Bel Canto Ref500S (S500) 220-240v
Item: Bel Canto Ref500S (S500) stereo power amp
Location: Sydney, Australia - will ship worldwide at cost
Item condition: Excellent
Reason for selling: Upgraded - got a deal on Ref1000 MkII monos I couldn't pass up
Price: $1,800 USD plus shipping
Payment method: Pickup - cash, Paypal, COD
Extra info: I bought this amp from Wicked Digital in Sydney brand new towards the end of last year, it was imported in April 2009. The S500 terminology was what Bel Canto originally used for the Ref500S - they are exactly the same amp. They changed to Ref500S to identify that it had the B&O ASP module as opposed to the ASR modules used in the S300 and M300 models. The "P" stands for professional, the "R" retail. The ASP mdoules are acknoweldged as being a much better amp.
Website
http://www.belcantodesign.com/Product_REF500S.html. Puts out 200w into 8 ohms, 400w into 4 ohms at 1% THD (250w and 500w max respectively). Can handle down to 3 ohm loads and pumps put 32 amps of power. This will drive and control with precision the vast majority of speakers out there.
Great amp. I have had friends compare it favourably to a Conrad Johnson power amp in their system. The only reason I upgraded is that I always wanted the Ref1000 monos, and an opportunity came up to buy them at a good price. In hindsight probably not the best financial decision, but what is done is done. I was very happy with this amp driving my Dynaudio Focus 140's, it was a pretty good match.
In my research on Bel Canto amps, the ranking in terms of performance appears to be Ref1000M MkII, Ref500M, Ref500S, Ref1000M MkI. They all look identical from the front, a look I like. Its small footprint means it can fit in anywhere.
PM me for pictures - not sure how to post them here. Also PM me for references
