EXCELLENT HIFI AMPLIFIER ! Kinki Studio EX M1+

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

If you would like to know even more of my thoughts on the Kinki EX-M1+ check out the written review on my website www.pursuitperfectsystem.com/kinki-studio-ex-m1-integrated-amplifier/

[@irsandyhendro8459]

Nice review! I just bought Kinki Studio EX-B7/EX-P27 combo few weeks ago, the system still burn in, but it sound seriously fantastic. I owned Hegel H360 for almost 3 years, an integrated amplifier which I loved so much, in fact I like it so much that after 5 or so different and more expensive others integrated amp demo I still kept it, because to me it sound better and more correct. But one of my local distributor loan me a demo of Kinki Studio EX-M1, after few days of listening, I found its better already than my Hegel H 360, it had better soundstage, a better instrumental separation and really awesome with Vocal. When I was about to order one EX-M1+, my local distributor loan me a pair of Kinki EX-B7 Mono with matching P27 Amplifier, immediately after warm it up for an hour, I heard another level of musicality from my Wilson Sasha Loudspeaker. The music become so alive and everything I heard is better in every aspect (I rarely felt this way with any audio equipment), to assure myself, I asked my dontcareaboutaudio wifey to do blind listening comparison between Hegel H360 VS EX-M1 VS EX-B7 TWICE in random order!! both she answered me EX-B7 is a better sounding amplifier, even told me its about 30% better than my Hegel, in a world of High End Audio, a 30% increase in sound from a non Audiophile person sounds like an USD 20.000 upgrade. So I decided to order the same combo system in black colour. Never Been happier since then........

[@LuxAudio389]

I own a Hegel H160 for my Kantas. I love it, but I also own Sopras and recently ordered a Luxman 509x after being blown away with the soundstage, neusnces, and phantom image it creates with my Sopras. Have you had a chance to compare the Kinky to Luxman 509x with your Wilson's?

[@irsandyhendro8459]

@@LuxAudio389 good to hear that you’re happy with you luxman, but im sorry but its been a long time since I listen to any luxman since there is any luxman distributor in my country.

[@292003tsm]

Tks for the review, already have P27, will order B7 soon, for my Maggies 1.7i

[@Nick-sk1qp]

How did the kinki amp Freya+ sound in tube mode?

[@sanlo7793]

What speakers do you pair with EX-B7?

[@jarekstorm6331]

I SEE that Mission 770 peaking out behind you mate. Can’t wait to hear a review and sound samples 🙂

[@bobb.9917]

Terry reviewed the Missions 10 days ago.

[@hoobsgroove]

@@bobb.9917 no he didn't... he interviewed the designer

[@dougg1075]

Looks great in black. I want one Good stuff man. Keep it up

[@razisn]

Another good and informative review, thanks. Seems a good amp. Of course all of Kinki Studio amps look suspiciously close to older Goldmunds. I don't know if any original engineering has gone into them and this bothers me ethically but they sure look like excellent value.

[@schizza1980]

NIce review! I realy like the simple design and that power button under front panel is very clever! Dunno how i miss this review. Still waiting for that AudiaFlight review, and hope u will compare sound characteristics between them, bcs i realy love how AF sounds.

[@WMKwonggalaxy]

I had this amplifier a couple of years ago, and it is really quiet, clean and clear. The only thing I dislike is its display is too bright, though it could be set dimmer manually. If the default is dimmer, it should be more comfortable when I enjoy music in a low light environment.

[@doifeellucky]

Thanks Terry, great insight as always.

[@howardskeivys4184]

This man’s experience with Kinki, pretty much mirrors my own. Except, when I made the decision to go Kinki, I went the whole hog and purchased the preamp monoblocks combination. Everything Terry says about the ‘Kinki sound’ is true. So, initially I was ultra impressed. But as I clocked up more and more hours of attentive listening, it became obvious to me that, clarity, detail and speed, were prioritised over tonality, acoustic mass and harmonic density. Not what I looked for in musical reproduction. Alvin at Vinshine confirmed that what I was experiencing was the ‘Kinki sound signature’. I could have learned to live with it, but I was accustomed to a more fluid, legato if you like, sound. Not the staccato reproduction I was getting from my Kinki combo. To cut a long story short, I replaced the Kinki preamp with a Denafrips preamp. This restored the musical qualities I favoured. You could say ‘best of both worlds’! As the years have gone by, I think Kinki have listened to their customer base. Whilst I’m sure that many audiophiles will enjoy and appreciate that ‘Kinki sound’, they are now catering to those audiophiles, who, like me, prefer a fuller, richer sound and they have now introduced a new range under the name ‘Choco’ I think. I’ve not had the opportunity to audition this new gear, but by all accounts, it does exactly what it says on the box!

