class d - anyone compared bel canto/CI/wyred4sound

I have not had the opportunity of comparing Bel Canto Ref 1000 Mk.2, Channel Island, and Wired for Sound. I have however listened to the lower power BC Ref 500 MK.2 for several hours at RMAF and I was extremely impressed by its subtlety and musicality, particularly considering its relatively moderate price point. If by any chance a class D integrated were of interest, under $9K new, you may want to have a careful listen to the JRDG Continuum 500. DCSTEP can comment on it sonically. . . from a technological point of view, it matches JRDG 501 circuits with Power Factor Correction circuits similar to those found in the JRDG 312 flagship, and a bank of additional bulk capacitors in the output to increase authority and dynamics; the linestage component of the Continuum 500 is supplied by the circuit cards of the Capri linestage. As I have not yet compared directly BC with JRDG, I cannot comment on sonic differences.

I've just finished auditioning the Bel Canto Ref 1000 Mk.2 and it is unbelievably good. Compared to the Wyred for Sound (multichannel version auditoned) and the Jeff Rowland 501 mono's i've also auditioned the BC is clearly superior to my ears though YMMV.

You don't mention a budget but if you could manage circa US$11k i would bypass Guido's recommendation of the JRDG Continuum 500 and package together either a Lamm LL2 or Modwright LS36.5 pre-amp [choice depending on personal taste] with the BC Ref 2's. Tube warmth, density and musicality + class D power, control and dynamics IMHO makes for sonic bless. I now understand why people are trading in massive Class A power amps for BC Ref 2's. When you get the front end right - they really are that good.

BTW i don't own any of the above-mentioned products in case my rave makes me look like a fanboy.

Kiwi, your impression of BC Ref 1000 Mk2 does not surprise me. Have you compared BC 1K MK.2 side by side with JRDG 501s or are you summizing from notoriously fickle audio memory? Either way, I would not be surprised if BC Mk.2s sounded more refined than the 501s. . . BC Mk.2s implement a form of power rectification combined with charge capacitance in front of the power supply that sounds somewhat reminiscent to what JRDG does for Continuum 500 and 312. As for your suggestions of 'bypassing' my recommendations. . . I shall now suggest Icarem bypass yours with my own. . . BC Ref 1000 at $6K new + a used JRDG Capri at $2K may also turn out to be a very delicious proposition. . . is it superior to Lamm LL2 or Modwright LS36.5? Truly no idea. . . it all depends on one's sonic/musical prefs. In the end, Icarem should perhaps avoid any simple bypasses, or bypasses of bypasses. . . and just listen for himself and decide which bypasses are most bypassible.

Hello Icorem - totally agreed with above posters that Bel Canto Ref1000 MkII is superb amplifier and no msiatek can be done going with them.

I aslo like tube preamps BUT of highest quality. You will go right into your budget if you will pick up Joule-Electra LA-150MKII which I will not describe but refer to Harry Pearson of TAS Golden Ear Award 2007. For its money its bargain.
Joule-Electra coming with new flagship which 2-3 time more expensive then this one.
I am biased because I ordered it.However, everybody's opinion here iis biased too - its very personal. My amplifiers also class D and may be better then new Bel Canto or may be not (Musician III Mk2 - monoblocks) - its about the ame class with Jeff Rowland 312. Bel Canto, from price point of view are the best, no question here.

All The Best
Rafael