new tube phono preamp

[dean_martin]

Nightflier and I touched on a subject over on the speaker board - the cost differences in pro audio and home audio. There are a few pro audio components such as power amps, studio monitors, headphone amps and dacs that can successfully crossover to home audio and save the consumer a little money.

A traditionally pro audio company, Bellari/Rolls has just released a tube phono preamp that lists for $199. Their website doesn't have much info on it. Apparently there is one review out, but I can't find it online. Here's a link:

http://rolls.com/bellari/

Can it compete with the big boys in home audio? I'm not talking about the Manleys, Carys, Herron Audios, BATs, etc., but maybe Jolida, ASL, AES and the EAR 834P. What are your thoughts?

[ericl]

Here's a review:

http://www.audioreview.com/Preamplif...7_1591crx.aspx

I'd be curious to try it too, although I am not a big fan of separate phono stages..

[dean_martin]

Here's a review:

http://www.audioreview.com/Preamplif...7_1591crx.aspx

I'd be curious to try it too, although I am not a big fan of separate phono stages..

Ok, I am ashamed to say I didn't look here at AR for a consumer review. I promise it won't happen again.

Kudos to you guys for listing the product in the review section! (Apparently, it's not quite as "new" as I thought.)

[DaHaq]

Strange looking design...does it lie flat or stand vertically as in the picture? Intriguing price for someone like me interested in trying out the sound of tubes, especially if one could snag it for $80 like that reviewer. The headphone jack is a nice addition too; would that offer the same kind of performance as having a seperate headphone amp?

[jt1stcav]

It sits flat.

Guitar Center used to sell them in their Pro Audio/DJ dept., but recently I haven't seen them there anymore.

AudioAdvisor.com sells them now for $199.99, so I assume they're perfect for home audio as well as for professional DJs. I just might buy one to replace my Music Hall mmf-phono pack. The Music Hall does work better for low-output MCs than the Bellari, but if you do have a high-output MC, the VP129 should be able to handle it nicely. Plus all the other nice features makes the American made Bellari a no-brainer! And its tube circuitry dates back to the golden age of audio (1937), so it's gotta sound decent. It won't blow away phono preamps $500 and more, but I'm sure it's no slouch either.

Check it out. As soon as funds are available, I will!