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Mosfet vs. Bipolar revisited and the Belles 350A

I have always favored bipolar outputs with mosfet drivers until I ran into the Belles 350A. I stated this preference in a thread sometime ago. After listening to the 350A, I have to do an about face (at least with this amp.) The 350A uses 3 gain stages and operates almost entirely in class "B" with a very little of class "A."
I have heard a lot of amps but never one so neutral, transparent, reveiling and most any other attribute. It also has unbelievable bass control, pitch definition and lower transparency. No Mosfet haze here.
I have been using a Theta Dreadnaught 4-ch amp biwired. I must say, this amp IS better with my Vandersteen 3A Signatures. You can actually not use the subs(pair of 2wq's) and not really miss anything. I have not found this level of performance in this price range before($3495) I finally get to really hear these speakers do their thing.
I have adopted opinions over the 35+ years I have been playing with this stuff but I have never run across an amp that totally changed my way of thinking like this one. This is the overall best amp I have found (so far) driving the Vandersteen's.
bigtee

Showing 1 response by lrsky

lrsky
1,118 posts
 
I own a 350A, so I am completely neutral. HA!
Really, when people talk about the Levinsons, Krells, et al, I can almost smile to myself and feel that I have a secret. But for Dave's (Belles) sake, I should adopt a different viewpoint. This is one helluva amp. It is exactly as described above. It has the most control over speakers, that I have EVER heard, and at any price. Plus, as I stated on another thread, I can identify who's amp is which, by its inherent "sound". This amp is also the most "neutral" that I have heard. What an amazing accomplishment for a $3500. amp!
Plus I am told that the new 150 and 150 mono's are even better in some ways. That is hard to imagine. I am looking to buy the mono 350's so may sell my 350 to do that.
This is truely a magical, neutral amp. If you have a dealer, take one home and try it for a few days. It is an epiphany, for not much money comparitively speaking.
Thanks for noticing Belles, I just started a thread asking when Belles is going to get the regognition he deserves...I think it is starting to happen.
Larry
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