Really nice preamp. I bought this to replace a Counterpoint SA5.1 that I had owned for about 10 years, and had upgraded (and fixed) over time. I had built a clone of this just to check out the sound, and liked it so well that I bought a commercial unit. Mine is the one with the remote, which I bought instead of the earlier version simply because the gain devices are more readily available, should I never need to replace them (I have the service manual as well).

I thought this would just be a sidegrade from the Counterpoint, sounding much like it. I wasn't prepared for my initial reaction once I put it in the system. I was very pleased with the sound, being a significant upgrade.

The rest of the system consists of an Odyssey Stratos Plus power amp, Von Schweikert VR4 GenII speakers, and a couple of modified Rotel CDPs (RCD-991 and RCD-855, discrete output staged, clocking, etc.).

I purchased this used from a gentleman that offered it to me on head-fi, and it has been a very good purchase. I don't forsee myself getting rid of it. I like the form factor, build quality, circuit design, and implementation. Preamps other than the Counterpoint that I have listened to in my system include an Audible Illusions 2D and a VTL TL-5.5 (in my brother's similar system).

Build quality, customer service/support

Not in production, so replacement parts more difficult to obtain.

Again I'm writing about this piece, as I wrote the review dated June 13, 2001. I've had this unit for 6 months now, having had the other P for a little over 3 yrs. From the time I sold it until replacing 3 yrs. later, I had ARC, Muse, Atma-sphere, BAT, Classe', McIntosh & Luminous Audio preamps in my system, along w/a Plinius integrated. I am so glad I was able to get another P in my system!

This unit differs from the first one, as it is the remote version. I had some internal pics from the first unit & compared them w/this one. The circuit design is a little different & although too much time has gone by for me to make a sonic comparison, this sounds better than I remember.

Why did I go back to an Aleph P? It's hyperbole to say a preamp (or any other piece in the audio chain) is neutral or uncolored; however, I just like the way this thing works & sounds. I also firmly believe that a well designed circuit, be it tubes or SS, is going to sound good. I've had both types in my system (amp, pre & CDP) and I don't have a bias towards one or the other.

So what does this do for me that the other ones didn't? Just going from the last couple of pieces, I went from the Atma-sphere to the BAT & liked it better. I then switched amps and 6 mo. later purchased the P. I liked the BAT enough to keep it but got a phone call asking if I wanted to buy the P, as I had expressed an interest in it from a previous conversation from a fellow audiophile. Since I had regretted selling the first P from time to time, I decided to make the purchase. It's actually a bit quieter than the BAT and has a smidgeon deeper soundstage, but the width & height are similar. I like my presentation to be totally absent of harshness & brightness & that's what I'm getting.

The only thing missing can be attributed to the quality of the very inexpensive CDP I have, which I will replace in a few months. I have auditioned several CDP's since I sold off my entire system 1.5 yrs. ago, so have slowly been piecing it back together. What the presentation lacks w/the current CDP is some detail & some high end extension, which was definitely there a w/better unit.

I'm not saying the P is the cornerstone of my system but it is very much a part of the sound I like and in all likelihood, I'll be holding onto it much longer than the previous term of 3 yrs.

Customer Service

One of the best companies I've had the pleasure of dealing with.

Similar Products Used:

as listed in review

Build quality, customer service.

They're getting older & one day parts won't be available.

Again I'm writing about this piece, as I wrote the review dated June 13, 2001. I've had this unit for 6 months now, while having the other P for a little over 3 yrs. From the time I sold it until replacing 3 yrs. later, I had ARC, Muse, Atma-sphere, BAT, Classe', McIntosh & Luminous Audio preamps in my system, along w/a Plinius integrated. I am so glad I was able to get another P in my system!

This unit differs from the first one, as it is the remote version. I had some internal pics from the first unit & compared them w/this one. The circuit design is a little different & although too much time has gone by for me to make a sonic comparison, this sounds better than I remember.

