Bel Canto Ref1000 MK2 Or Ref 500m ?

Ciao Guido,
Thanks for the precious clarification. As described in the ICE Power web site, the ASX2 is the 3rd generation technology, so what you said about sound quality make sense.

from the Ice Power web site: "The advancements include extended bandwidth, improved dynamic range and exceptionally low distortion, achieved through our novel and proprietary HCOM amplifier topology."

I have in audition a couple of ref100 MK2, powered from 2 days, and I wander how much better it will sound the 500M.

Ciao e grazie.
Giuseppe

Giuseppe, I have not yet conducted a sonic comparison of Ref 1000M with 500M. . . at this point I am only guestimating that 500M may be a little sweeter. If you are testing the 1000M (or Mk.2) ensure that they have enough hours on them. They are likely to require about 600 hours of playing time before giving you their best. Besides that, keep them on at all times. . . their idle power consumption is only approx 15W each. Saluti, Guido

Thanks Guido, so I'll do.
Giuseppe

Granosalis, I sent you some pics as requested. Let me know where you post them.

I have both the 500s and ref500m's. I like both. I was told that the 500m was redesigned from the ground up since it was the lastest design Bel Canto made.

They are a noticeable improvement of the 500s although the 500s sounds quite good. I exchanged email withe someone recently who upgraded and he said he couldn't hear a difference. Not the case with me. I heard it right out of the box. Didn't notice any break-in issue - maybe a day or two and they sounded even better but I think it was more just getting used to the sound on my main system.

I spoke with John Stronczer several months ago and he suggested the ref500m's were the the unknown treasure in the Bel Canto lineup.

My dealer said not many were being sold so I couldn't really tell how much was marketing on John's part at that time. In any case I'm happy with the monoblocks. The do a little better at higher volumes that the 500s - no doubt due to the enhance power supply. I like the nice clean solution of the 500s single box but the dual boxes aren't much of an issue.

As far as the ref1000's, I would say it depends on how loud you're going to play them. The 1000s wouldn't be too much for my somewhat low sensitivity Aerial speakers though I doubt I'd use that much power. Ears can't take it.

As new-tech as the Class D amps are, they certainly sound good. I think they'll keep refining them over the next few years until the easily rival class A if not already. They do have a little different sound but to my ears they've a good balance between detail and smoothness. Worth a try if you get a chance.