REVIEW SHOP SHARE LEARN
Audio Analogue Bellini
Audio Analogue Bellini
MSRP: $ 795.00

More Preamplifiers from Audio Analogue >>
Search AudioReview forums for the Audio Analogue Bellini >>
   
Popular Preamplifiers
more...
Top Ranked Products from Audio Analogue.
Maestro
Rated:
Bellini & Donizetti
Rated:
Puccini
Rated:
more...
 |  Sorted by Latest Review |  Sort by Best Rating >> |  Sort by Worst Rating >> | 
Rating
Reviewed by:

BJQ

(Audio Enthusiast)

Review Date
November 14, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
4.27 of 5, 11.00 votes

Rate this review?

Review 1 of 4

Price Paid:  $700.00

Summary:
I've been listening to my new Audio Analogue "Bellini" preAmp for a while now. I use a NAD C-272 powerAmp driving B&W 603 S3's. It sounds terrific! Very natural, musical and it seems to give the music that often mentioned 'engagement'. The sound of voices and acoustic instruments is it's major strength: great depth and 'emotion'. For example, listening to Tracy Chapman turns out the be a wonderful experience! And I was literally blown away by the beautiful saxophones and trumpets on Chelsea (by Counting Crows). Also it does a great job with (half)electronic music like Faithless or Basement Jaxx. As Xyrium said, the sound is very laid back, though I think it does have a little trouble with somewhat 'harder' rock music. But that's probably because of bad recording, so I'll be careful by putting the blame on the amp.. All in all, a great amp for the money!

Strengths:
Voices, brass/blowers; also great with electronic music

Weaknesses:
less musical with fuller/harder (rock)music / sensitive to bad recordings

Similar Products Used:
Musical Fidelity A3.2 Denon PM1500 MKII


Would you like to Comment?
Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Rating
Reviewed by:
Zkidd
(Audio Enthusiast)

Review Date
January 26, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5, 8.00 votes

Rate this review?

Review 2 of 4

Price Paid:  $825.00 from Audiowaves

Summary:
I have to agree with the gentleman from Sweden who stated that this is a wonderful piece of equipment! I have had this is my system now for the better part of six months. For a solid state preamp, it has a wonderfully warm and engaging sound. I bought this as a "temporary" preamp until I could find something "better" (read that "more expensive") that was an "audiophile" preamp. You know the ones I mean - they have to be recommended by one of the leading magazines or it doesn't count as a real piece of equipment. Well, this preamp is staying. I have had a total of nine preamps, both tubes and solid state. The Bellini is a great blend of tubes and solid state. As mentioned, the sound is full, warm (without loss of detail), transparent and "musical". I find myself tapping my feet with both LP and CD when using this preamp. And speaking of LP, this preamp does have a phono section that can accomodate both MM and MC. If there is anything that is a bit "weak", the phono section is it. For the occasional vinyl player, it will do just fine. I am not that person, however. With the phono section on MC, it is significantly better. I do use an outboard phono section (Clearaudio Basic) and send the signal through the Beliini. That seemed to satisfy me just fine. Too, if one changes the stock power cord to something like the Harmonic Tech Pro 11, the changes are not subtle. It is well worth the few extra bucks. Lastly, the build on this preamp is excellent. It is a dual mono preamp, and has a torodial transformer the size of a hockey puck! Hence, the preamp is great on dynamics and plays far better than the price suggests. I have compared it to the Marsh 2000P and find the Bellini as good if not better. Too, the Bellini's remote is a significantly better remote than I have seen with other preamps, the Bellini's being a large and attractive aluminum job. So, go find one of these and listen. You might be very surprised how good this really is. I would consider it one of the bargains in the audiophile world.

Strengths:
Build, versatility (two sets of output jacks and phono) A wonderful line section that is transparent with a large soundstage Attractive finish Excellent remote

Weaknesses:
If anything, the phono section is a bit "weak" for the heavy vinyl player Stock power cord

Similar Products Used:
Audible Illusions 2D Cary SLP 50 Audio Research SP9 Mk.II


Would you like to Comment?
Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Rating
Reviewed by:
xyrium
(Audio Enthusiast)

Review Date
July 23, 2002

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Rate this review?

