Hi - sorry probably an easy answer but I can’t find the details.
What Vrms output does my preamp have to be capable of to get full output from the Aleph 3 (i.e take it to the point of clipping).
Presently feeding it single ended from a Chord TT2 on high gain, which churns out 9.3Vrms. I could make up some pseudo XLR to RCA cables up, which would allow me to feed it 18.6 Vrms…
Thanks
What Vrms output does my preamp have to be capable of to get full output from the Aleph 3 (i.e take it to the point of clipping).
Presently feeding it single ended from a Chord TT2 on high gain, which churns out 9.3Vrms. I could make up some pseudo XLR to RCA cables up, which would allow me to feed it 18.6 Vrms…
Thanks
Aleph 3
being 30W@8R jobbie, 20db gain
30W means 15V49rms at output
divide that with 20db (10V/V), means - you need 1V549 to make it Berserk
if you have problems with 9V3rms from Chord, problem is either in your preamp, or your speakers
being 30W@8R jobbie, 20db gain
30W means 15V49rms at output
divide that with 20db (10V/V), means - you need 1V549 to make it Berserk
if you have problems with 9V3rms from Chord, problem is either in your preamp, or your speakers
Thanks for your reply Zen Mod. 1V549? Do you mean 1.549V?
I am unsure how the Chord volume scale works as it’s not described in the manual. TT2 on low gain volume goes to +13, on high it goes to +22 max. I presume that these volume levels that Chord are displaying are dBu figures.
If 0dBu is 0.775 volts, then +22 dBu is 9.78Vrms (not an exact match for the Chord figure of 9.3v but close). So therefore max output of the Aleph 3 when using the TT2 would be at +6 on the volume?
Never had an amp where I’ve gone past -30 or -20 dB on my TT2 before. Thanks
I am unsure how the Chord volume scale works as it’s not described in the manual. TT2 on low gain volume goes to +13, on high it goes to +22 max. I presume that these volume levels that Chord are displaying are dBu figures.
If 0dBu is 0.775 volts, then +22 dBu is 9.78Vrms (not an exact match for the Chord figure of 9.3v but close). So therefore max output of the Aleph 3 when using the TT2 would be at +6 on the volume?
Never had an amp where I’ve gone past -30 or -20 dB on my TT2 before. Thanks
I'm making progress on this - I asked pass labs and the input sensitivity of the Aleph 3 is 1.6vrms. So the TT2 has plenty of headroom. What is happening is that the gain is only 20, so the volume has to be cranked a bit more. Also, the Helios speakers are not around 90dB sensitivity (that's just the sensitivity of the woofer), they're actually more like 85dB sensitivity when you look at their measured frequency plot. So next step is I will check the impedance of the speakers and also try to measure the output level from the amp in watts - if I'm using more that 4 watts then likely that I'm not in the sweet spot of this amplifier... but boy it sounds bloody good!
I already told you what nice PPL from PL confirmed
change speakers if you don't have enough vividity with present ones
PL amps are deserving the best....... and once when you go proper A class route, there is no looking back
change speakers if you don't have enough vividity with present ones
PL amps are deserving the best....... and once when you go proper A class route, there is no looking back
Thanks - I have tried EAR tube amplification before with some high efficiency Troels 3WC-15, but was not that impressed. I do love theses speakers though, they are constant directivity. Unless I can find an equally good constant directivity speaker which is 30Hz to 20kHz (?) and higher efficiency then I’ll be sticking with the Helios… will then need a Aleph or other class A with more grunt.
Some may be surprised to hear that I prefer Aleph 3 over Purifi 1ET400A which has been my reference amp for some time.
Some may be surprised to hear that I prefer Aleph 3 over Purifi 1ET400A which has been my reference amp for some time.
I found the factory Aleph 3 was a bit limited in power for my Magnepan MG3A's in a large living room. A friend built me diy Aleph 2's but I was missing the 3's magic. Bi-amping solved the problem. The 3 only needs to power the mid panel and tweeter, leaving bass to a powerful class AB.
If your speakers can be bi-amped, it may be worth a try. A cheap Behringer CX2310 should give you an idea of the sound, before you invest in a good active crossover.
If your speakers can be bi-amped, it may be worth a try. A cheap Behringer CX2310 should give you an idea of the sound, before you invest in a good active crossover.
Great idea, I can’t biamp, but I can bridge (but would require another Aleph 3 obviously).
Any other amps have the Alephs 3 magic, but more current/power?
Any other amps have the Alephs 3 magic, but more current/power?
if you bridge Aleph, there goes 2nd harmonic through the window, and you'll lost magic you have and like, being replaced with different kind of magic ( 3rd dominant)
would you like it more or less, only test can show
would you like it more or less, only test can show
Good feedback Zen - so any suggested alternatives that have the same character, but more power/current?
Are simple single ended Class A topologies the answer? If this is how something with very simple topology and only 2-3 gain stages in the signal path sounds then I like it a lot.
If I understand correctly Aleph 3 is also low/zero feedback design?
Are simple single ended Class A topologies the answer? If this is how something with very simple topology and only 2-3 gain stages in the signal path sounds then I like it a lot.
If I understand correctly Aleph 3 is also low/zero feedback design?
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Either - DIY is all good.
I do have some USSA modules, but they'll never get used now having run this experiment (same issue only 20dB gain and less power at 25w). I'll put them on swap/meet.
I do have some USSA modules, but they'll never get used now having run this experiment (same issue only 20dB gain and less power at 25w). I'll put them on swap/meet.
besides recent lhquam's amp and mine Babelfish XA252, I don't know for any "SE" amp with next stage power (in range of 50W)
there are few more projects, but mostly followers
hm, I almost forgot Singing Bush, but be aware - that is next level of insanity
there are few more projects, but mostly followers
hm, I almost forgot Singing Bush, but be aware - that is next level of insanity
Will building / buying a higher wattage SE amp, like the Aleph 2 or 5 extend the usable output power where the distortion remains under 0.1%
Distortion on the Aleph 3 rises significantly one you exceed 4-5 watts. I can't find any similar graphs for the Aleph 2/5. Found one for the MoFo and THD seems to rise exponentially after 10watts for this as well. Would be nice to find a SE amp where it is well behaved for a wider range of output power.
Distortion on the Aleph 3 rises significantly one you exceed 4-5 watts. I can't find any similar graphs for the Aleph 2/5. Found one for the MoFo and THD seems to rise exponentially after 10watts for this as well. Would be nice to find a SE amp where it is well behaved for a wider range of output power.