This is the best amp I have ever heard from 200hz up period. Everything is perfectly balanced from the upper bass through the treble. The low end from 40-200hz is good but a little light.

The aforementioned light bass is a weakness but I am not sure it is possible for one amp to have huge punch in the low end and remain totally accurate throughout the whole audio spectrum. The damping factor is either 100 or 200 (I don't have the manual in front of me). The Parasound amps I have used have damping factors of 800 and much more bass punch, but they sound a little bright and unbalanced comparatively. However, bass is not an issue because I am using a sub.

I bought this amp used for a very good price used and have used it for about three months. I am a little short on time so all comments will be in the strengths and weaknesses. Please note that the review is for the Aleph 30.

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All my speakers are homemade.
Pair one is an 8" two way with a Morel tweeter and Vifa woofer. These are sealed with a sealed sub and I have listened to this system the most.

Pair two is a MTM with a Scan Speak tweeter and 2 Scan Speak woofers. These are vented and have plenty of bass w/o a sub. With the parasound amps these were a bit bright which was ameliorated wiith the Aleph 30. Notwithstanding, I need to redo the crossover.

System:
Preamp: Parasound pld 1100
Cd: Nakamichi MB 10
DAC: Rotel
Speaker cables and Interconnects: All Alpha Core

Other amps used include the Parasound HCA-1000A and HCA-1200II

From low midband to highs is the best amp for the money and beyond.

Bass, but not to much.

I have a previous review on this amp 2 or 3 years ago. I have not changed my mind and I have new and renewed love for this amp. As my system have grown up from hi fi to hi end I found this is a great amp, as great as one of the biggest shining stars of the hi end can be. Now my system have an upgraded Esoteric DV-50 player, Rotel CD as tranport and Wavelenght Cosine DAC, Audible Illusions M3 and Pass Labs X2.5 preamps, VAC Aurice Stereo amp, AQ Dragon speaker cables, Alpha Core TQ2 and Kimber KAGC interconnects. Clearaudio Solution table with two Rega RB-600 arms, Krell KPE phono pre, Re Rose Rosette phono pre, Clearaudio Victory H and Benz L2 cartridges. Audio Physic Virgo III luodspeakers. The Aleph 3 is from the lower midband to the highs pure music, transparent, very correct in all ways. I few words is a very very good amp, better than I was thinking some time ago. This amp sound as good as the other electronic associated to the system. If you use a low cost or low quality electronic, the amp may be sound terrible. But if you use good electronics the Aleph 3 sound will be only limited for the quality of these electronics. In another system I hear the aleph 3 with a Wadia 861, and custom built loudspeakers (truly amazing this loudspeakers), I heard the same performance that I mentioned above. May be the bass is not deep, but is very controlled and tight. If you want power and deep bass use the PS Audio HCA-2. I own one of this amps for two years now and this is a little amp with thunderous bass and big power.

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It does everything well, when you get it to play alongside the right equipment.

You kidding.

I believe that the Aleph Range of Pass Labs amplifiers will be the stuff talked about over the campfires. :) Legends !!! I had just taken over an Aleph 3 from a friend and have been smiling from ear to ear eversince. I gave up a pair of 60watters for one pc of the Aleph 3. Wow !!! But no regrets, in fact all smiles. My former Brystons were not second to the Aleph 3 but there was that magical feel that each instrument floats in it's space in air, is something that I have not heard in any other system that I have come acrossed. And these systems cost many times the Aleph 3. One example is a Gryphon system. It's a solid state amp that has the warmth of a valve amplifier but the speed and dynamics of a solid state. Produces well controlled bass, sweet highs, a rich midrange, and imaging that's unbelieveable. I am sure not everyone will agree with me, but I am enjoying my system so much that I had to share this joy here. You have to listen to a Pass Lab to believe it. Kuddos to Mr. Nelson Pass. :)

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Real audio, what an amplifier is meant to do, boost sound and not color it. Could be a work of art (so iv'e been told) but am not an expert. Will make you smile and cry at the same time. Accurate, lively, and VERY spacious sound!

My back and some other parts of my body.

