Aleph2 or Zen4??

[porfi4ever]

Can anyone tell me if there is a big different between this two Amp?

[blank527]

Hi,

Zen4 is cheaper to build. (components)
Aleph 2 is 100 watts output.
Zen4 is less (60 I thought) (don't know much about zen4)
Certainly I think aleph 2 sounds better.
I'm currently building an Aleph 60 (don't know why this isn't an popular project)
Maybe the hype is 100Watts..instead of 60.

Grtz,
Remco Blankesteijn

[Panelhead]

Depends on your building abilities and needs. The two amps are very different in topology and design criteria.
The Zen series amps are designed as single gain stage designs. There are many limitations arising from this. Number one in my mind is the need for a very large output coupling cap. The output is floating at half of the B+ and the audio signal is superimposed on this. There is no other way with simple circuitry and a single rail power supply single ended amp. Also the speakers need to be fairly easy loads.
The Aleph uses dual rails and push pull topology. It also can drive difficult speaker loads well.
One big advantage of the Zen V4 is the boards and chips being available from PassDIY.
Also I think the power available from the Zen V4 is closer to 25 - 30 watts vs the 100 of the Aleph 2.
Depends on your needs. NP stated the Zen V4 is comparable to the Aleph 3. I took this as gospel and am finishing a Zen V4 now!

George

[stefanobilliani]

Originally posted by Panelhead
The Aleph uses dual rails and push pull topology. George

NO . The Aleph is Class A SE.

[stefanobilliani]

An accurate explanation for the Aleph amp current source on this thread by Grey Rollins

[Panelhead]

Thanks for setting my misinformed post straight. I am slightly aware of how the Aleph circuit works, and it is single ended Class A.
My two dimensional brain sees dual rails and the ability to accept balanced input and thinks push pull topology. But this a four dimensional universe.
If the Zen V4 makes me put my 6080 OTL amp and 300B SET in the closet, I am going to either buy one of the cheap Aleph 30's on the net or try my hand at building something close.
Seeing the 30's for sale new for 1400.00 or so makes building one look less attractive. I have about 400.00 or so in parts so far for the Zen. I suspect a 30 would run close to double with all the heatsinks, transformers, and case. An extra 600.00 to get one that works right out of the box, plus a warrenty is sounding cheap.


George

[porfi4ever]

Blank527:Thanks for your reply, right now I'm building a Zen4, it was very usefull. PanelHead:Thanks for yours too, but I don't have building abilities, only needs. Right now I'm building s Zen v4(newbie) just only because saw everybody talking wonderful about this marvelous amp. and also because I red an article, where "The One And Only" says it sound like Aleph3(but also I think is easy to build).Can you tell where I can get good heatsinks(black) or whatever is good for Zen v4 and another thing that is confusing me is the power supply cap, I have 2x25000uf for stereo setup and if you think there is an advantage to build monoblocks.Finally and sorry to bother you with all these questions :can you tell me what is balanced or bridge amp. thanks in advance.

[Mark A. Gulbrandsen]

"I'm currently building an Aleph 60 (don't know why this isn't an popular project)"
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I think you'll find that the 2 is more popular because it is the most neutral sounding amp of the Aleph bunch. The 100 watt P.O. is also more appealing to most people and the difficulty in building the 2 over the 3 or 5 is only a matter of a bit more expense for larger power supply and more output devices.
I think my next project will be the mini Aleph built to integrate into a home made Ghetto Blaster system.

I have not built any of the ZEN circuits but I did build a pair of Class A Power Followers with 35 watt output. The Alephs blow them away! Clarity is about 10 fold better too.
Mark