[Bill Baker]

When Response Audio first came out with the 3205, it was based on the VH Audio V-Cap Teflon capacitors. Many of you already recognize this as the  "Reference 3205". This amp was and still is a huge hit. There are more Reference 3205 amplifiers out there than any other product I have ever offered. The difference is more texture and realism in the midrange and more smoothness up top. The problem was that late last year, the V-Cap increased in physical size (almost doubled) as well as increased in weight and installing them into the 3205 chassis became a bit tricky.

 Over the past few months, I have been drilled by consumers to bring back the Reference 3205 and had a few send their original Signature versions in to be upgraded to the Reference. The good news is, I have developed a new way of incorporating the larger, heavier V-Caps into the amp in a way that they are not at risk of having the leads break (did I mention they are heavy capacitors) during shipping.

 Starting this month, we are bringing back and now offering the Bella EXtreme 3205 MK II Reference. Yes, not only is the Reference coming back but it is now being released in the MKII version. I have been running a Reference 3205 MKII since last December. Some of you know this amp as "Big Blue" as show below:thumb:

Sorry about the older picture but I have not taken a new picture of this amp in nearly 4 years. This piece has been up and running, almost daily, since it was built and we are talking about the very first tube amplifier (maybe ANY product) to ever be built using V-Cap Teflon capacitors. Built entirely from scratch (spare, brand new chassis and extra circuit boards & transformers I had laying around) it was built long before the V-Caps were released and is still running the same tubes that were installed on that first day it was fired up. It was updated to the MK II late last year. It is broken in now
By the way, we do not use the passive preamp as seen in the picture, this amp is currently being fed by our new Audio Note Custom M2 preamp. 

[nature boy]

Bill,

Without listing all parts, how does the Bella Extreme V-Cap MKII Reference differ from the the Bella EXtreme 3205 MKII Platinum??

NB

[Bill Baker]

Hi NB,
 At this point with the new MKII versions, the main difference is the use of the V-Cap Teflon capacitors use for the main coupling positions instead of the Platinum capacitors.
 We will still use the SoniCap Platinum Teflon capacitor for the power supply bypass.

 We will still continue to offer the 3205 MK II Platinum as well as the Signature 3025.

 By the way, "Big Blue", as seen above, will be the amp used to drive the upper frequencies of the Emerald Physics CS2 speaker when we bring our pair in. To start off, we will eb using a full Reference JD801 power amp to drive the two 15" woofers! from there, we will play with different combinations.

[Bill Baker]

Greetings.
 We are going to offer 2 Reference 3205 MK II amplifiers as a "re-introduction" special. These may be the last 2 3205 amplifiers that we will take orders for until January 2008.

 Even with the increase in component cost to build these units as well as the additional circuitry Incorporated into the MK II, we are not increasing the price of the Reference 3205 over what it sold for in 2006.

Regular price is $1870 as a straight power amp and $1995 as an integrated unit. Amps will come standard with 6550WE output tubes, JJ12AU7 input tubes and EH12T7 driver tubes.

 AC special pricing:

  $1550 - straight power amp
  $1650 - integrated version with 4 inputs and ALPS Blue volume control.

DETAILS: http://www.bellaextreme.com/reference3205.htm

 You can use a variety of tubes including EL34, KT77, 6550, KT88, KT90. Instructions provided on bias setting for different tube types. You CANNOT use anything other than a 12AU7 or variant in the input stage of the MK II amplifiers.

 At this time, straight power amp versions are supplied only with a solid hardwood face plate. Cherry or Black Walnut.
 Integrated units will retain the original Jolida "A" series appearance with the balance control bypassed. Warranty is upped to 2 years parts and labor on the Reference (60 days on tubes).

 

[Bill Baker]

One AC member just picked up a Reference 3205 MK II power amp so that leaves only one available.

[Bill Baker]

I took the last chassis out of the box today and noticed some cosmetic imperfections on the sides (towards the back) of the chassis. The imperfections look like bubbles under the paint surface. The could be small air pockets?

 Due to these imperfections, we will be offering this last unit as a "cosmetically challanged" unit and will deduct $100 from the cost.

 Another option is that we will build the power amp version with a single input and center mounted volume control knob at no additional cost. The face plate will be either Black Walnut or Cherry. Your choice of a Noble or Alps Blue stereo pot.

[Bill Baker]

Here is a picture of one of the units we put together with the single input and gain control. This amplifier will be one of the units used with the Emerald Physics CS2 loudspeakers when we bring them in. It is a 3205 Signature MK II with SoniCap Gen I coupling capacitors.
 A few options are available in regard to the layout of the front panel. The volume knob can be located to the right of the front panel or center mounted as seen on this amp. The power switch can also be mounted on the face plate or on the side of the chassis for a cleaner look. We can even mount them on the top side center of the chassis. Just in front and centered between the two input tubes.

 This amp utilizes an ALPS Blue pot with a 1" dia. Audio Note control knob.

[zybar]

Here is a picture of one of the units we put together with the single input and gain control. This amplifier will be one of the units used with the Emerald Physics CS2 loudspeakers when we bring them in. It is a 3205 Signature MK II with SoniCap Gen I coupling capacitors.
 A few options are available in regard to the layout of the front panel. The volume knob can be located to the right of the front panel or center mounted as seen on this amp. The power switch can also be mounted on the face plate or on the side of the chassis for a cleaner look. We can even mount them on the top side center of the chassis. Just in front and centered between the two input tubes.

 This amp utilizes an ALPS Blue pot with a 1" dia. Audio Note control knob.

That could look nice in my CS2 setup...

George

[Bill Baker]

That could look nice in my CS2 setup...

 

[TomS]

I'll see that personally in a little while

[nature boy]

Hi NB,
 At this point with the new MKII versions, the main difference is the use of the V-Cap Teflon capacitors use for the main coupling positions instead of the Platinum capacitors.
 We will still use the SoniCap Platinum Teflon capacitor for the power supply bypass.

 We will still continue to offer the 3205 MK II Platinum as well as the Signature 3025.

 By the way, "Big Blue", as seen above, will be the amp used to drive the upper frequencies of the Emerald Physics CS2 speaker when we bring our pair in. To start off, we will eb using a full Reference JD801 power amp to drive the two 15" woofers! from there, we will play with different combinations.

Bill,

Thank you for the clarification and additional information.  I truly can't wait to hear your combinations with the Emerald Physics CS2 speakers.  May even have to put some snow tires on for a trek up this winter,  something tells me this combination is going to be TRULY special.

Good luck with the listening configurations!

NB

[Bill Baker]

Hello NB,
 They say it is suppose to be a warmer winter with lots of snow but then again, they say a lot.

 We will most likely start taking orders for the January run of 3205 amplifiers by the end of November. Normally we build 12 of these a month but this time around, we are initially only accepting orders for 6 amps for January's run. All January amplifiers will be delivered throughout the beginning of January 08 in the order they were received.

 This last 3205 amplifier (which can be ordered as a Signature, Platinum or Reference) will have a 2-3 week turnaround time. Special pricing will also be applied to a version other than the Reference for AC members.

 I am also working on building another customized 3205 MK II for the showroom. This one will be powder coated in the same custom Cobalt Blue as was used on the ASL Tulip shown below.