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.
audiozen
I believe Belles recently and now, makes wonderful pre, power, and integrated amps. Was not the case back in the mid 80's. He came out with the Moscode tube amps which were shear junk sonically, and reliability wise. I had first hand experience with them back then.
facten..I was turned on to Belles four years ago by a local audiophile friend who I've known for twenty years who I met at the Washington Audio society monthly meetings years ago. On several occasions, I had the pleasure of listening to his Belles Hot Rod amp hooked up to his Spectral DMC-10 preamp. The sound swept me away. Having owned many amps during the past 30 years from the likes of Carver, Counterpoint, Parasound, Early Nuforce SE 9's, None of those units grabbed my soul like the Belles. The one sonic character the Belles has over many others, is the remarkable rich smoothness in the midrange and high frequencies, as well as bass to die for.
(((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
JohnnyR.

Sorry about the mistake. The dealer at the time told me Belles had a hand in those amps. I stand corrected and apologize to Dave Belles. Glad to know he didn't have anything to do with those amps. They were terrible.