New Bel Canto Gear at RMAF

Yes, rafael, this thread is very appropriate for discussing comparative opinions and even speculations of Bel canto Ref 1000 performance, as it may relate to other amplifiers of any class, including class D devices. The rest is best moved elsewhere. G.

I recently replaced my bel canto eVo 6 with three Ref 1000 mk IIs because one of the Tripath boards failed. I gambled on class D technology when I bought the eVo 6 because I believed it was a step in the right direction. Even though the eVo 6 forced me to clean up my apartment AC line noise, I enjoyed the uncolored music it delivered to my speakers.
The Ref 1000 mk IIs illustrate how rapidly this technology is advancing; especially with the implementation of switch mode power supplies. The later amps are producing surprisingly better bass and are dead quiet even though I reinstalled the light dimmers that contributed audible noise with the eVo 6.
I'm grateful that I have made a noticeable upgrade in my system, but I'm also a little peeved that Tripath was swallowed up by a bigger fish across the pond and that the eVo6 failed just past the two warranty.
No risk, no return.

Has anyone got to do some serious listening with both the ref1000 and ref1000 mkII?? I currently own a pair of ref1000s, and wanting to know if the 2000 for the pair is a significant upgrade in quality.

Hello Tmesselt,

I did not do A/B comparison but there is no slightest question in my mind that the upgrade most definetely worth $2000 !!!!

Regards
Simon

Simon,

Can you elaborate more on your ringing endorsement of mk2 over mk1? Did you have Ref 1000 mk1 before?

Thanks,
jasper