Why did I go back to an Aleph P? It's hyperbole to say a preamp (or any other piece in the audio chain) is neutral or uncolored; however, I just like the way this thing works & sounds. I also firmly believe that a well designed circuit, be it tubes or SS, is going to sound good. I've had both types in my system (amp, pre & CDP) and I don't have a bias towards one or the other.

So what does this do for me that the other ones didn't? Just going from the last couple of pieces, I went from the Atma-sphere to the BAT & liked it better. I then switched amps and 6 mo. later purchased the P. I liked the BAT enough to keep it but got a phone call asking if I wanted to buy the P, as I had expressed an interest in it from a previous conversation from a fellow audiophile. Since I had regretted selling the first P from time to time, I decided to make the purchase. It's actually a bit quieter than the BAT and has a smidgeon deeper soundstage, but the width & height are similar. I like my presentation to be totally absent of harshness & brightness & that's what I'm getting.

The only thing missing can be attributed to the quality of the very inexpensive CDP I have, which I will replace in a few months. I have auditioned several CDP's since I sold off my entire system 1.5 yrs. ago, so have slowly been piecing it back together. What the presentation lacks w/the current CDP is some detail & some high end extension, which was definitely there a w/better unit.

I'm not saying the P is the cornerstone of my system but it is very much a part of the sound I like and in all likelihood, I'll be holding onto it much longer than the previous term of 3 yrs.

Customer Service

I've dealt w/Pass before & they are one of the best customer service orientated high end manufacturers I've had the pleasure of dealing with.

Similar Products Used:

As listed

musicality silky and transparent sound

none

i've used this pre.. 5 times.. the more i like music, the more i like this pre. e'specially piano, vocal, and string.. this is the actual goal of musicality, not performance. compare to the BAT, Mark, Jeff..etc.. this is not full of resolution, but full of sincearity.. after using many of this kind.. after all, i know this is wonderful preamp.

Similar Products Used:

so many..

balance, emotion, texture and inner detail, great soundstage

This is indeed an excellent preamp. I was looking for something better than my CJ PFR and I finally found it. I owned a Conrad-Johnson PFR, an Audio Research LS2B,LS 8,SP 11 mk ll and a Krell KRC 3 before settling on the Aleph P as the one to keep. The Aleph P has allows inner detail and texture to come through much better than the others listed above. This is the most striking thing about this preamp. Also, the soundstage depth is fantastic, the width is good, and image stability is excellent. It is an excellent preamp all around. The remote is a work of art,solid heavy & user friendly System synergy is paramount so I always list my associated equipment. Otherwise, the review is meaningless since the reference and context is missing. I use ATC 20T speakers, Mark Levinson ML3 amplifier, Pass Labs Aleph P preamp, and a Wadia 301 cd player. I have treated and tested my room to make sure my frequency response is accurate so that I can rely on my opinions. This is all too often overlooked by reviewers.

This is one of the finest pieces of audio equipment I have ever heard. I have owned a CAT Signature mkII, an Audible Illusions Modulous 3 and an sf line 3 in the past. This linestage not only sounds to these ears better than all of those preamps (which were all fine indeed) but the build quality and features are unbelievable. . The power supply is incredible. The remote is simply user friendly . This pre amazes me because the sounds is so natural, incredibly detailed yet not etched, and the sounstage and imaging are unbelievable. This preamp is so non-fatiguing and musical that it has me listening to the MUSIC again and not the components. My best friend (a professional sax player) has been with me through each upgrade to my system and was awestruck at the realistic "live" quality and the energy this preamp breathed into the music. Trumpets and saxes actually sound like trumpets and saxes. I've NEVER heard drums sound this good on reproduced music. If you get the impression I like this preamp, you're right. This gem will stay in my system for some time to come. I'd give it 6 stars if I could!!!!!!!!!!

Transparent,clean detailed sound without making you want to clench your teeth.

