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THE BLACK BY BEL CANTO- NEW REFERENCE

The new Bel Canto mono blocks that just came out, called BLACK BY BEL CANTO, weighing in each at 45 pounds, may be the amp I mentioned in a thread two years ago that had bee delayed for release back in 2013. The mono amp that John was working on back in 2012 was a Class D amp with no switching module replaced by a very large DC power supply. Reading the info on the website, would conclude this is it. Its also using a Ncore power supply as well. The large main power supply John designed would account for the heavy 45 pounds each. These new mono amps are part of a new three piece system. The amps are $15K each. Go to the Bel Canto home page. Scroll down to the very bottom right and click black face plate option and this will open up the new pages for the Black system. Has anyone out there heard these amps?
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Showing 5 responses by mapman

mapman's avatar
mapman
21,870 posts
 
Nice looking product. Seems like NAD continues to really try hard these days to bring high value products with forward thinking technology and design to market. I like that!
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,870 posts
 
I'll be more interested in something similar to the compact ref1000m monoblocks I currently have that I might also be able to afford using latest Class D technology when the time comes. This already has more than enough muscle for pretty much anyones need, so not sure what the benefit of upping the size, weight and cost with these accomplishes practically for most.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,870 posts
 
Sounds like the cat's meow.

I understand the design motiviation but large expensive Class D amplifiers seem to defeat the primary advantage of Class D amp technology for most, ie lots of drive and muscle in a small, light, reasonable cost package, er, kinda like the current BC CLass D amps.

Seems to me the efficiencies of the switching power supply, is a key to this.

The value might be if this kind of Class D design is able to outperform anything else. Could be. I guess if you really want the biggest and best, you should still expect to have to pay for it.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,870 posts
 
"And if my quick impressions of the whole prototype last year are any indications.... It is a pretty fine sounding system."

I hope there is some trickle down into a next generation of BC Class D amp products that offer similar or perhaps even better value than the current Icepower-based line.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,870 posts
 
Guido,

No doubt. It's hard for me to perceive what more I might ask for, but I know the technology continues to improve and evolve and teh Icepower modules used in the ref1000m in particular are several years old at this point.

Give me the latest technology done well that is similarly tube pre-amp friendly and with similar generous power supply in a similar small, lightweight and power efficient package and I will continue to be happy once what I have is no more for whatever reason.

I am Bel Canto fan. fantastic performance, good value, and their customer service has been spot on for me to-date when needed as well. What more is there?
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