Bel Cantos

[ChrisAZ]

Now that we've gotten the ball rolling here, I was particularly interested in the e.one REF mono blocks. My problem is that I have very shallow shelves in my built in cabinets (and no room for a separate stand) which significantly restricts what I can use to power my system - McIntosh gear is way too deep. The Bel Canto's footprint would be ideal and the mono blocks have plenty of power, but if they're not up to snuff from a SQ point of view they are non-starters. I know many are suspicious of Class D, but I note that these are well reviewed as is the Class D Audio Research gear. Hard to get an audition near my home in Houston, hence the question.

[doggiehowser]

I have replaced my REF1000Ms with Electrocompaniet Nemos. But they do punch a lot higher than the price band. I do find they benefit from a good tube preamp like my ARC.

[-E-]

BC makes fine gear.

I love my little unit. They are always on my short list for smaller 2-channel systems.

[ChrisAZ]

"I love my little unit."

There is a great joke here, but I'm controlling myself since this is a PG forum. : )

[mg87]

No Avatar Required :-)

I am very happy with my 3.5VBS Mk II and REFLINK combo. The REFLINK is a great benefit to the original 24/96 light link that came with the original purchase. (I think the mLink would have also been a considerable contribution.) I did have the current version of the REF500m amps, initially, and they were good but did not give the "weight" to the low frequency that my floor-standers needed (SF Elipsa). The low A/C requirement was great and the "green" approach was a selling point. I tried Ayre V-5xe (similar to REF500m performance), MX-R (really good) and resolved a demo REF110, ahh - home sweet home (excellent). I believe the B/C DAC-PRE-REFLINK is truly outstanding and is absolutely faithful in redbook and HiRes media. The amplification choice is optimized when it complements the highly resolving front-end and can give it a little added fullness to the lower mid/bass. To call it "thin" is not fair at all but I really like what the ARC has done. As I am surely lusting after a ARC REF preamp, the Bel Canto is a keeper and will not be replaced. For my taste, the REF500m had great power, great midrange and high frequency dynamics. It was better suited for 50hz up speaker and a fast sub (2.1 style), like a REL Serie R328. I ran a set of B&W 805 diamonds and a REL R328 like this with great results.

[catastrofe]

I have the PRE3vb. It's a wonderful preamp.

[hifinutt]

I have had many bel canto products
the ref 1000 monoblocks were brilliant with my b&w 804s but then I got a modded upgraded pair of ref 1000. any prejudices about class d should go ot of the window

many of my friends have bc stuff and the power amps are great

I had the pre 3 which was so reliable and then heard the vbs version which was quite an improvement, its not the best in the world but its vfm

I also have a bc fm 1 tuner which has a tremendous soundstage and powered by the batt vbs means no worries about mains quality because I live uin an industruial heartland and mains can be an issue

they have superb build quality and the only problem I have ever had in many years of use is the first remote they had was rubbish but now they are excellent , I dcould probably get a better dac than my bc 3.5vbs but you know what? it sounds so good and is so easy to use I won`t part with it !!

[Pider]

I'm picking up the 500m's today, along with a pre3 for home audition. Can my Dynaudio 140's handle that much power?

[-E-]

Yeah. Versus that NAD you are in for quite a shock. Totally different sounding beasts!

[Pider]

Hopefully the difference is that the BC's are musically better (whatever that means)? They also have a NAD M2 available. Could be a long weekend of listening.