Bellari VP129 thoughts/experiences?

I had one that I used for a while. It's good for the money. But otherwise unremarkable in my experience. I can't really offer you much of a review beyond that because I wasn't really playing much vinyl during the time I owned it - I was in the process if getting back into vinyl - but not really there. I sold mine because I picked up a Rega Hal preamp which has a much nicer phono section. I hope this helps a little bit.

I haven't heard it myself, but the guys at my local shop say it gives the Musical Fidelity X-LPS a run for it's money (they sell both). Not as detailed, but they have absolutly no complaints for $199.

Chip

Call me impatient, but I went ahead and picked one up (it's on the way).

It may turn out to be just as Bdgregory states: unremarkable. I just need something to amplify the cart and give me line level gain (i.e. I've got no pre-amp, period).

I mean, the thing is a head-amp, it has a volume knob for line-level gain, a rumble-filter (should you need it), a mute button, and heck, it's tube driven, so I figure for $200 you really can't go wrong.

Anyhow, thanks for the comments and suggestions - I appreciate it.

I have had some very exotic phono preamps, like Vendetta, Spectral Preamps, EAR and more...

The Bellari - VERY NICE, and for $250 I assure its a joke.
You can place this with an expensive analog setup, and there is no intimidation. Slight hum but thats it.

rapogee

I have been using one for a few months now. Despite reading some negative user comments (here on audiogon I think) regarding excessive noise, mine has had no such issues and seems to be good overall. I am working out some TT issues so any other comments will not be totally reliable, but on an absolute basis, it seems to lack some transparency and resolution, as well as some of the subtleties of vial reproduction compared to more expensive units out there.