Passlabs Aleph 1.2 with CJ Tube 17LS/16LS Preamp


I am considering buying Aleph 1.2s to marry with a cj tube pre, the 17LS or the 16LS. The only problem I can see is that the unbal RCA input impedance of the Aleph 1.2s is approx 10Kohms and the output impedance of the 17LS or the 16LS is somewhat of the high side, i.e. approx close to 1kohms.

Does anyone have suggestions how the two of them would sound together? esp with this impedance mis-match problem

Also, any opinions of the Aleph 1.2s with B&W 801s / 802s.
arupg

Showing 1 response by bamafan

While I agree that the cj/Pass Aleph combo is not the best way to go because of the impedance mismatch, I do want to point one thing out. Arupg is considering Aleph 1.2's not Aleph 2's. While they share the same topology, the Aleph 1.2 is a whole diffent animal than its little brother. The 1.2 is 200 watts into 8 0hms and about 300 into 4. Having spent time with both amps, this extra power seems to make a lot of difference.

I am currently using 1.2's on Wilson speakers and have all of the bass performance you could ever want. It is tight, deep and very controlled. I to have used the Alephs with BAT preamps (the VK-5i and the VK-50se) and found it to be a pretty synergistic combination (the 50se was the better match). Like John, the best results I got was with a Pass preamp (which is not surprising given the natural synergy of using components from the same manufactuer. The combination of a Pass X0 pre with the 1.2's is hard to beat.

The 1.2's will do an excellent job of driving the B & W's but I would not recommend using the cj preamp with them.