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Rogue Sphinx or Belles Aria???

I've recently been building up my system over the past year getting into the mid/hi-fi level and have finally reached the point of upgrading my amplifier [currently older Yamaha A-S500]. 
I'm looking for an integrated amp in the ~$2k range [I don't have space or budget for separates] and think I finally have it narrowed down between a Rogue Sphinx v3 and a Belles Aria.  I'm only listening to vinyl so have no need to worry about a DAC.

The Rogue has many positive reviews so think it would be a pretty safe bet and while I can only find one professional Belles Aria reviews the personal reviews in various forums seem to be pretty spectacular and seems to punch above its class so I'm really intrigued. 
Unfortunately, I'm not in the position to demo either of these personally so I'm looking for advice; especially if any one has ever compared side by side.

The rest of my setup is as follows:
B&W 705 stand-mounts
Rega Planar P3 w/ Elys MM
Audioquest Sydney interconnects

I really appreciate any advice...thanks!

dsjs4
b_limo's avatar
b_limo
2,271 posts
 
Yes, irony.  I have heard nothing but good things about the Aria.  I have a pair of Fritz Carrera BE’s that I absolutely love and when Fritz caught wind of me wanting to purchase a new integrated amp, Fritz recommended the Aria.  After researching the Aria, it seems like everyone who has heard it really likes it.

I have been looking for one on the second hand market for weeks now and can’t find any.  

jackd
1,036 posts
 
Bruce

Two other great matches with the Carrera Be's are the Kinki EX-M1 and the Audia Flight FL Three S.  Fritz had the Kinki at one time and sold it but later when he heard one that was fully broken in with the Carrera's he admitted he made a mistake selling it too soon.
valinar
470 posts
 
I just sold an Aria last week via another popular audio equipment sales forum. It is a great unit but after comparing it to another amp for use in a small system I decided I liked the other a wee bit more.
I talked to Johnny at Audio Connection and David Belles and both were excited about a soon to be released Aria Signature. Johnny is currently taking deposits. It will be higher power output, MC and MM phono stage (current Aria has MM only), thicker faceplate, various other significant upgrades. David Belles said expected cost to be around $4500.
recroom
21 posts
 
Re: the Aria Signature: This is another surprise!  Does this amp sound to you like a lesser version of the also soon-to-be-released Belles Virtuoso?  And, for that matter, did you get an update on that model, which was first mentioned some three years ago?  
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,313 posts
 

I posted this info in another thread, but in summary, my understanding is this: the Virtuoso power amp is finished and available for purchase right now.  The Virtuoso pre-amp is still being finalized but will be available very soon.

My understanding also was that these will be followed by a "blending" of the two into the Virtuoso Integrated (which was supposed to be coming first, but is now last, for a variety of reasons), and only then the Aria Signature integrated.

But perhaps the A.S. has leapt over it in the order of production.  We shall see. I also don't know to what extent the A.S. might use trickle-down from the Virtuoso, or to what extent it is a beefing up of the already excellent Aria line (preamp, stereo amp, monoblocks).

I know at least one member of A'gon has a Virtuoso power, but so far hasn't reported back on impressions.

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