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Review 2 of 5 Summary:
This is an unusual review in a way because I bought this unit second hand. I listened to one new several years ago and it was great, however the second hand unit was not so good. Even though this is basically passive preamp the sound was rough, harsh and irritating, you couldn't feel the music. I know Nelson Pass makes good stuff and this is a passive amp so nothing could be at fault apart from the volume control that could have worn out. I opened it up and the volume control was quite good but sort of home-made so I decided to replace it with a very high quality one as described below...
It turned out that the Pass Aleph L is excellent if you replace the volume control that lets it down after a few years.
I just got my Goldpoint stepped attenuator in the mail. I got clobbered with an extra 60 dollars because the Swedish customs opened the package and charged me Swedish sales tax 25 % plus a handling fee, gotta love Sweden.
Anyway, I got the thing installed in about 30 minutes after some frantic drilling and a few spots of solder. I had a second hand Pass Aleph L preamp and it sounded quite rough and unpleasant, especially compared to my Melos SHA-Gold that has a Photentiometer volume control. I knew the Aleph L had potential as Nelson Pass makes good stuff and the reviews of the unit were all good. I could see that the potentiometer inside was not that great quality, not gold plated, not very good contacts and open to contamination. It had probably gotten worn down and deteriorated.
The Goldpoint was clearly higher quality, gold contacts, very firm connection and sealed against dust. After changing potentiometer I could hear an immediate difference. Even my girlfriend who was in the next room said she could hear how much better it sounded. Detailed and musical at the same time. Revealing but without any harshness. I have an expensive system and have spent a long time trying cables and other components to try and get rid of the rough nasties in the sound. Looking back I wish I had bought a Goldpoint attenuator a long time ago, then I could have been enjoying the music all those years instead of throwing all my money on other less worthwhile upgrades. The message is that the more revealing your speakers, amp and CD are the more you will hear the distortion thrown in by your preamp. The more you "upgrade" the worse it gets. If you think your hi-fi sounds rough and unbearable then try on of these stepped attenuators, you won't be dissappointed.
Strengths:
Simple, stylish, matches my Aleph 3 power amp Weaknesses:
Sounds rough and harsh Similar Products Used:
Melos SHA Gold
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