General Asylum: REVIEW: Pass Laboratories Aleph 60 Amplifier (SS) by the analog kid

Model:	Aleph 60
Category:	Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price:	$3800
Description:	Single-Ended Class A Monoblock 60 Watt amplifier
Manufacturer URL:	Pass Laboratories
Manufacturer URL:	Pass Laboratories

Review by the analog kid ( A ) on April 02, 2002 at 20:35:50
IP Address: 35.9.8.213

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I just received my Pass Aleph 60 monoblocks a few days ago. Even as I post this review, production of the 60's (to my knowledge) has ceased, as Pass has chosen to discontinue the Aleph series, after a long and critically acclaimed run. For the past couple of years, Nelson Pass has continued to produce upgraded versions of the Aleph 2 (monoblocks) and 3 (stereo amp), under the "Volksamp" banner. The idea of "Volksamp" - an "amplifier for the people" - was (apparently) Nelson's, as he was able to simultaneously provide an improved product with substantial upgrades and REDUCE the price. The price reduction was due to the abandonment of the aesthetically pleasing but otherwise inconvenient (and extremely costly) extruded aluminum chassis of the original Alephs. But alas, "Volksamp" is officially no more, and with its demise, so ends the production of (arguably) the finest single-ended class A solid state amplifiers ever.
I chose to purchase the 60's after owning a Volksamp Aleph 30 for several months. It absolutely blew me away, but ultimately lacked the power to sufficiently grab the woofers of my Snell XA60's. For those of you who are interested, you can check out the technical improvements of the Volksamps over the original Alephs on the Volksamp website (if it's still up and running). Summarized, the Volksamps used more output caps, used more precise matching (and higher tolerances) of all parts, and used an enhanced power supply. The results were not simply audible to the "naked" ear as improvements, but measurably as well - Nelson claims measurably greater extension in range and dynamics, comparing the Volksamps to the original Alephs.
So, my 60's arrived for the Pass factory, and upon unpacking them I was surprised to see that the silkscreening on the (gorgeous, thick) front plates reads "Pass Aleph 60," with nary a hint of "Volksamp" to be seen. I guess in this last run Nelson decided to formerly and publicly lay claim to these wonderful amps. After several days of hard running, my sonic impressions of them are very similar to my impressions of the 30 (and the original 3, which I also once owned). They produce absolutely the finest amplified sound I have ever heard, all in all. Over the years, I have owned amplifiers from Adcom (555), Classe (DR 25), Sonic Frontiers (Power 1), and Wavelength (Cardinal XS), and the Pass Aleph 60s best them all. They have a pristine purity of tone that rivals the finest of the SETs. At the same time, they pack an enormous transient whallop and speed, similar to the Classes. When listening, you're simultaneously struck by the musicality, naturalness of tone, high and low frequency extension, and midrange richness, ALL AT THE SAME TIME. They do it all. And unlike their less powerful cousin the 30, they cast an iron grip over my 8" Snell (Audax, actually) woofers.
Throwing several female vocal tracks at the 60's, I found that they produced a more natural, sweet tone than any amp I've had (with the possible exception of the Wavelengths, which cost twice as much). Throwing Santana's Barboletta on (Japanese pressing), they display explosive energy and rhythmic power.
I don't know what more I can say without being ridiculously repetitive. After more than five years of near-constant amp rotation through my system, I have finally found my permanent reference amplifiers. The shame of it is that they are no longer being manufactured, although there are still a few left to be had (I got mine from Audio-Video Logic), and they certainly will be around on the used market for some time to come.
One final comment. I have read a number of posts related to the aesthetics of the "Volksamps" versus the original Alephs. The 60's use a very conventional "amp box" design, that is true. They aren't as pretty, distinct, or unique (in a Star Terk "Borg" kind of way) as the original extruded aluminum Alephs. They also kick the original Alephs around the block (having owned them, I can credibly say this). They are not only better in terms of parts and design quality, but they are measurably and audibly superior to an amplifier that was, in itself, an audio classic.
In conclusion, the Pass Aleph 60's represent a milestone solid state achievement. IMHO, you will not find a finer-sounding solid state amplifier on the planet: the single-ended Class A sound provides unrivalled purity of tone. Buy a pair, if you can find them.

Product Weakness: None that I can think of or identify, other than the fact that it's no longer being produced
Product Strengths: Exceptional purity and naturalness of tone; pristine high frequencies, rich midrange, and tight bass; wonderfully musical amplifier

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Pass Aleph 60 Monoblocks
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Audible Illusions L1; ARC PH3SE
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Basis 2001/OL Silver 250/Grado Statement
Speakers:	Snell XA60s
Cables/Interconnects:	Silversmith Audio; Cardas Golden Cross
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Rock, Jazz, Classical
Room Size (LxWxH):	22 x 11 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	RPG Diffusors
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1 week
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Monster 5000
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	None that I can think of or identify, other than the fact that it's no longer being produced
Product Strengths:	Exceptional purity and naturalness of tone; pristine high frequencies, rich midrange, and tight bass; wonderfully musical amplifier