Feb 22, 20211 min read

Kinki Studio EX-M1+ Integrated Amplifier Review From SoundStage!

I shouldn’t have been surprised. The all-analog EX-M1+ is a solidly and attractively built integrated amplifier specified to deliver a whopping 215Wpc into 8 ohms, but is priced at a surprisingly low $2898 (all prices USD).

The EX-M1+ delivers 215Wpc into 8 ohms or 4 ohms, with a damping factor of 2000. The signal/noise ratio is >103dB, and the total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD+N) is 0.0232%, or 0.006% A-weighted. Judging by these specs, the quality of the parts, and the tidy, symmetrical layout of the circuit boards, the EX-M1+ seemed to have the makings of a very promising amplifier.

The EX-M1+’s power-amp stage as being quasi-monoblock, with dual encapsulated 400VA transformers, WIMA film capacitors, and two pairs of Exicon MOSFETs per channel. The circuit board for each channel’s output stage is mounted on a large, hollow, custom-made, gold-anodized heatsink pierced with ventilating holes. The heatsinks are mounted flush with cutouts in the top panel (to allow for air flow) and in the rear panel, where the speaker terminals are mounted directly on the heatsinks.