Solid State Power Amp Reviews

Steven Stone compared the Aleph 0 and the Aleph 1.2 in November 1997 (Vol.20 No.11):

My first compare-and-contrast exercise pitted the Pass Aleph 1.2 against the smaller, $8000/pair Aleph 0. While the amps shared certain family traits, they did not sound identical. The 1.2 had a certain ease, regardless of the music's demands, that eluded the 0. Paradoxically, the Aleph 0s did have a slightly more specific soundstage focus, but that precision broke down when they were dynamically stressed. Also, the Aleph 0 seemed to be faster-sounding on dynamic transients. The horns on Paquito D'Rivera's Grammy-winning Portraits of Cuba (Chesky JD145), hit faster, but got a wee bit woolly during their crescendos.

The Aleph 1.2s did project a slightly larger soundstage with a bit better depth rendition. On LeeAnn Rimes's Blue, the wall of sound behind her was farther back through the 1.2s. With sensitive speakers (more sensitive than the 91dB/W Dunlavy Signature SC-VIs), the Aleph 0s could probably maintain their superior dynamic immediacy and focus. In my main system, the 1.2's overall dynamic ease added substantially to the listening experience, tipping the scales in its favor.—Steven Stone