New Toy

Ricardo

Bel canto Pre2. Breaking in.

Has been discontinued and Underwood Wally has a great deal on them, so based on reviews I decided to go for it.

Weights 27 pounds :eek::eek:

So far, I am happy with what I hear. Not too forward, not too warm. I think it's a great match with the rest of the rig.

Has a programmable, universal, touch screen, rechargeable remote; I did not expect this, but it was a great surprise. One remote for CDP and pre.

Will post additional impressions once it breaks in; if you don't believe in electronics breaking in, that's fine

treitz3

New toys are good.

wingnut4772

Cool. I was looking at those on the Gon but the budget was not there.

engtaz

Nice pre. That a heavy pre. She pretty and a remote, you must be in hog heaven.


Congrats,
engtaz

F1nut

Looks nice, congrats!

heiney9

Very nice Ricardo, enjoy!

steveinaz

wingnut4772 wrote: »

Cool. I was looking at those on the Gon but the budget was not there.

OK...ummm...Darla, I need you stay focused now, m'kay?

Ricardo

Thanks guys. Let me share what I think so far.

First of all, how did I get here, since just two weeks ago I was thinking on upgrading some caps on my Audio Research?
Well, since I needed a pre while the AR was at the shop (thought I'd let someone with experience do it....this is not a "simple" crossover) I bought a cheap B&K Pro 10MC from Texas42. When I hooked this SS pre it was like lifting a veil from the speakers. It was a bit too forward for my taste, but there was something in the tone of the music that I really liked, better than with the AR. How can this be, when I've used tube preamps basically always, and liked them? I don't know; maybe the Thiels go better with SS? Maybe the synergy of the whole system?
I started researching looking for a very neutral SS pre, and based on reviews I liked the Bel Canto. As magic works, it is being discontinued and was on sale...so I pulled the trigger (Almost got a Musical Fidelity A5....now I know I will be always wondering if it would have been a better choice...).

So what do I think?

-There is a spark of "real" on instruments that I never had before. I enjoy listening to those piano notes, just for the note. Drums not only sound, but you can almost feel them vibrate. Vocals have a presence that is almost scary. At the same time, it has absolutely no harshness. Very easy to listen.

-Quiet. Quiet as quiet can be. Hard to explain. On quiet passages it's like there's a vacuum chamber pulling you in. Strange sensation, but awesome at the same time.

-Soundstage took a three dimensional level, like more body in the music. Imaging, specially front to back is unreal.


I guess it is clear that I'm happy (and now that I think of it....that it's going to be tough for me to sell the AR here )

So tubes or SS? Right now, I'll keep my tubes on the CD player and phono pre...but I am pleasantly surprised on how good a SS preamp can be.

steveinaz

Sounds wicked, congrats man!

Yashu

The remote is awsome. I wish more makers would provide a real remote control system like that. The pre is the heart of your system, and it should have a remote to reflect that, right? Why do so many think remotes are sin?

Ricardo

I know; some people almost make you feel bad because you want a pre with a remote, as if it was a bad thing. I think they are just jealous. :rolleyes:

Yashu

That pre is something that is jealous worthy there.

Polkitup2

Ricardo, does the Bel Canto have a home theater bypass?

Ricardo

No, I don't think it does. Underwood advertises it as having one though...maybe you can somehow program one of the inputs to be a by-pass...lots of programmable options.

schwarcw

Very nice Ricardo! Congrats!

Don't breathe too much ozone listening to the new pre!!:eek::D;)

beardog03

I was looking at the ad on the `Gon...

sounds like a very nice unit...


let us know how she opens up after breakin...