Any Information On Recently Announced Bel Canto c5i integrated amp/DAC

[mwheelerk]

Bel Canto recently announced a new integrated amp/DAC combo which I am interested in but I have only seen an advertisement in, the C5i. This was supposed to be introduced in December but I cannot find anything else on this. Does anyone have more information on it?

 

What is the general opinion of Bel Canto DACs? How about integrated amp/DAC combo units versus separate integrated amp and DAC?

 

Thanks

 

[Part-Time Audiophile]

I like their stuff. Great aesthetic with great sound. Generally, their high-end competes very well with their competitors' high-end products in their respective market segments.

 

Some complain that the Bel Canto prices don't necessarily match the technology (Wyred4Sound appears to be more competitive here), but that's comparing apples to oranges (or, rather, comparing an Internet-Direct company to one that uses a "traditional" distributor+reseller framework).

 

I haven't seen any info on their new product, but I'd expect that the performance to be very fine, but not on par with the performance of their separates.

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

I just got off the phone with a Bel Canto representative. The 5i is a couple months away. They are still waiting for photography of the unit.

 

[ben_san]

Word I recieved from Bel Canto is that it will be ready end of January with an MSRP under 2k. From the ad I saw it appeared to be a combine DAC, ADC and integrated amp functions with a phono section. Pretty sure all the analog inputs will go through the ADC much like the DAC 2.5 / 3.5. Looks there will also be a headphone amp like the new DAC's. I'll be buying one when it gets released, it's pretty much exactly what I've been looking for but couldn't find in one box.

 

[mwheelerk]

I was about to buy the Bel Canto S300iU before I read some thing regarding the DAC used in it. I came across the add for the C5i and this sounds much more to my liking. More than likely I will be pulling the trigger on the C5i also.

 

[mwheelerk]

I am thinking now that I may go with the Bel Canto 1.5 DAC and REF150 amp

 

[Part-Time Audiophile]

Coming to CES: the Bel Canto C5i.

 

[chryses]

Has anyone had a chance to audition this yet? I haven't been able to find much in the way of reviews.

 

Chris, did you get a chance to give this a listen at CES? I seem to remember a post suggesting you were going to try and spend some time with it.

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

The Bel Canto room was pretty crowded so I couldn't really listen to the unit. I should take a 10 minute drive over the the BC office and give it a real listen :~)

 

[ben_san]

I just received my C5i, one of the first batch manufactured and apparently they will be back ordered for some time. So far my impressions are fairly positive and I'll update over the next few days as I get time to listen some more. Any one else out there got their hands on one?

 

[ben_san]

The more I listen to this little guy the more I like it. The DAC section has a very nice blend of detail and refinement, which is a trait I've heard in other Bel Canto gear. The headphone amp is a highlight for me, I do a lot of headphone listening on hard to drive cans and this is the best sound I've heard short of a high end dedicated head amp.

 

The speaker amp section sounds good with my Gallo Strada's, nice imaging, no digital grain. I'd prefer a wider soundstage but what is there is well defined in width with some depth. The digital volume control works great for me, and I don't hear any problems at low volumes. It is also the quietest piece of gear I've ever heard with no audible noisefloor at any volume. The pitch blackness of musical space really is quite eerie at times.

 

The optical inputs work well with my airport express with no jitter related dropouts I've experienced on other DAC's so whatever reclocking solution they use works well. The USB input sounds particularly good, and is driverless to 24/96 on my Macbook Pro. I haven't had a chance to try the phono preamp as I sold my table to fund the C5i but I'll be in the market for a new table eventually so it's nice to have. I also haven't tried the one analog input but was pleased to see it could be configured for home theater passthrough.

 

So far I'm very happy and I'd recommend it as an ideal integrated solution for digital sources, especially if you don't need built in UPnP/DLNA streaming support. I upgraded from a Peachtree Decco and the Bel Canto sounds much more accurate to me while retaining lots of musicality. The build quality appears to be miles ahead of the Decco as well.

 

[ben_san]

After extended listening I'm still very impressed with the sound. My only concern right now is the lack of gain on the headphone amp - it's just sufficient for my AKG K702's and definitely wouldn't work for less efficient or higher impedance cans. Overall it's an amazingly versatile unit in a small form factor with very few sonic compromises.

 

[Paul R]

And where are the specs?

 

We just had a little problem with the magic smoke getting loose in some gear in the new listening room, and that now puts me in the market for a new Amp and DAC.

 

-Paul