Quad Vs Bel Canto round 2

**Braddles** · 11-07-2008 11:37 PM

Just bought another S300iu int amp home from the importer this time and he gave me a after market big power cable to try saying it would make a difference to how it sounds.

So ive just hooked it up and are letting it play at just above background levels to give it plenty of time to warm up (another thing he said would help) before i start with some serious compo's with the Quad 99/909.

Will post pics and report soon for those interested.

Cheers
Brad

**Braddles** · 11-08-2008 05:45 AM

First impressions are chalk cheese compared to last time i listen to the bel canto.
Much more lively and lush sounding. Last time it very dry but not now. Have had it playing most of the day from background levels through to cranked. Must say very impressed how this little box can push the 12's around when called to. Very dynamic and fast. Real instruments like piano and guitar sound just like they should. Real. Voices are life like and soundstage is alot better than last time. Going to keep listening to the bel canto till im satisfied i know its sound then will hook the quads back up.

**Braddles** · 11-09-2008 09:10 AM

Well its hard to believe that a power cord could make that much difference but it did. The belcanto has gone from a distant second to just winning. The bass is faster, deeper and more controled. The highs are crisper and more clear. The biggest improvement from last time was the mids and vocals. Gone was the dry sounding voices and the sound stage was deeper and wider than before. After having the bel canto on for a day and a half i did some back to back testing against the quads. Every time i changed to the bel canto it seemed to be more even accross the board. The bass was the most noticable improvement as it had more punch and control than the quads. On the live recording of Eric Claptons "layla" you could hear the pluck on the strings of the guitar.
Didn't get a chance to play with the built in DAC with my i-tunes so will have to get back to you on how that sounds.
So now i have to try and take the Quads back to the dealer at give him the news.
I have to admit im glad that the bel canto did in end live up to all the good things that i've read about it. It has restored some faith that the reviews on equipment aren't cash for comments.

**F1nut** · 11-09-2008 04:35 PM

Are the amps you're trying burned in or are they fresh out of the box?

**Braddles** · 11-09-2008 05:34 PM

Both burned in. The bel canto a bit more so.

**Braddles** · 11-10-2008 04:40 AM

Pooo. The cash that was comming to pay for the new amp will be delayed for some time. so have to wait till that gets sorted first. Not happy.

**Braddles** · 12-17-2008 09:59 AM

Well i had to sell off some stuff to do it but it was worth it.
Have the Bel Canto home and still can not believe the great sounds that are comming out of this little box. Just finished a session with "Norah Jones" and her voice sounded full and spectacular. The piano and strings are clean and crisp. Soundstage is wide but a little narrow at this stage. Pluged in my laptop to the USB port and gave some itunes a spin and they sounded good too. Riped some discs in windows lossless and couldnt realy tell much difference from the real thing. Overall, very happy. A great lifestyle amp too being small and light enough to take to parties or different rooms and hook up to other setups.

So what's next? I am thinking a good DAC would be a good next step to improve what goes in. The Bel Canto Dac3 has some great reviews and so does Benchmark.