2. amps-preamps
  3. 986577754

Bel Canto EVO 200.2

Just wanted to testify to (1) the sound quality and value of the Bel Canto 200.2 and (2) the service provided by my dealer, Goldman Audio. The sound quality is outstanding--the amp has no sound--quiet as a mouse--with good body, terrific highs, solid bass (the clarity of Paul Chamber's bass at the beginning of "So What" is remarkable, as is Scott Lafaro's bass on Bill Evans' "Waltz for Debby"). I'm a long-time tube man but amp is something special (and this comment is written while the amp is still breaking in...).Too, it's only $2395 per--a steal for an amp this good (sorry about the hyperbole but what a deal for the quality of this amp). I'm getting a second to monoblock. If you're looking for this amp, try Goldman Audio, the dealer through which I purchased my amps (www.goldmanaudio.com). Jon is great to deal with--responsive and fair. Highest recommendations for both amp and dealer. Jamie
jamiehughburr
joe_b
421 posts
 
My skepticism about this amp is not its technology but its price. The tripath module is supposedly available at a very low price. Audiosource has produced a 100 watt version of a tripath based amp that has a street price of around $300-$400 and a 200 watter for $600. While I would think the Bel Canto sounds better, I have read that "other manufacturers" are working with the tripath module and wonder what other versions will be out in the marketplace. Unfortunately, Audiosource has been sold and I have read that their distribution and quality control may be a bit uneven at the moment.
vintgeguru
28 posts
 
the tripath unit itself is low cost yes, but it is only a "stock" version. bel canto has modified it (read: voiced) to their own specs. also the difference in sound between the audiosource and the evo are night and day. the audiosource is no slouch for its price range but in no way competes with the evo regardless of similar parts. as most know, parts are only a part of the package, its the package as a whole that comes with the price. and you will see that the evos price isn't that far off the mark for a retail company (overhead, R&D, advertising, etc.) btw, the tripath chip itself runs about $100 so if you believe that audiosource could sell something for $3-400 you better check what else is running underneath the hood or else they are making zero profit or running at a loss and that is what put them under
stein2ff7
1 posts
 
will this thing run electrostatics (MLSL3 to be specific)?
kevint
28 posts
 
the first time I auditioned the EVo it sounded good. the second time the dealer had gotten the matching Bel Canto Pre-1 preamp, great cables, and put a DAC on the player. My god what clarity and sound! Dead quiet background. I ultimately bought one, but got a First Sound Presence tube pre-amp to breath a touch of life into mid-range without adding tube haze noise (to my ears it was a tad lean on acoustic material without a touch of tube, now its stellar). I'm saving up for a DAC and silver cables. The EVo is powering a pair of Talon Audio Khite monitors which I run with the ROC powered sub. What an great match up.
sws2
35 posts
 
I have had the EVO in my system several times for several days at a time. It is a good amp but has a dryness in the midrange and can get congested in complex passages. I ended up getting a Marsh amp and prefer it over the EVO.
More to discover