I got to spend a few hours of quality time with the Aleph J in my system this last weekend.
I’ll just start by saying that i continue to be impressed by this amplifier. Hands down, this is the best solid state amplifier I’ve ever had in my home.
I won’t say that it sounds like a SET amp, because it doesn’t. It also doesn’t sound like a ballsy push pull tube amp nor a typical solid state amplifier.
In my opinion, the Aleph J kind of skirts the line among all of them, incorporating some of the best qualities of each design.
It’s detailed like the best solid state amplifiers but not analytical. It’s got presence like a good SET amplifier, but not quite to the same degree. It has drive like a ballsy push pull tube amplifier when the program material calls for it.
What was supposed to be a quick one hour listening session turned into more like three hours with every member of the family joining me for at least a few songs at some point. I didn’t want to turn off the music and to me that is the litmus test.
At this point I may have 7-10 hours on it, so likely there’s still plenty of burn in to go. I cannot wait to see what’s in store and cannot imagine how one could better spend the $700-800 it costs to build one of these.
Very highly recommended.