I'M quite happy with what i already have- ML-53 Mono's. You get a lot of power and very pure sound, and they get warm but not too hot. Plus they weigh a "manageable" 135 lbs. OTOH, the Pass XA-0.8
series would have easily been my second choice; i believe they are as good as
anything out there including mega-expensive gear from Europe (with all due respect of course). But... they get VERY HOT. The cosmetics have
improved a great deal, but i still see no need at all for a bias meter.
Plus the XS- series is even better, and of course are big enough to be used as end-tables.
I will say it once again although "i know" that they are not nearly as good as the newer stuff, but the ALEPH line, especially the 1.2's, were/are superb amps- I know because I heard them and immediately wanted a pair for
myself. And guess what- no one (seems to be) putting them up for sale.
Perhaps someday they will come up with a design that makes power efficiently and also sounds organic, that would be a major step forward.
series would have easily been my second choice; i believe they are as good as
anything out there including mega-expensive gear from Europe (with all due respect of course). But... they get VERY HOT. The cosmetics have
improved a great deal, but i still see no need at all for a bias meter.
Plus the XS- series is even better, and of course are big enough to be used as end-tables.
I will say it once again although "i know" that they are not nearly as good as the newer stuff, but the ALEPH line, especially the 1.2's, were/are superb amps- I know because I heard them and immediately wanted a pair for
myself. And guess what- no one (seems to be) putting them up for sale.
Perhaps someday they will come up with a design that makes power efficiently and also sounds organic, that would be a major step forward.