Pass Labs ALEPH 5 vs ALEPH 2


Both the ALEPH 5 stereo and ALEPH 2 mono blocks produce 100 watts into 8ohms. Is one better than the other and why?
I am running a Camelot Uther IV dac directly to amp and to Virgo II speakers.
sgunther

Showing 2 responses by jeffreyfranz

Hi:
I am a dedicated Pass lover and have had several amps, including both the Aleph 5 and Aleph 2. Let's clear away some misconceptions.
1. The Aleph 5 has 60 watts, not 100, and a smaller power supply.
2. The Aleph 2 has 100 watts per chassis, with larger power supplies dedicated to each individual chassis.
3. Thye have the EXACT same number of gain stageds and circuit topology, possibly excepting the feedback loop--I don't know if they use the same amount of feedback, but it is low in both cases.
4. Both are wonderful sounding amplifiers, with that spooky magic that audiophiles love. The Aleph 2, however, will sail along in situations where the Aleph 5 will clip or shut down.
5. For further questions, yalk to Perter Perkins at Pass Labs. The man is a saint and quite knowledgable.

Good luck,
Jeffrey
At the time, I was living in an area where temperatures easily exceeded 100 degrees. I was driving Quad electrostatics on a very hot day and sitting far back in a large room. I was playing very loud and very dynamic jazz that had been recorded live. I think the combination was just too much. The Alsph 5 heat sensor, I believe, turned it off for awhile.

Otherwise, I have never had a single interruption, let alone failure, of any kind with Pass stuff. The best designed, best built electronics in the business, IMHO.
JT