Before I start this review I want to personally thank Nelson Pass and Wayne Coulburn of Pass labs, without these fine people this would have never have happened, also thanks to my father in law Bjarne (Paul) Lysholdt, electrical genious who helped as well. I was on a quest to have a great amplifier, not just an out of the ordinary one, but one that would be able to put a smile on my face and a tear in my eye at the same time. I wanted a SET, but more power. I researched the internet over and over and it seemed my best choice that it would be an Aleph. I did not have the money to actually buy one, new or used, so I decided to enbark on a journey on building my own, and mind you it was not a short one. I didn't know + and - 25 volts (rails) I thougt it was just 25 volts not 50! Matching mosfets, what is that? But I learned a lot in a short period of time and could have never did it by myself, again thanks to all parties involved. I won't go into specifics of how I did it or what I used, just that I did get it done, the single most gratest achievement in my life. Performance, well I don't know quite how to explain it, But what I hear really moves me, everything is accurate, beyond anything I could have imagined perhaps. Magic might be a one word description, beyond the fact that it worked from day 1 and never faultered either. Accuracy, 3D sound like I have never hear before, with a lot of life, Bass is very good and acurate, just cannot get enough of it! It has transformed my thinking on audio more than anything has or could ever. It is now a classic and will stay with me as long as I live, will not be for sale now or ever! To conclude, nothing in my life except for getting married to my lovely wife, can compare to this experience and the willing support of a major player in the audio world, my hat is off to Pass labs for very personal service and advice they provided!

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Heard a bunch, Pass has Magic in his pocket!

Stunning sound, wonderful detail, very good bass. Excellant construction.

Will make bad recordings sound real bad!

I must say I was somewhat skeptical about selling my Audio Research D52b amplifier to buy the Pass Labs. I really enjoyed the sound of my Audio Research and it was by far the best amp I had ever owned. But after reading the rave reviews on the net, I decided to take the plunge! I was plesantly surprised to find that the Aleph 3 met or exceeded all of my expectations. The detail that this amp delivers is amazing. I am hearing things in my CD's I never knew were there, and the soundstage is incredible. I honestly noticed the improvement over my Audio Research amp, and that is saying alot! The Aleph 3 will make poor recordings sound very poor, because it represents the music the way it was recorded, good or bad. But on good recordings the sound is nothing short of miraculous. And this amp has very good bass. I really don't see what all the fuss is about the lack of bass. Quite simply, this is the finest sounding amp I have ever heard! I am using the amp with a pair of Klipsch La Scala's, so the 30 wpc is more than enough. And my pre-amp's are an Audio Research SP5 and Audio Research SP6b, with a Technics DVD A10 DVDCD player.Monster speaker wire and interconnects.

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Smooth AND Detailed. 3D soundstage. Transparent.

Runs Hot. Will reproduce any distortion in the recording.

This is the newer Pass Aleph 30, not the 3. Both are single ended pure class A power amps and both are no longer made as Pass is discontinuing the Aleph Line. The Aleph 30 is available new at closeout prices for much less than the 3 sold for. This is the best solid state amp I have used. Class AB can not match the sound quality of a well designed class A amp. It is smooth AND detailed, bass is well defined, but bass "slammers" will not like it. The amp is superb with classical and jazz music. Older rock recordings not served as well (ABB at Fillmore East sounded fine though), paridoxically, the amp is warm and smooth, but it also reveals the distortion in a recording, it does not "sugar coat" it. Obviously 30 watts is limited power and loudness will be limited. A minimum of 89db sensitive speaker is a must. Solid state amps do not clip as gracefully as tube amps either. If you like to play loud all the time, this is not your amp. If you listen low to moderate levels most of the time, you would be hard pressed to beat this amp. I just listened to high powered Mcintoch and Bryston amps, and none could match the musicality of this amp- presented in 3D stage- the dimensionality of this amp is rivaled only by the best tube gear. Yes it runs hot, but no hotter than tubes. Of the gear I have purchased, this is by far the best value I have come across and one I feel very satisfied with. Guess it depends on your taste, but I have not used or heard a solid state amp I prefer, it's also better than some tube amps I have heard. The reviews tell the story, nearly all say it's excellent, I have to agree. If you have alot of good classical and jazz recordings, this is the amp for you. It also does quite well with rock, but bad recordings will be revealed for what they are. This Amp is an incredible bargain.

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Silky smooth,detail

Run hot

I recently purchased the Aleph 30 and have been using it for about 2 months. It is one of the best sounding amps I have tried for the money. It made an impact on my system.

Detail, Midrange, Soundstage...

