great value, good bu9ild quality, high sonic quality (for the buck)

nothing significant

Dave Belles' creation has finally been "discovered" despite a lack of big-buck advertising and hype. As previous reviewers have noted, this is the real deal. It puts Acurus and other amps in its price bracket to shame -- and in my opinion, sounds better than Bryston when matched with the right gear. A couple of suggestions: try the Belles with a tube preamp of even moderate price/quality and the best interconnects you can afford. Second, if you don't have the "hotrod" version, purchase some rope caulk at Home Depot (less than $5) and affix to the bottom of the heat sink fins -- being careful not to use too much or prevent cooling. The damping effect makes an enormous difference ... it might even change some reviewers' minds about the slight mid-range brightness they mention, and it definitely solidifies the bass.

Similar Products Used:

acurus, etc.

Very rich and full sound. Very easy to listen to and very musical. An overall great value for the money

None at this price point

I've had the belles 150A hotrod about a year and have been impressed from day one. It easily beats out any of the mid-fi competitors in this price range, and does not have any serious competition until you reach the mid $2000 level. For a solid state amp, it is one of the most musical that I've ever heard. SS amps even at a higher price range can sound sterile, but this one is full of life. If you're looking to spend $1000-$2000 for an amp, you must give this a listen first. You will not be disappointed.

Similar Products Used:

Many mid-fi companies: i.e. Rotel etc....

For those looking in the under $2000 range the Belles is definitely in the ranking,has that Belles KICK! Also check out the PSE STUDIO IV, and BRYSTON 3BST.

I have my 150A for several months now. The longer I listen, the better it sounds. For the money, you can't do better. Even for more (much more) I have not heard better. The manufacturer is Power Modules (www.powermodules.com). They have pictures and more information. If you can audition this amp, you will buy it. Can I say more?

I was an owner of the a Belles 250. I loved it but alas, it died after about 10 years. A story too long to go into here. I found out that Dave had designed the 150A and I decided to try it. I also tried several other amps in the $1000-$3000 range. Trying to be objective, after many tests of different recordings in my home, I found that the Belles 150A was the Best. It had all the adjectives, and sounded spectacular. I was afraid that I might be biased, so I had an audiophile friend listen and he was teed-off. He had spent approx. $10000 more on his system and could not justify it after listening to mine. You can buy the 150A and be happy.

I purchased the 150A after listening to Classe's, Bryston and others...I have the amp for over three months now. Every time I turn it on I could swear it sounded better than the day before. A tremendous amp for the money. Its sound is open and immediate not forward, imaging is superb and tonal balance is spectacular, very well balanced with ample dynamics. Has midrange that compares to good tube gear! Front end equipment is c-j PV10A, Meridian D/A, VPI Mark IV and B&W 803-II speakers.Shall I say anymore...

Thanks to the review at Soundstage, the purchase of the Belles 150A amplifier ended by long search for a budget amplifier for Platinum Solos. Mind you, the
word "budget" applies to the price only, while the sound qualities of the
amp are worth much more. In a (partially blind) test in my home system, Belles
effortlessly outclassed Bryston B60, which in turn previously succeded over
Arcam 10 and Classe CAP80. Just any thing you name - Belles did it better.
Timbral accuracy, bass, soundstage, resolution, ... Is summary, outstanding
sound.
In fairness, I should admit that given Solos' appetite for power, Bryston
may have been too weak, but I did not expect 60W vs 100W to make that much
of a difference in my moderate-sized room 12x16.

Test system:
Marantz CD-63
Nordost Blue Heaven Interconnect
B60 pre
Tributaries Red Interconnect
Belles 150A / Bryston B60 power
CAT5 "Jon Risch" bi-wire cable
Platinum Solos

CDs used:

Patricia Barber "Modern Cool" #4 (Attn. Bow Bass and Trumpet)
Strauss "Also Sprach Zaratustra" Maazel/Bavarian Symphony BMG/RCA Red Seal
(Attn. dynamics first movement)
Bela Fleck "Flight of the Cosmic Hippo" #4 - BASS!!
Pat Metheny "Inaginary Day" #1

P.S. Re: Alex' review below. The break-in for Belles 150A is well in excess
of 100 hours, so maybe you are just experiencing that effect.

I have just had the pleasure to have the new BELLES 150A amp (100w/ch), as part of my systemAfter the initial burn in, the amp started to perform.
Here is an amplifier that is detailed, without being unforgiving. The sense of the players is right there...you can touch them. For the type of music I listen to, it is important that I have a sense that I am right there in the front row, listening to my music. Jazz combo's, guitar (Ottmar Liebert etc) and New Age . My speakers
ACI Sapphire 111's, really complement the amp, with smooth sound.
I have listened to all the amps that are in this category...Mc Cormack, Aragon,
Classe, and Bryston, ....and there is no comparison dollar for dollar in the sound of this amp. This amp sells for $1195 an "audio bargain"
5 stars ...no hesitation

I have just had the pleasure to have the new BELLES 150A amp (100w/ch), as part of my systemAfter the initial burn in, the amp started to perform.
Here is an amplifier that is detailed, without being unforgiving. The sense of the players is right there...you can touch them. For the type of music I listen to, it is important that I have a sense that I am right there in the front row, listening to my music. Jazz combo's, guitar (Ottmar Liebert etc) and New Age . My speakers
ACI Sapphire 111's, really complement the amp, with smooth sound.
I have listened to all the amps that are in this category...Mc Cormack, Aragon,
Classe, and Bryston, ....and there is no comparison dollar for dollar in the sound of this amp. This amp sells for $1195 an "audio bargain"
5 stars ...no hesitation

I expected (and got) better bass than my tubed VTL 75-75, but wasn't ready for the cleaner, more transparent highs as well. Transistors aren't supposed to sound this natural! Excellent with my Clements RT7's and Cardas cable. No-frills design, no gold faceplate, no "Hand built in the Black Forest" badge - just see-through sound. Do $10,000 amps sound better? I'm not going to worry about finding out.