Bel Canto REF601M Mono-block Amplifier – Bel Canto

A pair of bel canto REF601M mono-block amplifiers will give any $10,000 stereo amp a run for its money

Preserve space, enjoy the freedom that comes with placement flexibility, and know that everything will always keep cool with the wide-bandwidth Bel Canto e.One REF601M mono-block amplifier. This U.S.A.-made component outputs serious power (300Wpc into eight ohms, 600Wpc into four ohms) and operates with a quiet that seemingly belies its ability to drive even the most sensitive speakers without issue.

Combining the purity of Class A designs with the feel-it-in-your bones impact of Class D types, REF601M plays with a sit-up-and-take-notice presence that will likely have you wondering how a 15-pound, 3.5 x 8.5 x 12-inch (HWD) box can manage to be so musical, authoritative, and engaging. The simple explanation owes to Bel Canto’s use of NCore technology – which employs fully discrete, self-oscillating Class D architecture with a fifth-order control loop to attain vanishingly low levels of noise and distortion – and proprietary amplifiers based on Hypex NC500 module and SMPS 1200 power supply.

The DC-coupled REF601M also utilizes high-performance stages with local feedback and a first stage that supplies a majority of the gain with a high input impedance and low output impedance to drive the output power stage. Its trademarked Impedance Optimized Input Stage is a balanced high common mode rejection, low-output impedance driver that proves crucial to the overall performance and refined dynamics.

Bolstered by a 27A peak output current and selectable gain option (27dB or 33dB), REF601M aces the spatiality, dimensionality, accuracy, richness, and naturalism characteristics that allow reproduced music to come alive in your home. On the back panel, WBT NextGen five-way binding posts impart no detectable sonic signature to your speaker cables and maintain an open, grain-free nature. A balanced and RCA input, trigger switch, and simple on/off switch complete the simple layout. Setup couldn’t be easier. Neither could enjoying the improvements a pair of REF601Ms will make to your system.

The REF601M mono-block provides serious power, delivering the pure treble of Class A, the slam of the best Class D architectures, and the mid band presence that brings your music to life.

• Max Power Output: 300 watts 8 ohms, 600 watts 4 ohms
• Peak Output Current: 27 Amps
• Balanced Input Impedance: 200K ohms
• Selectable gain option: 27dB or 33dB
• Power Trigger

Monoblock Amplifier Features

The Bel Canto Impedance Optimized Input Stage is a balanced high Common Mode Rejection, low output impedance driver that is critical to the amplifier’s performance, ensuring that the refined dynamic qualities of the recording are preserved.

WBT NextGen Speaker Connectors The WBT NextGen connectors provide the best possible connection from the amplifier to the speaker cables. We choose them because they impart minimal sonic signature to the sound, remaining open and grain-free up throughout the audio frequency band.

REF601M Monoblock Amplifier Specifications

• Power Output 1% THD: 300W 8 ohms, 600W 4 ohms
• Minimum Load: 2 ohms
• Peak Output Current: 27 amperes
• Frequency Response: +/-3 dB 0Hz-50KHz, all loads
• THD+N: 0.003% 1W, 1KHz, 4 ohms
• IMD (CCIF): 0.0003%, 1W, 14:15KHz, 4 ohms
• Output noise: 35uVRMS A-weighted 10Hz-20KHz
• Voltage gain: 27dB (internal switch select for 33dB)
• Damping factor: >1000
• Output Impedance at 100Hz: <8 milliohms
• Dynamic Range: 121dB
• Input Voltage for Max Output: 2.3Vrms at 27dB gain
• Input connections: Single-ended RCA or balanced XLR
• RCA input impedance: 100Kohms
• Balanced input impedance: 200K ohms
• Output connections: 1-set WBT Nextgen 5-way binding posts
• Power On usage: 22W
• Power Off usage: 0.0W
• Internally Set Operating Voltages: 100-120VAC or 230-240VAC 50/60 Hz
• Size: 8.5″ wide x 3.5″ high x 12″ deep
• Weight: 15 lbs

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