2. amps-preamps
  3. 133485-63

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
mr_m
1,900 posts
 
AudioTroy,
Is there a thread on the 'Gon you do NOT Troll???????????
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,840 posts
 

Audiozen,

Horse hockey. Just for the facts we had auditioned Belles last series of electronics, we broke them in for a week and listened to them.

They were okay at best no magic, no giant killing anything.

We read the Aria review and maybe that piece is really good, we haven't heard the new Aria so no judgement and maybe it is radically better than his older stuff, but if the man is such a genius as you proclaim why was his last series of stuff now being replaced by a newer design?

In terms of how giant killing or how musical, listen to a Unison Research Primo a 75 watt tube hybrid and their larger Unico 50 now the 90.

We had a one time the $5k Luxman 20 Watt pure class A, and the Hegel H200 and the Unison was far better sounding because it was a hybrid.

When you add tubes into a circuit you can combine the musicality of what tubes do with the power and drive and bass control of solid state.

The point is there are many good sounding products. What the issue is your headline and your follow up which is basically saying Belles stuff is better than everyone.

The point is yes the new Aria may be really good, Belles track record has been up and down and he is a tiny, tiny, manufacturer.

We had reservations also due to the esteemed Mr. Belle's age, I think he is in his 70's does he even have a transition plan in place if he crooks? Does he have a partner or children ready to step in and continue to support his products, you might make the same argument with many other high end audio companies, then again maybe not.

Not trying to be down, but when you have an older gentleman building electronics which can break this can be a concern to some people.

The reality Audiozen, is this is a small community, if Belles products killed everything, these would be a lot more people chiming in about their stuff.

As per Mr. M, please grow up, this is not about trolling.


When someone makes a ridiculous statement that product X is the only speaker or amp or whatever is good or is the best, that triggers our agenda radar and Mr. M I am sure it must trigger yours as you would not have come up with your trolling comment.

Mr. M. we sell four reference grade loudspeakers and five if you count the Polymer Audio Research speakers.

On display Kef Blades, Paradigm Persona 9H, Legacy Aeris, Dali Epicon 8, and the Polymers. These speakers all range in price from $25k to $68k.

Which one is the best? Answer they are all great and all different.

If you look at the reviews all of these speakers have been top rated.

My point is beauty and musicality are in the ear of the beholder as well as the solidity of the setup.

Some people love Wilson, some don't some love B&W, some don't and there are of course the Vandy fans and the Vandy non fans.

We would never say that any of our reference speakers are better than any of the others, we prefer them that doesn't mean a particular listener is going to.

So Audiozen, which is better a Mercedes, a BMW, an Audi, a Lexus etc.

Not based on resale, trunk size, repair history, which one is  better?

Answer all of them are great it is a matter of the particular buyer figuring out for themselves which one they like better and for what reason.

So to recap, Belles may be wonderful, is it better than anything else up to the listener to determine.

Good luck to you Mr. M. and Audiozen, just remember there are many good products, nobody builds the best of anything, it is a matter of taste.

Please tell me we are wrong. Or are you better than us?

Dave and Troy

Audio Doctor NJ


audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,840 posts
 

Oh by the way Mr. M. we get calls and emails all the time from people who have read our posts and find our perspective refreshing and informative.

Mr. M please stick to the topic as hand. Which is Belles.


audiozen OP
831 posts
 
Better than anyone else? Nope. Just that Belles sounds better. Truth can be painful. No, Belles won't have the high profit margins as the big mega buck amps costing $20K to $50K. The core reason why many high end retailers don't carry the Belles line, is that these retailer's do not want Belles in their stores, since their amps would embarrass the big boys and jeopardize their high profit margins. And these retailers will always lie and mislead you, trying to convince you that Belles is just another average high end brand on the same level as everyone else, while Belles in the meantime sits quietly on top of Mount Everest.
2chfreak
41 posts
 
audiozen- I was vaguely familiar with Ascend, came across their site years ago before they offered a tower speaker. I read the EnjoyThe Music review and they certainly gave it a big thumbs up. I checked out the Ascend website, read everything on there and came away impressed. Based on your recommendation, and what I read including customer feedback and Mr. Fabrikants philosophy, single minded goal and dedication, it's a speaker that I would most definitely want to hear, whether I were to make a change or not. He sounds like he really cares, and the prices are beyond competitive. Thanks for letting me know about this speaker; my goal has always been to seek out world beater gear that is priced sensibly and that competes with the very best. If - applying the law of diminishing returns - I can achieve audio quality equal to 90% of what the supposed "state of the art" delivers, and for a fraction of the price, then I am very satisfied. 
The Belles Aria, Vandersteen 1Ci's and Rotels best CD player, with some "sweet spot" AQ speaker cables and Siltech IC are clicking all the right boxes for me, and have been for awhile. I'm listening to some female jazz vocals with a small ensemble right now and I feel like I'm right there, can hear the singer take a breath, the piano sounds real, the bass clear and tight, the Aria and speakers resolving more detail than I ever thought I would hear in my home. Piano is supposed to be a true test of a systems capabilities, and what I'm hearing sounds like the real deal. The guitar sounds like it's being played right in the room. Very balanced, no listener fatigue whatsoever do I hear.
 John Rutan steered me in the right direction, and I trust his opinion and his ability to system match. I personally like the guy, and he isn't an audiophile prima donna looking to rape and pillage people like some of these arrogant shysters out there. That doesn't mean I would never try some other brand, or consult with another dealer, but I like to return loyalty to those who have been good to me, and he's a straight shooter who has earned the following that he has built up over the years. I'm a big fan, pure and simple. 
Thanks again for the Ascend recommendation. Like I told you before, I absolutely can relate to your enthusiasm for Belles! I was a Rotel fan for many years, but wanted to take it up a few notches and get my foot in the Hi End door and Belles turned out to be a home run. I like people who go against the grain, who don't adhere to the status quo. Those with old school empathy for their customers. These are the companies I want to support. You seem to be cut from the same cloth, and what's fun about this crazy audio fixation is, to me and obviously to you, also: the pursuit and discovery of the very few brands that perform as well as the best, but are priced affordably and within reach of a lot of people, not just a select few. 




More to discover