Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Bel Canto Design Pre3 Preamplifier (SS) by bullethead

Model:	Pre3
Category:	Preamplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price:	$2000
Description:	Pre Amplifier with Balanced Inputs and outputs as well as traditional RCA inputs and outputs
Manufacturer URL:	Bel Canto Design

Review by bullethead on January 18, 2013 at 20:40:27
IP Address: 173.68.61.124 Add Your Review
for the Pre3

Bel Canto Pre3 Review

I received a Bel Canto Pre3, which completes my entire systems component class to be 100% Bel Canto. This is not just a review of just the Pre3, but also the difference it has made in my system when standardizing on components from one manufacturer. For awhile now I had a Bel Canto Amp, DAC, CD Player and a PS Audio preamp. The difference when plugging in the Pre3 was substantial, and actually has made an immediate improvement in not only how I view my system but view the high end audio industry in general.

For years I have been swapping in and out components, in and out, like changing socks every morning. Always finding differences between components and what I did or did not like about them. With only a few thousand to throw in the air every couple of years I decided rather unconsciously to maybe find the fit and the sound which would make me happy and keep me centered on the music rather than the equipment. My first experience with Bel Canto was the Bel Canto DAC2, it was a small rectangular box which I connected to a cd player I had when I started on this path to music extraction. I noticed that the DAC2 made somewhat of a difference in the sound coming out of my system and from that point on I knew there was something to this high end audio hobby. Since then I have what I call completed my system (for now) by standardizing on all Bel Canto Equipment. Here is a review of the Pre3 preamplifier and how it performs with the Ref500s amplifier, DAC3 Digital to Analogue converter and the CD2 cd player, all produced in the United States by Bel Canto.

The sound after I completed my system and added in the Pre3 has transported me to another dimension. I finally realize what the hobby is about. Every single article and artifact and facet of sound is extremely realistic and I always use this word lightly but it is what I call holographic. If sound was a hallucination, this chain of components would smooth out the edges and make it more pleasant and real. With the various types of music I have listened to I am amazed (well not really anymore after my revelation) at the absolute real and clear sound the system produces.

Every single aspect of sound from the highs to the lows are reproduced in amazing realism. The Pre3 added a level of absolute clarity and detail to the overall sound produced by my system. The thing I noticed immediately was more weight to the bass, bass is more defined, quicker, more reach out and strike the room type of sound to it.

The midrange is full and I don't want to use the word blossom, because that has a tendency to sound warm. I say the midrange is solid, you can almost wrap your arms around it. Everything sound full, solid, real. And since this is a modest system, I can only imagine what the higher end can produce when compared to this setup. The Pre3 added into the air, the vibrations of the air a real experience that you can think is really there when you critically listen. It's like having Frank Sinatra right there in your living room, and also having the female vocalist from Pink Martini joining the party. Absolutely without doubt a splendid experience.

The highs are crisp, airy, but I have to say a little bit dark sounding. I've noticed that as the sounds in my system upgrading to what I call higher end, the sound has always become dark in the upper ranges of the sound spectrum. When I started using Linux for PC Audio playback, the sound became darker, when I added in a DAC the sound became darker, at least with the highs. It is not to be unnoticed, the dark sound definitely brings to live the mid, and the bass. I don't know how to describe it other than there is an antimatter element to the sound. That full black background is the darkness, it is good when it is quiet, because once there is sound the sound animates into the room in vibration to my ears in a lightning quick way. There is no halo of fuzz or distorted ambience to the presentation that is produced.

I would recommend the Bel Canto Pre3, but I would also make sure you match it correctly. I've found matching with other Bel Canto equipment is the way that worked for me.

Product Weakness:	remote control is not the best
Product Strengths:	looks, sound, balanced inputs and outputs as well as traditional inputs and outputs

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Bel Canto Ref 500s
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Bel Canto Pre3
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Bel Canto CD2
Speakers: Anthony Gallo Acoustics Nucleus Reference 3.5
Cables/Interconnects: assorted (silver interconnects throughout the chain, as well as silver speaker wire)
Music Used (Genre/Selections): assorted
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): PS Audio
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	Bel Canto Ref 500s
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Bel Canto Pre3
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Bel Canto CD2
Speakers:	Anthony Gallo Acoustics Nucleus Reference 3.5
Cables/Interconnects:	assorted (silver interconnects throughout the chain, as well as silver speaker wire)
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	assorted
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	PS Audio
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner