This Affordable Integrated Amp is ASTOUNDING! Meet CHoco Sound.

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#HiFi #Audiophile #Stereo
Written Review: www.stevehuffphoto.com/2023/0...
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Today I review the CHoco Sound EMEI Integrated Amp from the Kinki Studios brand. CHoco Sound is here and it's a compact yet hefty integrated amp that is a pleasure to look at, use and listen to. For me, it brings some intoxicating music through any speaker I pair with it. Solidity, Slam, Romance and Beauty all in one.
This looks, feels and sounds like a high end integrated but comes in at under $1,700. Incredible in today's expensive HiFi world.
This is my full review and thoughts after having it here for two months. Members get an extended cut with a sound demo using the Alexandria Audio monitors!
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Enjoy!
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[@roynusser5246]

The way you describe it, it sounds like am amp i would admire, but when I first saw it I thought it looked a bit like a photo scanner. I like that it has XLR inputs.

[@pheunthai]

Sir, I have a similar experience with this manufacturer, with another of its brand. The amplifier I had simply short-circuited and blew my speakers as well. As far as you can tell sir, does this particular manufacturer build in any safety circuitry in their amplifiers?

[@mrman7453]

One of the biggest lessons I learned certain components I rather buy from an established company .

[@Woofy-tm8si]

Case in point: Denafrips. Their gear is top shelf. Beautifully made. Built like tanks.

[@fletchermunson6225]

Nice review on a beautiful piece.

[@allanellis5827]

Sounds like a very interesting product. Thanks a lot.

[@stimpy1226]

Just because something is produced in China does not mean that it's garbage. There are some great designers in China and they will not sacrifice their designs to poor quality construction.

[@MrShaggy789]

Absolutely. All iPhones are made in Asia. Nobody questions their build quality. Just audiophile snobbery.

[@gage4375]

China's at war with us

[@HiFiHuff]

Exactly. I say this all the time. Sadly, there are those who instantly trash anything made in china, even though they use their phones. Computers, television and even clothing made in china. Some of the Best Buy’s in audio are made in China.

[@jonfoss3437]

Compared to vintage stuff from japan and usa. It is

[@liamporter1137]

Thanks for sharing.

[@HiFiHuff]

The short I posted weeks ago shows it in silver... kzbin.infoEp6tDXurpSM?feature=share

[@robertwang7825]

On Taobao in China it sells for around USD1085 , very tempting proposition indeed.

[@raiflores1833]

You get no warranty if from inside china.

[@robertwang7825]

@@raiflores1833 Actually I’m now looking at the Eversolo F2 amp which is way cheaper with 145Watts

[@bruceandt]

Enjoy your reviews very much. These CHoco Emei are an eye grabber. Specs seem impressive. Considering some pairings for speakers. Tekton Lore reference with the upgrade kit. Mid towers are what I’m thinking. Thoughts?

[@HaraHetta]

Your listening room is my dream

[@craigosterberg5045]

Thanks

[@redstarwraith]

Very cool!

[@m.j.s.3838]

I was just looking at that one the other day.

[@E.T.Persson]

great, wonder how it compares with the ex-m1

[@michaellichnovsky8397]

Nice one!

[@christiancarranza166]

What would you rather Have the michi x3 or choco EMEI

[@janulik9535]

So, ..my understanding here is that with alexandria speakers it also does project a bit of depth to soundstage right?, and what about the dynamics? is it ok?

[@ibrahim-alani]

I hope you try the HoloAudio - May DAC ( the giants killer)

[@JingoLoBa57]

So it’s a class A/B?

[@mocomike01]

So this Choco Sound amp isn't too far from the price of the Heaven 11 Billie Mk2, which I know you are very familiar with. How does Emei stack up to Billie?

[@jackfalco5351]

Billy has a built-in dac and phono stage

[@mocomike01]

@@MasterofPlay7 Emei is approx. $1700, and Billie is $2000

[@mocomike01]

@@jackfalco5351 yup. Billie is definitely more feature packed, but I'm curious how they stack up sound wise.

[@psysword]

Billie is made in Canada. 'nuff said

[@kevinwest1607]

So these two different amplifiers both come from communist countries.

[@Mikespree-dy4fc]

Will this work well with Bowers and Wilkins cm9 s2 speakers 200 w sensitivity 89DB?

