Description: Solid-state FM receiver with four S/PDIF digital input (two coaxial, two Toslink), two pairs of analog inputs (one phono, one line), one pair of line-level analog outputs, and two pairs of loudspeaker terminals. Maximum output power at 1% THD: 120Wpc into 4 ohms (17.8dBW), 60Wpc into 8 ohms (17.8dBW). Minimum load: 3 ohms per channel. Peak output current: 30 amperes. Frequency response: 1.5Hz–90kHz, ±3dB, into 4 ohms. THD+N: 0.003%, 1W, 1kHz, 4 ohms. Line input impedance: 11k ohms. Phono input impedance: 47k ohms in parallel with 150pF. Phono input sensitivity: 2.5–7mV nominal cartridge output range. RIAA accuracy: ±0.25dB, 50Hz–15kHz. Power consumption with no signal: 14W.
Dimensions: 8.5" (216mm) W by 3.5" (88mm) H by 12" (305mm) D. Weight: 13 lbs (5.9kg).
Price: $2995. Approximate number of dealers >50.
Manufacturer: Bel Canto Design, Ltd., 221 N. First Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401. Tel: (612) 317-4550. Fax: (612) 359-9358. Web: www.belcantodesign.com.
From Stereophile:
My time with the Bel Canto C7R receiver showed me that great, audiophile-quality sound can also be gotten out of one little box. The C7R's amplifier section is usefully powerful and nuanced, even if it lacks the juice needed to really rattle the rafters. The C7R's DAC is no mere convenience, sounding quite impressive and holding its own against much more costly D/A converters. The C7R's multitude of digital inputs, including USB, make it a usefully flexible tool to integrate into any music lover's life. Its analog inputs will let you spin vinyl, and you can uses its FM tuner to listen to Car Talk. Perhaps all I ever needed was a receiver . . . ?
The C7R is tiny but elegant; it uses little power, doesn't get hot, and it's built in the US by a real company that stands behind its work. I loved the Bel Canto C7R. I recommend it to anyone who wants simplicity and great sound.