favorite pass amp?

SH,

Funny you should mention DIY MTM speakers. I use Seas Ecell 5" magnesium drivers with a DiApolito designed xover and Kimber internal wiring. About 88-90db. Play remarkably loud with 30w. I opted for the Aleph 30 over the 3 because of better bass impact, lower noise floor, and slightly less current draw (only 200w). Unbeleivable sounding with Aleph, Cary 308 cdp and Audio Refinement pre. I would like to get the Aleph pre but it is a bit pricey for me. I had the Cary/AES DJH pre but the AR has better synergy. I understand that the Aleph P pre has perfect synergy. That will be my only upgrade in electronics.

Email me if you want to talk further, or post here.
Mike

Have any of you had a chance to compared the Aleph J with previous Alephs and or the XA series. As a point of reference I use Joule LA 150-MKII which can drive fairly low input imepdances and Merlin VSMs which efficient (89db) and have very linear impedance almost all above 8ohm and dipping to 6.5 or so at its lowest.

I guess I must be a very loyal Nelson Pass fan. My first amp was the Forte Model 6. And I still have my Aleph Os, and also the X350.5.

The Aleph Os was driving a pair of speakers in my second system. That system has been dismantled since my son was born 3 years ago. My wife loves that setup and would not allow me to sell them. I found that out when I had listed them for sale last year. I actually got yelled at by my wife.

I currently have the X350.5 driving a pair of Verity Parsifal Encores. They sounded really good, especially the bass control. I just found out from Verity that my 50 watt Aleph Os should be sufficient to drive the Parisfals so I will try that out soon and see how it sounds.

FrankC

It will sound good. It will be interesting to know which you prefer with the Verity - I can't the sense they are easy to drive where you don't loose much by moving from the X.5 to Aleph.