I have both the 500s and ref500m's. I like both. I was told that the 500m was redesigned from the ground up since it was the lastest design Bel Canto made.
They are a noticeable improvement of the 500s although the 500s sounds quite good. I exchanged email withe someone recently who upgraded and he said he couldn't hear a difference. Not the case with me. I heard it right out of the box. Didn't notice any break-in issue - maybe a day or two and they sounded even better but I think it was more just getting used to the sound on my main system.
I spoke with John Stronczer several months ago and he suggested the ref500m's were the the unknown treasure in the Bel Canto lineup.
My dealer said not many were being sold so I couldn't really tell how much was marketing on John's part at that time. In any case I'm happy with the monoblocks. The do a little better at higher volumes that the 500s - no doubt due to the enhance power supply. I like the nice clean solution of the 500s single box but the dual boxes aren't much of an issue.
As far as the ref1000's, I would say it depends on how loud you're going to play them. The 1000s wouldn't be too much for my somewhat low sensitivity Aerial speakers though I doubt I'd use that much power. Ears can't take it.
As new-tech as the Class D amps are, they certainly sound good. I think they'll keep refining them over the next few years until the easily rival class A if not already. They do have a little different sound but to my ears they've a good balance between detail and smoothness. Worth a try if you get a chance.
They are a noticeable improvement of the 500s although the 500s sounds quite good. I exchanged email withe someone recently who upgraded and he said he couldn't hear a difference. Not the case with me. I heard it right out of the box. Didn't notice any break-in issue - maybe a day or two and they sounded even better but I think it was more just getting used to the sound on my main system.
I spoke with John Stronczer several months ago and he suggested the ref500m's were the the unknown treasure in the Bel Canto lineup.
My dealer said not many were being sold so I couldn't really tell how much was marketing on John's part at that time. In any case I'm happy with the monoblocks. The do a little better at higher volumes that the 500s - no doubt due to the enhance power supply. I like the nice clean solution of the 500s single box but the dual boxes aren't much of an issue.
As far as the ref1000's, I would say it depends on how loud you're going to play them. The 1000s wouldn't be too much for my somewhat low sensitivity Aerial speakers though I doubt I'd use that much power. Ears can't take it.
As new-tech as the Class D amps are, they certainly sound good. I think they'll keep refining them over the next few years until the easily rival class A if not already. They do have a little different sound but to my ears they've a good balance between detail and smoothness. Worth a try if you get a chance.