Built on the technical prowess of Belleson's previous Brilliance dual stereo input phono preamp, the new Radiance preamp sports a single stereo phono input with the same, lowest noise floor, ready for accurate reproduction of vinyl. The laser engraved 5mm thick solid aluminum chassis houses a new generation of custom electronics to deliver a classic sound stage and musical presence with the ease of full parametric control of all aspects of reproduction using Wi-Fi-based, software remote control.
According to Belleson, this concept allows a new level of convenience in vinyl reproduction, with no fiddling with switches or jumpers on the rear panel or worse, inside the chassis, to adjust to the optimum load resistance and capacitance for cartridge and cabling. Forty custom designed and built optically isolated analog switches (Octal Optos) control capacitive and resistive cartridge loading, gain, and cartridge type (MC/MM). In fact the Belleson Radiance Phono preamplifier allows remote control for all its functions, including a convenient mute function, that overrides the whole audio chain.
Capacitive and resistive loading are remotely switchable, so users can just sit in their listening chair to evaluate the proper load for any cartridge. There is no need to shut off the phono preamp, and no adding components via screw terminal. The remote control also allows setting gain and changing from moving magnet (MM) to moving coil (MC) gain ranges. Once everything is set, users can lock the settings to prevent accidentally changing them, and settings are saved at power down and restored at power on.
For Radiance, as it previously did for Brilliance, Belleson developed a unique custom designed transconductance amplifier (Top Amp) with fully differential (balanced) low noise JFET inputs and current output. Combined with a transimpedance amplifier, it offers 50dB of current gain prior to any voltage excursion, virtually eliminating distortion caused by voltage dependent node capacitance exhibited by more conventional approaches. A forthcoming article in audioxPress describes this innovation in preamp design.
The high impedance inputs allow high quality passive resistors and capacitors to be switched, with input loading set remotely via the Wifi Hifi controlled Octal Opto switches. The Belleson WiFi Hifi remote control is a browser based app that runs on any device with a web browser, connected to either an internal network or the existing home wifi router where other music services are running.
Based in Greer, SC, Belleson is a company that designs and manufactures high performance audio products and voltage regulators that are in use around the globe since 2010. Belleson's Superpower regulators span the gamut from 1.2V to 450V output voltage and 1A to 10A output current and are used by high quality audio manufacturers and DIY builders around the world. The company's founder, Brian Lowe, an engineer by education, career, curiosity and attitude, invented and patented a new and unique high performance voltage regulator, and established a reputation in that field. He always continued to work on the design of a better phonograph amplifier as a pastime. Ultimately he developed a circuit that, like Belleson's voltage regulators, exceeds the performance of established brands, implemented first in the Brilliance phono stage, with the novel Top Amp and Octal Opto circuits.
The Belleson Radiance Phono preamplifier will be available in brushed black or aluminum to best complement any audio system. Following the debut at Capital Audiofest, November 8-10, room 655, a limited number of Radiance units will be available in early 2025, with production units priced at $3250.00 and shipping from Q1.
Belleson has distributors in EU (https://bellesoneu.com) and Asia (https://hifiparts.net), and direct factory purchase is available from the company's website
www.belleson.com
