"There is no easily identifiable character to the sound of this amp. Every recording sounds distinct -- more distinct than they sound with other amplifiers…. The 350A Reference doesn’t add, subtract, or alter anything." Still, "the 350A Reference’s bass extension, power, and control make lesser amps sound like 20-pound weaklings," and "there was no softening or roll-off," but rather "total clarity and honesty in the highs." "The midrange has got to be as close to perfection as you can get at this point in time -- assuming your definition of perfection is not altering the recording in any identifiable way."
"Sure it might be nice to own an amplifier that is so large and imperious that onlookers can’t help but "oooh" and "aaah," but the 350A Reference provides super-amp sound without the super-amp cost. A sure-fire Reviewers' Choice." Doug Blackburn, Soundstage 2006
To see a review of the Belles 350A Reference amplifier, go to soundstage.com.
The Belles 350A Reference power amplifier is the perfect melding of art and science; a combination that seldom finds itself so beautifully balanced. It is one thing to engineer a product to be be built and reliable. It is another to design a thing to perform so beautifully that it stirs the soul. The Belles 350A Reference power amplifier is one of those rare instances where art and science combine to create a soul stirring marvel of engineering.
The Belles 350A power amplifier reference sets an even higher standard of performance over the original Belles 350A power amplifier. Some of the changes are a completely new amplifier circuit topology. The new circuit has a complementary differential input stage using bipolar transistors instead of JFET transistors. The output stage uses new mosfet transistors with two times the power and current capability of the original Belles 350A. These transistors offer 64 amperes of current capability enabling the Belles 350A Reference to drive lower impedance loads. Also, the new output stage has no source resistors in the mosfets. This offers many benefits such as less coloration and many times when under heavy loads these resistors can fail. Another is better control and dampening of the loudspeaker load.The capacitance in the power supply has been doubled to stiffen it to improve its dynamics and noise reduction.
The Belles 350A Reference amplifier has new wiring to improve its sonic performance. The balance stereo XLR inputs have been eliminated, but a single balanced XLR input has been added to allow the amplifier to be operated as a bridged monoblock. In this mode the amp can deliver 1 kilowatt into 8 ohms. The amplifier can be operated as a stereo amp with RCA jacks only for inputs. In this mode the Belles 350A Reference delivers 250 watts per channel into 8 ohms.
The retail price of this amplifier is $4995.00. A true bargain since this amplifier will outperform amplifiers costing many times it price.
The Belles 350A Reference is built using the finest components available:
- gold-plated oxygen free copper binding posts
- gold-plated input connectors (inputs can accommodate balanced and unbalanced signals)
- oxygen free copper wire
- fiber glass printed circuit board material
- polypropylene capacitors
- 1% metal film resistors
- all power resistors are non-inductive ceramic
The technology behind the Belles 350A Reference is impressive. Even more impressive, however, is the sound. Listening to the 350A Reference has been described as a memorable experience; you feel as though you are part of the musical performance.
The art and science of the Belles 350A Reference. Audition this synthesis of mind and spirit at David Michael Audio today.
Specifications
| Power |
250 watts per channel — 8 ohms
500 watts per channel — 4 ohms
1000 watts per channel — 8 ohms (monoblock) |
| Distortion |
THD and IM less than 0.1% rated power |
| Damping factor |
over 2000 |
| Peak Current |
64 amperes |
| Inputs |
Unbalanced stereo
Balanced only for monoblock |
| Input Sensitivity |
1.98 volts of rated power |
| Input Impedance |
50,000 ohms |
| Hum and Noise |
over 100 dB |
| Crosstalk |
over 60 dB |
| Frequency Response |
0.2 to 100,000 Hz |
| Dimensions |
17" W x 5.25" H x 16.5" D |
| Shipping Weight |
65 lbs |
| Power Rating |
120 VAC, 10A fuse (240 VAC optional) |
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