Bel Canto opinions


Hello All,

So I just ordered what will be my very first Bel Canto piece of gear. I ordered the 501S power amp. Very excited to get my hands on it but I don't see a lot of press here about Bel Canto in the forums. Just wondering what you all think of their amps specifically? The main reason I chose this amp was due to its small size and limited space in my entertainment center. It'll be driving a pair of Sonus Faber Sonetto III's in a second 2 channel living room system...

kingbr

At a show I heard Joseph Audio Pulsars driven by Bel Canto electronics and it sounded fantastic.  I think you’re gonna be very happy, but power conditioning is usually important to getting the most out of Class D amps so should be a consideration if you don’t currently have a power conditioner.  Enjoy!

I have two systems running BC amplification for a number of years. Couldn’t ask for better sound but like you I am going to downsize and keep things as small and manageable as possible and the BC gear is a special  home run there. Nice looking too! Check my system pics. Glad to answer any questions if I can.

Sound Chaser | Virtual Listening Room (audiogon.com)

Thank you very much for the replies! Appreciate the support! And now I’m even more excited :)!

 

I’ll be using a Shunyata Venom NR V10 power cord for the BC should I plug it into my Furman PST8 or directly into the wall outlet? For the longest time I had my HT 5 channel amp plugged into my power conditioner (also a Furman) but Simaudio said go directly to the outlet and bypass the Furman and I noticed quite an improvement in sound…Thoughts?

 

thankd 

should I plug it into my Furman PST8 or directly into the wall outlet?

Well, obviously it’s easy to try it both ways and just follow your ears, but I’d be surprised if it doesn’t sound better plugged into the Furman. This a very different animal from your Sim amp and doesn’t require near the current and also seems to benefit greatly from using filtered power. But, you’ll find out either way. Don’t rush to judge as the amp will probably need at least 100 hours before it breaks in but might wanna check with BC on this.

Thanks Soix! I was truly shocked at the difference with my Sim amp going directly to the outlet and bypassing the Furman. But I know class D amps are a bit if a different animal…tThanks again man, I appreciate you taking the time to respond😌

Bel Canto is made in Minnesota and is best for money D's .

Often just the best , period .

You can certainly try amps with and without conditioner but in general it is often not optimal to plug high current power amps into a power conditioner unless it’s current delivery capability is up to snuff. Often it is not.

I use power conditioners on preamp and dac but not on integrated amp or power amps, both Bel Canto. Yours might be different but I find my ref10000m amps only draw a lot of current at power up. If I turn both on at the same time my breaker will usually go but never when actually playing no matter how loud.  I leave both Bel Cantos on most of the time as per manual.  They draw very little power normally when idle  

 

@kingbr I have the Bel Canto REF501S in my system and have had it for several months. Yep I know a guy who knows a guy.

You are going to love it. I have dedicated power to my listening room and no power conditioners. I agree with @mapman if you must have a power conditioners do not plug you amps or integrated into it.

Leave your 501S powered up at all times. I do with all my ss gear. 
 

Give it time to break or burn in and you are going to love your 501S.

Great advice, thank you all very much for sharing! Also great to hear such positive news on the BC! Definitely even more anxious to get my paws on it. It should arrive Thursday. Think I'll go directly to the wall outlet. Plus I am using a Shunyata NR V10 power cable which has noise reduction built in so I feel fine with that. The salesman also recommended leaving it on all the time as well as the break in period...

Great to hear all this positive feedback and great advice so thank you all agaion for taking the time...