[rockadanny]

Anyone try this combo yet? I am considering trying the Bel Canto S300 in my currently system - satisfyingly warm and full-bodied tubed CDP and pre (2A SE). I hate the idea of adding "ICE" to my pleasantly warm (though still detailed) system, but from what most/some of what I've read it sounds like these may not add much coolness, if any. If that is true, I might try one.

[saisunil]

You may want to consider uncolored source - i.e. a CD player without tubes - totally transparent.
There are a few TRL (tube research labs) CD Players +/- $500 to 1100 on audiogon - pick any one of them - NV900 is highly recommended - I have one. It is close to as transparent as a CD player gets without killing the musicality.

I have heard Mapletree Pre - it is not question warm and very musical and Bel Canto S300 perhaps on the opposite spectrum - it could be an interesting match.

Cheers
Sunil

[rockadanny]

OK. How about has anyone tried any Class D amps with a Mapletree pre?

[WEEZ]

There is an S300 for sale for $850 on the 'Gon right now. That might be a way to try it in your system...but don't sell the Ultra 550; my guess is you'll be re-listing the S300.

(no affilliation; and YMMV....)

WEEZ

[rockadanny]

Thanks WEEZ. I suspect I'll have to agree with your suspicion.

[topround]

I heard my Mapltree Ultra 4 SE with the channel islands D200 mono blocs and it had really great synergy.
I have been tempted many times to sell my VTL and get the channel islands.
If I had the money I would have both here in my system. Without a doubt.

[hartwerger]

I mated the Ice H20 digital amp with the Ultra 4A when I had Magnepan 3.6s.    I thought they worked quite well together.    Warm tube magic with clean detail and the Maggies telling all. 

[Vapor Audio]

I'm selling my S300 right now for $850 shipped ...

My experience with ICE stuff is they're a perfect amp to use if you want to add 'color' to a system with a certain pre, since they're so neutral to begin with. 

Tell ya what, buy this S300 from me and if you don't like it in 30 days I'll buy it back. 

[rotarius]

Anyone try this combo yet? I am considering trying the Bel Canto S300 in my currently system - satisfyingly warm and full-bodied tubed CDP and pre (2A SE). I hate the idea of adding "ICE" to my pleasantly warm (though still detailed) system, but from what most/some of what I've read it sounds like these may not add much coolness, if any. If that is true, I might try one.

The s300 input impedance is only 10Kohm.  It won't mate well with a tube pre.  My line 2 worked *ok* with an amp input z of 20Kohm but the dynamics increased using a 50Kohm input on the same amp (bryston xlr and rca inputs).

[rockadanny]

Rotarius - I was askeered of that.

[fredgarvin]

If you are still looking, the wyred4sound ice amp has a buffered input at 100k so would work fine with tubed pre's.

[rockadanny]

Fred,
Thanks for the suggestion. Nice that they offer multiple options for power. However, I've decided to skip the "D" class amps for now. Thanks again.