Bel Canto Black System Asynchronous Controller & Mono DAC/Amplifiers
Full system

Bel Canto Black System Asynchronous Controller & Mono DAC/Amplifiers

Your Price: CAN$87,000.00
Free Shipping.
Part Number:EA-523
Now featuring:

        
In addition to Roon Ready, new Bel Canto products with streaming capability now also include TIDAL Connect and Spotify Connect.

The Ultimate Amplification System
Black is like no other audio system in the world. It communicates the musical experience completely, staying true to the recorded event and conveying the passion the artist intended. Achieving this level of detailed playback required rethinking the way signal travels through the many stages of the electronics system. This was the challenge behind Black and the reason we took a different approach, designing a 3 chassis integrated hybrid system.

Beautifully constructed from solid high grade billet aluminum, the modern look and feel of Black connects to all sources offering the highest level of flexibility and ease of use. Black creates an authentically present and naturally dimensional musical experience that will captivate you.

The Black System has the versatility to connect to any source with simplicity and ease, including Roon Ready, TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect or DLNA control with Bel Canto SEEK (iOS) or Mconnect Control (Android) apps to stream TIDAL, Qobuz, Spotify, Deezer or your personal library. It also includes an internal programmable phono stage and headphone amplifier.

The System
Our integrated hybrid approach has 2 distinct functions. First, the ASC2 (Asynchronous System Controller) isolates noise and sends a pure optical digital audio signal to each MPS1 mono block without loss or degradation. Second, each MPS1 receives the digital signal from the ASC2, re-clocks the data, converts the signal to analog (Mono DAC) and amplifies the signal (Mono Amplifier).

There are many unique advantages to the Black system architecture. Critical to its performance is the proximity of the DAC to the amplifier, set only 3cm apart and isolated within the MPS1. This eliminates the need for added I/O circuitry, preserves signal accuracy and creates a more synergistic system. BLACK is a radical approach to integration, combining the best analog, digital, optical and mechanical elements to achieve the best playback possible.

BLACK System Architecture
BLACK is comprised of 3 critical elements working together:
  • The Asynchronous System Controller – ASC2
  • Mono DAC/Power Amplifiers - MPS1 (x2)
  • High Speed Optical Interconnects
The BLACK system architecture incorporates numerous Bel Canto developed electronic and mechanical design solutions aimed at preserving the delicate audio signals. Digital processing and asynchronous interfaces driven from our Ultra Low Noise Master Clock circuitry ensures external noise from sources cannot corrupt, modify or colour the original signal. Bel Canto’s ST fiber interconnect electrically isolates the ASC2 from the rest of the system, preventing random external noise from impacting sensitive analogue stages in the MPS1 mono blocks. This eliminates ground loops and electrical noise pickup from environmental RF noise sources ranging from WiFi, Bluetooth, computers, cell phones or any other noise sources. Black is void of extraneous electrical noise; you only hear the music.

ASC2 & MPS1
ASC2 - Asynchronous Stream Controller (considerably revised and updated version of the original ASC1)

The ASC2 is the heart of the BLACK system. The ASC2 is not a digital to analogue converter; it is a Master Clock/Controller and the only one of its kind. It could be described as the digital preamplifier, with analogue and digital inputs and digital output. The easy to read programmable display allows you to select the best view or turn it completely off.

The volume control and input selector is controlled from the multi-function rotating wheel on the top of the ASC2, you can also use the IR custom remote control, or your iPhone/iPad and the custom iOS app. The master control is always ready to adjust volume, press it once and rotate to enter input, or press and hold to enter the menu, where you can set the system up that best meets your needs.

The ASC2 is an all-digital asynchronous controller with galvanic isolated inputs that eliminate the potential for noise to corrupt the fine audio signal from digital, networked and analogue sources. The ASC2’s 64 bit DSP processor core controls system function, 32-bit volume and custom FIR Filters retains the highest level of accuracy. And at the heart of the ASC2 is the custom ULN Master clock circuit, ultra-low phase noise clocks with independent power supplies measure below 40 Femtoseconds, keeping phase noise and jitter to extremely low levels, ensuring pure sonic performance.

The ASC2 handles all audio inputs, ranging from a networked audio UPnP Ethernet, USB2, a suite of SPDIF/AES digital inputs and an Analog line input that is digitized with a high performance 24/192 ADC 2cm from the input connector. All DSP based control and filter functions are contained within the ASC2 with each FIR filter allowing you to set the tonal balance that best meets your personal preference. Just as a high performance analogue preamplifier is critical to the performance of a traditional audio system the ASC2 is critical to the superior musical performance of the BLACK system making sure the signal is ready for digital optical transmission to the MPS1 monoblocks.

MPS1 - Mono PowerStream
The MPS1 is a unique monoblock design with Ultra low noise Clocking, Digital to Analog conversion, Bel Canto's class A amplifier stages, and custom 1200 Watt Power Buffer in an optimized environment.

The digital signal from the ASC2 is asynchronously re-timed before conversion in the advanced segment fully balanced mono DAC that combines the best of Multi-Bit and delta sigma technologies measuring below 0.0005% distortion and 130dB of dynamic range. The high current output from the DAC is coupled directly into the I/V stage and within 3 cm into Bel Canto custom amplification.

The buffer stage is a discrete, low gain, low noise buffer that can drive 40A peaks into a 2-ohm load. It adds virtually no noise or distortion to the voltage amplifier output resulting in an extremely transparent audio power stage using only 4 high current output MOSFET power devices operating in an efficient self-oscillating analog switching architecture adding neither coloration nor distortion. The chassis design isolates these critical analog stages within a controlled, optimized environment, ensuring maximum performance under real-world system conditions.

The BLACK system achieves a greater level of resolution by creating a greater synergy between technologies eliminating potential signal loss, so you hear everything as it was originally recorded in incredible detail, speed and musicality.


 SEEK App (iOS), or

 Mconnect Control (Android) provides the exact same functionality as SEEK

The above apps allow you to stream music to your networked Bel Canto system, playlist management over servers, create playlists, play MQA, DSD, PCM formats and gives you system volume control all from your smart phone or tablet.

Bel Canto’s Asynchronous Multi input Platform (AMiP) connects Ethernet and USB-A (via USB Wifi adapter…ask us how) to your home Network to stream music from your personal music library or subscription accounts TIDAL, Qobuz, Spotify and Deezer or cloud services Dropbox and OneDrive. You also get access to vTuner Internet Radio.

Discover and manage your music easily, something we see as the ultimate pleasure in musical playback. Making the connection to your home network is straight forward and requires only a connection to your router and downloading the appropriate app to your iOS or Android device. SEEK works with an iOS device and Mconnect Control works with an Android device.

After downloading either app, you can use this guide (PDF).

Here’s a quick glance of the app features:
 
1) Network interface device setup and firmware update for renderer
2) Device information
3) Timeline and repeat, shuffle options
4) Transport
5) Mute
6) Master volume
7) Micro-volume toggle
8) Main menu options
9) Refresh network connection
10) Available network devices
11) Connected device
12) Access and control files connected to USB-A

NOTE: with either app, occasionally go into the Device Setup menu to see if there is software-based renderer update available (see below). If an update is available, please proceed to have the latest features. Once the update is complete, if you are no longer able to access the internet via your Bel Canto, power it down and power it up again and it will regain the connection.

Related Items

Recently Viewed Items