Amp with balanced inputs to match D2
- Thread starter Flashman
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Jack
Active member
The EX-M7 is a great sounding amp. I've had mine for almost a year now. You are apparently going to use the Leedh volume control of the T2 if your opting for the M7 over the newest M1. Good luck with that pairing.
not a hare!
Flashman
New member
- Thread Author
- #24
Yes, I plan to use Leedh for volume control. Joel Chevassus, who occasionally writes for 6 Moons, is a champion of Leedh processing. He also exchanged his Luxman mono amps for two Kinki EX-M7 amps to pair with his Vivid speakers. I also own Vivid speakers (B1 Decade) so the pairing should be harmonious.
By the way, Jack, I lived in Greenville for 10 years when I worked for Michelin. I now live in Charlotte, having recently relocated from Charleston.
Jack
Active member
I think you will enjoy the EX-M7 as I certainly do. I also have the newest version of the M1+ in my Family Room system. Srajen also just went to a pair of B7 mono's to use with his Audio Physic speakers in place of his LinnenberG mono's.
For now I am still just a part-time Greenville resident as I still have the house in Tallahassee though I suspect I will be in Greenville full time in the near future as our daughter ( our youngest), Son-in-Law and the first Grandchild are there. Still getting use to the weather differences especially in the Winter months.
For now I am still just a part-time Greenville resident as I still have the house in Tallahassee though I suspect I will be in Greenville full time in the near future as our daughter ( our youngest), Son-in-Law and the first Grandchild are there. Still getting use to the weather differences especially in the Winter months.
Flashman
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- Thread Author
- #26
I’ve corresponded with both Srajan and Joel about my decision, as I was aware of their accolades for Kinki products. Joel also wrote a terrific review of the EX-M7 for his French publication. Unfortunately, it’s not been translated into English but, as I lived in France for five years, I understood most of it.
The EX-M7 is now in transit.
My wife was born in Tallahassee. Much different than Greenville! Both are nice cities.
Jack
Active member
Small world. I have lived in Tallahassee my whole life including college and career. I suspect I'm a bit older than you guys.
Jack
Active member
Actually you've got me by two years. Tallahassee was a much smaller place in those days. About 75,000 when I graduated from FSU. Since her father worked for the University your wife didn't go to the University high school did she?
Jack
Active member
Me too, Class of 72. Dr. Bass was the director during my years there.
Flashman
New member
- Thread Author
- #33
Hi Peter,
Your participation in many audio forums is just one of the reasons I selected Lumin as my next streamer, and in particular the T2. It took me a long time to determine whether to move from a one-box solution (Devialet Expert 220 Pro) to a high-end streamer and power amp. The adoption by Lumin of Leedh processing at no cost to current and future owners was the final piece of the puzzle that convinced me to make the move, despite never having heard a Lumin or the Kinki EX-M7 amp. My research consisted of professional reviews, user experiences and, finally, correspondence with industry people I respect, such as Srajan Ebaen and Joël Chevassus. Thanks again for your assistance!
Michael (a.k.a. Flashman)
Your participation in many audio forums is just one of the reasons I selected Lumin as my next streamer, and in particular the T2. It took me a long time to determine whether to move from a one-box solution (Devialet Expert 220 Pro) to a high-end streamer and power amp. The adoption by Lumin of Leedh processing at no cost to current and future owners was the final piece of the puzzle that convinced me to make the move, despite never having heard a Lumin or the Kinki EX-M7 amp. My research consisted of professional reviews, user experiences and, finally, correspondence with industry people I respect, such as Srajan Ebaen and Joël Chevassus. Thanks again for your assistance!
Michael (a.k.a. Flashman)
Flashman
New member
- Thread Author
- #34
A few days ago, I finally received the Kinki EX-M7 power amp. I connected it to my Lumin T2 streamer (purchased as a demo from an authorized dealer) via Grimm XLRs and proceeded to run through some of my favorite test tracks.
Right out of the box, the combination sounded terrific. Better than the Devialet Expert 220 Pro? Yes, with some qualifications as you'll see below.
On a song I know quite well, there is a dual vocal with one being slightly recessed. On the new combo, the sound could be pinpointed in space and was more apparent than on the 220. Perhaps the combo has better detail retrieval? Bass response was perhaps not as good as the Devialet but this might change after amp burn-in, estimated to be in the 300-hour range (!). Mid-range was definitely better with a more liquid sound on vocals. On some tracks, the sound-stage was wider and higher but not in an unnatural way.
The difficulty in comparing the new combo with the 220 is that I don't know how much to ascribe to the Lumin T2 vs. the Kinki amp. I didn't try the Lumin into the Devialet, for instance, since I knew the Devialet would apply its DAC after the Lumin DAC. I didn't think that would be a valid effort.
