General Asylum: REVIEW: Bel Canto Design EVo. 200.2 Amplifier (SS) by OwenMeany General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories.

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The BEL CANTO EVO 200.2. Neutral. Natrual. Neutral.

Of, course I read all the reviews and was compelled by the proclamations and being the “too-much free time on my hands” audiophile that I am, I hunted one down and have had it driving my Sonus Faber Grand Pianos for about 6 weeks now. The unit came to me with well over 200 hours on it so break in was done.

I used either/or a Nacamchi AV-10, Sim Audio I-5 or a Sim Audio P 5003 as a preamp. All did well.

Most ever time I listen to some objectively “good stuff’ I subjectively think that “boy, it sound real” and “it sound just like the performance is taking place here in my 10x18, hard plastered, carpeted, windowed between the speakers listening room.” And, yes, I am going to say it again.

The overall sound of each individual instrument, if not note, is so naturally and authentically reproduced it has redefined reproduction of music for me. I was trying to think of new ways to articulate my impressions and this is what I came up with: It is as if each individual performer or instrument has its own “amp” designed just for them or just for that bass-note, drum-pound or horn-bellow. The whole presentation is made up of clearly distinct and separate entities. This is not to say the EVO is not musical, or that it has a clinical sound to it, just that all sounds have their own time in their own space. The sound is inviting and completely without grain. The sound stage is “there”, not as deep as I have heard with a previously owned Bryston set up, yet on par with my Sim I-5 integrated. Or maybe the Sim is on par with the EVO.

I did find that midrange, especially that part of the range that carries vocals, was a bit recessed. I am used to having the tenor, soprano or what have you, right out in front. Taking center stage and being the star of the show. With the EVO it is as if the artist has taken a step back and has made themselves just another member of the band. Good? Bad? I dunno, it took a bit of getting used to but in the end it was not a problem.

My real compliant, and ultimately its downfall, is the EVO lacks an edge. Side by side with the I-5 it is almost sluggish. There is not the sense of pace and immediacy that both the Bryston and the Sim have. But here is the lesson I learned in this area. The Sim’s “pace” is a guise for dynamics. The Sim doesn’t posses the headroom that the EVO has, so the “pace” and “speed” give the listener a sense of dynamics. On the other hand the dynamics on the EVO are mind boggling. The bass energy as well as micro and macro dynamics of the EVO created a listening experience (in that area) that I have only had with a Amti-Hommage & ML set up at some dealers.

Is this the “best amp ever and any price”, I don’t think so. It is a great amp. The music flowed almost perfectly. The notes of most ever performance I play had a sense of purpose. This amp has confidence in where it places its music makers in the stage. I like it. I liked it a lot. But in the end you will be seeing it on audiogon.com before too long.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Atma-Sphere Music Systems, Inc.

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