Exposure XXXV

[SSM]

I missed the HFC and HFW editions which reviewed this amp. Would those who have read 'em please give a few lines to summarize?

Exposure has not put up pdf copies of these reviews on its site yet.So slow.:Upset:

cheapSSkate

 

[Biscuit]

HFW 4 Globes

Charmingly musical amplifier with a persuasive combination of delicacy and power. Fatigue free listening, but a hefty price.

Positives:

fantastic bass performance

valve-like midrange

fatigue-free performance

Negatives:

Slightly curtailed treble

Price

Phono card extra

 

[SSM]

Thank you, Biccy!

 

[Boxer]

HFC (Richard Black), IIRC, gave it about85% score with similar comments on the sound.

Couldn't understand HFW's thing with the price at all, given that 3010 is £1200 inc phono card.

Generally very positive reviews, but as ever trust your own ears, preferrably without your stormtrooper helmet on.

Boxer

PS Does this mean you are ...... no, I said I wouldn't do the High Priest of Expo thing.

 

[SSM]

I am very tempted Nurse.:?But that price tag of £1500 for 80w/160w (8/4 ohms) is comparatively steep when the 3010 (100w/120w) is £1000. The XXXV hasn't hit the shores here yet. Hopefully I can get a chance to compare it directly with the 3010 mid-year.

BTW, with your 3010, if two sources are running at the same time can you vaguely hear the second one while listening to the first source? The Stereophile review of the 2010S commented on this little shortcoming.

SS

 

[earl of sodbury]

solidstateman wrote:

I am very tempted Nurse.:?But that price tag of £1500 for 80w/160w (8/4 ohms) is comparatively steep when the 3010 (100w/120w) is £1000. The XXXV hasn't hit the shores here yet. Hopefully I can get a chance to compare it directly with the 3010 mid-year.BTW, with your 3010, if two sources are running at the same time can you vaguely hear the second one while listening to the first source? The Stereophile review of the 2010S commented on this little shortcoming.

SS

Mere power is not everything, SS...

And what you're hearing is crosstalk at the output stage - the MF amps (and loads of others) do it as well, especially if one source is significantly more powerful than the other; damn annoying.

churz, eofs

 

[SSM]

Earl I never have such a problem with my MFs. Even with TV, DVD and CDP running simultaneously, the selected channel is well isolated.

Are your treating your MF components right?

 

[Boxer]

I never run 2 sources simultaneously, so I cannot comment.

The Earl has a point about power; controlled power, usually an Expo feature is usually of more benefit than absolute power. Have a listen to both if you can, I'll be interested in your findings.

From the reviews, IIRC, the main circuit in 3010 & XXXV is similar, if not same, power output differs, but there's a "stiffer" power supply in XXXV, hence doubling wattage into 4 ohms, which 3010 doesn't (180 or so into 4 ohms according to HFW, IIRC). My speakers are close to a flat 8 ohm.

Boxer

 

[SSM]

Great args, Boxer & Ears.

Ears, you have totally convinced me w.r.t. the XXXV's VFM.:^Here's a monkey wrench though... To my eyes that now-standard Exposure Titanium look, with that silver faceplate and distinctive knobs, looksgood (even sexy!) when it is on the £600 2010S. But it looks hideous when it is on the £1500 XXXV

Bearing in mind that for the same price, the utterly swish and dapper Primare I30 can be had!

Yeah, sound should be the first priority in choosing audio kit. B-B-But... What I'm trying to say is the XXXV simply does not look the part for a £1500 amp.

I know, I know... I am a superficial hifi cad who has been corrupted by MF aesthetics.

 

[Biscuit]

I personally don't have a problem with the 35's VFM, was just copying what the magazine said.

Considering they gave more expensive Copland and Phonosophie integrateds 5 globes in the same mag - it seemed a bit odd to pick on the cheapest one as bad value.

 

[Boxer]

Solid, you are a shallow hi-fi cad, who has been seduced by the false prophet Michaelson.

Expo have a long history of spending more on internals rather than externals. The casework of current generation stuff is more functionally (aluminium rather than steel) than aesthetically inclined.

Put it where you can't see it if it bothers you that much.

But then if you find MF attractive visually there may be little hope for you.......

Boxer

PS Remember, Cloth Ears has better taste than eveyone (`cept when it comes to Mozart)

 

[SSM]

Ears, my main contact with the Exposure gear has been with the 2010 and 3010 series. I shall await the arrival of the XXXV beforedissingthe New Classics prematurely again.But, looks-wise (not buildwise), I still think the XXXV lags behind some same-price alternatives.

 

[Biscuit]

you need to get some champagne gold Jap Crap Solid - stop fannying around with all this 'British' made in China stuff

If you ever want me to pick you something out - just shout

 

[SSM]

Biscuit wrote:

you need to get some champagne gold Jap Crap Solid - stop fannying around with all this 'British' made in China stuff

If you ever want me to pick you something out - just shout

:force:

:shocked:"I'll never join you!!!"

 

[Jezzer]

What about that Harman Kardon cd player you were looking at Solid? Still consideringthe H/Kor are you considering some better amplification?

I like Exposure amps. They're a bit like Naim... but silver.

 

[Geordie]

Jezzer wrote:

I like Exposure amps. They're a bit like Naim... but silver.

Mines black

 

[SSM]

Jezzer wrote:

What about that Harman Kardon cd player you were looking at Solid? Still consideringthe H/Kor are you considering some better amplification?I like Exposure amps. They're a bit like Naim... but silver.

Not buying the h/k now, Jezz. Only got two stars in WHF:shockmust be really bad!) That, plus the recent EISA thread tawk about how the Mark Levinson/harman kardon bandwagon seem to be hogging EISA awards regularly. Seems dubious.

I am putting the saved funds towards abetter CDP for end of year. The transport on my current one is slowly showing some quirks.

New target: Quad CD-P2

looks Star-Wars-y too

 

[SSM]

182-Geordie wrote:

Jezzer wrote:

I like Exposure amps. They're a bit like Naim... but silver.

Mines black

On behalf of Boxer and Cloth-Ears..., welcome to the Exposure fraternity.

Expo XX + MSPearls: how speedy thy system!

 

[smegger68]

Exposure Super XXV Here. And my remote does what it's supposed to as well