View Full Version : Bellari VP129 Tube Phono Preamp
boead
05-11-2006, 06:32 PM
Anyone using this?
It looks nice and its gotten some good press.
http://rolls.com/bellari/
http://www.rolls.com/new/vp129.jpg
12AX7 gain stage
100 ohm Output Impedance
rgoodnight
05-11-2006, 06:41 PM
Anyone using this?
It looks nice and its gotten some good press.
http://rolls.com/bellari/
http://www.rolls.com/new/vp129.jpg
12AX7 gain stage
100 ohm Output Impedance
I have had it for a few months and I really like it. As a matter of fact, I **think** I like it better than a 5x more expensive EAR 834P. I said, I ***think*** because ears can play tricks on you, but I plan to do some A/B comparisons this week-end.
In any case, do a search because there are many threads covering this puppy.
Randy
Ed Hughes
05-11-2006, 06:54 PM
Ed Hughes
05-11-2006, 06:57 PM
I've actually been looking at this too.The color matches my Music Hall turntable. :righton:
boead
05-11-2006, 07:07 PM
http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=55078&highlight=bellari
Here's an older thread on this.
Thanks, I should have searched before I posted.
I just hooked up a new Audio Tech AT-PL150 table with a Grado Red cart (in another thread) and have been listening to its built-in pre which isn’t half bad considering the cost of the table.
I then bypassed the internal phono pre and went out to my Van Alstine Preamps FetValve phono section which sounds really nice. This morning I took out the JJ 12AX7’s and stuffed in my favorite 12AX7’s, a pair of Amprex Bugle Boy long, smooth gray plates. WOW!! What a giant difference – great bass (deep and rich), smooth midrange and just enough sparkle on the top end. I really LOVE these tubes.
I’m trying to phase out the Van Alstine, not because I don’t like it but I have my eyes on a new Preamp from Decware that is soon to be released which is tube rectified, has the right amount of gain for SET amps and has (according to the designer) a KILLER headphone section. It has no phono pre section and is light on inputs (only three). It was born off another pre he makes that is said to be a near perfect match for the Decware Zen Select SET amp. If I go with the Decware Preamp I will sell the Van Alstine and be without a phono preamp and I was thinking this Bellari with a 12AX7 would work out well for me and be better suited for the table and cartridge.
Dusty Chalk
05-11-2006, 07:08 PM
I've actually been looking at this too: tubes, upgradeable power supply, built-in headphone amp section.
Even though I already have a phono preamp.
stereoptic
05-11-2006, 07:29 PM
I've got one. Sounds good to me, but I'm just getting back into vinyl.
www.records
05-11-2006, 07:45 PM
A friend got one about a month ago. I have listened to it a couple of times and it sounds good to me. I would say it's a good bargin. A better bargin a year ago when it was $150 new, but still a good deal. When he ordered his, they were back ordered and it took about 3 weeks to get it.
Sarchi
05-11-2006, 08:24 PM
Don't forget to check "associated equipment" when you read a review by someone like Fremer. ;) Not that his opinion isn't valid, but just for some context.
You're on a great path, both the Decware and Bottlehead stuff is outstanding, and both offer terrific support. If you're building the kits yourself, consider the Foreplay and Seduction. :thumbsup:
boead
05-12-2006, 05:01 AM
Don't forget to check "associated equipment" when you read a review by someone like Fremer. ;) Not that his opinion isn't valid, but just for some context.
You're on a great path, both the Decware and Bottlehead stuff is outstanding, and both offer terrific support. If you're building the kits yourself, consider the Foreplay and Seduction. :thumbsup:
Yeah, I always do. Need that point of reference.
The Decware Select started as a goof and ended up an obsession!
I bought a used Select that had been through hell being modified and returned back to stock. I also picked up a pair of Klipsch RB5-II’s and had a Bryston preamp.
I liked the Select but got into some mods. Long story short – four rounds of mods later and almost $1200 invested I got my hands on one killer SET that has gobs of micro detail, speed and transparency. Tube choice is key, actually the mods were focused around tube choices (GZ32 rectifier, EL84 power tubes, 6922 input).
I quickly outgrew the Klipsch speakers and had a pair of Hi Efficient speakers made for me.
I later improved the source and the preamp and as of recently, I’m toying with Balanced Power (Furman Reference IT-15).
I’m a believer that Audiophile can be had at almost any price point and that the little lesser known guys generally make the best stuff.
thinker10
05-12-2006, 08:50 AM
I wonder how flat it would be on paper.
