Reviews

SA-30 Stereo Amplifier

Soundstage - It’s easily the best amplifier I’ve heard from Belles, and it’s the best solid-state amplifier I’ve heard, period. So: fairly priced, terrific sounding, trivially easy to set up and maintain -- what are you waiting for? For a complete review, click here

VT-01 Preamplifier

dagogo - With excellent ergonomics, superb build quality, silent operation, and a ballsy sound that would be the envy of many similarly-priced line stages, it is abundantly clear that the Statement Series VT-01 accomplishes its mission handily. If you are on the market for a line stage and do not want to seriously break the bank, the Belles Power Modules Statement Series VT-01 is a must audition.
For a complete review, click here.

SoundStage - The Belles VT-01 sounds spectacular, looks gorgeous, is easy to operate, and, considering its performance, is reasonably priced. In fact, I haven’t heard anything in its price range that sounds remotely as good. While David Belles’ SA-30 amplifier is also a superb performer, I think his VT-01 is even better -- much better. It’s one of the best line stages I’ve heard at any price, which makes it an easy Reviewers’ Choice. If you’re shopping for a line stage at or near this price and don’t need balanced inputs and outputs, I urge you to put the Belles VT-01 on a very short list of products to audition.
For a complete review, click here.

VT-01 Preamplifier & SA-100 Amplifier

Hi-FI Choice - The Collection 2009 (England) - “But we found the Belles combination very easy to hear through. Pointers like pitch and timing are handled with a particular grace. Bass is deep and controlled. The warmth we referred to earlier is contributed largely by the preamplifier. This, to our ears, is definitely identifiable aurally as a valve amp, though largely without the loss of presence and definition that valves often bring in their wake. The power amp does nothing to noticeably diminish these special qualities, but does ensure that loudspeakers speak with a full measure of authority and conviction.”
For a complete review, click here.

VT-01 Preamplifier & SA-30 Amplifier

Hi-FI News (England) - “Majestic” is the word that keeps popping into my head. From the Pixies indies crunch via MoFi CDs to the saccharine (but admittedly delicious) sweetness of Billy Joel’s “Just The Way You Are” to the woody, unplugged acoustic satin of early Peter, Paul & Mary, the Belles did something that the manufacturer may not take as a complement, but which is intended that way: it transported me back to 1985. For which I am grateful beyond words.
For a complete review, click here.

LA-1 Preamplifier

Ultra Audio - “The Belles preamp was captivating and dynamic; it would not let me ignore the music. I’ll remember the MB-01 and LA-01 as some of the best amplification gear I’ve ever heard.”
For a complete review, click here.

AUDIOphile (Germany) - “The MB-200 without a doubt can be compared to the Elite in its price class. The purest level is also attained by the LA - 01 They have the secret, they have what it takes and the construction and components are of the finest quality.”
For a complete review, click here.

IA-01 Integrated Amplifier

HiFi+ - This is going to sound like some kind of Zen Koan, but it’s not hard to be impressed by the Belles IA-01, because it is not impressive. It doesn’t go for fireworks or flashy features. It’s just both built to last and made to sound musically enjoyable. Although there’s a lot more further up the Belles ladder, the IA-01 doesn’t demand you upgrade and therefore it may well be the amplifier that lives with you for the longest time.
For a complete review, click here.

6Moons - First things first. The Belles has great smoothness devoid of harshness and very good tonal balance (I am thinking about the whole picture).
For a complete review, click here.

MB-01 Mono-Block Amplifier

Ultra Audio.com - “The Belles preamp was captivating and dynamic; it would not let me ignore the music. I’ll remember the MB-01 and LA-01 as some of the best amplification gear I’ve ever heard.”
For a complete review, click here.

MB-200 Mono-Block Amplifier

Hi-Fi+ (England) - “Compact, capable and discretely elegant in appearance, these Belles mono-blocs stand to become something of a reference around these parts. Superbly detailed, their transparency, dynamic and spatial resolution are underpinned by a conservatively rated 200 Watts output that means they can laugh in the face of most speaker loads.”
For a complete review, click here.

