Bel Canto 1.1 - Convince Me.

Chelillingworth: Thanks for the info, it sounds like a good go. I am looking into very expensive upgrades to my SET amp at this moment in regard to those very areas of sound and may just first upgrade the BC and go from there. Gunbei: I went from the AR Complete and CAL Icon MKII players to the Bel Canto DAC 1.0 (I preferred the sound of the CAL as a stand alone). The BC has a deeper sound stage, improved separation between instruments (especially on more complex material and at higher volumes), reduced but more defined bass than the CAL (the CAL was too bass heavy in my setup and I prefer the balance of the BC) and last but not least I just like its smooth sound and overall balance. I also discovered at a later date that the BC's phase switch can come in very handy with some music tracks. I use the BC DAC with the CAL as a transport, a BMI Whale power cord and Mapleshade and Homegrown Audio IC's in a 300B SET based system with Reynaud Twins.

Here is response I got from e-mail to BC about Dac 1.1

>>The DAC1.1 upgrade (now standard in our current production) consists of bigger and the highest quality transformers. Improvements most notably are in dynamics, micro and macro. Music seems to be fleshed out while retaining the DAC signature smoothness in every way, evoking an amazing sense of realism. As you are aware, the sound is outstanding and I feel worth every penny of the $150 cost to upgrade. I can assure anyone of the value of upgrading. Thanks for your input and time. <<

I also asked when new Dac with 24/192 upsampling would be available and got no response. A guess a phone call is only way to get more info on future developments.

Thanks Sam: I should probably send mine in now, while the rest of the system is still in a state of turmoil.

A follow-up e-mail from BC regarding my question about any future new DAC design using 24/192 up sampling.

>>Dear Sam,
I didn't respond to the second half of your email. Here goes; We are always looking into new technologies and we are currently in the design stage for our next digital products. The earliest these product(s) will go into production would be late Fall. I hope this helps.
Regards,
Craig Bleeker <<

Thanks Dekay for the review of your DAC 1. I can't wait to get my DAC 1.1. I hope it makes a noticeable improvement over my current setup. Funny you mention the BMI Whale cord, that's something else I'm looking into. New DACs from Bel Canto by fall? Will the spending cycle ever end? :)