Pass Labs Aleph Question

Thanks twice, hehe . Im currently useing an x-250 and its a great amp, but im wondering if the two gain stage -single ended design of the aleph series would bring me closer to the music. It seems like the newer Pass amps are trying to bring back some of the design philosophy of the Aleph amps yet one of the reviews on the Pass x-600 claims that " The X-600 handily outclasses the Aleph 1.2's." That statement seems to contradict where Pass is going with their newer designs.

Im sure 600 watts will sound better than 200 watts on inefficient loudspeakers that demand huge power reserves but on efficient systems where all that power is not needed, does the simpler design of the aleph stand out. Im looking for some honest opinions.

Marco, what speakers were you driving with the aleph 5?

I primarily used the Silverline monitors, but tried out the amp with all of the following.

Silverline SR17 monitors (89db)
Boehlendar Graebner (can't recall the model - around 94db)
Klipsch Heresy's (94db)
Klipsch LaScalas (104db)

I did not like it with the horns as I found it too harsh coming from tube amps, so stuck with the Silverlines where it sounded quite good indeed. The issue of the bass and power became very apparent in switching the Aleph 5 off with the very modestly powered Quicksilver Mini-Mites (35W with KT88s) which gave the SR17s what occured to me as a firmer grip throughout the range, including bass to write home about coming from those small monitors.

Marco

I had a pair of Aleph 2's and found that they were wonderful, in bring you closrer to the music, as you put it. The Mid's are wonderful, High's to die for, they were matched prefectly with a pair of speakers custom made from Celestial Audio in Phx. But in my Exp. of you want Low end, and you have ineffienct speakers. The X series 350 may give you the punch your looking for. or the .5 would give you punch and the aleph close to the music.

I have Aleph 2s driving Vandy 5As. The 2s were driving SC IVAs before that and did a very job of it. The 2/IVA combo was set up in two rooms. The first one was 14x16x8.5 feet. This setup, on a short wall, (with Wadia 860 direct) was really good, bass measured to the 25 HZ area and was fairly flat.. The IVAs replaced Thiel 3.6s and are a better speaker IMO.

Later the same combo was part of a full HT setup in a 17x27x10 room on a short wall. With more room, the SC IVa were excellent in many areasr and had a small sweet spot. BUT, I never got flat bass. Later I added a REL Stentor III sub. I moved things all over and there were always holes. The kind I just could not get around. Fantastic HT speaker BTW using the processor Xover with sub.

In short if the SC4As work in your room, the Aleph 2s are excellent with the Dunlavys IMO.

I heard that Dunlavy had Pass amps (forget which ones) in house during product development.

I am looking to replace the Aleph 2s but it will cost me big bucks.

TD