I recently completed a DIY build of the Aleph J amp, and I’ve been playing it for about two weeks comparing it to my other amplifiers:
- Dynakit Stereo 35 with EFB mod
- Pass DIY Sony VFET Class A
- McIntosh MC240
I expected a nice Class A SS amp when I built this, and one of my primary motives was to teach some audio friends around the country how to build Pass DIY amps via Zoom meetings every weekend during this pandemic.
This amp has surpassed my expectations and I really enjoy listening to music with it in my system. It matches up well with my Audio Research PH5 tube phono stage, Audio Research LS7 tube line stage, and Klipsch Forte II speakers. My Forte II’s disappear in my listening room amidst a huge, deep soundstage. The detail, the separation between musicians, the tonality, and the pace and timing are remarkable. A good friend who is also an audio enthusiast visited the other week and he was very impressed with the Aleph J so much, he wants me to build him one. In our amp shootout, it was a toss up between the MC240 and the Aleph J. The edge went to the MC240 for that lovely tube bloom that imparts presence, but the Aleph J was equally enjoyable in its own way.
In fact, I’ve described to my friends having all these great amplifiers is like loving four beautiful women at the same time, and appreciating them for their unique personalities and beauty. In this case, I’ve been spending more time with the Aleph J.