A visit to bel canto Design

[longbowbbs]

I had a chance to visit bel canto Design and meet with John Stronczer and Mike McCormick. We spent several hours listening to music on the upcoming integrated amp based on the amazing bel canto Black on a pair of speakers of John's design. After a great day I left with a pair of Ref600 Mono's and a DAC 2,7 for an upcoming HiFi+ review. They pair up incredibly well with the Magnepan .7's for a fabulous under $10k system. Good times with great people!

L-R John Stronczer, Eric Neff and Mike McCormick at bel canto HQ in Minneapolis


bel canto gear ready to unpack.


bel canto Ref600m's with the DAC 2.7 feeding the Magnepan .7's

[JackD201]

I wonder if they kept any of the tube gear they started out with. I heard they were very good.

[longbowbbs]

John said they still have people ask about it. He does have a few pieces around and they will do repairs on older gear. For the last 15+ years they have been strictly solid state.

[Beaur]

A pair of the SET 80 monoblocks passed through my system a few years ago. Great sounding amps, almost didn't give them back to the owner! Enjoyed them throroughly and have been on the look out for a pair ever since.

[longbowbbs]

I suspect hen's teeth are easier to acquire than a pair of those SET's! OTOH, the Ref600's are a terrific value. Great body and space with a ton of power for a reasonable price.

[mep]

I suspect hen's teeth are easier to acquire than a pair of those SET's! OTOH, the Ref600's are a terrific value. Great body and space with a ton of power for a reasonable price.

When I saw the words "Ref 600," I was thinking ARC amps.

[longbowbbs]

No tubes here! It is a Twin Cities based firm though.