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Passlabs Aleph 1.2 with CJ Tube 17LS/16LS Preamp

I am considering buying Aleph 1.2s to marry with a cj tube pre, the 17LS or the 16LS. The only problem I can see is that the unbal RCA input impedance of the Aleph 1.2s is approx 10Kohms and the output impedance of the 17LS or the 16LS is somewhat of the high side, i.e. approx close to 1kohms.

Does anyone have suggestions how the two of them would sound together? esp with this impedance mis-match problem

Also, any opinions of the Aleph 1.2s with B&W 801s / 802s.
arupg
john_l
782 posts
 
I've tried the kimber 1120 i/c's and they worked just fine.

My favorites, of course, are the nordost Red Dawn and SPM. Their inherent quickness and transparency really bring out the pass labs speed. The acoustic zen is a very good speaker cable too. It's not as fast nor as transparant as the nordost SPM cable, but is very smooth and excellent overall. If you are staying with the cj preamp, you should give this cable a try.

Because of their speed and transparency, the alephs seem to benefit from big dolla cables more than most.
rayhall
393 posts
 
My feeling is that all the Nordost interconnects and speaker cables, even Nordost SPM, roll off the deep bass. If you can, set up an audition between SPM and Kimber 4TC which definitely doesn't roll off the deep bass. Nordost SPM has a gorgeous bloomy upper midrange and high end, but I think you will find that it it at the expense of the lowest notes of the pipe organ, jazz bass, piano etc.
rayhall
393 posts
 
Arupg,

CAT output impedance is 100 ohms.
arupg OP
42 posts
 
Rayhall,
Since your CAT is 100 ohms looking into the low input imp of the Alephs, there should be no imp mismatches here. I've auditioned Nordost line of ICs and do find them a little clinical with certain types of music. I keep returning back to the cardas and find they have "soul" in them. Its just a feeling.
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