The Swiss Sound for 15X Less? Kinki Studios EX-M1 Integrated Amp 2022 Review.

#Audiophile #KinkiStudios #HiFi
My Website: www.stevehuffphoto.com
Instagram: @stevehuffofficial
FULL WRITTEN REVIEW: www.stevehuffphoto.com/2022/0...
Today I talk about the Kinki EXM1 Integrated amplifier. I have had this in my home for weeks and enjoyed it so much I bought one in silver for myself. These are said to get very close to the big buck Swiss sound pieces we see for $30k and up. I couldn't believe a $2,400 integrated amp could do this so I brought in the Nagra Classic set for a comparison.
See what I thought in the video.
Enjoy!
Great Audio Buys 2022:
www.stevehuffphoto.com/fantas...
Media Contact/Review Contact: [e-mail]

[@HiFiHuff]

See my written review HERE with more details and thoughts: bit.ly/3rG3Kd2

[@daltonljj]

can review their monoblocks and share how much more it brings to the table? Thank you in advance.

[@TheCharlesAtoz]

Makes me wanna buy one!!

[@goahead3995]

Due to your review, I bought it. I am blown away! This amp sounds amazing! Thank you. I am feeling very kinki.

[@2HatHudders]

Hi there, can I ask what type of music you listen too? I'm debating on buying this, I have the Willsenton R8 and looking for another amp to be more dynamic especially with electronic house/dnb/chill/hip-hop etc. As the R8 handles this well, I'm looking for a transistor amp for more grunt.

[@mindhead1]

@@2HatHuddersyou have probably made a decision by now, but thought I’d respond anyway. I have an R8 and think it’s great. That said, since I have gotten my Kinki Studio EX-M1+ I rarely listen to the R8. The Kinki amp brings detail, dynamics, slam, holographic imaging. I love it.

[@jimfarrell4635]

I just bought one of these, partly because of this review. I wanted something clean, powerful and detailed to complement my Allnic 300b SET amp. The idea being to use the Kinki for rock music and the Allnic for acoustic music and jazz. I have to say that the Kinki fits the bill exactly. I have Zingali horn speakers which are 93dB sensitive and none of my previous amps quite hit the mark once music got loud and complex. The Kinki makes rock music sublime and exciting, not muddled and muddy. Thanks for bringing it to my attention

[@mortlach186]

It's those last percentages that make gear like Nagra, Vituss, Soulution, Dart Zeel, transcend audio into another world, but it's nice to know of affordable products that give you a real taste of what they're all about. Nice review.

[@NemoPropaganda]

I have their preamp and mono block amps, absolutely LOVE their low volume dynamics.

[@liamporter1137]

Awesome review!

[@pennfootball71]

my fav integrated is the Belles Virtuoso integrated it's like 8k made in the USA 200W...Similar to this power but just more sweet with just as much if not more bass.

[@jenogilvie-grant2636]

Top review mate 👍 They will sell like hot cakes 👌

[@stevenpaul3886]

I purchased this on your recommendation and it’s on it’s way over, from one photographer to another 👍🏻

[@stevenpaul3886]

@Car Guy daddyo which one? And what did you like about it?

[@jeremiahchamberlin4499]

Thanks for the review, I had only heard rumors of Kinky, didn’t know the particulars until now. .

[@elderinmoi1571]

Great review. Tx for sharing.

[@chrisdearmitt7474]

I tried many op amp combinations in the M1 and found huge changes. The best combo for me was Muses JFET op amps plus the Stoccato. That was amazing.

[@Zomgson]

I tried sparkos ss2590 x2 + sonic imagery lab x2 + dual , it opens up the music

[@chrisdearmitt7474]

@@Zomgson tried the Sparkos too, they were initially impressive but fatiguing to listen too. Probably tried 20 op amps and the Muses plus Stocatto was clearly the best for me. Have seen the same from others.

