Who and what are BEL/Bell Labs amplifiers

FULL UPDATE:
The Brown Electronic Lab (BEL) 1001 amp is currently sold in a Mk V version. They are not exactly Class A as described above. However, they do sound like one in some ways. The amp is a 50wpc stereo unit into 8 ohms, 100wpc into 4 ohms, 200wpc into 2 ohms, etc. It is best in bridged mode for Mono operation. In this mode it is 200wpc into 8ohms, 400wpc into 4 ohms, etc.

The List Price is $3,895 with an option for a 12v. trigger for $100 more. They are definitely built like a tank and look fairly plain compared to some of the audio candy out there. However, they are some of the greatest sounding amps currently available at any price.

There are major sonic differences between the past versions so don't expect current world class performance from a Mk II. However, it will have the same basic character and sound as a modern Mk V.

I don't suggest contacting Richard Brown directly. Instead, contact me off list if you're in Northern CA or call one of his dealers for more information. They are Audio Concepts in Houston. Ask for Parth at 713-527-0774. Let him know I sent you!

BEL also makes cables which are a great value. Although I have occasionally heard more synergistic matches with some gear/speakers from other cable manufacturers the BEL cables were only 25% or less of the cost of the replacement cable. Also, the margin of improvement was at most 10%.

You can check out my system here on A-Gon... I'm definitely biased. However, I feel confident about these amps and cables being true values in the Audiophile community.

Mikej,
The original 1001 retailed for something like $1200 or $1500 back in the 80s. Now the same amplifier is $3900. I understand that we need to adjust for inflation but even so, there seems to be an explanation due. Please outline the changes in design that required a near tripling of the price. I'm eager to hear this tale. And, please, no tapdancing. Just get right to the nuts and bolts.

Hi Macrojack,
The amp was released in the late 70's/early 80's and is still the same basic amp. I can't tell you what changes were made to the design since Richard isn't telling. However, they are always under constant development. So R&D cost would certainly be part of it. Also, these amps are still hand made and individually tuned by Richard personally before shipment. That level of personal involvement simply costs more today.

Sorry if this sounds like tap dancing, but it's all I can tell you. Even when I've had mine upgraded he won't tell me what he changed. Even opening it up (I'm not an engineer...) it looks basically the same. They sound a LOT better though!

I know it's not the answer you were looking for. If you're interested in the amp though I'd say that you should compare it as a current version to what's available today. You'll be shocked at how good it sounds. Then, when you compare it to other amps at the different price ranges I think you'll find that some may be the same quality of sound, but they'll be different (and typically MUCH more expensive).

The one thing to remember with the BELs is that they aren't romantic, yin/yang amps... They are really a very neutral amp, so what you put in, you get out. I know that sounds like hyperbole, but I've had these same amps in other systems and it's just proven to be true. All the other amps I've listened to have had more of a sonic signature.

Last, you should consider getting Symposium Ultra shelves for them as this is what Richard tunes them on. They should therefore be considered part of the amp "system".

Cheers!

Macrojack, I agree that the Mk V is a world class amp and a bargain at $3900. My understanding is that the price increase has to do with substantial upgrading of the power supply and of the output transistors, each one hand chosen and fine tuned by Richard himself. Like tube amps, their 50 watts in stereo configuation sound much more powerful than you would expect but in bridged-mono these amps are truly revelatory.

I know this is an old thread but I felt compelled to add my 2 cents.

Adjusting for inflation from the 1980s would yield most of that increase in price. As the previous poster noted, all of these units are hand made by the designer himself.

In the 1980s, I met Mr. Brown, through a friend, and auditioned his gear at his home in Northern California. At the time he sold perhaps 200 BEL 1001s per year. Considering the number of units made, he earned a modest low six-figures income. It's clear that Mr. Brown cares more about making a top product than making money. He could have become a multi-millionaire by increasing quantity through mass production, advertising, etc. but cared about quality instead. (BEL doesn't even have a website.) Such care and labor costs must be accounted for in the cost of each unit.

I was torn when I finally sold my 1001 in 2000, in order to go multi-channel.

The only risk for a BEL buyer is what also made it great. Dick Brown is basically a one-man show. As of this post he's probably in his mid to late 50s. At some point he's going to voluntarily or involuntarily stop making this product.