Belles Soloist 3 Preamplifier Review

Audio products begin from all sorts of places. Many advance from large determined multi-national companies similar to Marantz or Harmon International. Some accost from intermediate sized, exclusively owned firms. And a few even advance from tiny shops run by artisans plying their trade. One such workman is David Belles, who runs Power Modules Inc. out of Pittsford, NY.

Mr. Belles is ardent about his art and avoids trends similar to the plague. His products are superbly built and done with high high quality parts. They evidently are written with the simplest route paths in mind. The Belles product line caters to the who are seeking for no compromise, high-powered amplifiers in the Statement series, and entry-level audiophiles in the Soloist series. we reviewed the Belles Soloist 1 integrated amplifier final year.

I’ve motionless to examination the Soloist 3 stereo preamplifier, given we have had one in my network for a few time now, and think it is dark gem in the world of high-end audio for the seeking to obtain in to separates on a budget. The section retails for $939. The Soloist 3 is cultured in its simplicity. It has 5 line turn inputs and a Home Theater bypass. There are two sets of stereo outputs together with robust volume and change knobs. There is a granted remote control, that allows for mute, volume, and submit selection. As a matter of fact, you can usually choose submit around the remote.

The Soloist 3 is really attractive, with an aluminum faceplate existing in china or black. The Soloist is petite in size, but ruggedly built. The inputs and outputs are high high quality and the casework is seamless. Honestly, we frequency see workmanship similar to this at similar cost points.

I use the Soloist 3 in my second system, with a Pangea AC-9 power connective tissue or an Element Cable Element Cord, to expostulate my selected Revox A722 power amp around Transparent MM2 Plus interconnects. we moreover use the power amp section of the McIntosh MA6600 integrated. Audio Sources add my reliable Squeezebox Touch related optically to the Musical Fidelity V-DAC II , and Harbeth Compact 7ES3 speakers. In this setup, the Soloist 3 is a neutral, dynamic, and pure entertainer (shockingly so, deliberation the price).

There isn't a suggestion of automatic artifacts, or detectable traces of electronic mist that a few "budget" plain state preamps leave behind. On the contrary, the Soloist 3 is one of the singular components that is detailed, guileless to sources, and creates pleasing music. we can’t even suppose how great Belles’s more costly Reference and Statement array preamps contingency be.

Now on to a few low-pitched notes. we had a great accumulation of engaging things at the ready to obtain started. Joe Henry -- a producing genius, but moreover a glorious recording artist in own correct --dazzled critics with his 2011 album, Reverie . It is an understated, and jazzy, meditation that is easily recorded with innate sonics. The Soloist 3 did a wonderful work of recreating the surroundings and feel of the Henry’s excellent rope and his unmatched voice was fairly rendered.