For those with a Belles Aria integrated...


What speakers are you pairing yours with?

thecarpathian

Shouldn't it be capable of driving the majority of speakers at normal levels without a problem? 

@2chfreak ,

I care because I picked one up and want to know what others are using with theirs to give me an idea of synergy and what they feel is a good match. Didn’t think it was that difficult to figure out. In the future I’ll spoon feed it to everyone so the slower guys will understand.

@roxy54 , hey Rox.

Yeah, it's got 75 wpc and plays bigger than that. Just looking for some real world insight because I know a lot of guys on here have this integrated.

My favorite was Salk SongTowers, but also great with Avalon Ascendants ...

I’ve owned the Belles paired with Harbeth HL5s. I thought that the Belles was outstanding. It is a high current amp (16 amps and 135 watts at 4 ohms). It is a top notch SS integrated amp that should be fine with any speaker!

If it was my choice, I would get a pair of Vandersteen Model 1's. I think it would be a very good match, and they're not that expensive. 

Thanks, all. I wasn’t even particularly looking for one, but a deal fell into my lap I couldn’t pass up or I’d be kicking myself in the pants for years. I’ve been in speaker limbo since selling my Fritz Carrera’s. Currently I’m using an old pair of Avance Epsilon 980’s . 3 ways, all ScanSpeak drivers, go down to mid 30’s...

I didn’t know  they could sound this good. This Aria has a honey sweet smoothness to it while still maintaining a crispness. Very pleased with it.

@thecarpathian 

So glad that's working out for you. I'm kicking myself because I nearly bought a used Belles reference 250 for a decent price, but instead got a Modwright KWA 150 that I wasn't really crazy about in my system. Everyone seems to agree that they make great gear. 

The Vandersteen 1Ci, updated a few years ago to 1Ci+ designation, get no press, no reviews, no acknowledgement at all for the most part. The match with the Belles Aria, to me, is damn near perfect. So good that I never  have had the urge to upgrade and even with the cost having risen over time they still, undoubtedly, are a bang for the buck marvel. An amp and speakers that will connect you to the music without breaking the bank.