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Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grand + Bel Canto C5i vs..


I just acquired a new closeout set of Vienna Mozart Grands in the black piano finish. I have heard these speakers numerous times at various store settings and love the open, sweet, encompassing, not fatiguing sound. I am looking for an integrated amp + DAC either combined or seperate that will be a good match for my speakers.

I will be using this mostly for stereo audio and occasional home theater. I listen to a mixture of Jazz, Pop and Tecnno (Minimal and Ambient House). I plan to listen to mostly iTunes acquired high quality MP3s or streaming internet through an optical connection of an airport express.

I am seriously thinking about getting a Bel Canto c5i. Its a new high current integrated amp + good DAC for $2000 new. Does anyone know if this is a good combo match for my speakers? I don't mind getting an integrated amp and a seperate DAC used on Audiogon. My budget is $2000 for an int amp + DAC. Suggestion/feedback/your 2 cents are welcome. Thank you!
lajollabiker

Showing 3 responses by jajur

jajur
4 posts
 
Hi, the bel canto is being released as we speak. I pre ordered mine a couple of weeks ago and will probably receive it on friday or next monday. I'll use it with a pair of dynaudio x 12. Hopefully out will be a god combination...
jajur
4 posts
 
Hi everyone,
I received the Bel Canto C5i on Monday and I have been testing it ever since. I can't still draw any conclusions, but so far I'm happy with it.
My system is the following: Squeezebox Touch/PC -> Bel Canto C5i -> Dynaudio X12
I first tried it with USB and found the sound surprisingly good considering it was a long crappy USB cable connected to my 6 year old Fujitsu Laptop. To be honest, I think it's a miracle that it can sound so good under such circumtances.
Then I tried it with the Touch and found the sound to be even better. Not sure if the soundstage is smaller, but it's a bit less fatiguing to listen to and no harsh at all.
I have 2 concerns though:
- Power: the X12 play very loud, but I push the C5i to 85/90 fairly easily (hardly go further than that). At that volume, either the system is distorting a little bit or it's simply too loud to enjoy. Unfortunately I can't compare with any other amp.
- Headphone Output: more quiet than using speakers. I use a pair of Sennheiser HD570 (old model) headphones which are 64ohm rated. 85/90 is the minimum for listening to these headphones. If I were to use something like the HD650, I'm not sure they would play loud enough.

I'll let you know how the system evolves in the next few days.
jajur
4 posts
 
Hi Rodm3878,
I'm glad to hear you are so happy with the Bel Canto C5i. For the record, I also have the C5i connected to a pair of Dynaudios X12. My source is a Logitech Touch and what I have found is that the DAC inside the Touch is almost (if not completely) as good as the one inside the C5i, which was a surprise to me. Perhaps the Dyns can't show the difference between them???

Anyway, appart from that, I'm very happy with the combination C5i/X12. If I had the chance, I'd have probably tried the Dyn X16 for some extra bass/fuller body sound, but they are also more expensive. The Dynaudios DM3/7 will probably have more bass than the X12, but the tweeter is definitely worse (I think that's probably the best part of the X12). Can't really say anything about your other options, sorry.

Paco
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