Bel Canto opinions


Hello All,

So I just ordered what will be my very first Bel Canto piece of gear. I ordered the 501S power amp. Very excited to get my hands on it but I don't see a lot of press here about Bel Canto in the forums. Just wondering what you all think of their amps specifically? The main reason I chose this amp was due to its small size and limited space in my entertainment center. It'll be driving a pair of Sonus Faber Sonetto III's in a second 2 channel living room system...

kingbr

You can certainly try amps with and without conditioner but in general it is often not optimal to plug high current power amps into a power conditioner unless it’s current delivery capability is up to snuff. Often it is not.

I use power conditioners on preamp and dac but not on integrated amp or power amps, both Bel Canto. Yours might be different but I find my ref10000m amps only draw a lot of current at power up. If I turn both on at the same time my breaker will usually go but never when actually playing no matter how loud.  I leave both Bel Cantos on most of the time as per manual.  They draw very little power normally when idle  

 

@kingbr I have the Bel Canto REF501S in my system and have had it for several months. Yep I know a guy who knows a guy.

You are going to love it. I have dedicated power to my listening room and no power conditioners. I agree with @mapman if you must have a power conditioners do not plug you amps or integrated into it.

Leave your 501S powered up at all times. I do with all my ss gear. 
 

Give it time to break or burn in and you are going to love your 501S.

Great advice, thank you all very much for sharing! Also great to hear such positive news on the BC! Definitely even more anxious to get my paws on it. It should arrive Thursday. Think I'll go directly to the wall outlet. Plus I am using a Shunyata NR V10 power cable which has noise reduction built in so I feel fine with that. The salesman also recommended leaving it on all the time as well as the break in period...

Great to hear all this positive feedback and great advice so thank you all agaion for taking the time...