Where are the peak/dip ?
With different tube.
How many dB of headroom left with a standard 5.0mv output cartridge ?
Thank You
boead
09-16-2006, 08:14 PM
jt1stcav
09-16-2006, 09:25 PM
Looks to be well constructed inside. Wish I had bought one when they were $199...now it's $250 or more I believe. The latest Stereophile Recommended Components list has it rated as a Class B component, so that says something for its quality.
Guess all those Mormons in Salt Lake City know how to put this puppy together...:righton:
If I remember correctly, Steve's not impressed by this one.
Billy Budapest
09-16-2006, 11:13 PM
I bet you could replace those four opamps and the bridge rectifier diode and make it into something REALLY special!
boead
09-17-2006, 06:54 AM
I bet you could replace those four opamps and the bridge rectifier diode and make it into something REALLY special!
Will the Upgraded PSU work safely?
Think it can sound better.
BTW: I sounds very good right out of the box. Very impressed for an inexpensive phono-preamp but I’ve not logged more then a couple of hours.
Anyone else have one? What’s your impression?
downhill
09-17-2006, 02:58 PM
Will the Upgraded PSU work safely?
Think it can sound better.
Anyone else have one? What’s your impression?
I bought a used one just a while back. My impressions? Wonderful. Especially for what I paid for it. For the win......
coopmv
09-17-2006, 03:32 PM
Is this the least expensive tube-based phono preamp?
paul cbc
09-17-2006, 04:25 PM
Looks to be well constructed inside. Wish I had bought one when they were $199...now it's $250 or more I believe. The latest Stereophile Recommended Components list has it rated as a Class B component, so that says something for its quality.
Guess all those Mormons in Salt Lake City know how to put this puppy together...:righton:
While I don't know anything about this unit, I do know a seller/shop that has it for a good price if you are thinking about getting one:
http://echohifi.com/
Kurt is a super guy and will treat you well.:agree:
Good luck!
Paul
coopmv
09-17-2006, 04:38 PM
Looks to be well constructed inside. Wish I had bought one when they were $199...now it's $250 or more I believe. The latest Stereophile Recommended Components list has it rated as a Class B component, so that says something for its quality.
Guess all those Mormons in Salt Lake City know how to put this puppy together...:righton:
So the Bellari VP129 Tube Phono Preamp is actually American-made?
Blackie
09-17-2006, 04:40 PM
As for the under $1k phono stages here's my personal experience from worst to best:
$130 NAD PP2 - MM & HO MC, not bad at all for the price, non offensive but can be recessed and small sounding.
$200 Rotel RQ-970 - MM & HO MC, dark and wooly but also a larger and warmer sound than the NAD PP2.
$250 Bellari VP129 - MM, low gain but an open and warm sound but with a relatively high noisefloor and loose bass but a step up from the PP2.
$500 Grado PH1 - MM & LO MM, low noise but rounded off highs and lows and soft sound.
$400 Musical Fidelity XLPSv3 - MM & LO MC, excellent neutral sounding phono stage with a large soundstage and low noise but can have slightly grainy and and etched sound.
$600 Musical Surroundings Phonomena - MM & LO MC, fine tunable gain and loading for just about ANY cart. Very neutral and balanced sound giving up that last bit of resolution and dynamics of more expensive phono stages.
My 2 cents with what I've tried in my system, YMMV...
boead
09-18-2006, 06:32 AM
No answers to the PSU question?
I guess I’ll try calling Rolls.
This unit has no off or on switch, the tube is always on. Any other units like that?
coopmv
09-18-2006, 06:25 PM
No answers to the PSU question?
I guess I’ll try calling Rolls.
This unit has no off or on switch, the tube is always on. Any other units like that?
The NAD PP1, which I have, also does not have an on/off switch. That power switch does add to the production cost and that is why most budget- priced phono preamps do not have one.
scottabs
09-18-2006, 06:45 PM
Looks to be well constructed inside. Wish I had bought one when they were $199...now it's $250 or more I believe. The latest Stereophile Recommended Components list has it rated as a Class B component, so that says something for its quality.
Guess all those Mormons in Salt Lake City know how to put this puppy together...:righton:
Based on this thread, you can still get them for $199 plus shipping.
http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=89910&highlight=bellari
Billy Budapest
09-18-2006, 07:32 PM
So the Bellari VP129 Tube Phono Preamp is actually American-made?
Yes. Look at post 12, towards the bottom of the circuit board it conspicuously states "Made in USA."
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