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Belles Greatest Integrated ever! The Virtuoso

Just before the Holiday's, I noticed on several authorized Belles websites, that certain separates went out of production which is a pattern that would indicate new products are forthcoming, and sure enough a new Integrated popped up on the Belles website last week, which appears to be his greatest integrated amp to date. The Virtuoso,
putting out over 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms, HT bypass, Processor loop, MM & MC phono stage, and power meters on the front panel. The unit will be released in March at a price tag of $6495. Given David Belles reputation during the past 30 years, who has always been at the top of his game as perhaps the best solid state engineer designer ever in the states, since musicality has always been his first order of business, it wouldn't surprise me at all that the Virtuoso will fly out the door and winds up on the back order list. Its a real looker.
Very handsome unit. Well done David! Its what we've been waiting for.
audiozen
audiozen OP
754 posts
 
I would put Belles engineering genius way above the works of Pass Labs,
Accuphase and Boulder. David Belles is not into big profits and has always had the opportunity to move that direction. His deep passion for designing gear for serious music lovers is like a religion to him. Best sounding solid state gear I've ever heard during the past 30 years. His rich sound quality is the closest you will ever get to that 3D holographic midrange produced by tube amps from his solid state designs. 
facten
931 posts
 
audiozen - :" I would put Belles engineering genius way above the works of Pass Labs, Accuphase and Boulder". 

 What's the basis of your statement? What amps from each of these companies, including Belles, have you own ; and detailed comparisons can you offer?
schubert
4,867 posts
 
My basis is Belles sounds better .
facten
931 posts
 
Haven't heard any of the 4, looking for some illumination of the whys/whats 
audiozen OP
754 posts
 
The basis of my statement is this. I have been an Audiophile for 40 years and have heard all the brands I have mentioned above and have owned in the past PASS gear. The Belles gear is far better sounding than the other brands I've mentioned and heres why. During the past forty years there has been repeated attempts by solid state amp designers to get as close as possible to that magical midrange floating holographic quality that the best tube amps are known for. Since David Belles has had a history producing solid state and tube designs, his solid state designs come closer to that magical midrange of tubes than any other solid state amp on the market. He doesn't advertise, he doesn't need to due to having the strongest word of mouth reputation in the country. He designs gear specifically for music lovers, the Musicphiles, not Audiophiles.
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