Nothing significant

This is a phenomenal preamp. I have had it only a oouple of days, but I'm blown away and can't unplug it long enough to A/B it against some other gear I have. I bought it based on the recommendations here and the Stereophile Class A rating and many other mags. I'm not disappointed. If anything I'm far more impressed than I expected to be. As others have pointed out, this is solid state and the sound is clean and clear and comes shining on through. If you have a bright sounding system this may not be your ticket, but if you are looking for clean unadulterated sound, this is it. It is a bit forward sounding, but as others have said it still manages to be pleasant and non fatiging. A couple days of break in have also opened things up a bit. On well recroded music (Cowboy Junkies for instance) I am hearing nuances in the music that I'd never heard before. The metal remote is user friendly. The volume control pot will cost a fortune and is sensitive doesn't allow for fine graduations, but I don't find it a problem. All in all a wonderful product with the Pass Labs Aleph P build with quality parts and that AWESOME thick chasis. Associated Equipment Bel Canto Evo 200.2 Von Schweikert VR4 JR Sony XA7ES cdp Siltech 80B G3 IC's Audioquest Dragon Speaker cable PS Audio P600

Similar Products Used:

Audio Research 2B & LS15, Threshold T400, CJ ,PFR,Chord 1200B,Spectral,Kimber kables

TRANSPARENCY

I've always found the preamp to be the weakest link. Not any more. The Aleph P is tonally neutral and conveys the wide dynamic range of music like a reference tube preamp but with the speed quiet and slam or solid state. Dead silent. Has a wide deep soundstage and a more recessed presentation but that's a choice, not a coloration. Reference grade all the way.Another AWESOME pre from Pass Labs.

Similar Products Used:

Al

Most passive preamp I've heard (!). Indestructable build. Relatively cheap. No bell and whistles.

No bells and whistles (for some). Volume control (won't attenuate much). No remote (my version).

I've owned my Pass P along with my Aleph O monoblocks for nearly eight years and am happy with them. I drive Dunlavy SC-4s on custom silver balanced interconnects and Dunlavy speaker cables. The preamp is one of the most passive sounding preamps around, which is why I enjoy it. It does not have a whole lot of bells and whistles, so if you want a tape loop, polarity switch, more than four inputs...go elsewhere. Also, thhe volume control uses discrete transitors (you can find the technical stuff on the pass www). Anyway, the bottom line is you can't turn it down a whole lot, so if you have sensative speakers and live in an apartment building (like me), late night listening is limited. I understand that the later, remote version, gives you an option to throw an internal swith to attenuate it further. Again, check out the www.

Similar Products Used:

Melos Sha-1 gold, audiable illusions, audio research, conrad johnson, no pre amp (eg. Wadia 860 or Mark Levinson 39 cd players).

i dont notice its there, and it was only $2600 new, i think not exactly sure what it cost

not sure if there are any, kinda ugly, and the remote is heavy.

Ive had this pre-amp for about 3 years, heres the deal though... The system sounds great so i have to assume the pre-amp is great. Ive had a Cary SL-94 and AR LS-7 in this same sytem and the both seemed more sluggish and closed in then the P. I have an Adcom 750 on my little system with an aleph 3 and ive switched it with the P to see how they compare. There quite similar in type of sound, buy the Adcom is much more edgy, and strident, not bad really, just more "there", hmmm, i never bothered to put the P on the Aleph 3 though. The p is in front of an Aleph 4,. I guess I love it! for those that are interested, the rest of the stereo is: Audio Physics Avanti III Nordost SPM spkr cables Aleph ONO and an AR PH-3SE Musical Fidelity CD Nu Vista 3D Wilson Benesch with Helikon Nordost SPM interconnects except the Phono sections, Harmonic Tech Pro Sillway ii there Polycrystal Racks. ESP Power Cords and strip all in a 30 amp dedicated line. Magnum Dynalab Etude actually theres more but you get the idea...

Similar Products Used:

AR LS-7, Cary SLP-94, Adcom 750 GFP, Aleph L