Belles 22A users yet?

Spent the last few days comparing my friends 22A against my 21A and can say without a doubt that the 21A is superior. The 22A has a small advantage in its ability to place instruments in a defined space but the images lack the size and depth of the 21A which is more musical with images that float behind the speakers as if it was the real thing.

I even put my best NOS tubes, fuses and power cord on the 22A and it still didn’t have the finesse of the 21A with Auricaps. I wonder if it’s the Auricaps that make instruments sound bigger with good ambiance and lifelike. I’m definitely keeping my 21A!

How would I rate them?
Bass: No difference to my ears
Midrange: 21A.
Soundstage and Imaging: 22A is a little more precise
Treble: 21A.
Overall : 21A is by far superior in sound quality and musicality.

I did get a chance to audition a VTL 5.5 series II for a week and it was much better. There was a small wiring error in my first one and VTL was very quick to address the issue. The VTL series II as a whole was better than my 21A. The VTL had more information at the extremes, bass was deeper and tighter, the highs were more detailed with more air and my system conveyed more of the music. That being said, my 21A is quieter, the midrange is lacking of nothing and perhaps a little more warm and relaxing, very nice to listen to. If I could choose between the two on a whole I would pick the VTL 5.5 series II, BUT the VTL is $6000 and the Belles half that when new and the diffence is small. I could easily live with the Belles and be happy ever after. So am I going to live with the Belles? I don't know, I am going to try a Herron VTSP-3A as that might be the ticket. I am also going to further consider the VTL with phono as it is a very good amp and I have a hole being burnt into my pocket. But I will not give up the Belles easily. PS mine is the Auricap and I strongly recommend this upgrade as well as a set of still points and a little tube rolling.

Davt,

Thanks for the update on your experience with the VTL. The 21A is an outstanding piece of gear at its price point. I just upgraded my very good 1960's GE BP Triple Micas to 1960's 12AU7 Telefunken smooth plates and what a difference in bass,imaging and overall musicality. Let us know how the Herron works out?

anyone tried bypassing the auricaps in the 21a with something like platinum sonicaps?

How similiar are the sound between the Ear 868 compared to the Herron VTSP 3A?