W4S versus Bel Canto

Polkitup2

Anyone had a chance to compare these two Ice amp makers? Bel Canto seems more expensive watt for watt. I am looking at either the W4S ST-250 amp or the new Bel Canto REF 150S. The W4S offers more watts for a reduced price. Just wondering if they would sound much different?

Face

http://www.avguide.com/review/tested-wyred-4-sound-sx-1000-and-bel-canto-ref-1000-mk-ii-monoblocks

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1001453&postcount=4

Sherardp

Polkitup2 wrote: »

Anyone had a chance to compare these two Ice amp makers? Bel Canto seems more expensive watt for watt. I am looking at either the W4S ST-250 amp or the new Bel Canto REF 150S. The W4S offers more watts for a reduced price. Just wondering if they would sound much different?

Check out D-sonic Iceamps also. Most of these companies are using the 1000ASP module so technically they should not differ. I run a Magnum 1000S on my RTi12s and they sound very good.

Polkitup2

Thanks, I've read a lot of the comparisons here and elsewhere and saw that Face really likes his W4s STi-500 and that SolidSqaw likes his W4s amps. I noticed that W4S uses the obo feature on Audiogon so I placed an offer on an ST-250 just to start a disussion with them on price. The fact that they are using the obo makes me think they'll deal a little bit, just not sure how much.

Polkitup2

They declined my lower offer. I ended up just calling them direct and ordering an ST-250with the WBT and wiring upgrades. I didn't even talk price, just told them I'll take it. After some further research I think it's a fair price. I think it was Rick I talked with, nice guy and very helpful. I added the wiring upgrades and upgraded WBT binding posts. The wiring upgrade uses Kimber wiring for the internals and I think copper RCAs. They shipped in 2 days and I should get in Wednesday. I've set up a entire rig in a back room so when I get the amp I can burn it in for a few days before I put it in my main system. :rolleyes:

Face

Very cool, be sure to share your impressions.

I have the upgraded binding posts on my ST-500 and went with the upgraded posts and RCA jacks(all WBT) on my STI-500. I should have also inquired about the Kimber wiring, but it's a little late now.

Polkitup2

The ST-250 arrived today. I have it set up in the basement with a temporary rig to burn it in for a few days before I add it to my actual system. I'll give it a good listen in a few days.

Polkitup2

The ST-250 has been burning in for about 150 hours now and I must say that at this point I'm impressed. Wyred suggests further improvements may occur up to about 300 hours. This unit really does require burn in time. Prior to 100 hours, I thought I was going to have to box it up and send it back. Around 120 hours it started to sound really good.

Compared to my Musical Fidelity A1, the ST-250 it has a smoother, fuller, more authoratative sound. I should mention that I am using the A1 as my pre-amp with the ST-250. At first I thought the highs were somewhat rolled off with the ST-250 but the more I listen I think the highs are there, they are just not as shrill as some of the solid state amps I have listened to. The ST-250 also has better resolution than the A1. I was hearing new detail on familiar CDs that I just didn't notice before. The A1 does sound really good, but overall seems to be a bit thinner and brighter sounding than the ST-250 and of course has a lot less power. The A1 has only 36 Watts 8 ohms and 50 watts 4 ohms. With my Tyler Linbrook monitors being 4 ohms, the ST-250 puts out around 250 watts and the additional power seems to agree with the Tylers.

After the ST-250 is fully burned in I'll do more A/B comparison with the A1. At this point I can say that I'm getting more than I expected out of the ST-250. I thought it would be something to play with in my 2 channel rig but that it would likely find it's home in my HT set-up. Now I think it is going to remain as my 2 channel amp.

Sherardp

Nice amp bro, I like the IcePower stuff. They do sound great.