Belari - What say you?

weirdo · « **on:** 11 Feb 2010, 01:13 am »

I have a respectable ss phono card in my amp but Its performance is practically identical to a decent entry level ss phono preamp like the Cambridge 540, which I verified. I see a Belari tube phono for around 178.00 on Amazon and I am wondering if it is noticealby better than what I have or shoud I just "quit fussin". Thanks folks, dk

S Clark · « **Reply #1 on:** 11 Feb 2010, 01:27 am »

Sell the cambridge 540 and pick up a 640 for maybe only an extra $50. They come up used for $100-125 regularly. The 640 is a significant step up in detail.

planet10 · « **Reply #2 on:** 11 Feb 2010, 05:22 am »

The Bellari is a SS phono pre-amp with a tube for flavour. Calling it a tube phono is a bit disingenuous.

I have heard it, and it is good for the money, about on par with my diy RIAA with one of the new audio specific National OpAmps (i can never remember the number)

dave

macrojack · « **Reply #3 on:** 11 Feb 2010, 01:23 pm »

I have a Bellari I'm not using but I keep it just because it is such a neat little device. For those who focus on phono replay, it won't cut the mustard but for the increasing number of audiophiles who rely primarily on digital but want to be able to play LPs at times, it is a decent performer. Having it around enables me to use a line level preamp if ever the urge should strike. The only down side I can cite has to do with noise. If it gets too close to a transformer, it can pick up noise. Moving it a couple of inches solved that for me.

Considering the price, and how easy it is to sell a used one, I would recommend without hesitation that you buy and try. Not enough gain for MC carts.

teros1 · « **Reply #4 on:** 11 Feb 2010, 04:15 pm »

The stock Belari sounds decent and is quite a value.

With $3 in Dayton caps and a decent tube (e.g., GE, Telefunken, etc.), it's far better than decent.

This despite the fact that it's op-amp circuitry + a tube buffer...

Recommended (in this category).

midfi · « **Reply #5 on:** 19 Feb 2010, 05:51 pm »

I have a 130 with a Mullard tube (I swap to an Ei tube for R&R). For the cost and yes the tube is for "flavor", it's pretty good. I've had mine for a while and it sounds good. I know of folks that have changed caps and opamps and stuff but I left mine as-is with the exception of the tube. I recommend it at this price point and IMO it performs above its price.

SkyBlue · « **Reply #6 on:** 26 Feb 2010, 03:47 am »

just curious, where can i find some info on Bellari vp 129 mods ?

mjcmt · « **Reply #7 on:** 12 Mar 2010, 12:56 am »

I considered the Belari but after much research I read it uses a cheap phono stage w/ a tube output, and they are prone to hum. I needed variable output to feed a tube power amp. After much research I ended up waiting for a PS Audio GCPH at a good price. It is as good as the UK reviews say, but takes a long break in period and proper cabling. If I didn't need variable out I would have bought the Cambridge 640P phono stage.