Battle of the "Davids"......Belles vs. Berning

Ianrmack, I just got a set of six NOS input tubes for my Berning 270 - I bought ones that are 1% matched, and the four 12AT7's are cryo treated. I highly recommend it. I just installed them Friday and my initial impressions are this: more presence (almost holographic), more detail, more air around the instruments, better bass, and just an overall better, more pleasing sound - and it is still improving. Right now I am using ML SL3's, which are not great in the bass department, and after installing these tubes, for the first time I am getting musical bass. For example, on well recorded small jazz ensembles, I can easily tell that it is an acoustic bass resonating and not an electric bass. Before, you had to listen very closely to tell the difference (although it did get better when I switched from my ss amp to the stock Berning).

I also am experimenting with going directly to the amp from my cdp and tt. So far, I like it better, but I am bypassing an Adcom GFP 750, which is undoubtedly not as good as your Hovland. I may go back to it if I miss the remote volume control too much - the 750 in passive mode does not do much to the signal - probably the extra set of ic's has more of an effect. Your comment on the soundstage difference is interesting - a friend of mine really believes in the value of a good preamp and you have one of the best.

Congrats on your Merlins. I have not heard them but others say they are a great match for the Berning. (I have a pair of AP Avantis on order and am anxious to hear how the Berning matches with them - it did very well with their little brothers, the Virgos.)

Give us a report on how the Merlins + Berning sound after they are broken in, and try some NOS tubes - you won't regret it.

Cheers
David

i cant be expected to remember all the things i say or do!

not surprised about the berning...i'm thinking of going that route myself once the hype dies down...i figure in a year, when the NEXT BIG THING comes around, everyone will upgrade and i'll get in one then.

the belles--hell, i got in it before the hype has started. no doubt, sam "everything is class A" tellig will give it a boost.

both quality products by quality guys...i have been and may live happily w/ the belles for a long time.
rhyno

Rhyno, the Berning is not the "next big thing". When was the last time you read a magazine review with a 270 gracing the pages?? Please, this is a great product, period and the designer does not need to sell these just to make ends meet. Next big thing, yea right, that statement is a joke in more ways than you may ever realize. Why don't you first actually listen to all the amps you are interested in before you cast judgments.

Best regards,
Chris

Ianrmack, I noticed that you have are getting a pair of Merlins--probably the 'T' harness, judging from your system. This won't matter to you, probably, but I'm pretty sure that the Belles 350a is one of the amps that Bobby at Merlin recommends for the VSM's with the 'S' wiring harness. I've never heard it either, but it must be pretty good or Bobby wouldn't recommend it.

my comment was on the sad state of audiophiles, not products. people jump from one thing to the next to the next, sometimes moving up, sometimes down, but always moving. moving in this hobby is expensive, or an opportunity, depending on your stance.

did i not say "quality products by quality guys?"

i would never take a pot-shot against berning--he's a credible designer running an honest operation...a lot better than a LOT of high-end companies i know.

but my point remains...audiophiles get suckered into the NEXT BIG THING a LOT. that's when i usually buy the previous one, if it sounds good.