New Bel Canto Gear at RMAF

Hello HiFiPete:

"Yes although I found the BC's interesting, something's missing, They didn't best my KRELL FPB 300c in sound, but most surprisingly not even in power. "

The real power of the amplifier is NOT in its rated rms as you will be normally using 5-10% of it.

The real power of the amplifier is in its headroom which is mostly defined by its power supply and Krell is good there (just look at its weight - mostly its transformer and heatsinks).

If you want "explosive" power then the fastest and having greatest power in the world is the pair of Spectron monoblocks ( 7000 watts over 0.5 seconds) More powerful then any Krell and more importantly much more MUSICAL (and I am professional cellist). Agaid - MUSICAL - involving, seductive etc. Matched with right preamplifier and you are in heaven. I am biased ...may be - I own the pair and it is better then any amp I have auditioned including MBL 9002, Plinius Regerence mono etc - except one amp - $60k Rite of Passage by Joule-Electra - if you are in high maintenance of OTL amplifiers.

All The Best
Rafael
P.S. All other American class D amps (with exception of Jeff Rowland 312) are using inferior switching "weak" power supplies which do not allows great headroom for the feeling of power and effortlessness. Bel Canto including... I am afraid

Hi Rafael, please tell us more about your misgivings of Bel CantoRef Mk. 2 series. G.

P.S. All other American class D amps (with exception of
Jeff Rowland 312) are using inferior switching "weak" power supplies
which do not allows great headroom for the feeling of power and effortlessness.
Dob (Reviews | Threads | Answers)

The American made
H20 Class D amplifiers use very robust torroid/capacitor power supplies.

Hello Guido,

I did not do SERIOUS auditioning of this amp yet (I might). I heard it at RMAF 2008 where I liked it (yes, I liked it) but to make full impression based on exhibition - would be immature. I also have ...suspition that two Spectrons in monoblocks with full upgrades are better (as they should for $21k retail!)

All The Best,
Rafael

Hello Tvad,

"H20 Class D amplifiers use very robust torroid/capacitor power supplies"

..and its probably one of the reason why they have a good reputation.

To know exactly what they are capable of (in power department) I would like to know
their peak power (Spectron 7000 watts)
their peak voltage (Spectron +/- 240 volts)
duration (Spectron - 0.4 second)
Distortions - AT FULL OUTPUT and at 20 kHz, I don;t remember that of Spectron but you can find it on their web site.
Most other manufacturers show their distortion levels at 10 watts and 1 kHz - which is not highly relevant to real music

Good capability do not translate automatucally into good performance, obviously. However, poor or mediocre capability CANNOT be transpated into good performance.

Again, the "power" of Krell is not in its rms but in its massive power supplies

Note, most class D manufacturers include in their specs words "soft clipping" and why? ...because they clip but if you are semi-deaf it will not hurt your hearing!

I have nothing against H2O - in its price range its one of the best (as I understand).

All The Best
Rafael