Bel Canto Design C5i Integrated Amplifiers

Bel Canto Design C5i Integrated Amplifiers 

DESCRIPTION

  • Minimum Load: 3 ohms per channel
  • Peak Output Current: 30 amperes
  • Frequency Response: +/-3 dB 1.5Hz-90KHz, 4 ohm load
  • Dynamic Range: 115dB
  • Phono in impedance: 47 Kohms//150pF

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-3 of 3  
[Dec 05, 2011]
Rookie
Audio Enthusiast

Very musical integrated amplifier! Best I've owned and sounds better than some which cost more. Those wanting an excellent and simple system should give this amp serious consideration. Sounds warm and analog, no hint of digital harshness at all! Unbelievable! The DAC sounds better than my Benchmark. Have not tried phono yet but the headphone input is far from an afterthought. As mentioned, it's a very green product. Uses 20 times less electricity than my previous amp. The green lights remind me how ecologically friendly the Bel Canto is. Can't believe the first Bel Cantos were tubes!! Even the box uses recycled paper. The chassis is rigid steel and the aluminium front is one solid piece. I like how one knob in front basically controls everything. Had it playing whole day and it's not even warm just lukewarm. Build quality is impressive. Nice sorbothane footers. Best of all it's shoe size sits easily on my rack with plenty of room to spare. Best investment in audio I've made!! Highly recommended!

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 22, 2011]
CS
Audio Enthusiast

I had to shed my prejudice of Class D amplifiers! The C5i is an awesome product! I can't believe that I went out looking for an audio system and ended up with a preamp, amplifier, headphone amp, Phono MM, DAC (with 5 inputs inc USB), HT bypass, Sub or Pre-out in ONE neat and tidy little chassis! The frontplate is simple but exudes quality. Displays are big and easy to read from my sweet spot. A single multi function knob selects source, controls volume and other functions.
How does it sound? Warm touch of tube magic), musical, dynamic, transparent and non-fatiguing. I can't believe how good it sounds, comfortably replacing my expensive pre/power and it takes so little space, runs cool, uses very little electricity (one light bulb at full output). The ambience of a recording venue are very well reproduced. Fine details can sound uncannily real. The soundstage is wide and fairly deep. The background is black. No hint of glare or digital sharpness. Very analog sounding (I gather that John Stronczer comes from a tube background). No hiss, no hum, no pops when changing sources. The volume of each source level can be separately controlled and fixed so switching from one source to another is seamless. I am so bewildered by what this little integrated can do! My family can enjoy my audio since its so easy and simple to use.
It's nice to know that I am doing my part to save the planet! It's a remarkably 'green' product, from the design philosophy to the use of recyclable parts.

When the dealer told me the price, my first reaction was "What! So cheap for so many functions?" The C5i is an absolute steal!

I am convinced that the C5i will provide me many, many years of musical enjoyment!

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Oct 17, 2011]
Hollowpoint
Audio Enthusiast

I just recently purchase this unit. I find it to be very warm and accurate. Out of the box, the soundstage was very small and somewhat centered which really frightened me after spending that much money. After letting the unit stay on for about 96 hours the soundstage really opened up and I have never been happier with the music I am hearing. Space ( foot print ) was a big concern when making this purchase and this definitely satisfies my heart content. I have had a Carver TFM-25 amp for about 20 years and this is easier on the ears. It his power a pair of Monitor Audio PL100's and it really brings out some beautiful sound.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
Showing 1-3 of 3  

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