Linda Lou

Although I don't think I am on Craigs most favored list, I bought mine used, I do like his amps. For my and Lindas ears, listening on Belles, VRD's have produced the most balanced and dynamic presentation I have heard. Here I think balanced is the key. Nothing stands out as missing or as too much. They just sound "right" Who ever says Belles lack in bass ain't using the right amps. VRD bass is outstanding, a sub with VRD's would be IMO, over the top. Just last night my audio buddy brought over his highly modified Sun Audio SV 2a3 SET integrated. He was expecting much better than what he heard on Belles. Very thin, marginal bass, sharp highs. Transparent but missing a lot. Hooked in the VRD's and Hot Rod Merlin and no contest, I mean a real ***-kickin'. And I am not comparing 3.5 vs 60 watts, just no contest in the overall balance of the presentation. Are they the best ever, I highly doubt it but I do not have the money to prove otherwise. And I have already been through numerous amps that the VRD's surpass, here we go - Jolida, Unison Research, older Mc separates, Melody 2a3 at $3000, VTL Triodes, Dynaco, Audio Zone Amp 1 gain clone, Scott 222 - hell I may have left out a couple. I am really content with my rig at this point but in the hobby ya' never know. Balance and dynamics, balance and dynamics. Rich

Own Belles and Corns, Belles are my favorites hands down. Much more dynamic and detailed with superb and quick bass response. They will not go as low as the Corns but the bass is very accurate with zero bloat. I have found that the right front end equipment will have a major effect on bass response. With the right amps/preamps bass will be plenty deep, accurate and refined. To my ears the Belles are "live" whereas the Corns sound more like "speakers". Also owned Fortes 1 and 2's then on to Cornwalls. The Corns have a much, much bigger sound and sound stage than the Fortes and was my speaker of course - until I got my Belles. Then all the above grows bigger again, sound and sound stage. Oh, and what everyone else has said, there is nothing like the look of Belles, a true classic design and mine in oak/cane - oh my.

IB - This is Richieb here disguised as Linda Lou, my significant other. Because this site rarely lets me post at home, a rare occurence now, I was forced to have Linda join the Forum from her office machine and use an alias. I only have a couple hundred or so posts but observe daily. As for the Cornwall review, that may happen this weekend but I am dyed in the wool Belle fan; in my opinion the Cornies come in a distant second. Honestly the Belle, VRD, HRM is a spectacular combo. And get this - I have yet to meet this fellow but the one buddie mentioned has a friend with a $75,000 MBL rig and says my humble little set-up is much more enjoyable and "club" like in its presentation. The MBL rig sounds too electronic and needs to be played LOUD to really get it. Where have I been all your life; please, I am not that kind of guy!!!!!! Glad you liked the review. Rich

Good question and I will need to check but I am sure stock tubes for both. It will tough to tube roll with the 6H30 as I have not seen many variants and I have not yet had the inclination to try.

Being the lucky one to win the Hot Rod Merlin (HRM) ebay auction I thought it time for a short review. The HRM differs from the standard Merlin with Auric caps, ALPS volume pots (3), choked power supply and the 6H30 Super tube. Two audio buddies with lots of experience and equipment sat down for a couple sessions listening to the Blueberry vs. the HRM. Associated gear is VRD's, Pioneer Elite Reference PD93 CD w/ Blackgate caps, Shottkey rectifiers and a host of various mods, KAS cryoed silver IC's and Kimber speaker wire. The BB has the more traditional tube sound of the two; a heavier, richer, thicker sound if you will. Highs seem a bit rolled off, bass a bit deeper and fuller. More tube bloom and a bit more sound stage with the BB. But all-in-all not as entertaining or fun to listen as the HRM. The BB seems to impart too much of its own sound into the mix where the HRM is very neutral, much more transparent. This Super tubed Merlin is a delight, somewhere between my passive volume control and the BB. Very fast, great pace with just the right tube flavor. Bass is less than the BB but much more than a passive, really brings out the tight Belle bass. Cymbal work was accurate, fast and detailed. It was agreed the HRM really got you into the music with its natural presentation. The BB was just a bit too slow and took away a bit of detail the HRM had in spades. I do not want to slow down the quickness and accuracy of the Belles and the BB showed more of this than the HRM. The HRM is quieter at idle than the BB also. All controls had the perfect "feel". In short the HRM was voted as Best Everyday Preamp. Next will be a Cornwall test but with Belles I am sold, this is great preamp and yes, I stole it. If my buddy doesn't want the BB for its phono section and yes with the Cream option mind you, it will most likely be put to market. My rig sounds so good and "right" with the HRM. Damn! Lets' not forget the VRD's as they provide the other half of the mix. Damn it sounds good!

Vondy - I have a 430 in decent shape that I will ship for $70. I put this on the Forum sometime back with no takers. I also have a Sony V-5 receiver, a monster of a unit in excellent shape. To my ears the Sony will eat the HK for lunch. I'll let this go for $145 shipped. The Sony is of the "Monster Receiver" years This one is nearly perfect. I can only get on the Forum at the office so no responses in the evening. No photos either. Rich

Oh, I forgot to add. I have an Audio Zone Amp 1 50 watt "Gain Card" integrated I sometimes throw into the system and will soon do so again as the hot summer months approach and the VRD's take a break. Very high quality parts like the Sig, seperate power supply, true dual mono with twin volume pots this thing will smoke the Sig for dynamics, bass depth and control, great mid range, very un SS sounding. Sounds tube like enough that it is a great SS piece to keep around and one I have no desire to sell, as I have nearly everything else.

Dean - I've seen at least 10-12 Sig 30's on the "Gon" over the past year with three friends each selling theirs. Two were Cornwall users and one Triangle. Just too smooth they said, not enough dynamics. Yeah, the 30 sounded nice but not enough of any particular attribute to keep it. Two guys put them for sale in less than two weeks of ownership, all sold fairly quickly. All these fellows went back to some type of tube set up; Dynaco, Almarro, Sun Audio. Rich

When speaking with Mark about the best pre amp for my needs he was nice enough to give me heads up on the Hot Rod Merlin on epay. Sure enough one bid and I won (stole) the thing! Funny thing is I also have a Blueberry due in tomorrow. Never owned a tube pre prior to this and now I am knee deep in them. Let the shoot out begin, so one way or the other something will probably need to go. I use no vinyl so if the Merlin is close the BB may be odd man out. Juicy + VRD + Belle = priceless? We shall see!

Richieb here with a Harmon Kardon 430 for offer to those who find these units so appealing. Darn good shape for the age, but certainly not perfect. $75 shipped. And for those who love those monster receivers of the '70's also have a Sony V-5 in incredible condition, 80wpc I think. $150 shipped and I think worth every penny. I know this isn't a sales forum but I know how popular the HK's are so I thought I would offer. Rich

Richieb here going incognito as Linda Lou, the only way I can log to the forum. Anyway, what effect does interconnect length have on the signal from amp to pre and CD to pre. Would there be a noticable difference between a 3ft and 6 ft IC? Would this difference be more an issue if using a passive vs. an active pre? Currenty using a passive with eyes toward an active linestage. Getting ready to make an IC purchase and the extra length could come in handy but not at the expense of fidelity. Thanks

Bruce: Keep me in mind for the Merlin should you snag the BBX. Please attach an email address aside from the one on the forum, it is not often I can post onto this site. Thanks in advance. Rich