My Harbeth C7ES-3 story...
- Thread starter kray
- Start date
yep. Almost feel I’ll be over listening this weekend. But nice problem to have. Can’t wait.
The battle is so close with the LFD and Belles. Still testing out things with different tracks etc. still haven’t decided. But look at that size difference between the two.
But one decision I did make. The Gungnir is staying. RME is going up for sale. The RME is very clean accurate and transparent but the Gungnir has it beat in the “size” of the sound. And picks up a little more microdetail better. The soundstage seems bigger by a slight margin. It’s probably the Multibit/R2R sound I’m enjoying more. I’m trying to simplify everything in my system and the no frills approach of the Gungnir better suits my needs. The DSP and the plethora of other options in the RME are fantastic but not sure I’ll be using them.
But one decision I did make. The Gungnir is staying. RME is going up for sale. The RME is very clean accurate and transparent but the Gungnir has it beat in the “size” of the sound. And picks up a little more microdetail better. The soundstage seems bigger by a slight margin. It’s probably the Multibit/R2R sound I’m enjoying more. I’m trying to simplify everything in my system and the no frills approach of the Gungnir better suits my needs. The DSP and the plethora of other options in the RME are fantastic but not sure I’ll be using them.
very true. My remote wasn’t working. I contacted Belles and they will replace it. Fingers crossed the new remote works and it’s not something else.
I have a remote on my Exposure integrated and it sure is nice....first time I have had a remote in my system. If it truly was an even sonic tie, the fact that the Belles has a remote, and it probably is less costly would be the deciding factors for me. If the LFD was incrementally better, it would be a hard call. Personally I would would probably lean toward the LFD in that case, I know myself well enough to know that I would be second guessing my decision to compromise sound for cost and/or convenience once I had both in my possesion.
Art K.
The Voodoo You Do!
It's the remote. I had the same thing happen. He needs to find a better supplier for his remotes. My present one works great.
That's my exact dilmena. Trying to decide if/how much better the LFD is.... I'm slowly leaning towards the Belles as well for the facts that you mention. has a remote. has a bypass and pre support so can use as a pre or also as just an amp with external pre. and don't forget the phono input... although I've been using vinyl a lot less these days.
My other thought is all being equal I can have the belles and buy a CD transport for the same price as the LFD alone. The scale is tipping
Good to know Art.. Had a Belles dealer tell me the same thing... funny how you can build/sell a $2500 amp but stick a $5 remote in the box... not just Belles, tons of expensive makers do this too
@Stuart B yep the LFD is definitely simple design and I love that about it. But the Belles has a lot more functions included, including a phono stage so lot more going on under the hood.
@Art K. agree the internals of the Belles is nicely built. Great quality parts etc.
It’s too bad I can’t keep both.
@Art K. agree the internals of the Belles is nicely built. Great quality parts etc.
It’s too bad I can’t keep both.
Just for fun, here are some shots of my Exposure 3010 s2D. No phono and no dac, although both can be added. I am not sure if the volume pot is Noble or Alps, but there is a shot of the added motor to make it remote ready. (Edit - it is a motorized ALPS 20k volume pot)
I had to laugh as I was taking the pictures....I am not sure my wife would understand if I told her we were just sending nudie pictures between a couple of guys.....
I had to laugh as I was taking the pictures....I am not sure my wife would understand if I told her we were just sending nudie pictures between a couple of guys.....
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Sound Dragon
Yawns and sets his couch on fire!
It’s Jake......from StateFarm......
all 3 of these posts... literally laughed out loud..@Stuart B too bad these 3010SD2's don't come up often for sale used.. or I'd try that one out too.
And to add more drama to this story.... I just picked up a minty Rogue Cronus Magnum II and I have some extra NOS Telefunken 12ax7's and Mullard 12au7's to pop in when I get it..
But definitely putting the LFD up for sale. It was a great amp.. build quality amazing, but at end of day, Belles was 95% close sound wise and has all the extra features added.
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aloha! Yes. From my recent post. The Belles wins vs LFD due to overall value. Build quality goes to LFD. Pictures don’t due it justice the controls are superior and it feels like a solid piece of metal. I’d say the LFD is 5-10% better sound quality with certain material but with all the Belles extra features and being about $500 saving, I can use the saving to buy a CD transport. So I’m getting an Audiolab 6000CDT.
next up is Belles vs Rogue Cronus Magnum II. I already have some NOS Telefunken and Mullard tubes to roll into it. I’ve always preferred tube gear so we’ll see if I can keep the great detail and punch of the Belles but add some tube magic with the Rogue.