Belles 250i Integrated amplifier (w/ tubed preamp section / ss power)

I am an audio hobbyist in the truest sense… bought this amp and wanted to see how it compared to Belles separates. I have other Belles products and love them all. Belles amps are known for their musicality. The Belles 250i integrated amp is no different, it is musical and rhythmic while keeping great pace. This integrated has the best of both worlds in that it has a tubed pre section and solid state power. This unit is rare and they hardly ever appear on the re-sale market. Wide soundstage, excellent macro and micro dynamics, and great imaging. There is also a separate outboard power supply.



It is in near mint condition & Comes in original packaging.
Asking $1395 shipped (paypal friend)
Main Rig:
Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


Second Rig:
Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


b.JPG 123.8K
b1.JPG 131.8K
b3.JPG 101.2K
b2.JPG 152.2K
b4.jpg 378.2K
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Comments

  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902
    Nice piece here gents, good luck with the sale.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    Thanks Tony
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    Interesting piece,, I suppose it’s like a 21a pre and a 150,, how could you go wrong!
    Some lucky buyer is gonna be pleased,,good luck!
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    Interesting piece,, I suppose it’s like a 21a pre and a 150,, how could you go wrong!
    Some lucky buyer is gonna be pleased,,good luck!

    George you are spot on. A great product. I would keep it but I have too much stuff! lol
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    Nice piece! Lot's of raves about the Belles from folks here and other places!

    Does this guy have remote? Look's like it may be capable. If this is the same unit that was posted on US Audiomart a while back, the volume pot has a motor on it, IIRC. Thanks!
    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.
  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    PRICE DROPPED.....asking $1095 plus shipping/Paypal
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    This coupled with some smaller SDA,s is a match made in heaven
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
  • scubalab
    scubalab Posts: 3,101
    Bump for an active sale...
  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    FINAL PRICE DROP asking $1125 + ship (paypal F/F preferred)
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


  • kharp1
    kharp1 Posts: 3,453
    Confused here...did you drop the price from $1095 to $1125?
  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,560
    You know what Kerry, for you it's $1,500 how about that?
  • kharp1
    kharp1 Posts: 3,453
    Well I'm out for sure, oh well.
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902
    hmmm...1095 to 1125, I don't think "dropping the price" means what you think it means. :)
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,420
    It's the metric system. 90 actually means 60 or something like that.
    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
  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    kharp1 wrote: »
    Confused here...did you drop the price from $1095 to $1125?

    LOL...Price drop to $1025!!!
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    At least this ad getting some attention :)
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


  • kharp1
    kharp1 Posts: 3,453
    That's very tempting.
  • kevhed72
    kevhed72 Posts: 4,950
    kharp1 wrote: »
    That's very tempting.
    Just buy it....everyone is doing it.
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,926
    tonyb wrote: »
    hmmm...1095 to 1125, I don't think "dropping the price" means what you think it means. :)

    d695hqm7ifg1.png

    sure, it dropped by negative $130 . I can duz teh maths.

  • kharp1
    kharp1 Posts: 3,453
    kevhed72 wrote: »
    kharp1 wrote: »
    That's very tempting.
    Just buy it....everyone is doing it.

    I'm trying to quit...
  • kevhed72
    kevhed72 Posts: 4,950
    In all seriousness.....I have a Belles 150a amp with Cary tubed pre. I am guessing this integrated sounds stellar and a huge bang for your buck at this price. GLWTS
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902
    A decent pre alone would set you back the asking price. This is like getting an excellent amp with it for free.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    tonyb wrote: »
    A decent pre alone would set you back the asking price. This is like getting an excellent amp with it for free.

    You guys may be a little hesitant because there are not many reviews available for this piece. This was hand-made and extremely limited edition. They are rare, but have every bit the build quality and great houses sound that Dave Belles is know for. TonyB is right, at this price this baby is a steal! Would love for a fellow Polkie to snag this and give a review or at least some feedback about how great of an addition this piece has been to your room. You guys are sleeping on a great deal here......that is all!
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


  • kharp1
    kharp1 Posts: 3,453
    I'm trying hard to justify it, but, I just can't find a place for it. Otherwise, it's a great buy on a great piece. Whoever gets this will be very happy.
  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    kharp1 wrote: »
    I'm trying hard to justify it, but, I just can't find a place for it. Otherwise, it's a great buy on a great piece. Whoever gets this will be very happy.

    Yeah kharp1 you have about as many pieces of equipment as I do. :)
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


  • kharp1
    kharp1 Posts: 3,453
    dhart86 wrote: »
    kharp1 wrote: »
    I'm trying hard to justify it, but, I just can't find a place for it. Otherwise, it's a great buy on a great piece. Whoever gets this will be very happy.

    Yeah kharp1 you have about as many pieces of equipment as I do. :)

    I'm a prodigy of @lightman1...I have equipment in other states that has never been in my home!
  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,021
    If the Vincent I just bought from Al doesn't do it for me, I may come a knockin'.

    So many great integrated for sale right now. I need to list mine, but the market is a bit flooded.
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    Does the 250i have a remote volume control?
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    Does the 250i have a remote volume control?

    Hey George..great to hear from you. You were one of my mentors when I was first getting started in audio. You shared your expertise via many posts and I appreciate your knowledge along with several others...

    Anyway this amp has a remote, however I misplaced it and have not located it as of yet.
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    Keep looking :)
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)