After much reading about the Aleph J, and the sound image it will provide, I'm drawn to this amp. The only issue I have, is that my speakers is a Gemme Audio Tanto clone, so 4 ohm. And from what I can understand, the Aleph J will have some distortion at 4 ohm.
Which is why I've been reading about F5T, which should have no problems running these speakers, but I would rather prefer a single-ended amp.
What do you think, Aleph J or F5T, or something else for the next build?
Thank you.
Which is why I've been reading about F5T, which should have no problems running these speakers, but I would rather prefer a single-ended amp.
What do you think, Aleph J or F5T, or something else for the next build?
Thank you.
If I were in your shoes I'd stay with the Aleph and consider using something similar to PRODUCTS [The "Naked" Zero Autoformers]. And since I'm a cheapskate, I'd use a 2x115V pri, 2x24V sec > 100VA power toroid. L1 would be both primaries in parallel and L2 would be both secondaries in series. Connect L1 in series with L2 to the Aleph output and the 4 ohm speakers connected in parallel to L1. 🙂
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Aleph J is actually the best of these amplifiers into lower impedance loads. It also sounds wonderful.
Build it, you’ll be quite happy.
Build it, you’ll be quite happy.
I just thought it would have difficulties at lower impedance loads, but if that's not the case, it's just great, and I will go to work with the Aleph J 🙂
Yeah, it destroys my 4-ohm Dynaudio's. It's scary, very enjoyable and beautiful all at the same time. Valves simply can't do it - too much of a compromise (at least with my speakers, which I am not willing to compromise on 🙂)
Feed it with a nice source.
Feed it with a nice source.
Aleph J is actually the best of these amplifiers into lower impedance loads. It also sounds wonderful.
Build it, you’ll be quite happy.
Oh I'd argue that my friend 🙂! F5T and F5 is way better, AJ sounds better to my ears here I am with you. For overall universal great sounding amp I'd go F6.
To the original poster: just make sure you do not get that but "I wanna make and try all Pa's amps from this forum", because if there is a chance, just save some money now and get Xa25 or Xa30.8.. will be cheaper on a long run 🙂 Good luck with your whatever you decide to build, you are in good hands here.
your first DIY amp is veeeeery important
rest of them are veeeeery amusing, importance not longer being ...... important
rest of them are veeeeery amusing, importance not longer being ...... important
Aleph J can be improved substantially. The short circuit protection can be removed, C1 capacitor shorted. These 2 mods will bring bass definition, control, extension as well as better speed and separation.
Further to the above, the grounding can be vastly improved as well. This will benefit the definition and in particular - the ability to pinpoint individual instruments' location, and overall depth of soundstage. The improvements to be gained are actually, quite striking.
The above do not cost anything, and can be applied to bog-standard Aleph J build with a single transformer & standard DIY-shop' power supply PCB. The amp will also be dead-quiet - absolutely silent like it is not ON.
And then you get the option to build it as a dual-mono, in a single enclosure, or as dual monoblocks.
Aleph J gives an XLR path due to its differential input, where Xa25 does not. Could be an important factor...
Also, a DIY-er can be proud that with a bit of extra effort, the good old Aleph J can sound truly fantastic. It will drive 4-ohm speakers with exceptional control.
This is still with those 4x0.47ohms / 3W resistors connected in parallel, and then inserted in series with the speaker outputs (damaging to damping factor). This can be omitted/bridged out with a nice piece of wire (no AC gain in output CCS) - and is something I will do next, as soon as I get some spare time again.
Xa25 is the best-looking Pass amp made to this date, though. Real cutie!
So TRUE! I have become a lazy slob, cemented in my sofa, listening to my AKSA-Lender + MOFO.
-Drew
What do you mean by removing the short circuit protection? Do you just mean bypassing the fuses?
I used Jantzen Audio CrossCaps for C1 and the bypass caps. You think the sound is improved by omitting them completely? What is the risk of doing that? I assume the capcitors are in the circuit for a reason.
Is there any benefit to using some other 0.47 ohm resistor than the standard Panasonics?
Finally, how would you improve the grounding?
I recently completed my Aleph J build and am loving it so far. I am considering doing a dual mono power supply build for it but hadn't thought about any other upgrades.
Thanks.
Paul
I think he means removing the output current limiter. Not sure why you’d want to, but whatever. Absolutely do not bypass the fuses.
I’m not going to get into the capacitor discussion. As for removing C1, I’d suggest you don’t.
The Panasonic resistors are used in the factory-made Firstwatt amplifiers, if they are good enough for Nelson...
Improving the grounding is dependent on how you have your currently wires. If it’s quiet, don’t mess with it.
Dual Mono PSU may have benefit. There is no increase in power or headroom, yet most who do it seem to think it’s a very positive improvement. It is, unquestionably, heavier. 😀
I’m not going to get into the capacitor discussion. As for removing C1, I’d suggest you don’t.
The Panasonic resistors are used in the factory-made Firstwatt amplifiers, if they are good enough for Nelson...
Improving the grounding is dependent on how you have your currently wires. If it’s quiet, don’t mess with it.
Dual Mono PSU may have benefit. There is no increase in power or headroom, yet most who do it seem to think it’s a very positive improvement. It is, unquestionably, heavier. 😀
My Aleph J is dead quiet. Fingers crossed it stays that way.
I understand the reluctance to get into the swamp of tweaks to the design. Without true A/B testing, which nobody ever does, it is impossible to know if changing the components or wiring makes any real difference despite how passionately people argue it does. I've changed capacitors in my tube amp and it made a notable difference in the sound although I go back and forth on whether the $200 of Mundorf Silver Gold actually made it better or simply different.
Anyhow, the Aleph J sounds amazing with my 4 Ohm Tekton Moabs. It is interesting how different each of the 4 First Watt amps I've build sound and how hard it is to say one is better than the other.
I understand the reluctance to get into the swamp of tweaks to the design. Without true A/B testing, which nobody ever does, it is impossible to know if changing the components or wiring makes any real difference despite how passionately people argue it does. I've changed capacitors in my tube amp and it made a notable difference in the sound although I go back and forth on whether the $200 of Mundorf Silver Gold actually made it better or simply different.
Anyhow, the Aleph J sounds amazing with my 4 Ohm Tekton Moabs. It is interesting how different each of the 4 First Watt amps I've build sound and how hard it is to say one is better than the other.
And a lot more expensive. I'm starting with a dual mono M2X in this days. That will not be the cheapest PSU. 2x300VA supreme audio grade Toroidy transformers. 8x15.000uf pr ch. And 16 good rectifier diodes that is not decided yet. Softstart, DC protection, 20VA transformer and the 2 amp boards.
All that inside a 3U 400mm chassis.
All that inside a 3U 400mm chassis.
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If the amp is genuinely quiet, you are done, do not mess with anything, and enjoy.
Build something different rather than disrupt a noise-free project. M2x is awesome...
Build something different rather than disrupt a noise-free project. M2x is awesome...
If the amp is genuinely quiet, you are done, do not mess with anything, and enjoy.
Build something different rather than disrupt a noise-free project. M2x is awesome...
Thanks for the advice. I did order a set of M2x boards a while ago when they came back in stock. Do you have a favorite between the different input options?