Speaker binding posts, warm-up time

Old design, apparently still sends tremors in the shape of dissmisal or wholhearted approval, througout the audio community. Regardless of all the fuss, the Aleph is thing of the past, along with Aleph 30. Scratched of the board. Finished. Done! Even Nelson has distanced himself from this design, by going probably more modern path?! So why all of the fuss? Is this "box" soo good to become a classic, or it is "lifeless", "collored" etc... that some had named this amp? Just replaced my old SFC-1 (also reviewed) with Pass Aleph 3. And now, when all the excitment is over with, i feel i can draw some conclusions about this amp. I have several CD's that have been my favorites for last couple of years that i am familiar with. And would for sure know if something is missing, or if i would to hear MORE? In fact that's the same reason we usualy upgrade. I chose 'bare bones' Cary Slp-50 tube amp, with two 12au7's running in pure class a operation (that's what technical data said). Old (1994) defunct DPA three piece DAC/Dpa T1 transport totaling over $15K when new. I figure, if it was great then, it must be good now? Speakers are DIY watt/puppy clones (Focal/Seas/Peerless and all the good x-over parts) Wire Discovery 123 speaker cable, Pbj for Dac/pre and unknown Monster pre/amp (i am not big into wires) Sound? My tube amp had deeper soundstage, and solid imaging. Softer treble, and looser bass. What gave overall darker presentation. Even 'emotional' sound that was definitely sign of higher colloration than the Pass. Much higher! I just had to play piano (Satie Piano Works vol.1 Naxos) to hear those high notes, where sound is like striking chips of ice againsteach other. Alwas have complained about Sony's John Williams The Guitarst, and the sound quality. Aleph brought these performance much closer to me, even at the low volume levels. Bossa Nova brasil on Verve in past, alwas brought bass troubles int my system. Even though that Alep 3 is not supposed to DO bass, still brought some improvement. Especialy, with electric bass! Robert Lucas Luke and Locmotives(Audioquest), was feast and the beast! On this one i had to turn-up the volume somewhat. Not because of lack of dynamics,but for pure joy! Large orchestra and Pass did wonderful job together! Berloz Symphony Fantastique, with all the bells and whistles was outstanding wit its panoramic soundstage!Bruckner symp. No 4 (Naxos), and quite slow beginning wasn't just empty space. I could "peek" into the concert hall and hear many things they were just void, in the past. When all the action started in Rossini's Barbiere di Sivilia (ACUM), all came together but still preserved steady placement of the individual instruments. Meaning, that there was a lot of going on i wasn't aware of! YoYo Ma's Bach's suites, Cello did sounded "woody" with tho dose of high energy, that sounded like flatulance on my tube amp. Very impressive with the Quarteto Italiano's Beethoven Late Quartets vol.2. This analog recording outclasses all the modern recorded attempts. The amp delivers detail, detail lots of it! But it doesn't do just that. It comunicates the artist intentions. It isn't "cold", nor "warm". It is just. Music. With purity that Aleph delivers, i do not believe i'll be looking for more! It runs hot, but not as hot as my old tube amp with four Kt90's. Other recordings: Calamus Splendor of Andalus Ma rec Arvo Part Tabula Rasa naxos Wagner Taunhauser opera Mozart collection 10 cd's Associated gear Cary slp-50, Dpa Dac/T1 transport

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wonderful mid range,detailed but lacking in grain,no solid state fatigue

Alright it runs a bit warm and can'nt be left on all the time

What can I add,accept to agree that this is one of the finest amps I have heard.Detailed but with no grain,quiet,an excellent soundstage.Others have commented on a weak base,I do'nt see it.Admitedly I have never used high end U.S. muscle amps,I am sure the Pass is lacking in comparison,but I have always valued the midrange,it's where most of the notes are!It seems to have that wonderful valve mid,without the colouration or excessive smoothness which looses the detail. Weakness's,only really the price,in the U.K.,when it was available,it was £2500.that is about $4300.Unfortunately we seem to have to pay the same in £'s you do in $'s,for U.S. Hi-Fi.Can someone tell me why?But at 2nd hand prices it is good value.Unfortunately there are'nt that many arround over here,Pass does'nt seem to have the name recognition of Kell or Levinson. Buy with confidence,it has done more for my system,at a relatively small price thanany other component I can thinkof

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Aleph 3 very detail at high volume. Use with only efficient speaker. Aleph 30 a big different. Much smoother, lots of detail and excellent sound stages.

Runs hot, cosmetic not the best looking amp.

Had the Aleph 3 to demo, sure is one excellent sounding amp. I felt that the 3 didn''t give me the dynamic sound I need. This was driving my bookshelf speaker. Come to think of it the 3 only had 30 watt but a class A amp. I had to turn the volume 3 o''clock, just for my listening comfort. I decided to shop for another pass lab but had only a grand to spend. I decided to audition the Aleph 30. The 30 is a newer, upgrade on the Aleph 3. I sure notice a different. Better sounding amp, more dynamic, detail and much smoother. This 30 has 2 types of input, balance or unbalanced connectors. Believe me the balance input sure makes a different. My advice, if you have efficient bookshelf speaker, over 95+ use the aleph 3. With a little more money buy the Aleph 30, you will see a different. The Aleph 30 is like the Aleph 3 on steriod.

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