- JohnnyR
www.audioconnect.com
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Best,
Belles Greatest Integrated ever! The Virtuoso
Just before the Holiday's, I noticed on several authorized Belles websites, that certain separates went out of production which is a pattern that would indicate new products are forthcoming, and sure enough a new Integrated popped up on the Belles website last week, which appears to be his greatest integrated amp to date. The Virtuoso,
putting out over 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms, HT bypass, Processor loop, MM & MC phono stage, and power meters on the front panel. The unit will be released in March at a price tag of $6495. Given David Belles reputation during the past 30 years, who has always been at the top of his game as perhaps the best solid state engineer designer ever in the states, since musicality has always been his first order of business, it wouldn't surprise me at all that the Virtuoso will fly out the door and winds up on the back order list. Its a real looker.
Very handsome unit. Well done David! Its what we've been waiting for.
putting out over 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms, HT bypass, Processor loop, MM & MC phono stage, and power meters on the front panel. The unit will be released in March at a price tag of $6495. Given David Belles reputation during the past 30 years, who has always been at the top of his game as perhaps the best solid state engineer designer ever in the states, since musicality has always been his first order of business, it wouldn't surprise me at all that the Virtuoso will fly out the door and winds up on the back order list. Its a real looker.
Very handsome unit. Well done David! Its what we've been waiting for.
Showing 9 responses by audioconnection
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(((Mr M Wrong designer Moscode was a different fellow initials GK and I agree with you))) Many years back I was selling Apogee Divas Calipers and Duettas Jason Bloom Apogees pres walks in and said Rutan I like you and I’m glad we’re doing business. But can you do me a small favor? whats that? ""That Pioneer Elite amp sitting near my speakers it’s a little well you know near my gear can you please move it away. I replied sure I get it and followed with my Question ""Jason, if you were me and wanted to please folks with offering a real-world high-performance fairly priced amp what would you suggest""? He scratched his head and in seconds later replied Belles Dave Belles I don’t know how he does it check it out! I call Dave up he sent one down to us and watched it embarrass everything we had at twice the price including Classe DR9s Counterpoints, Big PS Audios, My friend who had Calipers with a 270 wpc Mcintosh amp sold it immediately and still has the Belles. Years later his 2995 Aria Mono Blocks are doing the same for us with Vandersteens and many other speakers for music lovers. JohnnyR |
((((The gear used was an Audible Illusion’s Modulus 3A preamp, an Ayre amplifier))) Audiodozen Thanks for your well-intended observations above. I know you are fond of this new nice speaker and I am sure it is fine design that I would love to also hear. There is something that you should know that’s very important and would have happened to your nice speaker or any well-designed speaker as well back then with that pairing. We carried all three of the components and made the same mistakes as Curtis Here is a case of you shot the wrong messenger and I’m sure not intentionally as I would also agree with what you heard as spot on. Here’s Why....... First, the Ayre is a nice amp at the time of introduction it had a 10 K input impedance its a balanced bridge zero feedback design and was at its best with its own brand balanced pre amp which Curtis or I didn’t have until later when it came out. Enter the Balanced K1 The K1 together balanced with Ayres own amp were superb together and it drove that ayre amp to perfection we heard things we never heard before in recordings with that pairing with Vandys The Audible Illusions tube preamp was not balanced but RCA output it had a 1200 ohm output impedance. When you place AI / Ayre together these 2 mismatched components together with any well-designed speaker its a major mismatch. I agreed with you 100 percent and know what you heard as it was a bleak pairing but it’s not the speaker’s fault as the speaker was only the messenger. The AI preamp cant drive the10 k load.hence the extremes get rolled off soggy bass no dynamics elevator mids you get the picture etc. Later Ayre because of this happening to many others changed the input impedance spec of its amps to 100 K and now higher. This gave a much friendlier interface with matching other preamp owners equipment. Back then the Belles amps were 100 k and worked Fine with AI preamps I even remember hooking up Soundstage reviewer Doug Blackburn that purchassed Vandy 2s / 3A sigs with Belles and AI and later went to an all Belles pairing and loved it gave Vandersteen Reviewers choice. Cheers JohnnyR PS. Nowadays Vandys play Beethoven with the Belles like the Vienna Philharmonic.WOM You may need to come to Jersey to hear it. |
Well said ((((For the most part, many Audiophiles are preoccupied with whats on the radar, in the mags, and their demigod reviewer's they worship. If your an Audiophile/Musicphile with an intense passion for music, and your ongoing search in recent years has not fully satisfied your quest, Belles maybe your final choice. A real keeper.)))) Agree, It's always best to see with your ears then listen with your eyes? Best, JohnnyR |
Phusis Spoke to Dave Belles tonight All Good The man is blowing and going, making amps and busy all summer Don't know where you got your rumors from probably a competitor. Aria Monoblocks and integrated took a few years to design the right way when the virtuoso is ready it will be ready not rushed. Best, JohnnyR |