Pass DIY Information Overload - HELP!!!

Diogenio · 14th March 2006, 06:26 AM

Group:

I'm a relative newbie here, and thoroughly overwhelmed by the 150+ threads of Pass DIY information! Bigger is often better, but in this case it is tough to get an overview or a hold on what is going on. Am I the only one whom feels this way?

I'd like to construct a Pass DIY amplifier, but which one to choose from? I have fairly efficient, single-driver BR speakers (94 db/w/m), so I don't need monster amps. In fact, I'm using a 2A3 single ended amp @ 2.5 W/p/c right now. Not ear-shattering dynamics, but loud enough in a small room.

Can somebody point me to a thread that gives a BASIC overview of what series Pass amps are available to the DIY-er ? And...what are the BASIC sonic differences between them? Construction method is also a consideration...I'd prefer to build something clean on a nice PCB instead of doing point-to-point wiring.

With the Zen, Aleph, Aleph X, X, and First Watt series...all of which come in mini, monster, and multiple circuit variations, I'm afraid of building one whose performance has been far eclipsed by some other design. Or are they ALL good sounding?

Assuming that Pass generally takes steps forward in performance with each new variation, logic tells me that I should probably build one of the latest circuits that he has released. Zen V9 perhaps? An Aleph X?

Can somebody please help me through this maze? Perhaps Nelson Pass can please offer a basic overview/sonic quality comparison of these circuits...maybe?

Thanks...
Diogenio

jh6you · 14th March 2006, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Diogenio

Perhaps Nelson Pass can please offer a basic overview/sonic quality comparison of these circuits...maybe?

Ang . . . ? Maybe . . . ?
No, I do not think so.
He does not know what is good sonic quality . . . at all . . .

I would recommend ZV9 . . .

jh

steenoe · 14th March 2006, 08:21 AM

Quote:

I would recommend ZV9 . . .

I'll second that choice. If I am not mistaking, there is even pcb's on the way for it, from several quarters

Steen

Alain Dupont · 14th March 2006, 12:35 PM

diogenio,

>> Zen, Aleph, Aleph X, X, and First Watt series

Other than these you start with the Zen serie, pretty amazing little amps
Then a beast the A75, 48 High Power MosFet for 2 * 75watts of pure class A
The Aleph serie, well regarded from audiophiles.
The Aleph-X from 20 to 100 watts a subset of the PassLabs AX version
And now the F serie ... F1, F2, F3, AlephJ...

But Nelson gave us the ZV9 a JFet implementation ; wouah!
Just what we needed to build high efficiency speakers, and tweak our horns...

With you 94 db/w/m speakers, better go for the F serie
"First Watt" tells that the first watt is major, and in your case
just a few will do the job.

So look at the F1 first, then I'll go for my taste to the ZV9
the JFet flavor and this one will be even better!

You don't need a Aleph X for such speakers.
A Current Source like the F1 or JFet will be much better.

Regards.

Alain.

MikeW · 14th March 2006, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jh6you

Ang . . . ? Maybe . . . ?
No, I do not think so.
He does not know what is good sonic quality . . . at all . . .

I would recommend ZV9 . . .

jh

I hope you were joking.

F1 is a good choice for a single driver.

jh6you · 14th March 2006, 02:21 PM

Joke . . . ?
No joke!
He never knows which one is the best!!!
Maybe, he is stoo....................

Mine is F1 and I m fully satisfied . . .
I think ZV9 is hen hao as a single ended . . .

Regards
jh

jh6you · 14th March 2006, 02:27 PM

No joke!
I respect Nelson.
He knows all except sonic quality . . . hmm . . .

jh

jacco vermeulen · 14th March 2006, 04:16 PM

Mr. Pass was never a pro musician afaik, unlike the standard power amp designer career.
Means he must have great hearing.

hifimaker · 14th March 2006, 09:20 PM

You might considering building an Aleph30. Peter Daniel is making a few more boards.

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...667#post868667

Just an idea, I agree that the Zen v9 is a good start

-David

lumanauw · 15th March 2006, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Mr. Pass was never a pro musician afaik, unlike the standard power amp designer career.
Means he must have great hearing.

Hi, Jacco you noticed this thing too?

Manuel Huber said that our hearing is most precious. It can be destructed, but it cannot be healed back. He said to advoid hearing headphones, even the expensive one

14th March 2006, 06:26 AM	#1
Diogenio diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: San Diego, CA	Pass DIY Information Overload - HELP!!! Group: I'm a relative newbie here, and thoroughly overwhelmed by the 150+ threads of Pass DIY information! Bigger is often better, but in this case it is tough to get an overview or a hold on what is going on. Am I the only one whom feels this way? I'd like to construct a Pass DIY amplifier, but which one to choose from? I have fairly efficient, single-driver BR speakers (94 db/w/m), so I don't need monster amps. In fact, I'm using a 2A3 single ended amp @ 2.5 W/p/c right now. Not ear-shattering dynamics, but loud enough in a small room. Can somebody point me to a thread that gives a BASIC overview of what series Pass amps are available to the DIY-er ? And...what are the BASIC sonic differences between them? Construction method is also a consideration...I'd prefer to build something clean on a nice PCB instead of doing point-to-point wiring. With the Zen, Aleph, Aleph X, X, and First Watt series...all of which come in mini, monster, and multiple circuit variations, I'm afraid of building one whose performance has been far eclipsed by some other design. Or are they ALL good sounding? Assuming that Pass generally takes steps forward in performance with each new variation, logic tells me that I should probably build one of the latest circuits that he has released. Zen V9 perhaps? An Aleph X? Can somebody please help me through this maze? Perhaps Nelson Pass can please offer a basic overview/sonic quality comparison of these circuits...maybe? Thanks... Diogenio

14th March 2006, 04:16 PM	#8
jacco vermeulen diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: At the sea front, just under Rotterdam	Mr. Pass was never a pro musician afaik, unlike the standard power amp designer career. Means he must have great hearing. __________________ Looks like Sponge Bob has killed another thread.

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14th March 2006, 12:35 PM	#4
Alain Dupont diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Paris - France	diogenio, >> Zen, Aleph, Aleph X, X, and First Watt series Other than these you start with the Zen serie, pretty amazing little amps Then a beast the A75, 48 High Power MosFet for 2 * 75watts of pure class A The Aleph serie, well regarded from audiophiles. The Aleph-X from 20 to 100 watts a subset of the PassLabs AX version And now the F serie ... F1, F2, F3, AlephJ... But Nelson gave us the ZV9 a JFet implementation ; wouah! Just what we needed to build high efficiency speakers, and tweak our horns... With you 94 db/w/m speakers, better go for the F serie "First Watt" tells that the first watt is major, and in your case just a few will do the job. So look at the F1 first, then I'll go for my taste to the ZV9 the JFet flavor and this one will be even better! You don't need a Aleph X for such speakers. A Current Source like the F1 or JFet will be much better. Regards. Alain.

14th March 2006, 02:21 PM	#6
jh6you Account Disabled Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Near to the Pacific Ocean	Joke . . . ? No joke! He never knows which one is the best!!! Maybe, he is stoo.................... Mine is F1 and I m fully satisfied . . . I think ZV9 is hen hao as a single ended . . . Regards jh

14th March 2006, 02:27 PM	#7
jh6you Account Disabled Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Near to the Pacific Ocean	No joke! I respect Nelson. He knows all except sonic quality . . . hmm . . . jh

14th March 2006, 09:20 PM	#9
hifimaker diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose	You might considering building an Aleph30. Peter Daniel is making a few more boards. http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...667#post868667 Just an idea, I agree that the Zen v9 is a good start -David

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