Pass Aleph vs. McCormack: What to Expect?

What you pay for in the original Pass Aleph 3 is exotic metalwork compared to the Aleph 30. From an electronic standpoint, identical components are used internally, the patented Aleph current source is utilized, and Pass tweaked the circuit to offer a much higher differential input impedance (52K ohms run balanced, 47Kohms run single-ended), an extra TO3 output device per channel, and the option of a balanced input (single-ended only on the Aleph 3 due to physical constraints of the chassis size). The Aleph 30 is a spectacular value, particularly now that it is closed out and being blown out, and considered by Pass Labs every bit the equal of its predecessor. That Volksamp could not sustain itself as a corporate entity does not abrogate the value of this product. Anyone who owns an Aleph 30 has a unique piece of the Pass legacy, and might be enjoying the sonic performance of the amp, as well!

In my humble opinion, of course.

Cheers!

Quin

Peter,

The Aleph 3 is not bridgeable, per se, but you could parallel wire the outputs (red to red, black to black) and split the input signal from the preamp with a Y splitter, thus using each stereo amp to drive one channel only. A more desireable way to go (in my opinion) would be to use an active electronic crossover, driving the bottom end with one amp and the mid/tweeter with another. Having said that, if you were able to round up say an Aleph 5, and were to vertically biamp (using an electronic crossover), you could drive the bottom end with the 60 watt Aleph 5 and the mid/top end with the Aleph 3. The gain is the same for both amplifiers, and crossing over actively truly (again in my opinion) allows the maximum benefit to be derived from each amp, as it only has to work within a specific frequency range.

Cheers!

Quin