Review 3 of 4

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Heard this preamp through a pair of Dynaudio Audience 50s powered by a pair of Donizettis, then an Odyssey Stratos. The sound was laid back and smooth, though dynamic enough for pop/rock. A good value overall, great build quality.

Strengths:
Smooth, with good rhythm and pace. Excellent build quality

Weaknesses:
Maybe too smooth for some, though this could save a number of harsh systems while keeping the dynamics intact.

Similar Products Used:
Audiolab 8000Q and Rotel Rc1070


Would you like to Comment?
Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Rating
Reviewed by:
Ulf
(Audiophile)

Review Date
March 15, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.86 of 5, 7.00 votes

Rate this review?

Review 4 of 4

Price Paid:  $500.00

Summary:
This is a fantastic preamp. Its belongs in a higher class than the other Audio Analogue stuff. The poweramps for example from the same manufacturer are great value but the Bellini benefits from even better surroundings. Fotunately you can get a similarly underrated poweramp quite cheap. I´m thinking about the brilliant Rotel RB-991 (now sadly discontinued). It has almost High-end sound AND loads of power. (look at the Stereophile reviews at rotel.com)Together they bring you a fantastic clarity and tonal purity over the full spectrum of sound. The refined sound of the Bellini backed by the power and grace of the Rotel. They can do classical, jazz and pop/rock with authority. They can be revealing of poor recordings, so if you (like me)own quite a few of them you should not go for the brighter side in the front ends. I use Arcam Alpha 7se on dampening feet. I´ve put the Bellini on dampening feet as well. According to the manual you should not, but it cured a slight "nervousness" in the higer registers. The Arcam gives a full body to the sound and the treble is never offensive, but I´m sure an even better cd-player would help the sound even more. If only I could afford one. I´m sure the Bellini can hold it´s own with even better equipment, as can the Rotel. That´s why they make such a good match. If you are on a budget, lend them an ear, they might suite your taste. They certainly suite mine.

Strengths:
transparancy, tonality, stunning value

Weaknesses:
only the most basic functions


Would you like to Comment?
Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Company Pages

Audio & Video company review pages. Browse product user reviews, compare prices, top ranked products, and compare specs by manufacturer.

Bowers Wilkins Reviews
Bowers & Wilkins
NAD Reviews
NAD
Marantz Reviews Marantz
Denon Reviews
Denon
Klipsch Reviews
Klipsch
Sony Reviews
Sony
Yamaha Reviews
Yamaha
Rotel Reviews
ROTEL
McIntosh Reviews
McIntosh
Bose Reviews
Bose
Polk Reviews
Polk Audio
Paradigm Reviews
Paradigm
Onkyo Reviews
Onkyo
JBL Reviews
JBL
KEF Reviews
KEF
Pioneer Lens Reviews
Pioneer
Harman Kardon Lens Reviews
Harman-Kardon
Panasonic Reviews
Panasonic
Press and News
Submit News & Press...
Audio and Video News & Press Releases.

Latest and Greatest

Best Floorstanding Speakers Under $1000

So many to choose from! Lets us boil it down. How to Choose a Floorstanding Speaker that fits you:

AudioREVIEW's Budget Audiophile Holiday Guide

Give someone the gift of hi-fi. Or make the step yourself. Let us point the way...

Moscode 402Au OLT stereo power amplifier Review

George is adamant about the fact that the Moscode 402Au is not just a tube gain stage slapped onto a solid-state power amplifier; rather, it is a tube amplifier with a MOSFET output stage.

Lowther’s DX-65 driver in the Teresonic Magus XR Review

A new driver from Lowther is real news. A new five inch driver is even rarer news, so it was with great anticipation that I waited on this pair of speakers to arrive.

Aune Mini Headphone DAC User Review

The unit arrived from China well packed and everything seem to be in place. No external abuse by the carriers. The only problem was the power supply it came with. The box came with a cheap step-down converter.

Reviews and Featured Articles
Expert hi-fi audio reviews, blogs, and audio articles.