Aleph Xono clone

This is my recently finished copy of the Aleph XOno. I finally had time to have a proper listening session earlier this week and get the cartridge loading and gain settings to where I was satisfied. The time and money spent was well worth it. I really can't see me needing to make any other phono amp! It is so, so good.

My next challenge is to bring the rest of the system up to same standard as it is streets ahead of my Naim set up.

The boards came from Willkommen auf meiner DIY Audio Homepage - RStAudio.de and are of excellent quality. His documentation and support is also excellent. You will notice that there are no 10uF capacitors at the bottom of the board. These have been replaced by DC servos with very good effect.
 

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Nice work,


i made the xOno a few years ago with the older boards from Ralph... It plays excellent.
I am thinking about building this new version after finishing my Aleph 2 project.



What jfets did you use (and where did you get them)?




regards, Martin
 
Hi Martin,

The jfets are 2SK2145. Ralph supplied and fitted them to the board before sending them. They're on the underside of the board. There is space on the board for 2SK170 if you prefer (and can find some!).

Hi Tarasque,

I didn't use the relays and controller board but wish I had now. It is a proper fuss to take the head amp out of the rack, take the lid off and adjust and then reassemble.

Thank you both for compliments.
 
Hi Wellerman,

There's a comparison of the Ono and Pearl here:

Pearl vs. Aleph Ono (?)

The XOno is reportedly a significant improvement on the Ono but I've not heard them together so I can't make any comment on that. Outboard power supply is probably a major part of that reported improvement.

Hi tricksters,

Ralph preinstalled the 2SK2145GR before sending my boards out. If you have Ralph's boards already, he may be the best person to ask. I found him to be very helpful and approachable when I had any queries.
 
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Hello tricksters,

I have only just read your request here. I haven't been active in the forum for a long time.

In the English version of the XOno documentation you will find a description of how to match the JFET's starting on page 14. In the footnote on the same page you will also find a link to a thread about it here in the forum, where you can get information directly from NP.

If you can't handle it, why don't you write to me directly? I try to answer all questions of the XOno 2019 builders.

Kind regards

Ralph / rstaudio.de
 
I'll be building a XOno 2019 soon. It will be in a black chassis, and will have the front display & relay control. I'm looking very much forward to the final result. My boards arrived this week. I have started the parts ordering. Ralph prepared an amazing "shopping cart" for most of the parts. Of course there is not one total one-stop-shop, so I have one big order and a couple small orders to others.

Next I will work on the Chassis details with Gianluca, and get a USA / 120VAC donut from Mueller.

This should be a really fun journey. Thanks to Ralph for the fantastic work on the boards, design, and documentation!
 
I finally got started on this project. I have to add an LED to the front panel and buy a fuse drawer then test this power supply box. I’ll wait to order parts until I confirm I have everything for the phono stage box. This kit from Ralph is absolutely incredible with amazing documentation. The power supply design is over the top: dual mono, snubbers, fast diodes, CLC with CapMX. Then a similarly robust power supply on each of the phono boards.
 

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