When is Belles going to get the credit he deserves

All good comments. I just wanted to jump back in here to state that I am not trying to bash Dave. My comments were to present real life experience, and yes it was 10+ years ago.

After purchasing his products, I became a cheerleader of them and caused others to buy into Belles. My friend's integregated unit's power light went out (~10 months) and Dave said something to the effect - 'if it still turns on and works don't worry about it'. My transformer and my friends developed mechanical hums (1-1 1/2 yrs)and we both sent them back twice. It cost us shipping back to Dave and we decided to get rid of them because we felt it was a supplier issue with the transformer co.

If Dave has a cult following it must be small because I don't hear about too many people purchasing his product. If it sounds good and is reliable, why doesn't it sell better?? From the responses stated above it appears Dave continues to tweak his units for a particular voice. I hope he is successful.

The positive service experience stated above sounds encouraging since as most business people know - customer service can make or break you. True especially in this highly specialized nitch high end audio market. I too look forward to other's opinion on Dave's customer service relations.

Respectfully,
L

Actually, I would have to disagree that it is voiced to sound a certain way. I can, and have picked not only brands of electronics in blindfold tests, (with speakers I am familiar with),but also, speaker cable brands, as well as interconnects brands. That is not something to be in awe of, it is just noteworthy because of what I am about to say. Mr. Belles' gear has about as little of its own 'personality', or noticable voicing, as anything I have heard. That is true of the 350 amp and the 21A preamp. I just today, compared it to a well known, (Out of respect I won't mention the name) preamp, which costs $8K. The more expensive preamp did have a flavor, and was pleasant, but it was NOT as neutral. And that is quite a statement given that he builds his for $2500.
Calling his buyers cult following is a real backhanded comment. In the middle 1950's Ford Thunderbird outsold Corvette in multiples, and nobody called Corvette buyers cultists. They ended up capturing the whole of that market.
Why he doesn't sell more has to do with his capacity to build, and his desire, (he would have to address this) to maintain his company at a level he can enjoy, I would think.
First Sound Preamps are hailed as one of the finest preamps around, but they make very few. The amount of sales of a given product in any field do not necessarily have any bearing on the quality or even the success quotient of the company and its products. Success may be defined, in the mind of the creator, as the ability to make a few, and make those customers happy.
When I started in the Audio business, in 1982, nobody had heard of THIEL Loudspeakers, and they were in their 7th or 8th year.
Frankly, the average buyer of audio gear would be surprised how small many of the companies they buy from, really are.
The high end is mostly very small manufacturers, who comprise this cottage industry.
IMHO
Larry

Hello All, this is my 1st post on this board and this topic caught my eye. I have a Belles 150A which I have had for 6 months, this amp was built in 1999 so was well broken-in. This is one of the best sounding amps that I have ever owned in my 25 years in this hobby. It is dynamic and netural with great clarity and resolution and has musical soul, that draws me into the music. I have talk to Dave Belles on 5 or 6 occations for about 1 hour per conversation. Dave has explained many things to me about the great build quality of this amp and the theory of stereo. I'll be sending my 150A in to be hot-roded. Had a few probs up front with the amp but Dave talked to me about it and told me what to do to really get it right. As for customer service Dave Belles did'nt have to take the time but he did and now has a customer for life in me. Also the Belles 150a Ref is a GREAT improvment over the 150A, Dave also stated that the 150A Ref in his opinion was better sonicly than the 350A. Can't wait to hear it.
Happy listining, Mark

History has proven that credit illudes the artist.
Marketers and big companies spend the money to promote their illusion of greatness... they promote the company not the designer ... Carver for example.
David is conservative and the genuine article.
I have 2 of his 350As (monos), a 20A and 4 OCM 200s of his design ... sold an OCM 800 a year or so ago to get the 350A.
Service: Better than anyone should expect.
Reputation: I can't say anymore than he is a real gentleman and has always provided me with excellent service.
Products: Time will prove them to be among the best values out there and hand made to boot.

Don

Well, for one, his service could be better, that is what separates "good" from "great". I inquired about two weeks ago (in regard to purchasing an amp) and have not heard back.

Matty