[@bobb.9917]

Hmmm….I watch most of you reviews Terry and have seen the EX-M1+ in the background for a while and am glad to get your take on it. I feel that I went down a rabbit hole of sorts…I purchased the Kinki EX-B7 Mono Blocs to power my DynAudio Contour 20 Speakers. (I was “upgrading” from a vintage Bob Carver C-500 Power Amp 250wpc@8ohms)….I first used a Schiit Freya+ to drive the Mono Blocs and after being patient and still being unhappy with the sound I purchased a Denafrips Athena Preamp. I was still not happy. Its a discussion but “I” found the bass to be very tight and full, but to my ear the midrange was thin and the upper midrange and highs were recessed in the soundstage and lacking..not balanced to the other frequencies. Male & Female vocals were not full…I was really patient and listened a lot to different music. Perhaps its just my preference…I bought a McIntosh MC-152 which I find to have a full, tight, balanced presentation when being driven by the Freya+ and all is good now in my world. …better than my Bob Carver…but I would have to say incrementally. It’s all been an enlightening experience finding how different amps can sound. This has taught me a lot!

[@rickkumar2631]

Bob we are a Kinki Studio Audio dealer here in the UK and if you get the opportunity then try ATC’s SCA2 pre amplifier with EX-B7’s. This is an exceptional combination 👍

[@davidrivera2165]

Terry, I greatly appreciate your observations on the M1+. New record day, Zero Fidelity and others, gave this Chinese made Integrated great reviews. However, I'm well aware that the youtube reviewers that I noted do critical listening at far lower volume than you and I do ( they listen below 75 dbs, and usually at near or mid field listening location). I'm considering adding Musical Fidelity M6si, or this M1+ to my Home Theater room (not my main two channel system). The M1+ is readily available to purchase here in the States, the M6si is hit or miss as it ships from UK. LASTLY, please let me know if you will be continuing to do sound demos as part of your reviews. Your expertise in Dirac dsp calibration makes your channel unique in its sound demos. Thanks always for your great work.

[@raymondchong9966]

Z

[@smaudi]

Really nice review Terry I think you would be pleased with the mono blocs more power more bass I love those and also very affordeble I use them with the aurender A10 and that is a great combination no pre necessary great combination with Boenicke W5.

[@stevengarner8524]

That is a cool looking amp mate , they should have called it the stealth edition . Great vid 😊👍

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

Yeah is a great shout, it was hard getting it on camera its colour absorbs the light.

[@stevengarner8524]

@@PursuitPerfectSystem the big nob joke was lol 😆

[@chrisdearmitt7474]

I upgraded mine with Muses JFET op amps plus Stacatto discrete op amps. After trying about 20 combinations that was the best and far better than stock.

[@lssht]

Hi. Im interested in hearing more about that. Im considering the ex-m1+ and like the fact that one has the opportunity of tuning with different op amps. Now Im trying to find out if the ex-m1 can check most of my boxes. Which combi of op amps did you use, and how was it better?

[@chrisdearmitt7474]

@@lssht I tried about 20 kinds of op amp. You can Google and find threads where people talk about it. Seems that the Stocatto is the "best".

[@lssht]

@@chrisdearmitt7474 I asked for your opinion on the change they did from the original. 😉

[@phantomplastics6582]

@@lssht way more natural / rich / organic. In a different league than stock.

[@mattmarceau8156]

Nice review and I hope we’ll see your take on their P27 pre along with the B7 monos. I’ve heard these offer a much different presentation. I’ve found the EX-M1 to show great control with its high damping factor, but does not have that additional bass that I’ve enjoyed with Naim and Rega pieces.

[@rickkumar2631]

Matt we stock Kinki Studio Audio. With the EX-M1+ Kinki Studio Audio give us an exceedingly good taste of what they are capable of. However with the EX-M7, EX-P27 and EX-B7’s Kinki Studio Audio push the button and move the game up significantly. As good as the EX-M1+ is however the EX-M7, EX-P27 and EX-B7’s are in a different league altogether 🙂

[@MG-iv8oo]

matt. i'm on the fence between the M1+ and the rega (aethos). have always been a rega fan. thoughts? thx, boss.

[@mattmarceau8156]

@ To my ears, Rega for the win

[@mrpositronia]

Nice video, Terry. Thanks! :)

[@russellbrikowski6139]

Great review thank you.

[@shan-junlu8238]

Terry: Who doesn't enjoy playing with a big knob? Me: 0_0

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

Its the oldest joke in the hifi book but at times the boot fits

[@marcus1970]

Well that's Kinki !