[@petez4608]

I’m just moving up from nice little Cambridge audio integrated. This could be a great candidate, amongst Hegel 95, Sphinx Audio and maybe this are the candidates under $2000 USD. Open to other thoughts from the community here.

[@bruceandt]

Just watched some reviews of the Galion TS A 75. This unit is worthy of your review. Hope you check out this solid state amp. You might like to review this one

[@pchlars5666]

I would like to seesome shots of screen. Kinky Ex m1 has very visable vol which is great.

[@gregsaddie]

Yba Integre DT had the magic...

[@jakobgooijer]

Very nice amp! Looks nice on your very old but great REL sub!

[@rokodrago]

Question. What’s the difference between EMEI and EX-M1+ in terms of sound performance?

[@E.T.Persson]

@@hushpuppykl cool, have you heard them both? side by side? Is the Emei much warmer? thx

[@E.T.Persson]

@@hushpuppykl thx very helpful. I have the ex-m1 v1 With an Burson opamp atm playing my Dynaudio sp40. I think I’m moving on from the Kinki to something with more glow and shine. Any recommendations? And can you elaborate on the differences more? (Ex-m1 v emei) 🙏🏼

[@atulnsingh]

There is no EMEI+ in Choco sound but is there in Kinki Studio. The EXM1+ and the regular are same amps; the + model comes with a pre-out to connect a subwoofer or external power amp. I think that is the only difference.

[@CarlosPerez-eb5er]

Any reason why you didn’t show it lit up, turned on?

[@jorgebravo7980]

Exactly! It (seems it) has a huge screen and got no idea how it looks like

[@2HatHudders]

Must have had an issue with it. He showed it working in one of his shorts from a few weeks back

[@HiFiHuff]

I did here: kzbin.infoEp6tDXurpSM?feature=share

[@HiFiHuff]

@@2HatHudders no issue at all. I’m listening to it right at this moment. Most shots here it was unplugged or in my hands. The members version of the review shows it on before the sound demos. You can also see the display in a previous video here: kzbin.infoEp6tDXurpSM?feature=share

[@scrutor7]

How is the soundstage and imaging?

[@thomasbirdsell840]

Is there any type of display, for power output or for input selection?

[@Jayboulders]

Yea for real. No one has these super unique speakers, and I get the amp pairs magically, but how about a walk through of the Bluetooth remote or the oled screen or whatever. Colorful gushing aside what’s the feature set.

[@jean-michel2489]

What about the K link on the rear panel ? Shall we expect a complementary product ( DAC or streamer ) ?

[@brandonwinstead5128]

They are working on a Bluetooth product that you can play music through your phone or tablet with.

[@peterw2714]

It would be interesting to hear how this compares with your new reference system the Amber from Daniel Hertz.

[@HiFiHuff]

It doesn't. Nothing I have heard compares to the Amber system, seriously. This amp plays very nice with the Amber speakers though and creates a warmer more tube like sound. For slam, excitement, details, dynamics and even plenty of warmth and body the Maria powers the Ambers as good as they can be powered as they were tuned together by Mark Levinson. I was able to hear three tunings with the Ambers as he was finalizing it all. The final tuning is spectacular. This amp is a sweet amp for almost any speaker though. In fact. it hasn't sounded bad with any speaker I have hooked up to it. I love this amp. It has a little magic inside of it and for me it bests the Kinki EXM1 but it depends on the sound you like.

[@joelnorris4064]

Would you recommend buying Daniel Hertz speakers with this amplifier if on a budget?

[@yantrussart6584]

Do you know the price of the Daniel Hertz speakers? Maybe you and I don't have the same definition of "budget"...

[@nc3419]

As to the inside components, I've seen two different photos and don't know which is representative of the current model. One has 2 caps, one has 4. One shows one blue encapsulated toroid with a larger black one and one shows 2 blue with a caged PS. Which is it?

[@bruceandt]

Could this compliment the Totem Forest. Ccs audio TD1x?

[@Kazsud215]

Will you be reviewing the Kef Reference 1 meta since you reviewed the R3 meta?

[@HiFiHuff]

Unlikely. KEF has not offered to send me a pair of REF1. If they do I’ll review them. Thanks.

[@Kazsud215]

@@HiFiHuff I got the ref1 og a few months ago and would love to hear your take w/ your amps which are better than mine. Crossing fingers.

