Bel Canto Design
brb9 -- Mon, 10/02/2006 - 19:38
Just went through the extensive survey and 'sample' listing of other class D amps. Excellent journalism! This is why I am a loyal subscriber :)
I was a bit surprised to find no mention of Bel Canto Design which seems to have been a pioneer in this area with their Tripath module based eVo amps and now with their ICE power amps.
Is there any particular reason that they were omitted from the survey, sample or interviews?
On behalf of my colleagues, thanks for the kind words
As far as I know, there was no particular reason for the absence of the Bel Cantos. We picked a representative sample of Class D/T amps, and the Bel Cantos didn't make the cut.
Here's a definition of "make the cut:"
To meet or come up to a required standard (from golf where a player must do equal or better than a certain score to continue)
It was not, as you suggested in your clarification, that people misunderstood the "implication," it was that you, a professional writer, used the phrase incorrectly.
The standard applied to create the cut for comparisons usually mixes in three components that readers might not be fully aware of:
1. Does the product fit the story design (this can include price point coverage)?
2. Is the product available (to us by the required deadline)?
3. Are the writers familiar enough with the product to have some confidence that it should be included?
These are all practical factors. Hence the possible problem with an inference that the Bel Canto was excluded for performance reasons.
It's been pointed out to me that "didn't make the cut" might imply that there was something unworthy about the Bel Canto amps. That is not the case, and I'm sorry if I left that impression. All I meant was that the Bel Cantos didn't end up being included in our sample group. Once again, I don't know exactly why.
We had to choose just eight models out of the many dozens of Class D amplifiers on the market for review, which necessitated leaving out some brands. This was also true of our chart listing; limited space prevented us from including all the models on the market. The omission of Bel Canto should not be interpreted as a negative opinion of their products, with which we have virtually no experience.
Robert Harley
Editor-in-Chief
The Absolute Sound
The Perfect Vision
i very much enjoyed reading the feature article on class d amps. i also was surprised with the omission of bel canto. about a year ago i was auditioning amps to replace my jeff rowland model 6's and auditioned the new model e one ref 1000. after a break in period i was amazed at what a remarkable improvement they made in my system. they bested the model 6's in ever respect and integrated very well with the rest of my system. i am using them to drive the midrange/tweeter towers of the genesis model II's. i have recently replaced my accuphase cd player with the emm labs dcc2 se and cdsd se. wow! what sound! the fact that these amps cost less than the speaker cables and provide the most engaging sound i have ever experienced from my system speaks well for this technology. i would be interested in hearing other experiences with these amps.
We will be reviewing more Class D amplifiers in the future and will certainly consider Bel Canto products.
Robert Harley
The bel canto REF1000 mk. II is out now -- have you given it a listen? Preliminary reports are very positive. Any chance we could see a review?
You will see a review very soon, along with a Wyred 4 Sound monoblock amplifier.
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
Steven,
Which model of the W4S monoblocks did you make the review? Time frame of publication in the magazine? Thanks.
KS
Steven reviews the Wyred 4 Sound SX-1000 monoblocks. The review is scheduled for the June/July issue (April 28 mail date).
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