[@shan-junlu8238]

@@PursuitPerfectSystem fair fairs! Got a good chuckle out of me. Thanks for the video and hard work as always!

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

Yeah that one would have worked as well haha

[@janulik9535]

thank you,...so much looking for information about the sounstage depth of this unit. As I see reviews medium to lower priced amplifiers with neutral sound mis a bit of sounstage depth, or is it my wrong conclusion? Never mind, I have seen great reviews about this unit but was unsure with its sounstage depth, I do not need any super 3D but some depth is nice to have, so thanks for this information.

[@csszabi8779]

I am waiting for my EX-M1+ (~2 weeks).

[@joenogueira2801]

"Who doesn't enjoy playing with a big knob?" Can't argue with that! LOL

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

My thoughts exactly

[@takeiteasy6154]

My missues!!! Lol

[@Bwstevens1]

Superb review! I have an Audiolab 8300a amp with Wharfedale Evo 4.4’s. Will the EX-M1+ be a huge improvement? Thanks

[@TheNaka9]

Great review Terry! In your opinion, can the EX-M1+ work well with the KEF LS50? I have the LS50 and I am looking for a better integrated. Thanks :)

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

I don’t see why not, another one to consider would be the Audiolab 9000a if you want a smoother delivery from an amp like how the Kinki sounds

[@TheNaka9]

@@PursuitPerfectSystem Thanks a lot Terry. I look for a superior amp than the 9000A, although I have the 9000CDT (which is trully marvelous), but guedd I don’t have interest in an all Audiolab system.

[@Skyouu]

Nice, I'm currently looking for an amplifier for my Triangle comètes 40 th anniversary bookshelf speakers.. 215 w per chanel... It's a bit overkill for those speakers ? What do you think about.... ?! What about the sound signature with the triangle ? What's your mind on ? Thanks 👍🙏

[@johnmcgoldrick1534]

Really enjoyed your review. How much of an improvement would you expect if a changed my chrome bumper Naim 32/250 for this? I'm very tempted, but not sure where I could audition the Kinki (UK based).

[@ilangmail]

Hey there Terry! Thank you for your hard work and very informative reviews! i have the cance to buy the leema tucana ii anniversary edition second hand at the same price as a new Kinki studios EX M1 and i was wondring - in this case where there is no price difference between the two, would you recomend to go for the leema tucana ii anniversary edition just for the bargain? or how would you recomande me to choose out of the two? Happy holidays!

[@ianjohnhorwood2605]

Haha, I'm still using two of my old AVI S2000MI integrated amplifiers from 1997 as left and right monoblocks, running them in full class A mode, hot enough to fry an egg on, 🤣, and using linn genki cd players as the source, and using the genki's variable output for volume control.

[@seanoreilly8603]

Great review. Just wondering would this amplifier go well with the Arendal speakers you had there for a while. Thanking you. Sean.

[@mrsyd258]

get kinki studio monoblock sir. I will be really appreciate if you review it too ✌

[@anthonycody4095]

Nice review, really detailed, Have you heard or tested the Denafrips Thallo Amp?, I think it could be a great comparison for the Kinki

[@fernandocosta5567]

Hi, Terry. Great review. Do you think this integrated competes with supernait 3? And between supernait 3 and that leema tucana anniversary, what do you think? I have a dali rubicon 2 speakers. Cheers, keep the good work.

[@ryansudding667]

I would love a view on this too 😄

[@MrPONCHO467]

May I ask what rack you are using on the left side. The two shelf rack, I'd like to purchase one

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

Left and Right are a a HiFi Racks Podium Reference Rack and the centre is a Quadraspire Q4 Evo rack

[@MrPONCHO467]

@@PursuitPerfectSystem thank you Sir

[@Hypofx]

nice one thanks, i have the EX-m7 power amp what a great product

[@rickkumar2631]

The EX-M7 is a indeed a great product 👍

[@edgasik2505]

What preamp are you folks pairing to the M7 and does the P27 preamp make the mid-range sound fuller/improved? I wonder how is that accomplished?

[@secretsimon1897]

EX-M7 comparison PLEEEEASE! :)

[@CristhianSerrano]

man this amp looks interesting i wonder how it compares to hegel entry level integrateds

[@Kowinaida]

Sounds like a good option for a second system for late night listening...

[@Temmple]

What is your favorite pairing small ish floor stander in the $2-3K price range? Just picked up this integrated and about to start the speaker demo process.

[@marcossousa4891]

Hey Terry thanks for this. Did you consider reviewing the new nad m10 v2?

