Price Paid:  $1765.00 from private seller

Summary:
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.

Strengths:
Build quality, customer service/support

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

Similar Products Used:
as listed in review

Price Paid:  $1765.00 from private seller

Summary:
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.

Strengths:
Build quality, customer service.

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

Similar Products Used:
As listed

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
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.

Strengths:
musicality
silky and transparent sound

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
so many..

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Price Paid:  $3200.00

Summary:
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.

Strengths:
balance, emotion, texture and inner detail, great soundstage

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
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!!!!!!!!!!