Bel Canto PL-1A, because computers make terrible audio devices

The Bel Canto PL-1A is one of only a handful of single-chassis disc players to have earned Stereophile's coveted Class A+ Recommended Component status, as well as a slew of similar awards from other publications. As a rarely used floor model with less than 150 hours of use, you won't find a PL-1A with less use, fewer previous owners or in better condition. Read on to learn what makes this such a unique and superb high resolution audio component.

COMPUTER AUDIO vs. DISC PLAYERS

Computers were never intended to reproduce high quality audio. Even when used with an elite quality USB DAC, their noisy power supplies, lack of internal shielding and unnecessary internal electronics suck color and detail and replace it with a level of noise, harshness and sterility when compared to the finest disc players available. The complexity and hassle of computer hardware and software only make the experience worse. Clearly, computers fall far short of the promise of high resolution digital audio.

It's no wonder then, experienced audiophiles are returning to their disc players in search of better sound and a more enjoyablable experience. Some have purchased expensive DACs, but overlooked the critical importance of the disc transport and the wholy inadequate nature of the SPDIF digital interface that connects the transport to the DAC.

The most experienced among us have tried all of the above and found the true promise of high resolution digital audio rests with extremely well-designed, three-chassis front ends that include a disc transport, high speed clocking interface and DAC. Unfortunately, these systems are rare and cost as much as $125,000.

The next best solution is a well-designed, single-chassis, high resolution disc player that maximimizes all of the available technology and avoids the limitations imposed by SPDIF interfaces and computer audio.

ENTER BEL CANTO AUDIO

Bel Canto's design team recognized the promise of a single-chassis, high resolution disc player and threw all the available resources into designing one of the very best, regardless of cost.

The result is a reference-class SACD/DVD-A/CD player that has earned Stereophile's coveted Class A+ Recommended Component status as well as a slew of similar awards from other publications. The PL-1A easily outperforms any computer based audio system and offers performance on par with much more expensive offerings from elite brands such as of dCS and Zanden. When playing high quality, high-res discs, the PL-1A blows the sound of any Red Disc player into the weeds.

PL-1A TECHNICAL OVERVIEW

The PL-1A uses the highest performance reference clocks and custom high voltage reference oscillators for the audio and video D/A conversion and digital outputs. This insures optimum conversion quality for the best sonic and visual performance and minimum clock jitter for the digital outputs.

The control and mechanical portions of the player mechanism are slaved to these reference clocks to insure optimum jitter performance and the D/A conversion and digital output paths with minimal influence from the drive mechanism.

High current isolated and double regulated power supplies insure a stable operating environment.

The high current switching regulator is used for pre-regulated power with additional stages of analog filtering and active regulation provide low noise supplies for each critical stage and 16 regulator stages are used in this sophisticated power distribution system.

The PL-1A has wide dynamic range multi-bit delta sigma audio conversion with 118 dB dynamic range that converts with 128X over-sampling. True Differential I/V conversion stage using custom matched resistors for optimum sonic and measured performance. Classic OPA627 BiFET buffer for single-ended outputs and wideband, ultra low distortion OPA1632 balanced buffer (180MHz, 0.0002% THD+noise).

The sonic performance of the PL-1A competes with the very best 2-channel CD playback systems while providing superior SACD and DVD-A playback performance. The high quality Video stages can be turned off for optimum audio-only playback.

108 MHz/12 bit video DACs and proprietary video DAC output filter and buffer stages provide stunning video performance. Optional SDI (Serial Digital Interface) and professional quality DVI output provide the highest performance digital video options available in professional broadcast, film and video production environments.

DETAILS OF THIS PARTICULAR PL-1A

For equally outstanding video performance, our PL-1A includes the optional DVI output (ideal for short runs of digital video cable) and a raw, uncompressed, high-bandwidth SDI output that avoids the compromised quality imposed by HDMI and DVI cables over twenty feet in length.

Due to the quality of the power supplies and video signal path, the PL-1A offers video performance that surpasses most Blu-ray players. For uncompromised audio performance, all video circuitry can easily be turned off.

As an authorized Bel Canto retailer, we used this PL-1A rarely for demonstration purposes. With less than 150 hours of use, it is not yet broken-in and has no blemishes, nicks, scratchs or dents.

Purchase from a trusted retailer and avoid the uncertainty of a used product with multiple previous owners and many hours of wear and tear. You will be the first, and perhaps, last owner of this outstanding disc player.

It will arrive safely at your door double-boxed in its original boxes, complete its remote control, owner's manual and power cable.

For sale within the 48 United States. The buyer covers the shipping cost.

8.75% sales tax applies for delivery within California.

4% PayPal fee.

No trades or low-ball offers, please.