[@legrandgroves8560]

@@chrisdearmitt7474 which ones? I see there are several when going to the sites, picking the exm1 up shortly

[@gregorypatton360]

Nice review. I really enjoy your style. Id really love to hear those fleetwood devilles.

[@Carl-yx1ww]

Best amp review EVER....PERIOD

[@JohnJohn-lk4lq]

Rogue “pharaoh” would be a cool review not many out there.

[@dougg1075]

It has a midcentury modern design. Beautiful

[@Temmple]

Curious as to how the CSS Criton 1TDX would pair with this integrated? They are stated as being pretty neutral by the manufacturer. Great review and comparison as always.

[@davidbeck1696]

Thank you for your review. Would you say this amp would pair well with speaker slightly bright of neutral? Like say the tannoy xt8f.

[@marcossousa4891]

Between this and the luxman 590, which one would you take home?

[@joeythedime1838]

I am wondering how the Kinki's sound signature compares to my T+A PA3100HV. I need to build a second system and I just started to look at Kinki.

[@gtrguyinaz]

I have another great mfg. Belles amps also have 2000 dampening factor and a wonderful sound stage.. A-100 class A Belles amps monos…. Great..

[@fattnersgeekfile5478]

did u try with la scalas?

[@veniceog]

I have a Kinki EX-M7 power amp incoming. It's going to be coupled to an Allnic tube preamplifier. I'm hoping to get the swiss sound you found, plus the holography of the Allnic :) It's meant to compliment a First Watt F8 and Audion Super Sterling tube amp, which are both exceptional, but can fall short when I wanna play it loud.

[@joshuabrain9751]

Did you end up getting the Allnic preamp?

[@veniceog]

I do have the Allnic L3000 preamp. Its a great match.

[@joshuabrain9751]

@@veniceog Thanks John. with the Kinki power amp? Does it have nice holographic soundstage.

[@veniceog]

@@joshuabrain9751 yes, it did. I was surprised by the synergy between the Kinki EX-M7 and the Allnic L3000 preamp. It surpassed the 3D effect of my First Watt F8 and Audion Super Sterling tube amp. I borrowed a friends Denafrips Pontus II DAC to swap out my Ares II, and the amp preamp combo delivered. I do not believe Ive heard its true potential. Currently, I have it paired to Devore Gibbon X speakers. In the end, I sold all my other amps, fully content with the Kinki. I am probably going to try a Kinki preamp one day just to hear it as a pair.

[@joshuabrain9751]

@@veniceog thanks for the insight John

[@Naps56]

How would my 30 year old B&W 802 Srs 2 Matrix speakers sound when paired to this Kinky Amp?

[@bcisn]

Where do you buy it?

[@gage4375]

A gold version would be 😎

[@JingoLoBa57]

So a Kinki DAC would be interesting…

[@barryhallsack8852]

Thanks for the review! In your opinion do you think this amp would outperform two schiit audio Aegir's? I am running Cornwall 4 speakers on the Aegir's this has been my best amp so far. The only thing that has came close are these VTA M 125 monoblocks. The tube amps lacked on the bass. I just want a little bit more head room than what the Aegir's are capable of doing. Any input would be greatly appreciated happy listening cheers!

[@kostasjezuz4846]

Since it didn't pair well with the Fortes etc, it might not pair well with the Cornwalls either...

[@gunzie5510]

Anyone had setup this Kinki Studios EX-M1 with Dynaudio SP40? If yes how does it sounds?

[@bencausey]

Thank you. Would love for you to compare it to Hegel sound.

