Solid State Power Amp Reviews

Bel Canto Design Black amplification system Specifications

Sidebar 1: Specifications

ASC1: Remote-controlled digital Asynchronous Stream Controller. Analog inputs: 1 RCA. Digital inputs: 2 S/PDIF, 2 ST fiber-optic, 1 TosLink, 1 AES/EBU, 1 Ethernet, 1 USB. Digital outputs: 2 ST fiber-optic, 2 AES/EBU balanced XLR. Maximum data input rates: 24-bit/192kHz (AES, XLR, S/PDIF 1 & 2, ST Fiber, TosLink), 24-bit/192kHz and DSD64 (UPnP/DLNA Ethernet). ULN master clock phase noise: <40 femtoseconds RMS, 100Hz–1MHz. Analog input: 2.5V RMS RCA. Input impedance: 12k ohms RCA. THD+N: 0.003%, 2.5V RMS in, 1kHz. Dynamic range: 106dB, A-weighted, 20Hz–20kHz. Power usage: 8W (on), 0.0W (off). Power requirements: 100–120 or 230–40VAC, 50 or 60Hz (internally set).
Dimensions: 18.8" (483mm) by 3.8" (97mm) H by 11.9" (305mm) D. Weight: 40 lbs (18.2kg).
Serial number of unit reviewed: ASC18154.
Price: $20,000.

MPS1: Class-D monoblock power amplifier Inputs: ST fiber, analog balanced XLR. Outputs: 1 pair 5-way binding posts. Output power: 300W into 8 ohms, 600W into 4 ohms, 1200W into 2 ohms (all 24.8dBW). Frequency response: 0Hz–50kHz, –3dB, all loads. Signal/noise: N/A. THD+N: <0.001% 1W, 1kHz, 4 ohms. Balanced input impedance: 20k ohms. Analog input voltage for max output: 5V RMS. Damping factor: >1000. Dynamic range: stream input, 128dB; analog input, 108dB. ULN master clock phase noise: <40 femtoseconds RMS, 100Hz–1MHz.
Dimensions: 18.8" (483mm) W by 3.8" (97mm) H by 13.9" (356mm) D. Weight: 45.1 lbs (20.5kg).
Serial numbers of units reviewed: MPS09134, MPS36134.
Price: $15,000 each.

System Price: $50,000. Approximate number of dealers: 4.
Manufacturer: Bel Canto Design, Ltd., 221 First Street N., Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55401. Tel: (612) 317-4550. Fax: (612) 359-9358. Web: www.belcantoblack.com.

COMPANY INFO
Bel Canto Design, Ltd.
221 First Street N., Suite 300
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 317-4550
www.belcantoblack.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
JRT's picture
Submitted by JRT on June 30, 2015 - 12:25pm

Bruno Putzeys' NCore variant of switch mode (class D) amplifiers, in combination with switch mode power supply, represents significant progress.

If well implemented, Putzey's NCore can be fully adequate for high quality audio, but that is not why it represents significant progress, because a well designed conventional class AB amplifier with conventional power supply can also produce high quality audio at similar power output.

What represents significant progress is that Bruno Putzeys' NCore variant of switch mode amplifiers, in combination with switch mode power supply, can also produce high quality audio at substantially reduced cost, reduced size, and with reduced power consumption, as compared to a conventional class AB amplifier capable of similarly high quality audio at similar power output.

I would suggest comparison of this Bel Canto MPS1 amplifier to a Parasound Halo JC1.

Here is a link to Stereophile's review of the JC1: http://www.stereophile.com/solidpoweramps/774/index.html

The Parasound Halo JC1 sells for less than $5K.

Bel Canto chose a $15K MSRP price point for this MPS1, and by doing that they have failed to deliver the real progress that Putzeys' NCore could and should provide.

Bel Canto's small dealer network in the US will sell a few of these, probably very few, and I suspect this Bel Canto product will soon fade into oblivion. I hope Putzeys' NCore does not fade as quickly.

JRT's picture
Submitted by JRT on June 30, 2015 - 1:23pm

I'd like to see Bruno Putzeys' NCore implemented in active loudspeakers, with DSP crossovers, attached to a wired gigabit Ethernet network using Audinate Dante multicast. Dante uses conventional gigabit Ethernet switch and wiring.

The front end of the system could be as simple as a netbook running JRiver and Audinate Dante virtual soundcard. Dante virtual soundcard uses the wired Ethernet port to attach to a dedicated audio Ethernet network. The downstream end would be active loudspeakers, subwoofer(s), etc., also attached to the dedicated wired Ethernet network. In between would be nothing more than a conventional gigabit Ethernet switch and inexpensive cat5e wiring. That would eliminate a lot of the conventional resource hogs, and the majority of the system budget would reside in active loudspeakers. Setup and configuration could be extremely easy.

JRT's picture
Submitted by JRT on June 30, 2015 - 2:06pm

A system using Dante could begin as a pair of loudspeakers (or even just one) attached to the network, and could be expanded by attaching new speakers to the network and adjusting settings on processing.

Audinate Dante over gigabit Ethernet can provide 16x16 24bit/192kHz (16 bi-directional channels), 32x32 at 24bit/96kHz.

edit: I should mention that I have no affiliation with any of these products or vendors.

JJSIII's picture
Submitted by JJSIII on July 1, 2015 - 8:23am

In response to JRT's comments, yes indeed nCore represents significant progress, the premium, customized 1200Watt capable module used in the MPS1 is NOT an inexpensive device. Also note that the MPS1 is MUCH MORE than a simple amplifier. Bel Canto has released a new e.One nCore based >500W mono power amp that retails for less than $5K a pair, the REF600M. It does not use the same nCore module as the MPS1 units but it does provide remarkable audio performance and value.

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