Bel Canto S300 vs. Quad 909

Freak When C

I'm interested in these two amps as a recent deal I had going for some old B&K monoblocks fell through. I was going to go old school with the B&K amps that are Class A/B. But now, since that deal went sour, I'm thinking about going with newer designs. I need to stay within my budget, which is $1000.

Bel Canto S300: I'm able to get the S300 new for $1000, or used in like new condition for $700. It's a Class D amp and has a lot of great reviews. Small in size but puts out 150 wpc. Very interesting.

Quad 909: Another very interesting amp with a unique design. Here's a description I found: The company’s acclaimed ‘current-dumping’ design, which actually uses two amplifiers: a very high quality low-power amp provides the signal, and keeps what’s going out as close as possible to what’s coming in from the preamp, while a high-power section provides the grip to keep the speakers under control.

I can get a new Quad 909 for $1000 or used for $800. Also lots of great reviews. Puts out about the same power as the S300, 140 wpc.

So, both priced about the same and both amps put out about the same power. If anyone has any experience (good or bad) or any comments, I'm all ears. I'm questioning if I should just look for another older Class A/B amp but these two newer designs really have me interested.

Flash21

My experience isn't entirely relevant, but I love my Bel Canto eVo2i integrated...however it is the older Tripath design, the S300 is Icepower I believe.

Thumbnail review: effortlessly dynamic yet very detailed, without a hint of harshness... deep, authoritative bass, delicate highs, airy openness, three-dimensional soundstage.

I have not heard the S300 but from what I have read it bears a strong family resemblance...

Freak When C

True, it's IcePower. However, deep, authoritative bass, delicate highs, airy openness, are not really the characteristics that are described in some of the reviews I've read about the S300. I'm starting to lean more towards the Quad. Not crazy about the looks of the 909 though.

SolidSqual

I've owned the S300 and messed around with the Quad 909. The S300 is an outdated ICE amp made before people knew what they were doing with the technology. My current W4S amps would smoke the Quad in every aspect because they have the 500 and 1000 watt modules. That being said, they cost twice the 909.

If it is between the 909 and the S300. I'd go 909.

Freak When C

Thanks SolidSqual, very helpful info. I know it's just your opinion, but I feel that anyone who's had both amps in their possession have insight that's very valuable. I did say that I was leaning towards the 909 over the S300 in my last post. But you've helped to give me more reason to go with the Quad. But now I've got another contender to consider - W4S amps!

Braddles

Last year I had a weekend with the 909 and a s300iu ( intergrated version of S300) and a Rotel RB1080.

To cut a long story short i still have the Bel canto.

The Quad has fantastic midrange. Realy lush and lifelike. But the Bel canto went higher and the bass was alot better controled. I good power cord made a big difference to the midrange of the belcanto.

I could have lived with either but the Bel gave me more options and covered a wider range in music tastes.

I just finished listening to Dire Straites and some Norah Jones and they both sounded unreal to me.