[@vittoriomartinidonati65]

Same here, h390 is a comparable unit, more expensive but with dac and streamer

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

@@vittoriomartinidonati65 I’m doing that atm

[@RobGordon35]

Hi, if you wouldnt pair the Kinki with Klipsch, what would you recommend? ~Peace

[@carl1159]

Fantastic review. I purchased an EX-M1 three years ago and have nothing but praise for it. It is world class. I am listening to it as I type. Like any audiophile I have experimented with op-amp rolling and have enjoyed that quite a bit. There are times I am just in awe of the musical information and nuances I am hearing. The nuances, vocal inflections, timbre, and tonal expressions you have not heard before are just amazing. When op-amp rolling I bent a pin on an original op-amp so I emailed Kinki and asked if I could purchase a new one. They immediately sent me a matched quad as they are so concerned about the matched precision of the components. Total cost had to have been their wholesale. It was less than one of the op-amps I was rolling. That’s quality of service. Thanks for another thorough review.

[@TheCorvettehead]

Do you have favorite op-amps for the Kinki Studio Amp or did you go back to the original op-amps?

[@commane21]

Hmmm, was wondering about how it might match up with my Spatial Audio X5’s. Maybe not, if it leans forward and lean.

[@phantomplastics6582]

The Kinki EX-B7 monoblocks are great. For the M1 it is essential to replace the op amps. I tried 20 combinations. The Stacatto discrete op amps where a revelation.

[@tchevy99]

Any insights on the how the others sounded in the Kinki. Had my Ex-M1 for a couple years and considering which Op Amps to upgrade to.

[@robertdb5111]

Can you review the Denafrips Athena flagship preamplifier? If possible, Thank you Rob

[@bom128]

Full review for Nagra please since you have it there already!:)

[@allenh.7373]

Pop in some Staccato Op Amps! It will bring in the emotions, bigtime. Not Sparkos or Bursons, just stick with Staccato for this unit, it balances perfectly.

[@stumpy9979]

Have staccato opamps in my kinki studio ex-m1 and it makes incredible improvements to the sonics. Love them.

[@johnb6677]

What about the Burson V7 op-amps?

[@anjovandijk9797]

Besides Kinki "we come from China" the xindak xa6950 II hybrid 🇨🇳 is worth listening to

[@martinmbokazi8372]

Will the Kinky Studio EX-M1 amplifier pair well with Bowers & Wilkins speakers or KEF R700 speakers? Thank you

[@goahead3995]

Wow the author's loud level is 48. On mine, I am comfortable enjoy loud level at about 72.

[@NickP333]

Thanks for this review. I’ve been trying to put together a system for a friend of mine, and the Kinki may be the ticket from everything you described. It also looks very nicely built too. I’m also putting an external tube based phono pre into the system, which seems like it’d likely mate well with the Kinki. Visually, your system looks fantastic. I love how the Fleetwood Devilles look against your “equipment rack”.

[@robertwang7825]

It appears they released some upgrades to this model , costing around US1500 and US2000 recently in China- Ex M1 10 and 20. Some parts upgrades with hi end parts from Telemo , Exicon and Amplimo. No idea how much better it sounds.

[@erics.4113]

I didn't see anything on kinki studios site about this. Just the ex m1 and ex m1+ differentiated. Will have to dig deeper. But then again, I'm not looking to turn a 3k possibility into a 5k one.

[@anjovandijk9797]

pre/power 790/791🇨🇳

[@eddyleehall347]

You need to check out the EX-M7. I have one and it blows my mind! I can't believe what you can get for 2600$.

[@alphaniner3770]

what pre-amp are you using?

[@eddyleehall347]

@@alphaniner3770 Topping Pre90.

[@alphaniner3770]

@@eddyleehall347 Thanks. I have an EX-M7 that I connected briefly to a Topping A90 and a Singxer SA-1 because I had these (as headphone amps) and the pre-amp (a Khozmo, passive) didn't arrive yet. I cannot say that I really compared these three different amps. Now my system is settled for a while I could do that just out of curiosity. But I agree with you that the EX-M7 is awesome, probably a notch better than the EX-M1.

[@fletchermunson6225]

A pair of your De Villes are for sale for about $12K on US Audio Mart. Maybe you should go around sound?

