What about the Belles SA-100?

Phusis, with 91 dB my speakers are a little less responsive than yours. Sound wise I was quite happy with the 2 x 40 W solid state I had, which nevertheless had some difficulties to drive my speakers, in particular in the bass area. That was the main reason why I went for something else. I hadn't heard of Belles, but my dealer, whom I also know for a long time, said that considering my tastes I should go for the SA-30. But a Belles distributor and a few other people convinced me that my speakers would be happy with some more power. They were right.
Of course the Belles SA-100 is serious money, but compared to the competition in this price range, nevertheless great value. Getting a great wine for 10 dollars usually makes more fun than getting a similar one for 100 dollars. That is how I feel about it.

Noortje --

What speakers do you use, if I may ask? I understand the rationale behind getting more power for them, and in the case of the SA-100 you might have yourself an extra headroom in the vicinity of 3dB's compared to the SA-30. Mr. Belles is very conservative when it comes to watt specs, and I believe the SA-30 has been measured to output about 50 watts (8 ohms), and likewise I suppose the SA-100 will follow this pattern as well delivering more than its specified 100 watts.
Speakers represent very different loads though, sensitivity being equal, and the same goes for amps and their ability to drive speakers - watts specs being equal as well; my dealer's speakers count a pair of S.P. Technology Revelations, and though they're specified just below 90dB sensitivity (almost in the high-ish end in the typical hifi regime) they can "suck dry," or worse yet bring into stability-trouble many rather powerful amps. However the SA-30, even at a measly 30(/50) watts, swung them around easily and never lost its composure, and one is surprised how far relatively few watts will get you.
And yet, another friend of mine got a pair of S.P. Tech Rev's as well, and they're coupled up via DSP filters (i.e.: no passive filters) directly to an Earthquake Cinenova Grande 7 multichannel power amp in bridged mode, resulting in some 1200 watts to the SEAS bass/mid units alone, and here one is certainly aware of bottomless power that yields tremendous dynamic breathing room that further reveals the limitations of some 50 watts. Ease is one of the keywords here, though it's achievable by other means (very sensitive speakers with pro units coupled to smaller, simpler amps).

Of course the Belles SA-100 is serious money, but compared to the competition in this price range, nevertheless great value. Getting a great wine for 10 dollars usually makes more fun than getting a similar one for 100 dollars. That is how I feel about it.

Indeed the SA-100 and SA-30 are serious money (they retail for the same), but I fully agree they're great value. I'd like to see them compared to the more established brands (Pass and others), and I have no doubt whatsoever that they'll more than hold their own with their authentic sonic imprinting. If the reviewers do not notice Belles amps the way they deserve, we'll have to voice up for others to see their worth :)

Marqmike --

My 150a ref v2 took roughly 850 hours to reach it's peak. As good as it was about every week I was happily suprised that new nuances of sound for a more positive and natural presentation would rear it beautiful head.I don't know if most wait long enough on these to rear them at their best. But from about 200 hours mine was about 90%-95% there. And at that point even the amp was a stellar performer.

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Interesting you should mention the long "burn-in" period of the Belles amps. My SA-30 has some 350+ hours of use as is, and the latest 50 hours or so has really seen it blossoming, and still continuing to do so. I've experienced a rather odd sonic development, whereafter the first 50-75 (or even 100) hours or so the sound began tilting towards the slightly meager and pale, even somewhat hard at times, but during the last weeks it has settled into a wonderfully organic, free-flowing, resolving, and coherent presentation - indeed extremely impressive. Music just pours out of the speakers, unrestrained and alive.

Hi Phusis
I mentioned that because I have seen a few 150v2's for sale on the 'Gon here, sellers said they had for only a year or less and said their amp sounded fantastic(I think that is what sellers usually say isn't it?). I wonder if they heard it at it's best. My amp took about a year and a half which I am wildly guessing is 850hrs. It probably is more. Anyway it kept sounding more effortless and natural to me all that time and for the last three months I haven't noticed a perceptible change. Looking at your model and the experience Mr. Belles has with that type of amp it probably is even finer than what I have. Hope it keeps improving to where it takes your breath away on a regular basis. Enjoy. But ya my amp is a seriously good piece.

I agree the quality of watts also matters. However I have read somewhere that the 8ohms power figures for the SA-100 are close to 258Wrms. I am using Audio Physic Calderas. At first I was not too impressed with this amp, as compared to my previous one it sounded dark and less detailed than I was used to (and was expecting). I got in touch about this with Mr. Belles and the distributor, they both were surprised somewhat and confirmed the long break-in time. They were right of course, great soundstage, deep bass, detailed, and the match with my speakers is excellent now. And it is still getting better every day. I listen to different kinds of music, including rock music, small combo jazz and classical chamber music. The Belles SA-100 is perfect for all of this.