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

I think considering my experience with Dirac I should be the first reviewer manufacturers reach out to to review dirac enabled products but I don't have any contacts with NAD they have never asked me to as it stands

[@marcossousa4891]

@@PursuitPerfectSystem that’s a shame Terry. I am indeed trying to decide between both. Completely different amps i know…

[@hugobloemers4425]

Nice that they did not put a mediocre DAC and mediocre phono amp in, that would leave you desire more. Also nice it is a dual mono amp. But I can not see my self using only the pre-amp of this thing when moving on to a better or bigger power amp. Perhaps the other way around, buy a better pre-amp and continue to use 80% of what is in the box.

[@alexcheong4067]

How is this compared with accuphase e280 ,looking for an end game amp actually 😅

[@larsv6144]

Does this Kinki XM1+ hold up to the Musical Fidelity Nu Vista 600? (Which I own now). I can get an upgraded XM1+ with pre amp upgrades etc.

[@daggero]

Hello 🤝🏻 How about B&W 606 with Kinki? Thanks 🙏🏻

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

yeah why not

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

🤗TERRY, “ONE THING ALL AUDIOPHILES AGREE ABOUT “ Here is true and RARE AS WELL 😉 …but the comments here show that MANY DEPEND ON YOUR THROUGH REVIEWS TO HELP THEM MAKE DECISIONS 🤔…SO KEEP UP ⬆️ THE GOOD WORK 😍😍😍

[@chunkianloh3173]

Can it pair with Revival Atalante 5

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

You can but I think the Atalante 5 would be better off a more muscular amplifier but this pair should sound nice

[@chunkianloh3173]

@PursuitPerfectSystem Any good recommendation

[@connorduke4619]

The Kinki Studio EX-M7 is a power amp for 3200 euro that has more power (250W) and according to at least one user, more bass slam than the EX-M1.

[@rickkumar2631]

Connor the EX-M7 is outstanding 🙂

[@larsv6144]

Comes it anywhere close to the Musical Fidelity Nu Vista 600?

[@razisn]

It is 'inspired' (hm hm) from an older Goldmund design as are all of Kinki amps.

[@LuxAudio389]

Is it better than the Luxman 509x? I have one on order.

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

I wouldn't say its better than the Luxman from memory but I didn't have one here to compare so I really dont know. The 509X is a very nice amp sure you will be happy with it.

[@LuxAudio389]

@@PursuitPerfectSystem Thanks man, I'm excited about it and nervous. I hope this is my endgame system. I just want to be done! Lol Your reviews of Luxman products have always captured the essence and emotions of their equipment. Lol flowers and Peppa pig🌺. However, that's not the sole reason I bought it. I had to mature as a listener to appreciate it and it took a few years. When I first heard the 509x a few years ago at my deaker when I bought my Sopras it sounded fantastic, but I thought it was just the Sopras. I didn't care for their looks either and was like ehh. Lol I'm younger and it was too vintage looking for me. But subconsciously as I listened to my Sopras at home something was always missing or lacking, just this last month after playing with preamps like my Burmester and my VTL 5.5 which I love, I have been going back to that dynamic yet smooth sound and precision of the soundstage that is present but not overwhelming in the 509x . I also have Kantas with Hegel in our family room and that's a great system. I love it and it's done for me, but the Sopras and Luxman combo is hard to beat for the money. Always have loved your reviews and approach to high performance audio and system building back in the day when shows were everywhere. Your sound demos were king. You have a great personality and relate your expierences with child like excitement and adult perspective. Again the flower bouquet, Peppa pig, sound demos, and testing other products and relating the idea of being a kid in a candy store, especially when you made your Kef towers sound their absolute best with I think Kanor Audio and a couple other pieces that you had to send back🥺 Last also the video at Harrods with the Cabasse sphere

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

The journey is on going for me that is the best and worst bit about it, never being settled and always changing but once you hit a nice point sit tight on it and then tweak more performance out of it as and when you can. I have played with loads of awesome accessory type products that all help in their own way. Thanks for being a follower for so long I really appreciate it

[@dominiquedistefano]

Hi, can somebody here tell me if it is worth selling my NAD M32 for the Kinki (i have BW 702 S2) ?

[@progrock3603]

I wonder how much better this amp is with upgraded op-amps? If any at all? Anybody try it with Sparkos Labs or Staccato?

[@vladdumitrescu643]

I have the Staccato. Clear improvement. More transparent and livelier. Love them.

[@progrock3603]

Thanks! It takes four singles and one dual op amps correct?

[@vladdumitrescu643]

@@progrock3603 Right.