[@michaelgarnett832]

Im not a swiss sound guy but Job 225 power amp may be a reasonable compromise $ wise

[@roshansequeira6799]

Thanks for the review! This IA however looks like a design copied from the Hegel lineup including the remote......aesthetically speaking also the damping factor tech.

[@kostasjezuz4846]

If it has a Home Theater/Preamp bypass input I'd buy one

[@erics.4113]

The ex-m1+ has one. Think it's around 3k US So now you have to buy one 😁

[@crazywoo3010]

Can it drive Dynaudio Heritage Special well ?

[@erics.4113]

On my short list to get. Also considering the ex-m1 + for about 3k or going full out for their mono blocks which no surprise are also reasonably priced for what you get

[@anthonyrondolino8148]

Interesting to discuss the M33 and price differences. The comparison leaves out the fact with the M33 you get a streamer, DAC, phono stage, nice color display and Dirac room correction. Just adding a decent streamer/dac to the Kinki brings these devices closer in costs plus cables. Just saying….

[@philipketchum1407]

I see most people are getting the silver. I think that black looks much better.

[@carl1159]

I own a silver model as it matches the rest of my equipment, but I think the new models in black look really cool.

[@dilbyjones]

Music Selection?

[@gage4375]

The nagra looks like a microwave

[@JingoLoBa57]

Is there an EX-M1+? I’ve seen it online but wasn’t clear, if so what is the plus mean?

[@robertwang7825]

The plus means it has a pre out for subwoofers

[@erics.4113]

The plus model adds dimmable display, pre amp and HT bypass so you can use it solely as a preamp or as a pure power amp with another pre. Also claimed upgrade to some internal wiring to 'better'.

[@willmac5642]

Looks great in silver. Can't help wondering how it wd compare w v6 classic op amps

[@davidlambert3892]

Why do products from Switzerland cost so much?

[@fernandocoutinho6661]

because they pay decent salaries and don't copy their stuff

[@jlo8775]

Bang for the buck for sure along with mixed reviews from actual long term Kinki users so…🤷🏼‍♂️

[@erics.4113]

I haven't sought out the negatives yet. I'm still in lust mode. I've truly only heard great stuff about this so far. Reliability would be a concern especially with something that is 60lbs. And do they even have a US authorized service ...person?

[@fletchermunson6225]

I wish I could still lift a 60 LB amp. My 38 pound amp is a struggle.

[@carl1159]

Ha. I know what you mean! I really have to be up for rolling another op-amp.

[@roimark358]

high end but Not hifi.

[@janezzumer1639]

I'm sure its a great amp as all thought obviously went to the design. Still, I much prefer companies that also pay attention when choosing names. Just think of Modi, Loki, Freya, Vidar... But EX-M1? Awful! :)))

[@JohnJohn-lk4lq]

Ah, you only enjoy lofi. Got it. What a dipshit thing to say

[@TheMaxx111]

Argh. I can't get over that name. This is why I can't ever buy a Schit product. I wish these companies would get over these naughty names....

[@brucelimozaine2649]

The designer named it after his wife and in singapore, Kinki doesn’t have the same meaning. Gee your mind out of the gutter 😉

[@GlaciaDay]

Kinki does sell Goldmund branded knockoffs in China. If I were you I would probably stay away from this brand.

[@carl1159]

They don’t make Goldmund ripoffs. They don’t need to. They already make world class audio equipment of which the EX-M1 is just one.

[@GlaciaDay]

@@carl1159 They do, but only in mainland China. 1:1 copied Goldmund ripoffs with Goldmund gold-plated logo on it. That's not what I call a world class audio equipment manufacturer.

[@robertwang7825]

I think they are moving away from cloning and should applaud them for starting their own brand with their own topology.

[@bronzotatendang2850]

@@GlaciaDay who cares..as long as their own product gives satisfaction and happines to buyers..

[@GlaciaDay]

@@bronzotatendang2850 I don't want to judge your moral standards but you need to get some one to help you on that.