The Bel Canto E1X series already included the DS1 preamplifier-streamer (5 490 €), the DC1 MM/MC phono preamplifier-DAC (7 990 €), the S500 stereo power amplifier (6 990 €), and the D250 all-in-one amplifier (9 990 €). Now, the A500 integrated amplifier has been added to the range.
Manufactured with the same aluminum chassis as the preamplifiers, and therefore with a large screen on the front panel, this model combines pure analog preamplification with Class D amplification, which has been the Minneapolis-based company’s flagship technology for several decades.
The preamplifier stage is fully symmetrical, designed with precision resistors and powered by a triple-insulated, ultra-low-noise transformer. There are six analog inputs, with two pairs of XLR ports and four pairs of RCA ports. On the other side, for output to subwoofers or another amplifier, there is one pair of XLR and one pair of RCA ports.
On the amplifier side, in addition to an independently amplified headphone output, the Class D stage delivers 2 x 250 W into 8 ohms and 2 x 500 W into 4 ohms thanks to a very high current level. WBT NextGen terminals combined with output buffers deliver very dynamic and pure current to the speakers.
Carefully designed, the E1X A500 stands out with its proprietary SSHA (Single Stage High-Current Amplifier) circuit. This low-noise amplifier with a single-stage folded cascode architecture and a peak current capacity of over 500mA maintains consistently low distortion levels (0.001%). This SSHA module also provides dynamic resolution and contrast with the NCore Amplifier power stage, placed in a vertical modular design that allows for a narrow PCB layout, offering a dynamic range capable of exceeding 130 dB.
In terms of price in Europe, the E1X A500 is 2 500 € cheaper than the D250 all-in-one, but 1 000 € more expensive than the S500 pure stereo power amplifier, at 7 490 €.