AUDIOphile (Germany) - “The MB-200 without a doubt can be compared to the Elite in its price class. The purest level is also attained by the LA - 01 They have the secret, they have what it takes and the construction and components are of the finest quality.”
For a complete review, click here.

CES & THE Show 2008

Stereotimes - “Both of these systems were characterized by a musicality that was uncommon for show conditions and was easily the best sounding room at the St. Tropez.”
“This room was over at T.H.E. Show and had sound as good as any room located anywhere. This no doubt was due to Bruce Jacobs ability to get the best sound out of a room with his meticulous setup skill.”
To view the systems, click here.

21A Stereo Preamplifier

Soundstage - “It reaches out, grabs you by the collar, and pulls you into whatever musical interlude that it’s being fed. It has a forceful, detailed, and clear musical personality that allows you to listen deep into the sonic landscape, pulling new musical moments out of familiar material.”
For a complete review, click here.

Soundstage - “More than anything, the upgraded Belles 21A proves that you don't have to pay five figures for a reference-level preamp. The centerpiece of a great two-channel audio system." Reviewer’s Choice.
For a complete review, click here.

28A Stereo Preamplifier
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150A Hot Rod Amplifier

Soundstage - "The Hot Rod 150A never failed to produce a state of total bliss whenever I had the chance to listen just for pleasure. Top to bottom, the sound is exceptionally satisfying and well balanced. The Hot Rod 150A gets my highest recommendation as a price-and-performance leader and continues the 150A tradition. It’s a Reviewers’ Choice.”
For a complete review, click here.

150 Reference Amplifier

Soundstage - “Prior to spending time with these amps, I thought there would never be a product that would justify a double Reviewers’ Choice nod from me. Well, here it is, the Belles 150A Reference -- extraordinary and possibly incomparable.”
For a complete review, click here.

350 Reference Amplifier

dagogo - “True to the overall Belles Power Modules mission, the 350A V2 power amplifier is a superb amplifier for its price point. When inserted in a properly matched system, the 350A V2 delivers faithful and clean performance with no significant errors of omission; not bad for $3,995. Better yet, doubling them up and running two amplifiers in mono would yield a sub-$8,000 pair of monoblocks that deliver 1000 watts each into 8 ohms. That’s what I call value.
In much the same way as the VT-01 linestage, the 350A V2 delivers excellent performance when used within its operating parameters. Its build quality and sheer ruggedness shone through in its ability to play the CLS’s despite their sub-2-ohm impedance. At $3,995 this amplifier handily earns a recommendation and is a must-audition in its price class.
For a complete review, click here.

Soundstage - “No amp I’ve heard has the combination of bass, midrange, and high-frequency quality; low noise levels and low distortion; loudspeaker control; and sheer neutrality of the Belles 350A Reference. This is an amplifier that should be taken seriously by anybody seeking an open window on the recorded performance. A sure-fire Reviewers' Choice."
For a complete review, click here.

Soloist 1 Integrated Amplifier

Audio Video Revolution - “At $2995, I believe the Soloist is a steal. It offers a clarity, coherence, and neutrality. that one would expect from amps costing double.”
For a complete review, click here.

Soloist 3 Preamplifier

The Absolute Sound - “The Soloist 3 has no trouble laying down imposing sonic tracks. The preamp delivers easy-going midrange neutrality, solid low-frequency punch, and rich, honest timbres.”
For a complete review, click here.

Hi Fi+ - “Now the extra authority delivered by adding the line stage to the system really paid off. Without the little Belles in circuit, I doubt the benefits of the 1037s would have been nearly as apparent - or nearly as satisfying.”
For a complete review, click here.

Soloist 5 Stereo Amplifier

The Absolute Sound - “The Soloist 5 amplifier is the musical sweetheart of the pair, maintaining a strong yet mellow sense of midrange refinement even while it smoothes out music’s rougher edges. ”
For a complete review, click here.