this combo directly against Adcom 750 and it was not close - the ARC was much better - the tubes seem to add some air and bloom to the sound. The audition took place with vandersteen 5's. I own Silverline Sonatas and find this set up to be extremely satisfying - superb soundstaging, natural tonal balance. I can afford more but have not been seriously tempted because I really enjoy the particular synergy of this system.

I do'nt use the Aleph 5, but 3, how different can they be?
I believe in combining valve pre with SS power amp. I have recently aquired a Conrad Johnson Premier 17LS (off the Audiogon adds of course) and the combination is wonderful, detailed but not harsh, a great soundstage. The music seemed to rise 3 feet higher with the CJ. It seems to suit all genres of music too. It may seem overkill to use a $4500 pre on a $2000 power, but I think the pre is the most difficult and expensive component to get right.
As an aside, the CJ costs $8100 in the UK, no wonder European enthusiasts try to buy US kit direct from the states. The nearly new 17 cost $2700

I had (still have in reserve) an Aleph 5 that I used primarily with an Aleph P (remote version), but tried other combinations as well. In summary, stick to balanced, and go with an Aleph P (good luck finding one since they are being vaccumed up into the Far East market), or an X-1 or X-2. Single-ended tubed preamps come off sounding too dark and opague. THe Pass preamps seem to get the most from the A-5's modest power output. What you really need is a pair of good speakers and then start building around those.

I had a pair of the Talon Raven C speakers that were magical with the Aleph P/Aleph 5 combo. I'm still sorry I let that combination slip away; but I did because I had an anxious buyer for my Aleph P (check already in hand)that I was selling because I thought it to be the culpit producing some upper midrange hardness. Turned out it was the speakers needing further break in. Once they snapped in it was glorious for the 10 days I had that combination singing in unison. I was unable to locate an Aleph P to replace it, so I upgraded to the X-1, traded the Raven C up to the Firebirds, and bought a Pass X350 to drive them. All sounds very clean, very powerful, very spacious, but it somehow still doesn't have the magic I heard during those 10 days with the old combo. It just sounded supremely musical. Keep your Aleph 5. You should be able to buy a pair of Raven C's for about $4500-5000. Try calling the factory direct if you don't have a local dealer...ask for Mike.

If you are in to DIY, try Dact CT101 (or 2 for balanced output). Aleph is a littte "shy" in the lower octaves and the Dact have a little more punch, in any other freq. is Dact pretty neutral. Have a pal with Martin Logans, Aleph 5 and Dact (NLE in scandianavia). A match in heaven.

Would a McCormack TLC-1 Deluxe match well with a Pass Labs Aleph 5? Has anyone tried this combo before? How did it sound? I like to use the passive outputs from the TLC-1 Deluxe.

Specs from the TLC-1 manual.

Input Impedance: approx. 13 kohm
Buffered output impedance: 250 ohm
Passive output impedance: varies with volume setting, drops as volume increases, 0 at max volume.

Absolute Polarity: non-inverting

I keep thinking about the Aleph 5 everytime I see it out there on A'gon.

Thanks in advance.