DIY-ers,
Sorry for crashing your DIY technical forum, but I think you can probably help me the best. I'm just a consumer and don't plan on building my own amp. I can't justify the price of the Pass Labs XA products, so I am intrigued by the First Watt line. Trying to understand all the different models, and I'm confused. Most interested in an Aleph design but since the Aleph J is no longer made, my question is this: is there a current model that closely resembles the Alephs of the past? Interested in new models only (I can always get an Aleph 3 if I want to buy used).
Btw, before you ask, my speakers are older B&W Matrix series towers. They are 8 ohm speakers, that do come to life with a powerful amp, but are not known to be unusually hard to drive. Efficiency is 90 db Spl.
Thanks.
Sorry for crashing your DIY technical forum, but I think you can probably help me the best. I'm just a consumer and don't plan on building my own amp. I can't justify the price of the Pass Labs XA products, so I am intrigued by the First Watt line. Trying to understand all the different models, and I'm confused. Most interested in an Aleph design but since the Aleph J is no longer made, my question is this: is there a current model that closely resembles the Alephs of the past? Interested in new models only (I can always get an Aleph 3 if I want to buy used).
Btw, before you ask, my speakers are older B&W Matrix series towers. They are 8 ohm speakers, that do come to life with a powerful amp, but are not known to be unusually hard to drive. Efficiency is 90 db Spl.
Thanks.
You don't see too many genuine Pass amps for sale as they are highly coveted as are their DIY clones.
Brother has been listening to J2 for about a month. Just sold his tube amp. Says its the closest thing to a perfect mix between tube and SS he has heard. Wonderful amp with the right speakers.
What did I say....the original J2 sounds marvelous!
My clone was only a clown......🙂
What was the issue with your clone?
Another satisfied J2 owner here. I use it to power my TD-2002 horn drivers, and it's hard to imagine a better amp for that purpose. If the 25W output of the J2 is enough for your B&Ws, I think you'll be happy with it. I got mine from Mark @ Reno Hi-Fi.
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What was the issue with your clone?
the sound was simply not on the same level….
I imported from Canada with the help of Peter Daniel the Plitrons Nelson used and the PSU is a one to one copy….😀
I think the reason are the perfect matched semiconductors, maybe even matched in Ciss.
No chance to do that…. nevertheless many people like the sound of clone-
But why am I always telling the same stories….? 🙂
To show that Nelson is a magician in electronics….!
I think the reason are the perfect matched semiconductors, maybe even matched in Ciss.
No chance to do that…. nevertheless many people like the sound of clone-
But why am I always telling the same stories….? 🙂
To show that Nelson is a magician in electronics….!
Magician's Hat :
though ........... one still needs da brain , talent and mileage .......
lemme see - I have peanut one , none , plenty ............ and no AP-1
(if you have first 3 , cheap sound card can be just enough)
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
though ........... one still needs da brain , talent and mileage .......
lemme see - I have peanut one , none , plenty ............ and no AP-1

(if you have first 3 , cheap sound card can be just enough)
My brothers is a clone, although pitiful in all respects. It does have 80mF of C and 600VA transformer with 25Vrails. Its what I had. 

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Call Mark at Reno Hifi, a pleasure to talk to and can answer your questions. They have a great upgrade and return policy you can't go wrong.
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