New Bel Canto REF600M using NCORE

All this talk about noise/hum is a bit mute, without proper bench test results.

The way to "pseudo" see what is noisier than what without looking at them on the test bench, is to disconnect the preamps and put shorting input plugs on the power amp inputs, this is a better layman’s way of saying what noisier than what.

BTW some not all Class-D’s modules, don’t even switch their main section on, if there’s no signal present, they may appear to be on. And then there’s different amp gains to consider as well, as this also has a bearing on noise levels.

Cheers George

@blang11, every amp regardless of type produces an audible hiss (heard from tweeter) when it is powered on and connected to efficient speakers. For those who believe or state otherwise I'd venture to say they simply cannot hear it. That wouldn't be unusual because we all know that as we age we loose the ability to detect high frequency, dome more than others.

My ears are discerning enough that if I put them within an inch or so of the tweeter I can hear the difference between an amplifier that is powered on versus powered off. 

Please see this review on the Bel Canto Ref600 power amplifier:

http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/bel-canto-design-dac-27-dac-and-ref600m-power-amplifiers/

@mapman

Funny you mention both the Ref600m and C5i because I’ve recently had both of them in house for a comparison. Using my PS Audio Directstream Junior and the SPDF Line In on the C5i, I notice very little tweeter hiss at low volume and high tweeter hiss as the volume on the C5i is raised. When I swapped out the C5i for the ref600m, the hiss was even greater, perhaps the loudest hiss I’ve heard from my Revel F208 speakers. This was all with the DSJ set to its higher gain setting. Switching it to the low gain setting dramatically reduced the hiss level. Still detectable but barely. I’m quite happy with this arrangement. I’m now the proud owner of the DSJ/Ref600m pairing.  

Does the Bel Canto Ref600 power amplifier used the NC500 or the NC1200 power module?  I heard each referenced in two different review.  I also know the Ref600 uses the NC1200 power supply.  Thanks..