2. amps-preamps
  3. 166907-24

Watt Gives?

Why does 75 Belles Watts smoke 250 watts from Anthem, PS Audio and W4S?

Not only do the Belles 75 watts play equally as loud, but it has the best bass texture, grip and slam, openess and top end...

Is this a case of 160hp on a 400lb motorcycle surpassing a 600 horsepower 4500lb in terms of acceleration?

I’d like to go up the ladder but I guess up isn’t always directly related to specs?

Really starting to question analogue / high efficiency, low powered beastly tubes...


128x128b_limo
alucard19
362 posts
 
The OP has not listened to the Anthem P2 power amp, let him bring his 75 watt Belles amp over and I will put it into my system and then he can listen to my Anthem P2 amp and we will see which one sounds better at any level, the P2 will play down 1 ohm and even to short without missing a beat.If you are near the Chicago land area b_limo then drop me a line and we will compare.
alucard19
362 posts
 
It sounds like the OP b_limo is getting a little stir crazy, since his posts seem to be bashing one thing after the other.
timlub
2,039 posts
 
I have owned a Belles Aria, it is a very well designed amplifier. It does have solid bass, smooth, detailed midrange and good extended top end. 
The amp design is one of Dave Belles's better.  What I believe that you are mistaking for volume is Dynamics,  the 75 watt per channel Aria punches way above its weight and does sound more powerful than most because of how dynamic it is.  
timlub
2,039 posts
 
@speakermaster   I have owned maybe 25 amplifiers manufactured between 1976 and 2000.  While I will say that amplifier design has not significantly improved since then,  the quality of parts has,  outputs transistors, capacitors etc.  I find that while there are some awesome classic amplifiers out there,  A good amp designer today has the advantage of lower distortion, better quality parts than was available in the vintage gear that you continually rave about.  
arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,572 posts
 
Same here. Own the Emotiva xpa-1 1000W monoblocs.
They get smoked by the odyssey kismet amps at 200 W. I use the amps at 4-Ohms for my modded CV D-9 speakers.
The small watt Kismets at maybe 360-375 W at 4 Ohms sound better, smoother, tighter compared to the 1000W emo monos.
Been told better parts, etc. totally believe it!!

They are deeper bass, crunchier mid ranges, highs are not irritating as the emo monos.

Better parts and the sound is more relaxing and accurate.
Is it parts? Or a combo of parts and quality which leads to better sound. ??



im not bashing the emo stuff, the odyssey just has a more relaxed tone, and lets me listen longer. 
    The emo stuff is saved as backup amps. 

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