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Mosfet vs. Bipolar revisited and the Belles 350A

I have always favored bipolar outputs with mosfet drivers until I ran into the Belles 350A. I stated this preference in a thread sometime ago. After listening to the 350A, I have to do an about face (at least with this amp.) The 350A uses 3 gain stages and operates almost entirely in class "B" with a very little of class "A."
I have heard a lot of amps but never one so neutral, transparent, reveiling and most any other attribute. It also has unbelievable bass control, pitch definition and lower transparency. No Mosfet haze here.
I have been using a Theta Dreadnaught 4-ch amp biwired. I must say, this amp IS better with my Vandersteen 3A Signatures. You can actually not use the subs(pair of 2wq's) and not really miss anything. I have not found this level of performance in this price range before($3495) I finally get to really hear these speakers do their thing.
I have adopted opinions over the 35+ years I have been playing with this stuff but I have never run across an amp that totally changed my way of thinking like this one. This is the overall best amp I have found (so far) driving the Vandersteen's.
bigtee
fs_audio
148 posts
 
Disclaimer: I am a Power Modules Dealer.

It seems to me that Dave Belles is finally starting to get some of the recognition that he deserves. ALL of his products represent one of the biggest performance to price ratios in all of high-end audio. The Belles designs are the epitomy of how a MOSFET amp can/should sound, IMHO. At the very least, anyone that is on the hunt for a new preamp, amp, or integrated should consider the Belles products (before spending more money on another product that very likely will not be any better).

Best Regards...Mike - Father & Son Audio
lrsky
1,118 posts
 
I own a 350A, so I am completely neutral. HA!
Really, when people talk about the Levinsons, Krells, et al, I can almost smile to myself and feel that I have a secret. But for Dave's (Belles) sake, I should adopt a different viewpoint. This is one helluva amp. It is exactly as described above. It has the most control over speakers, that I have EVER heard, and at any price. Plus, as I stated on another thread, I can identify who's amp is which, by its inherent "sound". This amp is also the most "neutral" that I have heard. What an amazing accomplishment for a $3500. amp!
Plus I am told that the new 150 and 150 mono's are even better in some ways. That is hard to imagine. I am looking to buy the mono 350's so may sell my 350 to do that.
This is truely a magical, neutral amp. If you have a dealer, take one home and try it for a few days. It is an epiphany, for not much money comparitively speaking.
Thanks for noticing Belles, I just started a thread asking when Belles is going to get the regognition he deserves...I think it is starting to happen.
Larry
rhyno's avatar
rhyno
649 posts
 
personally i've never liked bipolars, as they sound a little synthetic / etched (typical SS sound) and lack liquidity, though they do exhibit amazing control.

mosfets ala the belles 350 completely bridge the gap in control w/ bipolars, though mosfets in less than class A (which the belles is) tend to have a warmth that smoothes over things, while lacking the liquidity known for a good tube amp.

perfect world: high power /current class A (to 100+wpc) mosfets. haven't seen it, but i am looking---the lamm hybrid looks nice--100wpc class A mosfet if i recall correctly, and lamm seems to make a decent product.
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