thomaco
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Bel Canto eVo amp problems
Kal Rubinson
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The earliest versions had some overload problems but I've had samples of each of the eVo versions and never had a noise problem. One or two had a brief 2second chassis hum at turn on but nothing in the signal line or otherwise audible.

As for RF, I've not had a problem. I've used them within 5feet of an amplified FM antenna and in a rack with lots of other equipment.

Also, no failures except when I blew up a resistor in one of the original eVo2002s.

Are these new amps?

Kal

thomaco
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Hi Kal,

Thanks for your comments. Yes these are new eVo amps and they are the latest "gen. II" versions of the amps. I'm on the verge of returning them. The only catch is that my dealer is 650 miles away so I can't just take one in to swap for a different unit. If it is possible to sort out my problems with the amps I would like to try that before sending them all back. My dealer has offered support but none of his suggestions have worked. He is waiting to hear back from the importer (who is about 3000 miles away).

Richard

Kal Rubinson
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Ouch! 650 miles and importer are big words. I would make the dealer swap them for new ones fast as I believe this 'new' Gen II series is being replaced shortly by entirely new designs.

Kal

thomaco
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I've hated having to deal with a distant dealer but I seem to be living with the Philistines . My local high quality dealer closed down a month ago.

The dead and suspicious amps will be definitely going back to the dealer. I am basically wondering if the other amps are also bad and if I should get a complete new set, or if the other amps are fair examples of what I can expect in my system and I should send them all back and try something different.

Richard

Kal Rubinson
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I cannot advise you further except to try to right this ASAP.

Kal

thomaco
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In case you're interested in the results so far. The dealer, importer and Bel Canto have offered a number of suggestions to try and fix the problems. None have worked, or were not feasible (e.g. move the amps a few metres). The importer is shipping new power cables to try.

The importer has also sent a e.One S300 amp that is a significant improvement for the problems. The amp seems to be a bit muted (music seems soft and lacking in drive and power). I'm not sure if that will improve with break-in or if I need a more powerful amp. The S300 is not much more than a third as powerful as the eVo2's as monoblocks, and I have inefficient speakers and a large open room. So I'm wondering if they don't have enough power for my situation. The importer has sold out of REF1000's so I can't try that at the moment.

Richard

Kal Rubinson
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Quote:
I had a hum from a Bel Canto eVo4. It was from the cable tv. I ran the cable through the Monster 5100 power conditioner, and the problem was solved. It is now dead silent. This, however, was a ground loop, not the problem of the eVo4.

An even better solution would have been to get your cable company to fix the underlying problem (which still exists although blocked).

Kal

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I agree with those who are recommending that you return these amps immediately (be sure to get a return authorization #), and politely but firmly demand a full refund, including return shipping charges if possible.

Sony6million
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Hello newbie from the UK here. I came across the forum by typing 'problems with bel canto' into google. So hello to everyone and happy new year.

I bought a Bel Canto eVo2i Gen 2 last autumn, it was secondhand and originally purchased in April. I think it was damaged in transit to me. One channel kept dropping out intermittently. It was away for 6 weeks getting looked at.

Now it has been working fine since I got it back a few days ago and was on duty last night. It was on standby over night and the morning turning it on to use it, 'BANG!', lot of hum, more bangs. Scared the [censored] out of me.

Like the 1st post by thelistener said, I also thought bel canto were meant to be well put together. Has anyone got any suggestions, as I'm stuffed without a warranty. My repair guy who looked at it before said there was a dry joint which was why the sound kept dropping out.

Should I bin this and get something else? When it works I tihnk it sounds pretty good.

thomaco
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For those who may be interested, here is a further update in my saga.

After numerous suggestions of things to try, nothing made any significant improvement to the problems I had with the eVo amps. I now have three options, return everything for a refund, replace everything with 3 REF1000s and a S300, or upgrade to 5 REF1000s. I can't see the S300 fitting in well with the REF1000s so it's either the first or last option.

Has anyone heard the REF1000s and can offer any comments or opinions? Jim Saxon has an "interesting" review of the S300 on SoundStage but I haven't seen much on the REF1000.

Richard

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I would lean toward taking the refund now and when time permitted go listen to the REF1000s for myself. Even if it meant a weekend road trip.

Monty
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Bridging amps can require that the speaker wires "float" and not share a common ground with the amps inputs. In a situation like this, you might need to connect the speaker wires to the left+ and right+ on the amp.

If you have assumed that connecting the wires in a normal fashion, you might read the manual carefully on this...especially with electrostats.

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