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The BC24 and BC28 Hybrid Stereo Amplifiers
Based on the hybrid technology developed for the AG8000 Amplifiers, the BC24 and BC28 fill the void that many audiophiles feel was created when we discontinued the now classic BC2 series and BC6. If you are unfamiliar with The BC2/BC6 you can read the archived reviews under Classics in our Product Reviews section.
The BC24 and BC28 represent the next step in hybrid evolution from Blue Circle. The best word to use when comparing the BC24 and BC28 to the old BC2 and BC6 series is "more." In every respect the BC24 and BC28 represent an improvement in both musicality and flexibility. They run cooler, are much easier to situate in most systems and will drive a far greater range of speaker loads than their predecessors.
Did we mention musicality? We took some flack from owners and aspiring owners of BC2/BC6 when we announced that those products would be removed from the line-up. Those who have had the opportunity to listen to the new BC24/BC28 now understand our decision. The differences are not subtle. We could prattle on about about how much better the bass-soundstage-air-etc. is but we can't describe what music sounds like with words on paper or in this case pixels on a screen. We'll leave that to the reviewers. Don't tell anybody but .......we don't think they can describe music with words either
The BC24 and BC28 each use one 6922 tube per channel running in single-ended high bias Class A mode in conjunction with a solid-state high bias Class AB output stage to accommodate difficult speaker loads. In both amplifiers Blue Circle's proprietary design has been employed to ensure that the tubes operate at their most linear performance level.
Unlike many hybrid and tube amplifiers which can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to re-tube, the BC24 and BC28 can be re-tubed at very reasonable cost. At current retail prices these amplifiers can be re-tubed for as little as $30.00USD.
Like all Blue Circle products the BC24 and BC28 employ Blue Circle's traditional engraved stainless steel faceplate complimented by a black powder coated chassis, simple elegance with no expensive cosmetic treatments or gimmicks.
The BC24 MSRP: 2450.00 USD
conservatively rated at 80 watts/channel into 8 ohms.
The BC28 MSRP: 3995.00 USD
conservatively rated at 120 watts/channel into 8 ohms.
2 pair of output binding posts for easy bi-wiring.
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The BC22 and BC26 True Balanced Stereo Power Amplifiers
* March 2003...the BC22 is now the BC22 MKII. For details click here.
Over the years, Blue Circle Audio has developed a reputation for reference quality handcrafted products. We are proud to introduce our BC22 and BC26 true balanced power amplifiers. These amplifiers represent a significant departure from our original design philosophy. We have always believed, and still do, that single-ended Class A hybrid topologies produce the best sounding amplifiers. But they do have some drawbacks. They cost an awful lot of money, could run very hot and are very heavy. When we first decided to design and bring these amplifiers to market, we were uncertain that we could satisfy the necessary design and cost criteria, while still producing an amplifier that would meet our personal fidelity requirements. They do tend to be rather stringent. After 5 years of research and development, we are very pleased to announce that we have succeeded.
THE TECHNICAL STUFF
The BC22 and the BC26 are pure solid-state DC coupled true balanced design. They produce a very conservative 125 watts and 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms, respectively. Even though this is a departure from Blue Circle traditions, some things have not changed:
These Amplifiers are totally handcrafted with all the attention to detail.
The simplicity of design that Blue Circle is known for has been maintained. As a result of intensive engineering, we were able to limit the number of components in the signal path.
The power supply can best be described as serious overkill. It is built around a custom designed and manufactured toroid power transformer. Filtering is nothing short of massive. As usual this is accomplished by employing multiple networks of small value capacitors. This technique reduces dc resistance, lowers inductance, and therefore improves transient response.
Connecting hardware and signal path wiring is by Cardas®.
HOW DOES IT SOUND?
Traditionally we do not comment extensively on the sound of our components. However, as the BC22 and the BC26 are such a departure from Blue Circle norms, we felt that some discussion was warranted in this case. What we set out to design and produce, was the best solid state balanced power amplifiers in this category. We believe that the biggest strength of these amplifiers are what they don't do, rather than what they do. Confused? Let us explain.
When you set out to produce a new product, it is only natural that you look long and hard at what's already out there. What we found was that most amps in this price range did a number of things quite well, but they invariably had some flaws that were simply intolerable over long listening periods. For solid-state amps, these problems usually manifest in the upper register. This is where the BC22 and the BC26 shines. There is nothing fatiguing about these amps. They are surprisingly smooth without getting euphonic, no aggressiveness or hardness. They have fabulous lower register extension, taut and controlled without bloating. Nasty nonlinearities are eliminated and they are very very quiet. For the money, these amps are surprisingly musical.
The BC22 and the BC26 are one of the finest amplifiers at this level, handcrafted, affordable and musical. We are confident that you will enjoy these amplifiers with most of today's demanding speakers.
