Belles 21A or 28A

Toolfan66
Toolfan66 Posts: 17,243
edited April 2010 in 2 Channel Audio
I would like to try out a belles preamp, which one would you pick and why?
Not sure if the 21A has a phono out but that is not necessary as I have the Jolida JD9A. Now I have read that the Belles 21A with the auricap upgrade is a very nice unit. Now I know the 28A cost a lot more but is it worth it? And if someone was going to pull the trigger on a 28A for the money should they be looking at something else? It also sounds like the 21A responds well with tube rolling. Also does it self bias?

I know lots of questions, and it will be a few before I go this route but a little insight would be nice, I have done some reserch but hearing from someone hear that may be running one of them or has run one of them may help.

Thanks,
Larry
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,243
    edited April 2010
    I just saw the 21A does not have a phono out but like I said no big deal, and the 28A new is very pricey so used if the price is right may not be a bad deal if you could find one that is.
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited April 2010
    The 28A is a very sweet sounding preamp, midrange comparable to tubes, plus excellent, controlled bass. Not sure if it's that much better than the 21A though, never heard it.
    You should be able to get one used for $2Kish these days.
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,243
    edited April 2010
    Ricardo wrote: »
    The 28A is a very sweet sounding preamp, midrange comparable to tubes, plus excellent, controlled bass. Not sure if it's that much better than the 21A though, never heard it.
    You should be able to get one used for $2Kish these days.

    What amp do you think would mate well with this? could I get by with my GFA-5802 for now?
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited April 2010
    If I recall correctly the 28a has a very low output impedance, so it should work with any amp. I had it with the 350a ref and it was magic.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,243
    edited April 2010
    Ricardo wrote: »
    If I recall correctly the 28a has a very low output impedance, so it should work with any amp. I had it with the 350a ref and it was magic.

    Thanks.
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited April 2010
    there is a replacement for the 21a, the 22a. do a search at audio nervosa.
    here is belles best preamp.
    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatran&1273608096&/Belles-LA-01-Pre-Black
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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