Anyone use a Belles 150A to drive a difficult load


I have been driving a large ribbon-hybrid (Flatline 175's--you never heard of them) with a Music Reference RM-9 (tubes, 100W/side) and the amp really can't hanndle the weird load (down to 2 ohms)though , at low volume, the sound is beutiful. The Belles is not a high current design but current isn't everything. Has anyone tred to use this amp for Maggies, or other cranky speakers? I listen mostly to large scale classical stuff and value timbral accuracy and beauty of sound above all other considerations but I like dynamics and bass, too. I have a VPI 19-4, Moerch arm, Grado cart, Mod 3 preamp, Flatline and Luminous Audio cables in a 2300 cubic foot moderately dead room. Thanks, folks.
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Showing 1 response by marakanetz

I used it as loaner with Vandy 1C. Couldn't stand it for more than 10min. The absence of tonal balance everytime present in Belles will not certainly provide timbral accuracy. As to bass it's so shallow that many tube amps of half-power will do it much better and deeper.

For tough loads curent means a LOT.
The much better alternative is NAD S200 or NAD S300 that will care less about 2 Ohm than Belles.

A good approach will be if you want to bi-amp your ribbons using electronic crossover tube or ss. Tough loads benefit form active bi-amplification. Thinking of passive bi-amp only complicate things and make system sound out of balance ESPECIALLY with heavy speakers that after bi-amp become even more heavy.

You may also find Plinius SA100 worm as tube amp with all SS drive benefits you're aiming towards accuracy dynamics and bass but certainly pricey. Don't pay attention to 100W/ch ratings since it's only for class A margin. If you look-up its power supply you'll realize that it can work as welding machine.