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  1. #1
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    Bel Canto DAC3.7, VBL (Virtual Battery Linear) Power Supply & REFStream Review

    George
    -----------------------

    Aurender ACS10 Music Server > Holo Audio May KTE R2R Ladder DAC > Pass Labs XP-30 Preamp > Pass Labs XA160.5 Class A Mono Blocks > Martin Logan Renaissance ELS 15A Speakers

    Powered By 2X BPT 3.5 Signature Plus Ultra Isolators | Shunyata Research Hydra Triton + Typhon | Shunyata Hydra 2 Power Conditioner

  2. #2
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    Re: Bel Canto DAC3.7, VBL (Virtual Battery Linear) Power Supply & REFStream Review

    Interesting, especially that Bel Canto is still using the old TI/Burr Brown PCM1792 DAC, vs. the latest and greatest from ESS. Sounds like John Stronczer realized the ethernet streaming design of the old Squeezebox (vs USB) is the way to go. I guess the proof is in the listening!

    Thanks for reminding me to upgrade my DAC 3.5 mkII. I might even get the new linear battery supply!
    Squeezebox Touch/Bel Canto DAC 3.5VB + Oppo 205 > Conrad Johnson CT5 preamp and Premier 350 amp > Martin Logan Expression 13A's and two ML BF210 subs. Audience Au24e I/C's & speaker cable. Member of the Suncoast Audiophile Society.

  3. #3
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    Re: Bel Canto DAC3.7, VBL (Virtual Battery Linear) Power Supply & REFStream Review

    Every time I hear a DAC with the ESS DAC chips I prefer the sound qualities of the Burr Brown's! More natural, organic without sacrificing the details.
    George
    -----------------------

    Aurender ACS10 Music Server > Holo Audio May KTE R2R Ladder DAC > Pass Labs XP-30 Preamp > Pass Labs XA160.5 Class A Mono Blocks > Martin Logan Renaissance ELS 15A Speakers

    Powered By 2X BPT 3.5 Signature Plus Ultra Isolators | Shunyata Research Hydra Triton + Typhon | Shunyata Hydra 2 Power Conditioner

  4. #4
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    Re: Bel Canto DAC3.7, VBL (Virtual Battery Linear) Power Supply & REFStream Review

    Nice review....the 3.7 is really a fantastic dac!
    Goldprint Audio -- Dealer For: PS Audio -- Leben -- KEF -- Line Magnetic -- DeVore Fidelity -- Joseph Audio -- Sugden -- Rogue Audio -- Manley Labs -- VPI Industries -- Bel Canto -- Alta Audio -- Tannoy -- Rega -- Kimber Kable -- Ortofon -- Chord -- Sonos -- Quadraspire -- Salamander -- SVS Sound -- Torus Power -- Audio Desk -- Gingko -- Auditorium 23 -- Box Furniture -- Krell -- Cary Audio -- Soundsmith -- EMT

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  5. #5
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    Re: Bel Canto DAC3.7, VBL (Virtual Battery Linear) Power Supply & REFStream Review

    i have the bel canto vbs1 and its been great . in the 10 years since i have had bc stuff i never had a problem but after 6 years the vbs1 died . been quite a game getting it fixed . been back to repairer twice but hopefully will be ok . slightly annoyed it did not last longer than 6 years but i guess its on 24/7
    1]bel canto EIX/ F5 monoblocks . BC cd2, tannoy eaton legacy 2]bel canto pre 5 ,arcam a85 , black ice modded dac
    modded dac , marantz sa8005, Verity audio Rienzi

  6. #6
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    Re: Bel Canto DAC3.7, VBL (Virtual Battery Linear) Power Supply & REFStream Review

    Unfortunately, looks like Bel Canto stopped production of the DAC 1.7 and 3.7, as well as the VBS and LNS outboard power supplies. I was actually planning on upgrading my DAC 3.5 to the 3.7. I wonder if they stopped production because the power supplies were failing? My VBS is about 6 years old. Guess I'll keep my fingers crossed!
    Squeezebox Touch/Bel Canto DAC 3.5VB + Oppo 205 > Conrad Johnson CT5 preamp and Premier 350 amp > Martin Logan Expression 13A's and two ML BF210 subs. Audience Au24e I/C's & speaker cable. Member of the Suncoast Audiophile Society.

  7. #7
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    Re: Bel Canto DAC3.7, VBL (Virtual Battery Linear) Power Supply & REFStream Review

    ah i did not know that . well hopefully the electronics engineer has now sorted the vbs1 . i quite enjoyed watching him problem solve it . i would not worry if it breaks down as realtively easy for an engineer to fix.
    1]bel canto EIX/ F5 monoblocks . BC cd2, tannoy eaton legacy 2]bel canto pre 5 ,arcam a85 , black ice modded dac
    modded dac , marantz sa8005, Verity audio Rienzi

  8. #8

    Re: Bel Canto DAC3.7, VBL (Virtual Battery Linear) Power Supply & REFStream Review

    Quote Originally Posted by sleepysurf View Post
    Unfortunately, looks like Bel Canto stopped production of the DAC 1.7 and 3.7, as well as the VBS and LNS outboard power supplies. I was actually planning on upgrading my DAC 3.5 to the 3.7. I wonder if they stopped production because the power supplies were failing? My VBS is about 6 years old. Guess I'll keep my fingers crossed!
    Is your VBS still working ? I've had mine for about 6 years with no trouble. Maybe hifinut has frequent surges in the electrical supply? If there was a design problem, I would think a more rugged part that fails would be a solution.

  9. #9
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    Re: Bel Canto DAC3.7, VBL (Virtual Battery Linear) Power Supply & REFStream Review

    no i didnt have any surges , it just failed . however in the UK we have some superb guys and the insides were taken out and a custom cables dc 3 fitted

    DC3 builds now come with the Mundorf capacitor upgrade fitted as standard. This can also be retrofitted to your existing DC3 if you own one of the older DC3 units.

    This is our brand new reference level DC power supply, called the DC3. Instead of being based on the older DC1 and DC2 regulator designs, it uses our latest regulator layout - Version 2.0 of our fabled CHC-REG module. The front end of the PSU is a much-improved design as well, using the same large audio-grade transformer and banks of Nichicon KG audio capacitors as our much more expensive Naim upgrade PSUs.

    This is a truly no-compromise PSU, with a performance well beyond that of the DC2 or DC1, and it is still very reasonably priced compared to our competitors.


    Custom HiFi Cables Ltd. - DC3 Power Supply

    superb upgrade for the pre 3 vbs , more weight to sound . so the vbs1 relives

    running 2 of these bel canto pre 3 pre amps now, they just are so reliable and so good for the money
    1]bel canto EIX/ F5 monoblocks . BC cd2, tannoy eaton legacy 2]bel canto pre 5 ,arcam a85 , black ice modded dac
    modded dac , marantz sa8005, Verity audio Rienzi

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Bel Canto DAC3.7, VBL (Virtual Battery Linear) Power Supply & REFStream Review

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