2. amps-preamps
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When is Belles going to get the credit he deserves

Having been in the audio business for 20 years, owned a High End Store for 12 years, and Director of Sales for a notable High End Manufacturer; I sold just about every high end electronics line on the planet. Also, I was exposed to those few I hadn't sold during my travels while working for the manufacturer, visiting more than 100 stores all across the USA. So this perspective comes from a very broad look at the industry. Dave Belles is making, in my humble opinion, amplification and preamps, which outperform some which cost multiples of his pricing. Yet, when it comes to reviews, he rarely gets a mention. This is unfortunate, since it leaves the consumer, who is searching for great values,out in the cold.
It is true that he is a very small company, and hand builds everything, but isn't that the American Dream? "If I build it they will come" That is worth repeating; HE HANDCRAFTS ALMOST EACH PIECE. In a world of cookie cutter products this is a refreshing difference. The time has come for more people to be aware of his products; they are simply amazing. For the money they are a triumph of ingenuity. Also, some of the reviewers out there need to give this man his due. Marty DeWolf, I think it was, reviewed the 350 Amp, and was spot on on his evaluation. That is a wonderfully open and dynamic amp, and, for a very good price. Are we stuck on, "If they don't advertise, they don't get reviewed?
Comments please.
lrsky

Showing 1 response by mktracy

mktracy's avatar
mktracy
91 posts
 
Hello All, this is my 1st post on this board and this topic caught my eye. I have a Belles 150A which I have had for 6 months, this amp was built in 1999 so was well broken-in. This is one of the best sounding amps that I have ever owned in my 25 years in this hobby. It is dynamic and netural with great clarity and resolution and has musical soul, that draws me into the music. I have talk to Dave Belles on 5 or 6 occations for about 1 hour per conversation. Dave has explained many things to me about the great build quality of this amp and the theory of stereo. I'll be sending my 150A in to be hot-roded. Had a few probs up front with the amp but Dave talked to me about it and told me what to do to really get it right. As for customer service Dave Belles did'nt have to take the time but he did and now has a customer for life in me. Also the Belles 150a Ref is a GREAT improvment over the 150A, Dave also stated that the 150A Ref in his opinion was better sonicly than the 350A. Can't wait to hear it.
Happy listining, Mark
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