New Preamp on the way!

trav0810
trav0810 Posts: 1,056
edited July 2013 in 2 Channel Audio
I just paid for a "new" preamp for my Tube system, it will be running with my Pilot 232 and Klipsch Heresy's. I have been using a Carver C-1 and I'm looking forward to trying something different. It should be here by mid week.

David Belles XLM Preamplifier

Belles XLM preamp.JPG


Anybody have any experience with this pre?
The difference between genius and stupidity is; genius has its limits.” -Albert Einstein

Sony Playstation 3 for CD and Streaming
Thorens TD320
Modified Carver C-1
Carver TFM 42 and 45 Amplifiers
Polk RTA15TL Speakers w/Decato mods
White Lightning Moonshine DIY Speaker Cables and Interconnects
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited June 2013
    trav0810 wrote: »
    I just paid for a "new" preamp for my Tube system, it will be running with my Pilot 232 and Klipsch Heresy's. I have been using a Carver C-1 and I'm looking forward to trying something different. It should be here by mid week.

    David Belles XLM Preamplifier

    Belles XLM preamp.JPG


    Anybody have any experience with this pre?

    Are you giving up volume control as I dont see one with this unit...
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • Bob in WI
    Bob in WI Posts: 155
    edited June 2013
    Never had one so I don't know how they sound but it sure looks classy. I take it the "sub" button is a subsonic filter for rumble.
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  • trav0810
    trav0810 Posts: 1,056
    edited June 2013
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    Are you giving up volume control as I dont see one with this unit...

    You mean remote volume control?
    The difference between genius and stupidity is; genius has its limits.” -Albert Einstein

    Sony Playstation 3 for CD and Streaming
    Thorens TD320
    Modified Carver C-1
    Carver TFM 42 and 45 Amplifiers
    Polk RTA15TL Speakers w/Decato mods
    White Lightning Moonshine DIY Speaker Cables and Interconnects
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • trav0810
    trav0810 Posts: 1,056
    edited June 2013
    Bob in WI wrote: »
    Never had one so I don't know how they sound but it sure looks classy. I take it the "sub" button is a subsonic filter for rumble.

    That's my guess as well.
    The difference between genius and stupidity is; genius has its limits.” -Albert Einstein

    Sony Playstation 3 for CD and Streaming
    Thorens TD320
    Modified Carver C-1
    Carver TFM 42 and 45 Amplifiers
    Polk RTA15TL Speakers w/Decato mods
    White Lightning Moonshine DIY Speaker Cables and Interconnects
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited June 2013
    trav0810 wrote: »
    You mean remote volume control?

    Yeah I shoulda phrased it better lol
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • Bob in WI
    Bob in WI Posts: 155
    edited June 2013
    Good luck with it. Liking the wood trim - nice touch.
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited June 2013
    Very nice looking preamp indeed!
    Jake
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  • Bob in WI
    Bob in WI Posts: 155
    edited June 2013
    So, what do you think of it? Sound as good as it looks?
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  • bondslex
    bondslex Posts: 109
    edited June 2013
    Congrats...
    LSI 15
    LSI C
    LSI FX
    80 fx ls for atmos
    Velodyne SPL-10
    Marantz 7012
    Panasonic 9000
    JVC 420
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  • trav0810
    trav0810 Posts: 1,056
    edited June 2013
    Bob in WI wrote: »
    So, what do you think of it? Sound as good as it looks?

    Better! I love it. It is the most "unobstructive" preamp I have heard. The music going in, is what you get back out. Excellent phono stage with amazing detail.

    It's a keeper for sure!
    The difference between genius and stupidity is; genius has its limits.” -Albert Einstein

    Sony Playstation 3 for CD and Streaming
    Thorens TD320
    Modified Carver C-1
    Carver TFM 42 and 45 Amplifiers
    Polk RTA15TL Speakers w/Decato mods
    White Lightning Moonshine DIY Speaker Cables and Interconnects
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • trav0810
    trav0810 Posts: 1,056
    edited July 2013
    After spending a month with the Belles, our love affair has blossomed. I'm thinking marriage. Has anyone else here ever owned one of these, or any of the Belles Audio gear? I would love to get my ears on one of the amps.
    The difference between genius and stupidity is; genius has its limits.” -Albert Einstein

    Sony Playstation 3 for CD and Streaming
    Thorens TD320
    Modified Carver C-1
    Carver TFM 42 and 45 Amplifiers
    Polk RTA15TL Speakers w/Decato mods
    White Lightning Moonshine DIY Speaker Cables and Interconnects
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • deronb1
    deronb1 Posts: 5,021
    edited July 2013
    There she is! Pretty as you described. Enjoy Travis, hope you get some of your 600 speakers sold! :razz:
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  • trav0810
    trav0810 Posts: 1,056
    edited July 2013
    deronb1 wrote: »
    There she is! Pretty as you described. Enjoy Travis, hope you get some of your 600 speakers sold! :razz:

    Hopefully! If I just sold the Chorus II's I'd be happy!
    The difference between genius and stupidity is; genius has its limits.” -Albert Einstein

    Sony Playstation 3 for CD and Streaming
    Thorens TD320
    Modified Carver C-1
    Carver TFM 42 and 45 Amplifiers
    Polk RTA15TL Speakers w/Decato mods
    White Lightning Moonshine DIY Speaker Cables and Interconnects
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dromunds
    dromunds Posts: 10,009
    edited July 2013
    One of my buddies bought a Belles preamp and amp new it must've been the early 80's maybe, still uses and loves them. Said he talked to Belles somewhere along the line, and he said Belles himself did some mods to the gear for him. He speaks very highly of the gear and the man.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited July 2013
    trav0810 wrote: »
    After spending a month with the Belles, our love affair has blossomed. I'm thinking marriage. Has anyone else here ever owned one of these, or any of the Belles Audio gear? I would love to get my ears on one of the amps.

    So has the C-1 been relegated to the closet yet :biggrin:
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • trav0810
    trav0810 Posts: 1,056
    edited July 2013
    No, but it isn't in use right now. It will remain the choice for my SS amps. The Belles works exceptionally well with the tubes though!
    The difference between genius and stupidity is; genius has its limits.” -Albert Einstein

    Sony Playstation 3 for CD and Streaming
    Thorens TD320
    Modified Carver C-1
    Carver TFM 42 and 45 Amplifiers
    Polk RTA15TL Speakers w/Decato mods
    White Lightning Moonshine DIY Speaker Cables and Interconnects
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • audionerd
    audionerd Posts: 1
    I have this great preamp married to a Belles 200 Amp. They are amazing, and once apon a time, I used it as a two zone system. When you select one of the sources on the record knob, and the second amp is hooked to the second output of the preamp, you could listen to two sources in different areas! The down side was, you need a second volume control, but that isn't really a down side.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,962
    trav0810 wrote: »
    After spending a month with the Belles, our love affair has blossomed. I'm thinking marriage. Has anyone else here ever owned one of these, or any of the Belles Audio gear? I would love to get my ears on one of the amps.

    I've heard a few in my travels, and I'd recommend Belles any day. Very musical brand, not overly warm, just has that toe tappin' quality about it. Nice grab and a nice move up from the C-1, congrats.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • kharp1
    kharp1 Posts: 3,453
    I've never really understood the need for a "volume" control. I can see the need for a mute button in case you need to hold everything to tell someone that have to leave, but, volume should be as loud as possible without doing damage, either to the equipment, the structure or the body.
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