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pass labs xa30.5 vs aleph 3

Stereophile reveiwer Erick Lichte has done a head to head review of these pass amps in August 2009 issue. Erick uses the aleph 3 as his main amp feeding a pair or Revel f30 speakers, he also uses Benchmark Dac1 to feed the alpeh as I do as well. He was asked to do a comparison between the pass amps as a follow up to the great reveiw of the xa30.5 which was reviewed by Brian Damkroger in which,I quote "absolutely, positively,and enthusiasticallly recommended" the xa30.5 and, Brian sounds like he perfers high powered amps in the review. In the review Erick thought the Xa30.5 sounded more resolving and a little bit better bass control and can sound louder than the 30 watts. It was leaner in the midbass than the aleph 3 but, had a slightly more presents in the top three octave. he still is in love with is aleph 3 and sound like he is not planning on replacing the aleph 3 with the xa30.5. Anyways I have been waiting for a head to head review of these pass amps since the xa30.5 was released. If anyone would like to see the head to head review send me an email and I will take a high res pictures of the artical and send it to anyone. Also Erick Lichte did a head to head review of the Musical Fidelity's 550k supercharger amp and the Aleph 3 in a December 2008 issue. He concluded the aleph sounded better than the 550's by itself. He then supercharged his aleph 3 but did not like the sound. Very interesting articals about my beloved aleph 3, and a great read for aleph 3 owners. In my opinion the aleph 3 is still a giant killer and is a legend when it comes to amps.
tiverson2000

Showing 4 responses by peterayer

peterayer
1,382 posts
 
I have had the Aleph 3, Aleph 5, Aleph 2, XA160 and now the XA100.5. I wrote a review here on Audiogon detailing my impressions of the evolution. I briefly heard an X250 at a dealers, but was not moved. My current XA.5 are by far my favorite, though I did keep the Aleph 3 for my separate TV system. I agree that the Aleph 2 represents an incredible value in today's used market. I just found the bass somewhat lacking. I too would like to read a comparison of the Aleph J with the XA30.5.
peterayer
1,382 posts
 
Danielk141,
I can sum up my temperature experience with Pass Class A amps as follows:

Aleph 3 - very hot in small box
Aleph 2 - very hot in two larger boxes, so more total heat
XA160 - not as hot as Aleph 2, in two even larger boxes
XA100.5 - not as hot as XA160, in two large boxes

Hope that wasn't too confusing. Basically, the XA.5 is the coolest Pass Class A I've had. I can easily leave my hand on the top for long periods. The heatsinks get warm but can be touched for quite a while. The TAS review even stated that it is not hot for a Class A design. I can listen in the summer now with the windows closed, but the Aleph 2 forced me to open the windows in the Massachusetts summer. I actually preferred the look and size of the Aleph 2, but the sound of the XA.5. It is "quieter and cleaner", if that makes sense, and has much better control/grip over the lower frequencies - more robust. The overall sound is more balanced and coherent.
peterayer
1,382 posts
 
I don't have a LOCAL Pass dealer. The closest dealer is three to four hours away in a different state and he does not have a lot of stock. He also does not carry my speakers for testing. I have bought many Pass amps and preamps through Mark at Reno HiFi as Pass Labs suggested I do. I also tend to buy demos and used gear from Mark because he offers very generous trade ins. I have been very pleased with the service.

Tpk123, was that a "shameless plug"?
peterayer
1,382 posts
 
I don't know what Tpk123 is talking about. I wish there was a Pass dealer in the Boston area. I could then audition the equipment and have local dealer support. I would recommend him as well if he provided good service. anyway, who is peterslayer?

To answer the OP's original question, my first Pass amp was the Aleph 3. I still own it and think it is very good if paired with an appropriate speaker. I heard the XA30.5 briefly when I auditioned my current speakers, but it did not have the needed power to drive them well (86dB, 4 ohm). I now own the XA160.5, and they sound great in my system. My impression of the XA30.5 versus the Aleph 3 is that former has better control of the lower frequencies, is a quieter amp than the Aleph and it is more neutral with slightly better detail. The Aleph is a legend and was quite an achievement for the time, but the newer Pass amps are better, though more expensive. The Aleph 3 is a very good value on the used market and is still an excellent choice for the right speaker.

You can read more of my opinions on the evolution of Pass Class A amps in my review of the XA100.5 here on Audiogon or on the Pass Labs website.
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