Review: Bel Canto e1x DAC Control preamp and Bel Canto1x Stereo amplifier

We have recently received the latest offerings from Bel Canto, a US based manufacturer known for its digital expertise in digital processing, class D amplification and its long-established, neat small-format e.One series.

They’ve more recently introduced their much larger top-of-the-market Black, and Black ex series, which are pitched at a much higher price and performance level.

Until now, there was nothing more affordable in between. However, their new e1x is priced much more reasonably than the Black and Black ex, sitting above the entry level e1 in price, and offering, we feel, a much higher level of performance. This is partly due to being able to trickle down some of the expertise gained in developing the Black.

We’ve been constantly pleased with the e.One series over the years we’ve been selling it. The CD transport is one of the best sounding available at sensible prices, and the power amps are smooth, uncoloured and transparent. Designer Bill Stronzer is known for his digital expertise, which delivers a sweet and non-digital sound. 

The wider and deeper format of the e1x provides much more space to accommodate circuitry, power supplies and heat sinking, giving a significantly higher performance level overall.

Some streamers are digital only, with no analogue inputs, some have line level analogue, but no phono for playing records, some offer only equipped for moving magnet. Some have no volume knob, relying on annoying up/down front panel buttons, a remote or an Ap. The e1x DAC/ Control unit, on the other hand, not only includes a streamer and DAC, but also a fully programmable mm/mc phono stage, programmable tilt-style tone controls and filters, (plus a real physical volume knob you can turn), to create a complete, versatile control unit. The e1x power amplifier delivers up to 250 watts into eight ohms and 500 watts into 4 ohms, which is plenty of power for all but the most power-hungry loudspeakers and large rooms.

We were eagerly anticipating our first listening sessions with the new e1x, hoping that these big brothers to e.One would provide a bigger sound – and we were not disappointed. 

For our evaluations we used Cardas cables from end to end, namely: Cardas Clear network, Cardas Clear reflection connect balanced XLR (pre-streamer to power), and Cardas Cygnus mains power chord, hooked up to a pair of Pro Ac D 20 R loudspeakers using Cardas clear reflection speaker cables.

Kicking off, we pressed go on Elektro Kardiogram from Kraftwerk’s Tour de France album. We were instantly gripped by the clarity, rhythm and dynamics of this track. It was as though the streamer had delivered a clean and clear signal to the power amp, which had in turn taken an iron-like grip of the loudspeakers.

The bass rhythm was solid and textured, revealing subtle modulations in low to mid frequencies that most streamers and amps simply gloss over.  The driving pulsations and reverberant heavy breathing were very audible. This music motored along in such a joyous, foot-tapping manner that it put smiles to our faces. This track can sound monotonous on the wrong system, but this was fun!

Changing to something classical, we listened to Rackmaninov’s second Piano concerto played by Mavinsky under Gergiev. Here we heard a lush acoustic,  gorgeous tonal qualities of the piano and woodwind, a lovely sheen to the brass section along with clear but smooth string tone.  There was really nothing to dislike and everything to enjoy.

Then we tasked it with the explosive version of Rimsky Korsakov’s Dance of the Tumblers by the Mineapolis Symphonly Orchestra 

As with Kraftwerk, we experienced a powerful delivery, with great dynamics, speed  and clarity, but without harshness. The castanets were clear, bass was firm, horns had a vital bell-like tonality. When the going got hectic, the delicate and tantalisingly quiet triangle was clearly audible right at the back of the orchestra.  

We didn’t really need any more, but curiosity saw us playing John Williams’ beautifully orchestrated Hedwig’s theme from Harry Potter. From the delicate yet crystal clear glockenspiel, to the tone of the fleeting strings and the sound of the whole orchestra, the sense of atmosphere and scale was enhanced by the high levels of transparency from this combination. Yet, despite the clarity and transparency, it was not harsh or irritating.  

The ribbon tweeter in the Pro Ac D20 R speakers is a very transparent sounding transducer: it will faithfully reproduce whatever it’s given, and with lesser electronics that’s not always a good thing.  In this case, the Pro Ac speakers were simply delivering everything – not just at higher frequencies, but in the mid-range where the speaker’s clarity was a distinct asset, and the rich deep bass, which revealed so much in the way of texture and rhythm. 

In fact, these were some of the best sounds we’ve heard from these Pro Acs. 

So, to conclude, we rather like this e1x combo.  They are not cheap, but Bel Canto does offer an integrated version which combines their features in a single case, but with slightly less power (200W per channel) and at a considerably more affordable price. 

Pop in to the shop for a listen today!