In august 2002, inspired by several threads on the DIYaudio forum, I decided to design and build my own Aleph Ono. I would organize a group buy with my PCB’s and everyone would be happy. The first prototype PCB was a disaster. Traces on the PCB had connections to the ground plane, soldering pads were too small, component pinouts were reversed and the whole thing refused operation no matter how much I tinkered with it.

The project seemed to die a silent death, for I didn’t look at it for almost a year.

Around august 2003, I picked up where I had left and completely redesigned the PCB’s. This time I was a bit more successful. A few tweaks, and it worked! A final set of PCB’s was sent out to the etching plant and I began construction with all kinds of exotic components, new and matched mosfets, and a full load of extra power supply capacitors. In the meanwhile, I also picked up the pile of MDF to build the enclosure it was supposed to be.

Now, in the year 2004 DC, I finally finished the entire project, and I lay back in my listening chair, to listen to the new music running through my room. At first, the sound was somewhat “muffled”. Highs and mids were held back, and details didn’t really come free of the speakers. I took them to my school, where I tested the ono for its RIAA curve, and found that it was indeed slightly offset. A component mismatch was to blame, and the error was quickly solved.

The Aleph Ono sounds just really wonderful. Basses are really tight and firm, voices are clear and natural, and practically all details are clearly present in the music, but nothing gets analytic or gives a “solid state” kind of sound. The picture remains calm and very pleasant to listen to.

I would like to thank Nelson Pass, Wayne Colburn and everyone else attached to Pass Labs for everything they have done for the DIY community.

Bouke van der Weerdt

www.vanderweerdt.nl