I am an Aleph owner and have heard the X series on several occasions. I have never heard the X .5 series. While "lean and cold" is a bit of an exaggeration, it is clear to me that the X series transmitted a small bit of electronic artifact that the Aleph series did not. This characteristic of the X amps was clearly apparent when listening. If the X series had more slam, more dynamics, more power, a little better bass control and certainly better looks, I had a hard time understanding why people were paying up to own it over the amps which delivered neutrality, smoothness AND resolution, all at the same time. The fact that Pass upgraded the X to the X .5 while describing the .5 as more "Aleph-like" in his literature and publicity is his acknowledgement that something was missing in the X series. I do not agree with anyone who says that the Alephs are not extended in either the bass or the highs. My Aleph 4 has plenty of bottom and can easily rattle floors with plenty of deep bass. The extreme high end is sweet, detailed and has beautiful clarity. Triangles and cymbals ride on top of the music with clarity and detail. They are simply present when in the music and you don't hear them when they are not. The high end, particularly the upper midrange, is not as prominent as some other amps and you do have to be careful as to what equipment and cables you mate the Aleph with, but all the music is there. This amp remains as natural and neutral as any that I have heard.
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- 8 posts total
- 8 posts total