Aleph Amps

[Joules]

Gentelmen - I want to biluld a set of Aleph amps and there seems to be an overwelming amount of info here about the Aleph series amps. I'm looking for a bit of help to narrow my search alittle, in an effort to deside which amp to build. I'm biasing toward the Aleph 2 , but I don't Know anything about the Aleph-X series. My objectives are for ultimate soud quality. Could someone say a few words about the Aleph-X vs Aleph (No.) amps.
Somewhere I managed to find a reference to a statment Mr. Pass made about the subjective quality of his Aleph series amps (an interesting read) but I can't even seem to be able to find that again.

Thanks

[Nelson Pass]

What do you mean by "ultimate sound quality"? That being
probably a subjective description, opinions will vary all over the
map. What amplifiers have you liked before?

[Peter Daniel]

Originally posted by Joules
Somewhere I managed to find a reference to a statment Mr. Pass made about the subjective quality of his Aleph series amps (an interesting read) but I can't even seem to be able to find that again.

Maybe it was here: http://www.passlabs.com/downloads/xa_paper.pdf

The sound of the XA amplifiers is a
quantum leap over the parent’s. They
retain the sweet warmth and lushness
of the Aleph series without the fluffy
colorations. The dynamic contrast is
even better than the X series; transients
leaping from black and back again with no
telegraphing or hangover.
The bass has as much control over the
speaker as the original X amps, but is a
bit more neutral and carries more subtle
nuance. The midrange is a little deeper and
the soundstage wider than the Alephs.
Are the XA’s better than Alephs and X’s in
every respect?
Yes, except for the higher power/current
ratings of the X amps.

[Joules]

Well Hello Mr. Pass
I understand "ultimate sound quality" is very subjective. i wanted to keep my post relitivly simple and to hear other people's opinions of "ultimate soud quality" Relitive to Aleph amps. I Think The quote I'm refering to you said some thing like " of all the Aleph amps the Aleph 2 seemed to be the most nutral" ... I think.

I also understand that " the XA amplifiers is a
quantum leap over the parent’s." However I didn't think Mr. Pass would reliece details of the XA's for us diy'ers to build our owne.

The Aleph X I refer to is as in "Aleph-X builder's thread." Which I thought was a veriation of Aleph series amps, and not the XA series.

The qualitys I'm looking for in an amp are.
1) very clean sounding
2) nutral sounding
3) able to capture subtle as well as large dynamics
This I Believe gives music "life"
4) effortless sounding
These to list a few qualitys of intrest

This is aproject for the pride of DIY, and to try and bettet my old Bryston 3b. Basicly i'ts time for a new project

[moe29]

The Aleph-X that Grey posted is said to be very close to the XA.

Mr. Pass commented on it somewhere in the Aleph-X thread.

Depending on your skill level, the Aleph-X is a bit more demanding
to build than an Aleph.

They are both excellent amps, and i'm sure you'd be happy with either.

[Nelson Pass]

Originally posted by Peter Daniel


Maybe it was here: http://www.passlabs.com/downloads/xa_paper.pdf

Just for the record, I did not write that material, and recently
I edited it, although my edit has not yet been posted.

[Nelson Pass]

Quote:
1) very clean sounding
2) nutral sounding
3) able to capture subtle as well as large dynamics
This I Believe gives music "life"
4) effortless sounding
These to list a few qualitys of intrest
Unquote

Then offhand, you want an Aleph X type and I refer you
to Grey and the Aleph X builders thread.

The ordinary Aleph has a character dominated by second
harmonic and the X series (being balanced) tend to cancel that
out, leaving third harmonic. The difference is striking, and it has
been apparent (to me) for a long time that the high end amplifier
designer has to decide which crowd he is going to appeal to with
any given product. I like both in their place and I switch back
and forth as I please, kind of like white versus red wine.

(actually, I pretty much stick with red wine)

[mpmarino]

Hmm,
Interesting reply Mr. Pass. I have personally went thru the difficulty of deciding what to build. I have not heard any of the offerings personally and had to base my decision purely on what I have heard..the words that I have heard.

I have a feeling, based on your comments I have read, that you actually prefer the aleph in a lot of ways. This is based purely on conjecture and I am surely opening myself up for reprimand. I am quite possibly(probably) way off here. Am I?

I have decided on the Aleph 5 because I like the power level and is about the level of dissipation I can tolerate right now. It is also my first real DIY amplifier and the simplicity attracts me. I have learned that 'newer' is not necessarily 'better'.

The X patent is older than the Aleph's. They had X before the Aleph?? I am thinking that Pass Labs wanted to put themselves on the map with the best they had to offer...and that wasn't X ??? (notice all the question marks, I have no idea what I am talking about)

Distortion numbers don't concern me too much. I wanna get rid of that 'solid state' annoyance that my AB stuff has. I want smooth, neutral highs. I'll let the Adcom stuff make the bass..for now.

In my building an A5.. I have a feeling I'm not gettin' second best..Am I??

Edit: whoops..just read your second post. <<<"I have no idea what I am talking about">>>end..,,,,

[jacco vermeulen]

Originally posted by Nelson Pass
it has been apparent (to me) for a long time that the high end amplifier designer has to decide which crowd he is going to appeal to with any given product.

Boy, what a relief that "high end amplifier designer" still is an acceptable term.
I'll have a glass of chilled white with just a tadd of second harmonics please.

[jacco vermeulen]

Originally posted by Nelson Pass
(being balanced) tend to cancel that
out, leaving third harmonic.

Raises the question whether that is true for any balanced design ?