Negatives? The Kinki amp is a beast and not as svelte as the Devialet. It was nice to be able to turn the Devialet on and off using the Roon app. With the new combo, I can turn on the Lumin in the Roon app but I need to physically turn on (and off) the Kinki amp. Not a big deal but points to Devialet. Also, the Devialet didn't need much warm-up IMHO while the Kinki needs about 20 minutes. Interestingly, when the Devialet was on and I was not playing a song, I could never hear anything when I put my ear to the speakers. Just silence. With the Kinki, there is a slight hiss. You'd never hear it from a distance nor when playing a song but it's there. There is an AC filter switch on the Kinki and I will check with the manufacturer to see whether engaging that switch might make a difference. Again, not a big deal. Finally, the Devialet has other attributes, such as a phono stage and SAM profiles, so it is a more complete device.
In sum, I'm glad I made the change. I suspect I will listen to more music. Hard to believe that the Kinki amp will get better by 300 hours but we shall see.
Right out of the box, the combination sounded terrific. Better than the Devialet Expert 220 Pro? Yes, with some qualifications as you'll see below.
On a song I know quite well, there is a dual vocal with one being slightly recessed. On the new combo, the sound could be pinpointed in space and was more apparent than on the 220. Perhaps the combo has better detail retrieval? Bass response was perhaps not as good as the Devialet but this might change after amp burn-in, estimated to be in the 300-hour range (!). Mid-range was definitely better with a more liquid sound on vocals. On some tracks, the sound-stage was wider and higher but not in an unnatural way.
The difficulty in comparing the new combo with the 220 is that I don't know how much to ascribe to the Lumin T2 vs. the Kinki amp. I didn't try the Lumin into the Devialet, for instance, since I knew the Devialet would apply its DAC after the Lumin DAC. I didn't think that would be a valid effort.
Negatives? The Kinki amp is a beast and not as svelte as the Devialet. It was nice to be able to turn the Devialet on and off using the Roon app. With the new combo, I can turn on the Lumin in the Roon app but I need to physically turn on (and off) the Kinki amp. Not a big deal but points to Devialet. Also, the Devialet didn't need much warm-up IMHO while the Kinki needs about 20 minutes. Interestingly, when the Devialet was on and I was not playing a song, I could never hear anything when I put my ear to the speakers. Just silence. With the Kinki, there is a slight hiss. You'd never hear it from a distance nor when playing a song but it's there. There is an AC filter switch on the Kinki and I will check with the manufacturer to see whether engaging that switch might make a difference. Again, not a big deal. Finally, the Devialet has other attributes, such as a phono stage and SAM profiles, so it is a more complete device.
In sum, I'm glad I made the change. I suspect I will listen to more music. Hard to believe that the Kinki amp will get better by 300 hours but we shall see.
NekoAudio
New member
Although the Devialet Expert Pro units will perform ADC on analog inputs, you will find that the sonic character of the incoming signal carries through. The ADC is very transparent. So while not the same as if you somehow connected the analog input directly to the Expert Pro amplification stage, I've found this is still a worthwhile experiment in many cases.
Jack
Active member
Congrats on getting the new amp in and set up. It's going to take a bit for it to open up completely and the bottom to fill in. That break-in estimate sounds about right though for me it took many months being used only half time. Just in the last month does it feel like it crossed the last hurdle. When in town I leave mine powered up all the time along with the streamer and the DAC. I turn on the Supratek about 45 minutes in advance.
Flashman
New member
- Thread Author
- #40
Well, things have changed a bit!
First, I did try the AC filter switch at the rear of the unit but that made no difference to the slight hiss coming from each tweeter. Suffice to say, both the manufacturer and others have said a slight hiss an inch or two from the tweeter is normal. Plus, it sounds dead quiet from a distance, so no worries there.
Second, during a lengthy listening session last night, the bass came through in a powerful yet controlled way. I certainly don't have anywhere near 300 hours on the unit but something has changed. On one interesting track that I know quite well -- Bela Fleck's "Flight of the Cosmic Hippo" -- there is a deep, deep bass attack about halfway through the song. When I heard it last night, it was even deeper and rounder than I recall it on the Devialet Expert 220 Pro. No doubt.
So things are proceeding nicely!
First, I did try the AC filter switch at the rear of the unit but that made no difference to the slight hiss coming from each tweeter. Suffice to say, both the manufacturer and others have said a slight hiss an inch or two from the tweeter is normal. Plus, it sounds dead quiet from a distance, so no worries there.
Second, during a lengthy listening session last night, the bass came through in a powerful yet controlled way. I certainly don't have anywhere near 300 hours on the unit but something has changed. On one interesting track that I know quite well -- Bela Fleck's "Flight of the Cosmic Hippo" -- there is a deep, deep bass attack about halfway through the song. When I heard it last night, it was even deeper and rounder than I recall it on the Devialet Expert 220 Pro. No doubt.
So things are proceeding nicely!