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RIP - Richard Brown, BEL

Richard passed away October 10,2009. I was first introduced to Richard’s amp about 10 years ago. I purchased a pair of the MKII’s off the gon and was very impressed by their performance. So I got in touch with Richard and told him I wanted the upgrades to MKV statis. I enjoyed my conversations with him over the two year period I was waiting for him to begin the upgrades. (Begging with him at the end of each phone call) It was a very painful two year wait but well worth it! I did understand he had a life outside of audio. Subsequently I had him perform his MKV upgrade on another pair I purchased several years later. The previous owner had his name in for the upgrades so I was automatically in line. I only had to wait about 3 months this time around. Just recently I had the opportunity to purchase 2 more of his amps and had them shipped to him to perform yet another MKV upgrade. Not so lucky this time around.

I only new Richard through this hobby. He was a great guy who conducted his work life on his terms. His passing is a real shocker to me! My blessings to his wife. He will be missed.

Byron
byfo
weebeesdad's avatar
weebeesdad
139 posts
 
I would also be interested to hear what Sal has to say. I spoke with him at RMAF regarding possible service on my Mk. I 1001 (it is over 25 years old and may possibly need recapping), and he referred me to Brooks Berden (sp?) in So. Cal.. I emailed them however they did not respond.
agisthos
504 posts
 
Apparently noone has been able to figure out how the BEL amps sounded so good. Mr Brown must have been doing some tuning or has knowledge of his circuit that is not readily apparent from others purusing the schematics.

Is this still the case, and former BEL owners still out in the cold?
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qzfrj6
4 posts
 
Sal Zambrano told me that he intends to carry on with Mr Brown's philosophy - see below in his own words - he seems like an honorable and caring person:

I have all BEL amp repairs performed by Tom, the technician at Brooks Berdan, Ltd who
knows Mr. Brown's amps well.

I am focusing on learning about Mr. Brown's amp design, and how I may bring Mr. Brown's
BEL 1001 amplifier back to the market in a couple of years...

I plan to continue Mr. Brown's legacy, respect his design philosophy, and remain true to
his design ideals.

I do own the BEL trademark, and will be exhibiting a BEL 1001 amplifier at THE SHOW,
Newport, and at Rocky Mountain Audio Fest.

And, I manufacture and sell Mr. Brown's BEL "The Wire" cables (P-1 and D-1
interconnects; S24 and S12 speaker cables).
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Why can't his circuit be copied exactly with royalites to the estate if the IP is protected. The man seems to have done something right with SS. I would certainly be in the market for a new MKV with no mods or tweaks that would make it something other than a Mr. Brown creation.
monkeygod
3 posts
 
I've used a pair of 1001s for, let's see - 19 years now. Brooks died in July, but his son is keeping the store open. I'll be there today and try to get a sense of what's happening with these.
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