The Belles Aria Signature Integrated Amplifier

I heard the Aria integrated at Audioconnection, and was very impressed.
You could make a very, very good system with the Aria, Vandy VLR's and Ayre Codex and Bluesound Node for around $5K.
I would love to have a side-by-side comparison between the two integrated amps just to hear the difference.

Bob

@gdnrbob

couldn’t agree more
in fact i voted with my feet (and wallet haha)
my second system is an aria with node 2i/ayre codex driving harbeths (the codex purchased with your suggestion several months back, thank you)
lovely natural rich coherent imminently listenable for long long stretches
bought the aria used for 1500, codex for 850 -- the sq for dollars spent is just off the charts!!!

What kind of speakers are you using?

@jjss49 ,
I am glad you found my recommendations worthy.
But, I have to give credit where it is due.
I auditioned the Codex and Node at Audioconnection. 
If I were truly upstanding, I should have bought them from him, but being a cheapskate, I bought used instead, and saved a lot of cash.
Thankfully, I am now in a better financial situation, and will be buying more from Johnny.
Moral of the story:
Your brick and mortar dealer (esp. John Rutan) knows his/her stuff, and, if possible, you should try to repay that knowledge with purchases.
B

@grdnrbob

your advice is still good, no matter where you buy!
audio connection has been there forever, they are honest, knowledgeable, welcoming - can't say that for many retailers in the biz, esp. ones with a large store and significant overhead 

buying used is smart as a way to try things without losing your shirt
smart hi fi nerds trade that way
definitely tough being a high end hifi retailer, no doubt about it, esp. away from big cities where there are people willing to spend big dollars for good sound