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Design your own chassis - see bottom of page for further information

Why wood chassis?

The Basis is the result of 2 years of R&D and hundreds of hours of listening.

Response Audio's Musica Bella "Basis" linestage is a custom built tube linestage built around one 6SN7 dual triode per channel, Audience AuriCap output capacitors and 1% metal film, precision wirewound and carbon composition resistors along with Elna Silmic cathode bypass capacitors make up the circuitry.

Keeping in the Musica Bella tradition, the 'Basis' provides a clean, linear, dynamic presentation with low distortion using a SRPP circuit. If you have never heard the virtues of a 6SN7 based preamp, you do not know what you are missing. Don't let the affordable cost of the Basis fool you, this is a piece that is very much at home in the most elaborate audiophile systems.

The Basis provides a dead quiet background allowing you to enjoy and appreciate the finest nuances hidden within your recordings.

This elegant design is a very low maintenance product allowing you to spend all your time enjoying the music.

The Basis features three line level inputs or 2 line level inputs and one phono input.  Two sets of RCA outputs are perfect for bi-amping or driving a powered subwoofer. A high quality selector switch handles the input duties.  The front mounted volume control is a high quality stepped attenuator using Dale/Vishay 1% RN resistors for precision and accurate channel balance. For those who do not like stepped attenuators, an Alps Blue or Noble can be substituted.

Being a dual chassis design (and even in our single chassis design), the Basis' power supply circuit is kept away from the analog circuit allowing for a dead quiet listening experience while taking up no more room than a single standard size chassis. You can also stack the circuit chassis atop the PowerMax (power supply) chassis for a minimal footprint.

Shown in the thumbnail at left is the power supply for the Plus model using high quality polypropylene capacitors for main filter capacitors. Click on the picture for a larger view.

For those who prefer a single chassis, we also offer the Basis in a single 15" wide chassis.. In single chassis designs, the power supply is separated from the main circuit by an aluminum shield. The single chassis measures 15" W or 17"W x 12" D x 4" H. Going with the wider, single chassis allows for up to 5 single ended inputs as well as a passive home theater bypass.

Many custom chassis designs available. Just give us a call with your request.

With only two tubes, re-tubing or tube rolling in the Basis is easy and affordable.  Like all Musica Bella products, the Basis comes with our 5 year parts and labor warranty

Design your own chassis -

If you have a chassis design you would like to see your new Basis Linestage built into, just let us know. We have custom built some unique chassis' over the years and there is no reason not to offer the same for the Basis. A standard single enclosure with Acrylic window, wood chassis with acrylic top and bottom, custom painted steel chassis........ the enclosure is limited only by your imagination. We will work with you to come up with a truly unique design to best fit your personal taste. Just ask.

The chassis design allows for quick and easy tube rolling with the tubes accessible through the top. The chassis is constructed of Baltic Birch Ply then covered in real wood veneer. Aluminum or hardwood control knobs are available. For those looking for a the beauty of hardwood, we also offer solid hardwood finished chassis'. As with all Musica Bella products, the Basis is custom built to meet your personal needs and preferences.

If you need a phono preamplifier, the 'Basis' is available with our 'PhonoMax' phono stage built in. In this configuration, each the linestage and phono circuits have their own, independent power supplies down to separate power switches if preferred. Further information on the PhonoMax can be found here.

Looking for a low power tube amplifier to mate with the 'Basis'? Be sure to check out the matching  'Bella SE10' single ended amplifier as shown at right.

 

 

Key features Basis "Plus"
Starting at $1,995 (see below for option prices)

  • Highest quality circuit components

  • Audience AuriCap coupling capacitors

  • High current toroidal transformer

  • Metallized Polypropylene power supply

  • Ultra Fast-Soft Recovery Fairchild diodes in the rectifying bridge of the power supply

  • Silver RCA input and output connectors

  • 100% point-to-point wired

  • Stepped attenuator using Dale/Vishay RN resistors

  • Inputs: 3 line level or 2 line level / 1 phono

  • Outputs: 2 sets single ended

  • user adjustable output gain;
    23dB/17dB  or  17dB/11dB

  • 8"W x 10-1/4"D x 4"H (each chassis)

  • Hand built in the USA.

