Hey Alan,
Finally finished the Hi power JLH. Mine are a pair of 2SC5200/side per channel, 2.3A quiescent bias, and +/-26VDC rails, but otherwise pretty spot on Geoff's schematic. I have it driving my Tympani IVa and is handling it quite well. Initial listening impressions is it slightly lacks the deep bass of the Krell, but definitely has some of that Class A mid and HF magic that few amps have. I really like it. I have it loaned out to a friend that has very, very nice Levinson equipment for an opinion...
ed062178
Too bad I moved away from SLC in 2008, or you would have been more than welcome to hear my KSA50. I lived on South Mountain in Draper, and now back in Chicago. I plan to retire someday to Park City tho...I told my wife that I was going to open up a Victoria's Secret Supermodel Polygamist camp out in the Utah desert someday...she gave me the rolleyes.....
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KatieandDad,
I have both - a (DIY bias unlimited) Aleph 5, Krell (and now the JLH) and I SLIGHTLY like the Krell best. The Krell does have some incredible bottom end...You should build one for your own edification before saying such things, tho....I bet you would be impressed.
Not to take anything from Pass, but the Krell is a bit more complicated, at least to my simple mind.
I have both - a (DIY bias unlimited) Aleph 5, Krell (and now the JLH) and I SLIGHTLY like the Krell best. The Krell does have some incredible bottom end...You should build one for your own edification before saying such things, tho....I bet you would be impressed.
Not to take anything from Pass, but the Krell is a bit more complicated, at least to my simple mind.
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I did have all three.
I thought the Krell was awful. I had a KSA 250 and there was virtually no mid-range. It had Bass slam but that was the only thing it did have.
I opted fro the Pass.
But, each to their own tastes.
I thought the Krell was awful. I had a KSA 250 and there was virtually no mid-range. It had Bass slam but that was the only thing it did have.
I opted fro the Pass.
But, each to their own tastes.
Which Krell/Pass? What were you OP devices on the Krell?
As you say, to each his own.
(No Flaming please), but the KSA-50 and its variants was "The One" that made Krell.
As you say, to each his own.
(No Flaming please), but the KSA-50 and its variants was "The One" that made Krell.
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No idea.
I flogged it on E-Bay as a bad-lot.
Seem to remember it sold for about £200.
Obviously speakers come into the equation too.
I flogged it on E-Bay as a bad-lot.
Seem to remember it sold for about £200.
Obviously speakers come into the equation too.
The Hiraga / JLH was much more fluid but grossly underpowered at less than 10W.
The Pass design is over 100W and is so beautiful to listen to with no harshness at all.
The Krell KSA250 just has a brittle sound with a bass that was too strong and no midrange.
The Pass design is over 100W and is so beautiful to listen to with no harshness at all.
The Krell KSA250 just has a brittle sound with a bass that was too strong and no midrange.
Oh, an original Krell KSA250...I am far too cheap to buy a real one.
The High Power JLH (40 - 50 watts) is also very good.
I did buy a real Aleph 5 to compare my DIY Aleph 5 (with Aleph 60 front end) and I could not tell the difference...very nice amps with everything one could want, but a little bass shy, that's all.
Next is the Aleph JX... Just need a little time tho...
The High Power JLH (40 - 50 watts) is also very good.
I did buy a real Aleph 5 to compare my DIY Aleph 5 (with Aleph 60 front end) and I could not tell the difference...very nice amps with everything one could want, but a little bass shy, that's all.
Next is the Aleph JX... Just need a little time tho...
Hello
I like a lot some of Pass Aleph amplifier like AX, I built Aleph30, I'm in the process to build a Aleph2 and A40.
They are great amps but that not mean some of Krell amp not as good.
Krell 50 is a great amp, probably with better-deeper bass com pare to Aleph30.
But before someone jump on me I have to write diferent taste diferent wine!
I'm very grateful to N Pass for made it available his amplifiers DIY-ers like us.
Greetings gabor
I like a lot some of Pass Aleph amplifier like AX, I built Aleph30, I'm in the process to build a Aleph2 and A40.
They are great amps but that not mean some of Krell amp not as good.
Krell 50 is a great amp, probably with better-deeper bass com pare to Aleph30.
But before someone jump on me I have to write diferent taste diferent wine!
I'm very grateful to N Pass for made it available his amplifiers DIY-ers like us.
Greetings gabor
The Aleph 2 is GREAT but is only about 25W.
If you want a bit more dynamics you need to move up to the Aleph 4 or 5.
The front end is very similar but uses different PSU rails and more output devices.
I found the Aleph 4 perfect even if I did have to match over 24 IRFP244s.
Aleph 2 is a 100W amplifier.
This is the best review I've ever read:
Pass Labs Aleph 2 Amplifiers Reviews
This is the best review I've ever read:
Pass Labs Aleph 2 Amplifiers Reviews
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I went for the Aleph 4 and I can say that the review is TOTALLY ACCURATE.
the sound is just BREATHTAKING.
the sound is just BREATHTAKING.
The Krell is an over engineered design that is trying to mask over the poor properties of the BJTs used.
The Aleph is a simple design, and, as the review states, Nelson's design just shines through.
The Aleph is a simple design, and, as the review states, Nelson's design just shines through.
When I had the KSA250 I compared it with a KSA500 and the Rotel RB1090. All these designs just seems to throttle the music.
the Alephs just let the music SING.
I read many reviews. the word FLUID and PLEASANT just eludes from the Pass designs. They are LOVELY to listen to with NO fatigue.
the Alephs just let the music SING.
I read many reviews. the word FLUID and PLEASANT just eludes from the Pass designs. They are LOVELY to listen to with NO fatigue.
Yeah, that's it what the review quoted by me formulates poetically.
If I would can in English, neither I would be able to formulate this more nicely.
I want to talk nobody out of Krell amplifier construction of course.
Indeed, I will be unfaithful to Papa once possibly.
If I would can in English, neither I would be able to formulate this more nicely.
I want to talk nobody out of Krell amplifier construction of course.
Indeed, I will be unfaithful to Papa once possibly.
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I cannot agree more.
The Pass Alephs involve you in the music in a way that the Krell fails to do.