[@scrutor7]

Sorry for the elementary questions, but with two analog inputs, how am I to connect a streamer or a DAC in addition to my turntable and cd player?

[@mcpfrid73]

I think the Eversolo would work

[@paulpaulzadeh6172]

Can you try Sophie Zelmani albums in it .

[@jimfarrell4635]

I struggle with the lack of inputs. I appreciate the size constraints but it does limit it's use to simple systems.

[@dan-sc7fm]

Lack of inputs and outputs.

[@jimfarrell4635]

@@dan-sc7fm indeed.

[@HailKingCeezer]

How many opamps are there?

[@jameschan2404]

Which colour do you prefer?

[@Pete.across.the.street]

How did you blow the fuse?

[@erics.4113]

He got mad

[@jo1512]

4 ohm ?

[@JingoLoBa57]

I bet you haven’t tested the AudioLab 8003a fully balanced amp or can comment on these two? Anyone chime in?

[@nc3419]

I've read the 8300a isn't really fully balanced on the XLR inputs. Now replaced by newer amps which I don't know if fully balanced either.

[@peterborelli3877]

Where are your Fleetwood DeVille SQs?

[@chengo51]

The kind of brand you never heard of and like hundreds of them, it will disappear the way it appeared !

[@cheveyo2403]

most people were raving a bout kinki studio a couple of years ago. and this is a subbrand of kinki

[@chengo51]

@@cheveyo2403 Who raved of what ? Kinki ....never heard of it ....a non-brand ! Let the poor minded jump on any new marketing rubbish. If you are serious with your listening pleasure, get the real proven stuff !

[@yantrussart6584]

​@@chengo51Kinki Studio have indeed garnered many accolade from reviewers over the last couple of years. Maybe you should do a bit of research before pissing in the punch bowl...

[@Yiannis2112]

@@chengo51 The real, proven stuff used to be non-brand at some point in the past.

[@Jeipr]

​@@chengo51Well the fact that you havent heard ot it dont mean the company makes bad products or isnt making waves in some audio circles. Kinda of narrowminded opinion.

[@psysword]

I can't do class D so far. Love my class As.

[@Jeipr]

CHoco is class AB

[@Tom_the_great]

Surprised he bought that DH system

[@leodesforges161]

The triangles are pronounced: COE-mett

[@Pete.across.the.street]

China makes all the best stuff. Looks pretty cool. If I was in the market for a starter system, this would be on my list.

[@tokobjork]

They still copy o lot. Oppurtunistic behaviour without western standard for the employed and copyright non existent.

[@jimfarrell4635]

​@@tokobjorkKinki, the parent company, did indeed start off life copying Goldmund designs and Goldmund DNA is still apparent in the Ex M1, but they are now designing all their own stuff from scratch.

[@ricardodiaz1753]

Can it handle 4 ohm?

[@net_news]

yes

[@mikehuntington4440]

Anyone know the wattage in 4 ohm?

[@robertwang7825]

@@mikehuntington4440I think it’s over 200W

[@spacejaime]

No sub out. Bummer.

[@maxadams1298]

speaker taps -REL subs

[@thanatoasbingus4253]

REL does not need sub out / preout

[@2HatHudders]

Lots of subs with hi level input.

[@HungryEatNow]

Another month another hype 😂

[@hi-fiwithgary7532]

EMEI is pronounced as Er May, roughly but close

[@jeffkalina7727]

So much for fuses. Get some stuff from EU and ditch China. Service available where? Warranty?

[@peternilsson1645]

🎯👏👍🙏❤

[@purnimaarong4767]

Hello sir 18 years boy murdered by jadobpur University hostels older boy's.india west bengal.can you called his soul.current news that is.

[@purnimaarong4767]

His name is shapno deep saha.

[@seanb3303]

Is this Class D?

[@psysword]

Clad D all the way

[@brandonwinstead5128]

It is A/B

[@adotopp1865]

The warranty is not worth the paperwork it's written on if you buy it online.

[@Pete.across.the.street]

That's why I got mine off the corner in Shanghai

[@YouSoundButtHurt]

What about the 4ohm rating? Is there one?

[@jimfarrell4635]

Seemingly it puts out a little over 200 watts into 4 Ohms. Can't remember the exact figure.

[@mikehuntington4440]

6moons says is 180watts into 4ohms