Used Norma or new Exposure?

[Frank Furter]

Am looking for an upgrade integrated amp for a smallish listening space (3.5 x 4 sq m). I listen to mostly vinyl and sometimes CD so I want an analogue rather than all bells and whistles that I'll never use amp. Based on reviews / comments rather than auditions, (not found any opportunity to audition as yet), my budget will go to either a used Norma Revo IPA-70b or a new Exposure 3510. Have any of you compared the two? How do they differ? Not bought used before so not sure what to watch out for but I have seen a couple of used Norma amps for sale online. A new Exposure amp presumably has the added bonus of a guarantee. As for speakers, as I have a small space I'm considering Larsens, Harbeths and ATC SCM 11 or 19s. Any suggestions / experience welcome. Thx

 

[hiesteem]

Am looking for an upgrade integrated amp for a smallish listening space (3.5 x 4 sq m). I listen to mostly vinyl and sometimes CD so I want an analogue rather than all bells and whistles that I'll never use amp. Based on reviews / comments rather than auditions, (not found any opportunity to audition as yet), my budget will go to either a used Norma Revo IPA-70b or a new Exposure 3510. Have any of you compared the two? How do they differ? Not bought used before so not sure what to watch out for but I have seen a couple of used Norma amps for sale online. A new Exposure amp presumably has the added bonus of a guarantee. As for speakers, as I have a small space I'm considering Larsens, Harbeths and ATC SCM 11 or 19s. Any suggestions / experience welcome. Thx

Not got experience of the Norma or Exposure but there are plenty that have and will be along soon
I have heard the Larsen's though and they are an off axis up against back wall design.
They will project a different type of sound to the other conventional speakers you mentioned.
They can be good fun with good bass and throw sound around the room and unlike the others there isn't really a sweet spot, which gives the option of sitting anywhere in the room.

 

[hifinutt]

great to have you frank . had the norma 70b here on demo for a while . Its beautifully built and the remote is lovely . sonically its absolutely superb . the sound is very muscular and very smooth . you can listen for hours . Very nearly got another on demo for my latest speakers but my local dealer has stopped doing them

I believe their are about 4 uk dealers . now as you may know the original UK distributor stopped doing them which was a PITB but a new distributor came on board . BUT last time i contacted him he did not answer . That said if you can find a 70b at about 1900 quid its good . max [ midland audio] has one at 2999 i think but you would need to see if there is a deal to be done

The exposure of course is a british company and highly regarded . personally i dont like the speaker binding posts . there are very good deals on integrated amps and well worth trying

If you are near Brum then david F [ wammer dealer ] can play you the exposure with larsen in his shop

P1070866 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158267783@N02/, on Flickr

 

[IGGI]

Am looking for an upgrade integrated amp for a smallish listening space (3.5 x 4 sq m). I listen to mostly vinyl and sometimes CD so I want an analogue rather than all bells and whistles that I'll never use amp. Based on reviews / comments rather than auditions, (not found any opportunity to audition as yet), my budget will go to either a used Norma Revo IPA-70b or a new Exposure 3510. Have any of you compared the two? How do they differ? Not bought used before so not sure what to watch out for but I have seen a couple of used Norma amps for sale online. A new Exposure amp presumably has the added bonus of a guarantee. As for speakers, as I have a small space I'm considering Larsens, Harbeths and ATC SCM 11 or 19s. Any suggestions / experience welcome. Thx

On the speaker front a big thumbs up for the ATC 11's. In many ways they are more impressive than the 19's, I have both and I think the 19's would be overkill for the room size. The 11's are just a great well engineered and built item. Dealers not generous on any discounts, about £1450 new will be the limit. Sometimes come up s/h at around £850 and I'd be very tempted there. For the quality offered I think they are underpriced, not very often you can say that these days. Don't worry about the amp requirement of 75 watts or so, I once asked Glenn Croft if a 45watt Croft integrated would drive the 11's ok and he grumpily replied 'As long as you don't want to play Black Sabbath in a Church hall you'll be ok' Didn't you just love him.

 

[DomT]

I would choose the speakers first and then the amp to match them. I own Harbeth and after a huge comparison in my standmount mega shootout thread on here I chose the ATC11. A great speaker. In that standmount speaker test I also listened to Norma vs Marantz vs Accuphase vs Audio Research. The ATC needs the right amp more than some other speakers which is why if ATC are on your list it’s even more important to choose your speaker first and then the amp.

 

[antonio66]

Absolutely agree with @DomT decide on speakers first then amp.

 

[naka]

I really love Norma amplifiers, and they are built to last, so that would be my choice. But a serious audition is mandatory before the purchase