[@jansulek1379]

@@vladdumitrescu643 I have EX-M1+ too. How many risers did you use for Staccato please? My unit is from August 2021. thx

[@vladdumitrescu643]

@@jansulek1379 I think one on each side, it's a pretty tight fit.

[@ΠαναγιώτηςΠαναγιώτου-μ1ψ]

Hi Terry I 'd appreciate your opinion on the YAMAHA A S 2200 [2700 e] which is a dual mono design utilizing mosfets too Is the ΚΙΝΚΙ the superior sounding amp? thanks in advance

[@johnb6677]

Unfortunately after sales service at Kinki Studio leaves a lot to be desired. My EX-M1+ amp, only a few months old, developed nasty distortion on every channel. All Kinki has done is to blame it on my cables. I have checked my cables on two other systems and they are in perfect condition. Kinki refuses to swap out the amp. For that reason I have to recommend you avoid Kinki Studio products at least for now.

[@xstensl8823]

60W will just be fine for my room.

[@fabraham7]

Great Review! The question that always bogs me is, how different does a 2 channel sound when compared between a high end receiver, i.e: marantz, yamaha etc. from that of a integrated amplifier? The internals for amplification are the same, since both systems use high components.

[@Bunno1177]

Lol no

[@oohtob6685]

They really are large nobs Terry 😲

[@assafshmueli]

i thought it would be better than hegel h590 if it comes from china

[@FFrrEEddRRiiKK1]

First Schiit now Kinki. Is the hifi industry running out of respectable brand names?

[@hugobloemers4425]

It's the way...

[@jarekstorm6331]

Wait til you hear the new Fux Acoustics! 😆

[@bobb.9917]

If you look at my comment above, I drove a pair of Kinki Studio Mono Blocs with a Schiit Freya+….so for a time I had some Kinki Schiit in my living room. LOL! FYI: The Schiit name was made-up by 2 guys in CA to catch attention for all of the obvious marketing reasons (they did back that name up with quality products which is even funnier)….but Kinki is supposedly the name of the (I believe) Chinese designer of the products, so it is not what it appears to be to westerners. Shame on us. LOL!

[@giovannitirado6229]

@@bobb.9917 Close. Kinki is the name of designer's wife.

[@bobb.9917]

@@giovannitirado6229 YES!

[@robertbartolomie857]

The unfortunate part is the return policy. No Returns!

[@rickkumar2631]

Well fwiw, we’re a Kinki Studio dealer and if you’re based in the UK then you have the opportunity to have a look and listen to the EX-M1+ as well as EX-P27, EX-M7 and EX-B7’s here in our store (Musicraft based in Derby) before buying 🙂

[@robertbartolomie857]

For the rest of the people outside of the UK, the only way to try it is to buy it if it’s not to your tastes; tough luck, no Returns.

[@NetGod2012]

纯白呼啊

[@henriksrensen3220]

Very "HIFI" sounding amplifier

[@mariusaslzos5764]

Terry why you stop doing audio clips?Is you camera broken?Yours new materials are loosing salt and pepa' man.

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

Time and severe lack of it, its a lot of work putting sound demo video together Edit - to be fair if after everything I have done all the sound demo comparisons if you dont believe me by now nothing will change that

[@mariusaslzos5764]

@@PursuitPerfectSystem Don't get me wrong,is missing your high-end sound presentation witch will give authority to the review.Was no Terry's reviews without sound demo.we hope to see them again.The is what will make you different.That's whay your channel is different.bare in mind.we don't want to see you transforming in something like another 100 poor reviewers full on KZbin.Good luck.

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

@@mariusaslzos5764 i know but I am running weeks late because of my listening room changes. Sound demos take me 2-3 days to do and that doesnt leave me many days in a week for all the other things I am doing these days. I cant work anymore hours or days in the week because there are not any. I take your point on board but look at the quality of my work these days. That all takes more time too and I think its uber important. All the big channels none do sound demos so its a lot of extra pressure on top for me. Please do consider that

[@mariusaslzos5764]

@@PursuitPerfectSystem You have to do a single video,a single track, one single recording.Is enough.No more than 20 minutes for recording ,checkind and loading on KZbin.You did to much in the past connecting 4 or 5 tracks and mix together.

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

@@mariusaslzos5764 its takes more than 20 minutes to clear the room and setup all recording gear. And if you only do one song people complain its only one song and it doesnt really tell you much either as no song covers everything. If I am going to do it I will put my heart and sole into or not do it at all. I know you are making a positive suggestion to save me time I do appreciate that

[@necromanzeecogent1431]

Tosser.

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

Joker