Bel Canto ASC2 / MPSI Ultimate Integrated Amplification System

ASC2/ MPS1 Ultimate Integrated 3 chassis Amplification System

Welcome to Black by Bel Canto, 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 the 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 System

The BLACK system architecture, consisting of the ASC2 System Controller and two MPS2 DAC/Amplifiers, 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 color 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 analog stages in the MPS2 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 - Asynchronous System Controller

The ASC2 is the second generation and heart of the BLACK system. The ASC2 is not a digital to analog converter; it is a Master Clock/Controller and the only one of its kind. It could be described as the digital preamplifier, with analog 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 analog sources. The ASC2s 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 digitised with a high performance 24/192 ADC 2cm from the input connector. All DSP based control and custom filter functions are contained within the ASC2, along with tone and level controls that dials in your system to your optimised sound. Just as a high performance analog 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.

The ASC1 is still available as a System option upon request with its own unique feature set.

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 optimised 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, optimised 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.

ASC2 Specifications

MPS1 Specifications

User Reviews