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
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Not sure why several you are so vehemently defending when there seems to be a more than coincidental showing of Pass Labs threads turning into Reno plugs and someone calls it out? If you want me to become a brick and mortar please send me a private email with your info and wire me the funds to do so. I am simply stating an observation. I call em as I see em and the excited responses are more than curious. Maybe any retailer can learn from Reno.....seems like there are people ready to fall on the sword for their reputation. I can't remember the last time I was ready to fall on the sword for someone I bought something from.
I call em as I see em and the excited responses are more than curious.

Tpk123 - You are the one who seems to be excited. And your responses are the ones I would describe as curious.

FWIW, I too have had a conversation with Mark from Reno Hifi. I did not buy my Pass amp from him, as he did not have the unit I was looking for at the time I was looking. Having said that, I found him friendly, informed, and helpful.

You can add me to the list of conspirators.

Bryon