Looking for speaker to match with pass lab aleph3

X,
I auditioned the B&W 805's with my Aleph 3, and thought they were well matched, but in the end I purchased the Dunlavy SM1s to pair with the Aleph 3, primarily because of the SM1's flat freq. response throughout their range. Having owned them for almost two years, I cannot remember ever thinking that one range was emphasized over another. I have read that the current Dunlavy SC-IIa is the same as the SM1, except that the wood veneer from the sides is included on the front panel.

I also listened to the Proac 1 SCs and liked them very much. I fell in love with the mids of the 1 SC and probably would have purchased them, except that I read about the high mid/lower treb boost and was concerned that I might grow tired of the sound over time versus a flat response. Even so, I really like the Proac sound and it might be a good match for your musical tastes...I loved them on Astor Piazzolla's Tango Zero Hour.

C.

I used the Aleph 3 with B&W CM-2 and the sound was superb though a little lacking in bass. However, upon switching to the 805Nautilus the missing bass re-emerged indicating that the culprit was NOT the Aleph 3. I also used a Krell KSA-150 and though the bass was better I ultimately preferred the sound of the Aleph 3 to the KSA150. In my opinion the Aleph 3 is outstanding value for money and for sheer musicality is very hard to beat. Given its used price of about 1000-1100 no other amp comes close to its performance (with the right speakers). Thats my 2cents.

Reference 3A de Capo!

Check out Silverline speakers. I am using the Aleph 3 with a pair of Sonatina I's with great results. Make sure you invest in a good after market power cord, like NBS. Gjrad is correct, 45 min. to an hour warm up for the best results.

I also have an Aleph 3 which I beleve to be a superb amp especially for Jazz. I am using them with ProAc 2.5s with excellent results. My room is about 12 x 15 and play them at reasonable levels. I also have a pair of 1sc and they also work extremely well with the Aleph 3. Remember this amp does need about 45 minutes to fully warm up and sound its best.

Quads (57 and 63 variants) work well with the Pass Aleph 3 and 5, in my experience.

I had the Aleph 3 with both Meadowlark Kestrels and Dunlavy SC4s. That is a great amp, I upgraded to the Aleph 2s, at 100 watts it is not much more power than the 3. I actually thought the 3 sounded better in most ways than the 2s, except in the bass. I could get pretty loud with the Dunlavys and the Meadowlarks. If you aren't looking to spend a lot of money the Meadowlarks are a great speaker to choose.

I have an Aleph 4 (100w/ch). I realize that its more power, but when I had Revel Gems, I didn't need anywhere near that much, making me think the Gems would be fine with the Apleh 3. The Gems are a very detailed neutral speaker.

I had an Aleph 3 driving a pair of Proac 1SC's. The Proacs are good imaging minimonitors with a very smooth midrange response and a slightly hot treble. They seem to mate well with the Aleph 3's, which are liquid and tube-like in the midrange and don't overemphasize the treble. The Proacs don't go down to the lowest octaves; they're good to the mid-bass, but not the low bass. You could live without the low bass if that's your preference. I had a self-powered Sunfire True Sub Mk II filling out the low end.

I later swapped the Proacs out for Red Rose R3's. Relative to the Proac 1SC's, the R3's are a little soft in the midrange, more delicate and extended in the treble, and go deeper in the bass. I've kept the subwoofer in the system, turning the crossover to a lower frequency, but you could more easily live without a subwoofer if you have the R3's. If you really like feathery highs, the R3's would be terrific choices.

Red Rose has replaced the R3's with the Rosebuds, which cost a little less. (Actually, R3's may still be available.) I haven't heard the Rosebuds, but I would guess that it might do a better job than the R3's on the midrange but not go quite as deep on the bass. Good luck.