FS: Belles 350A Reference S2

audioluvr
audioluvr Posts: 5,603
in For Sale (FS) Classifieds
Beautiful near perfect Belles 350A Reference. Purchased from the original owner. This is 8 years old. Very detailed playback. Not a mark on it. Comes with original box and owners manual. These can be upgraded with better quality caps relatively easy. Eg: Mundorf Supremes would run about $210 as you need 2ea 15uF and 4ea 2.2uF.

Asking $1,950 + Shipping from Oregon to members in good standing.
Gustard X26 Pro DAC
Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,603
    edited March 2020
    Bump for anyone wanting to step up their game in the audio rabbit hole. This amp has very little use. Maybe a total of 350-400 hours. Includes a nice power cord if you want it. Now $1,800 + Shipping.

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    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
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  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    Man! Input impedance is 50K ohms! Should play nicely with my Joule! :smile:
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,574
    In a few days you'll be sayin Joule ? What Joule?
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  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    In a few days you'll be sayin Joule ? What Joule?

    You are correct! I love the Joule, and have plans for it! :smile:
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,603
    For you Dave I'd install the Mundorf Supremes for an extra $250.
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,121
    That’s an offer that Dave can’t refuse! Dooo It !
    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC
    Pre Cary SLP-05
    Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
    Mains Salk HT2-TL
    Rythmik F12
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  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    Killing me @GlennDog ! :smile:
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
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  • CH46E
    CH46E Posts: 3,591
    Did the B&K replace these????
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,603
    CH46E wrote: »
    Did the B&K replace these????

    Yes. I just don't see it getting hardly any use now that the B&K's are rebuilt and broke in.
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
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  • kevhed72
    kevhed72 Posts: 5,059
    This is the best sounding amp I have had since I started my journey down the rabbit hole. If you are looking for a long term piece of gear....this is it.
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,603
    This is still for sale. Anyone serious about upgrading in the Portland metro area who'd like to audition this PM me and I can bring it over.
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,603
    edited July 2021
    Still for sale. I've upgraded the input caps with Mundorf Supremes which seemed to open up the lower registers nicely. They probably need more break in time. Only selling to fund another project.

    Before upgrade

    6bz86pswrabd.jpg

    After upgrade

    1gsfx1vwr42d.jpg



    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
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  • JayCee
    JayCee Posts: 1,500
    I like Mundorf's and have used them in a previous pre upgrade. Audioluvr...Nice, clean work. She's a beaut and GLWTS.
    ➀Speakers: Polk1.2tl's (Uber Mods) ➁Pre/Amp/DAC: PS Audio BHK Signature & 250, DirectStream ➂Cables/IC's: MIT S1Bi-Wire/S1 Balanced +Avel Lindberg 1000VA "Dreadnought" ➃Power Conditioner: PS Audio P15 Power Plant ➄Power Cords: Core Power Technologies Gold, DH Labs Power Plus DIY w/Neotech NC-P301 & P311ends ➅Streaming: Roon ROCK on wifi'd NUC, TP-Link WAP, & Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark, Emperor Double Crown Clock, Black Modernize LPS, PS Audio AirLens⟿Ω☯☥☮⟿🔊♩♪♫♬♩♪♫♬♩♪♫♬
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  • PILAC
    PILAC Posts: 23
    Still for sale?
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  • CH46E
    CH46E Posts: 3,591
    If it is I can't believe it.
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,603
    This is still for sale! Now I have a purpose! I need to go see my Dad (probably for the last time) for Thanksgiving. $1,800 plus shipping for members in good standing with at least 100 meaningful posts. This is not a stock amp. I've modified it with better caps (see pics) and unhooked the mono connection which I found caused an audible ground type hum. I love this amp and am probably going to regret selling it.

    yw445ytbf73a.jpg
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,603
    edited November 2022
    Also I'm not sure if I'm getting old or soft but this thing is just too heavy to rotate into my system. It says 65# but it's like 65# of cryptonite or something. Oh and that's a 2 kw transformer. Stupid heavy.

    Anyone in the PNW interested in listening to this and having a beer with me, let me know. I'm not working right now and would love to meet you.
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,574
    Simplistic form.
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,952
    edited November 2022
    If someone buys this amplifier for asking price, I will also sell them my Buchardt S400 for $1,500 shipped, and I will cover the shipping cost on the amp as a package deal. Then you'll have a killer high-power high damping factor amp to use with some world-class bookies that have the rare upgraded crossovers.

    Come on guys lets get some gear moved on to a new owner and help @audioluvr visit his Dad.
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  • tedkaznj
    tedkaznj Posts: 1
    Curious what this would cost shipped to 07004 in NJ. Had the early version of this amp, the plain 150 but I had to part with it :-(
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,952
    edited January 2023
    What ever @tedkaznj will pay for this amp, I'll DOUBLE IT.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,749
    I'll triple it!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • smartie_panta
    smartie_panta Posts: 196
    At least he's asking them to be shipped to New Jersey and not Oman!

    @audioluvr , let us know when Ted wires you the funds.
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,138
    I'll 1/5^n it! where n = the final multiplier!
    And THEN - I'll divide by zero.
    I disabled signatures.
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,603
    I thought Ted Kazinski was in prison?
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,603
    Shameless bump. I have it listed elsewhere for more.
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,138
    I'm sorry I missed this.
    I disabled signatures.
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,138
    but seriously, first Belles I ever saw mentioned was a piece @vcwatkins was selling years ago. can't remember if it was an integrated, preamp or amp, but iirc, SketchyCraig was pretty fond of Belles stuff. Where is he, anyway?

    If I was still in acquisition mode, I'd like to try this out. Beautiful piece. Bet it sounds as such, too.

    Rob, what did you find this amp to pair well with? At this point I've become a bit spoiled with imaging nuances and that's been my chase as of late. Not sure whether that's more on the pre-amp side or/and a function of channel topology. Prob everything, I'm sure. This hobby sucks.
    I disabled signatures.
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  • skipshot12
    skipshot12 Posts: 1,176
    I had lusted after this for years.
    Belles, Bedini & Threshold were on my wish list but could never afford them in the day.
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,603
    edited February 2023
    msg wrote: »
    Rob, what did you find this amp to pair well with? At this point I've become a bit spoiled with imaging nuances and that's been my chase as of late. Not sure whether that's more on the pre-amp side or/and a function of channel topology. Prob everything, I'm sure. This hobby sucks.

    The only pre I ever matched it with was my Belles 21A. It is a very revealing amp. The main reasons I didn't keep it in rotation was my vintage oak stereo rack is 17 1/2 " wide and this thing is 17" so I only had a quarter inch of clearance between the sides walls and the heat sinks which made me nervous about heat generation whereas the B&K 's heat sinks are in the back. And the B&K's have a wider soundstage and earth shaking bass! I'd say the Belles does everything better above 250 Hz.

    Edit: actually I think I had it matched with a SS Rotel pre I picked up here for a couple days while I had some work done on the 21A and it was awful. It really made the Rotel shortcomings stand out (eg: dry, lifeless, booring etc). I really think a tube pre is necessary with most SS amps. Just my opinion though.
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter