Anyone familiar with Bel Canto Pre1?

john65b · 27th March 2008, 06:25 PM

Hey all,

I have recently acquired a Bel Canto Pre1 (total impulse buy, but came with a new S300 Amp and a Audio Refinement CD Complete unit - both of which are for sale on DIYAudio)

I opened her up to see her "guts" and was surprised to see an OPA2134 opamp. I thought the pre was based around a Tube...

Anyway, I haven't done any real evaluation of it yet (sleeping kids, angry wife, etc), but from what I have heard at low volume, I am optimistic. Sounded very nice as a matter of fact on my Magnepan MGIIIa/Krell KSA-50 Clone.

Anyone have any info (schematic) or mods to suggest? My first thought is get rid of the OPA2134 and put in a pair of OPA627, or a another better opamp...

Anyone??

Maybe this time I leave it alone...nah.

jaycee · 28th March 2008, 01:03 AM

The OPA2134 is an excellent opamp, I see no reason to replace it to be honest!

john65b · 28th March 2008, 01:44 AM

Hmmm, actually I have at least three of these OPA2134 Opamps laying around.

Forgive me for asking such an asinine question, but would "stacking" Opamps have any benefit here?

I know "stacking" TDA1543 DAC chips it makes quite a difference over just one...

I have a 4x TDA1543 DAC (Kusinoki style) and it really sounds much better over a single TDA1543 - I really like it...

Andy L. Francis · 28th March 2008, 11:10 AM

John, let's drop me a mail!
andylfrancis@gmail.com

john65b · 29th March 2008, 01:29 PM

OK, forget my previous mention of "stacking" the opamps...

BTW - I tried it on a DAC (2x OPA2134) without manipulating any voltages or components, but didn't really have time to do any critical review...it did work tho...got a little worried and dismantled it.

I am ordering a pair of OPA627AP to drop in...any opinions on this mod?

john65b · 29th March 2008, 11:29 PM

I replaced the OPA2134 with a socket and have tried a OPA2227 and a LM6172. The LM6172 is staying for now. SOunds nice so far.

Haven't done any critical listening yet....after the kids go to bed...so far so good.

I also have a LM1364, LM4562, another OPA2134 in my possession and ordered a pair of OPA627AP opamps with a dual adapter that should arrive in a few days/weeks.

Can't wait...

27th March 2008, 06:25 PM	#1
john65b diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Chicago	Anyone familiar with Bel Canto Pre1? Hey all, I have recently acquired a Bel Canto Pre1 (total impulse buy, but came with a new S300 Amp and a Audio Refinement CD Complete unit - both of which are for sale on DIYAudio) I opened her up to see her "guts" and was surprised to see an OPA2134 opamp. I thought the pre was based around a Tube... Anyway, I haven't done any real evaluation of it yet (sleeping kids, angry wife, etc), but from what I have heard at low volume, I am optimistic. Sounded very nice as a matter of fact on my Magnepan MGIIIa/Krell KSA-50 Clone. Anyone have any info (schematic) or mods to suggest? My first thought is get rid of the OPA2134 and put in a pair of OPA627, or a another better opamp... Anyone?? Maybe this time I leave it alone...nah. __________________ "I speak Spanish to God, Italian to Women, French to Men, and German to my Horse" - Charles V

28th March 2008, 01:44 AM	#3
john65b diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Chicago	Hmmm, actually I have at least three of these OPA2134 Opamps laying around. Forgive me for asking such an asinine question, but would "stacking" Opamps have any benefit here? I know "stacking" TDA1543 DAC chips it makes quite a difference over just one... I have a 4x TDA1543 DAC (Kusinoki style) and it really sounds much better over a single TDA1543 - I really like it... __________________ "I speak Spanish to God, Italian to Women, French to Men, and German to my Horse" - Charles V

29th March 2008, 01:29 PM	#5
john65b diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Chicago	OK, forget my previous mention of "stacking" the opamps... BTW - I tried it on a DAC (2x OPA2134) without manipulating any voltages or components, but didn't really have time to do any critical review...it did work tho...got a little worried and dismantled it. I am ordering a pair of OPA627AP to drop in...any opinions on this mod? __________________ "I speak Spanish to God, Italian to Women, French to Men, and German to my Horse" - Charles V

29th March 2008, 11:29 PM	#6
john65b diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Chicago	I replaced the OPA2134 with a socket and have tried a OPA2227 and a LM6172. The LM6172 is staying for now. SOunds nice so far. Haven't done any critical listening yet....after the kids go to bed...so far so good. I also have a LM1364, LM4562, another OPA2134 in my possession and ordered a pair of OPA627AP opamps with a dual adapter that should arrive in a few days/weeks. Can't wait... __________________ "I speak Spanish to God, Italian to Women, French to Men, and German to my Horse" - Charles V

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28th March 2008, 01:03 AM	#2
jaycee diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Norwich, UK	The OPA2134 is an excellent opamp, I see no reason to replace it to be honest!

28th March 2008, 11:10 AM	#4
Andy L. Francis diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2008	John, let's drop me a mail! andylfrancis@gmail.com

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