  • Five year parts and labor warranty

 

 

 

Key features Basis "Standard"
Starting at $1,495

  • Highest quality circuit components

  • High quality film coupling capacitors

  • High current toroidal transformer

  • Panasonic electrolytic power supply

  • Silver RCA input and output connectors

  • 100% point-to-point wired

  • Inputs: 5 line level

  • Outputs: 2 sets single ended

  • Home Theater Bypass (optional)

  • user adjustable output gain;
    23dB/17dB  or  17dB/11dB

  • 8"W x 10-1/4"D x 4"H (each chassis)

  • Hand built in the USA.

  • Five year parts and labor warranty

Basis "Extreme"

The Basis Extreme is a few steps up from even the "Plus" model. For this reason, the "Extreme" has earned it's own dedicated web page. Check out the Basis Extreme

Gain 23dB/17dB or 17dB/12dB
Total gain through phono: 55dB
Input impedance 135k ohms
Output impedance 1.7k ohms
Phase inverting

Pricing and further options located at bottom of page

OPTIONS:
Twin split-chassis      2X    8"W x 10-1/4"D x 4"H
Single chassis            1X    15"W x 12"D x 4"H  or
                                          17"W x 12"D x 4" H
            
Chassis Finish            Wood veneer, solid hardwood, combinations
Attenuator                   Noble/Alps Blue
                                   Carbon
                                   Stepped attenuator Dale RN resistors

Shown here is the new dual chassis, stackable version with external "PowerMax" power supply. The chassis is sized to match the Musica Bella Series products. Chassis for the 'Basis' preamplifier, 'PhonoMax' phono stage and soon to be released "Bella SE10" single ended 6L6 amplifier will all be provided in the same size chassis.

SEE MORE DETAILS

Order the Basis with built in PhonoMax and save.

Shown here is a Basis in action in our showroom. Yes, the LED is quite bright but it was done intentionally for this showroom unit. With both solid state and tube amplification, the Basis provides an impressively low noise floor allowing the finest details to shine through.

You are welcome to make an appointment to listen to the Basis linestage. Feel free to bring along any associated gear you wish to audition with it.

Chassis Options

Looking at the chassis here you can see that the possibilities are endless. This chassis, inspired by the old Chris Craft boats, uses our standard Baltic Birch construction with the addition of 1/8" thick Mahogany with Curly Maple inlays. If you have a preference for a particular wood or combination, just give us a call. We make all of our chassis to your preferences

 

All Musica Bella and Bella Extreme products are proudly Made in the USA

PRICING

Prices, Basic Unit Including shipping from Endicott, New York 13760, USA
Basis "Plus" version $1,995                Includes shipping to the lower 48
 

Basis "Standard" Unit

$1,495               Includes shipping to the lower 48

 

Options and Upgrades  
Upgrade the Line Stage Capacitors +$125
Substitute Mundorf Silver/Oil output capacitors for the more economical Audience AuriCap capacitors
Remote Volume $225
Hardwood Chassis Call - see bottom of page for further details
 Hardwood chassis' designs are based on a per order basis depending on the wood of choice. Average cost about $$75 additional for most common wood species.
For available wood veneer and/or hardwood options, click HERE

Common wood species: Cherry, Oak, Bubinga, Maple, Black Walnut
Tube Upgrade We recommend looking at our Recommended Tubes page and choose a tube that best meets your preferences. You can order these tubes direct from this page and have then sent directly to us or you.
 Both the Standard and Plus models come equipped with standard Electro Harmonix 6SL7 tubes.
Warranty
  • 5 Years (transferable) on all parts and labor, with the exception of
  • 90 Days on tubes
Unauthorized parts substitution will void Warranty
Availability Now ! All units are built to order by hand in our commercially located workshop in Endicott, New York, USA. Lead time is typically 4-6 weeks from order to shipment depending on the individual configuration and work load.
CHASSIS Many chassis configurations are available for the Basis linestage. You can have the split chassis design as shown above or the conventional design. For conventional designs, you have your choice of 15" or 17" width. Both are 12" deep. Have a particular size or design you would like to see? Just let us know.

Chassis Design

The Basis is 100% custom built to order. This gives you the opportunity to have a chassis design that best suits your personal taste and/or match or contrast your decor. You can have a split chassis design or a single chassis with or without the tubes protruding through the top.

Choose from various finishes including but not limited to veneered Baltic Birch Ply, Solid Hardwoods or a combination. We have designed many custom enclosures to match various loudspeakers as well as home furnishings.

 

 

 

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