For those with a Belles Aria integrated...

@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.

The Belles Aria integrated amp is a very solid product but by no means a "Giant Killer". I had my sister’s entire system for 6 weeks when she was in the process of moving with the Aria being my main interest. I also used her speakers a Wharfedale Diamond 11.4 and my current loudspeakers Focus Audio FS 8’s to evaluate the Aria. Both speakers claim a 91db sensitivity rating which appears overly generous on both speakers with an impedance low of 3.4 on the 11.4 and 3 ohms on the FA 8. The Aria had a problematic time driving the Focus Audio FS 8 especially at moderate/high volume levels. Performed much better on the Wharfedale’s but still lacked control and dynamics. The strength of the Aria is the midrange/tonality and natural flow but with compressed dynamics and the ability to be pushed hard places this as a finesse type of amplifier. I would only consider a very highly efficient loudspeaker that does not drop below 4 ohms. Also consider a lively speaker with a top end sparkle to offset the slightly truncated treble of the Aria. Compared to my current amp/pre an Esoteric A3/C3 and even my back up amp a Valve Audio Predator the Aria fails to be competitive with either. The Aria was released 7 years ago? IMO the entry level competition has caught up and even surpassed the Aria despite its impressive midrange.