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Anyone listen to the Bel Canto e.One S300i amp???

I need to get an integrated amp for my family room/ kitchen setup. I need a good amp to drive Monitor Audio Gold Signature 10's. The main criteria for this amp is that it can not be any deeper than 13" deep, it has to fit inside a built in cabinet that's next to a fireplace. Currently I'm using an old Nakamichi TA4a receiver.. I'd like to get something better.. Rest of the system is a Bel Canto Dac 1, Squeezebox 3, Anti Cable speaker wire, Transparent ML Super, Sterovox digital cable.. I'm hoping someone has listened to the new Bel Canto S300i, I don't want a bright amp. Thoughts anyone???
erikminer
neilst
1 posts
 
I have had a S300iu for a month now playing through DeVore Fidelity Gibbon 8's in our NY City apartment, where space is at a premium. This amp has an internal DAC and USB port that is attached to my Mac G5 delivering apple lossless format. I am very impressed- the sound is incredibly neutral and detailed with a great soundstage. I bought mine with a 30 day money back guarantee from Bel Canto that allows you to return it for any reason... i think it would be a perfect solution for your setup, and definitel worth a listen...
melomaniac's avatar
melomaniac
19 posts
 
waiting to get a s300iu in here, to try on a couple pairs of magneplanars. felt that bel canto might b an uprade from outlaw audio gear. ordered it for power, may keep it for sound. we'll see - will post here next week, if the thread is still going.
ghunter's avatar
ghunter
164 posts
 
I'm using ref1000 monos with Totem Mani-2's (a very picky speaker) and it's wonderful. There's no brightness or harshness at all. The s300 is just its little brother power-wise so I'd bet that you'd be just as happy with that as I am with mine.

I suspect that the Bel Canto amps are all pretty revealing, so brightness in the upstream components will come through pretty precisely through the speakers.

As with most components, make sure you're carefully matching different pieces based on their relative strengths and weaknesses.
melomaniac's avatar
melomaniac
19 posts
 
I've been listening to a Bel Canto S300iu here, and I have to say that it's impressively quick and amazingly detailed, but not overly bright at all. I threw a lot of voices at it, and the amp acquitted itself very well. it does much better on my planar speakers than previous amps. it's also surprisingly intuitive to handle, I was a little apprehensive about the all-in-one knob.
larrytwo
2 posts
 
can you use the internal DAC and preamp on the e.OneS300iu to output to eOne ref amps? seems like a good deal either way. I am thinking of changing my DAC.

I have the eOne refs and I am very happy with them - although on poorly recorded stuff, the amp matched with a tube preamp seems to give me a more "listenable" sound. On good recordings the amp really delivers.
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