With the imminent arrival of a new baby and a large amount of funds required for a new office we're opening - I've had to pull the purse strings so tight recently that they have snapped off completely!
I've had the Exposures for over a year now and whilst there is nothing much wrong with them at all, my memory tells me the Berning I had previously was preferred by a margin. For this reason, I've wondered if I can better them and still manage to save some money.
I put them up for sale, but amazingly got nothing but a few low ball offers.
Then an AVi Labs integrated popped up in the classifieds and I took a punt after reading some amazing reviews.
The initial buzz of a new arrival kicked in and I instantly loved it. It was cleaner than the Exposures, went lounder without strain, was hugely detailed and offered more of an insight into the recording.
A few weeks passed and I realised I couldn't keep both. I swapped over the amps a few times listening to well known tracks, and whilst the presentations were very different, they both had their strengths.
Where the AVI was neutral, clean and precise in its presentation, the Exposures have a warmth, a bass to die for (making the Avi sound comparatively lean and lightweight), and have a boogie factor that makes your feet tap in a way that renders the Avi ever so slightly sterile, and dare I say a bit boring.
I put them both up for sale and got an offer for the AVi within minutes, and not a penny lost.
Another week has passed and I've realised that through sheer luck I seem to have kept hold of the amplifier that brings bigger smile to my face.
I think I'll be keeping this for a while longer now. Its not perfect by any stretch, but it really does make you forget about hifi and just enjoy music.
I've had the Exposures for over a year now and whilst there is nothing much wrong with them at all, my memory tells me the Berning I had previously was preferred by a margin. For this reason, I've wondered if I can better them and still manage to save some money.
I put them up for sale, but amazingly got nothing but a few low ball offers.
Then an AVi Labs integrated popped up in the classifieds and I took a punt after reading some amazing reviews.
The initial buzz of a new arrival kicked in and I instantly loved it. It was cleaner than the Exposures, went lounder without strain, was hugely detailed and offered more of an insight into the recording.
A few weeks passed and I realised I couldn't keep both. I swapped over the amps a few times listening to well known tracks, and whilst the presentations were very different, they both had their strengths.
Where the AVI was neutral, clean and precise in its presentation, the Exposures have a warmth, a bass to die for (making the Avi sound comparatively lean and lightweight), and have a boogie factor that makes your feet tap in a way that renders the Avi ever so slightly sterile, and dare I say a bit boring.
I put them both up for sale and got an offer for the AVi within minutes, and not a penny lost.
Another week has passed and I've realised that through sheer luck I seem to have kept hold of the amplifier that brings bigger smile to my face.
I think I'll be keeping this for a while longer now. Its not perfect by any stretch, but it really does make you forget about hifi and just enjoy music.
