The EX-M1 is a true high end integrated amp that delivers 215 class A/B watts into 8 ohms and the first few in Class A. If you have speakers that are 4 ohm, the EXM1 can pump 400 watts per channel.
Keeping It Simple.
There is No DAC, No Streamer and No Phono Stage housed inside of this basic yet beautiful integrated so if you are looking for all of that in one box, this is not for you. This integrated has one job to do and that is to amplify your source and send that to your speakers.
Inside this box lies a dual mono amp that pumps out 215 Watts per channel in to 8 Ohms and 400 WPC into 4 ohms.
“The EX-M1 is fully modular, a dual mono design in a single chassis. Rich in tonal quality, details, dynamic, and high resolution. Silky smooth volume control thanks to the MUSES volume control, of which known for its precise and accurate volume adjustment with precision matched resistors.”
The EXM1 has more dynamics, slam and oomph than the Pass Labs gear and this can be exhilarating with some music. With the EXM1 we trade some of that sweetness and depth from the Pass for impact and dynamics in the Kinki.
The Build
Before I get into the details of the sound, let me talk about the build, design and some of the details.
As I stated up front, the build quality of this is pure class. It’s a heavy beast and has a nice large display that shows us the input and volume. My aging eyes have no trouble at all seeing it, and it can also be turned off with the push of a button on the full metal remote.
“Most amplifiers use a potentiometer for volume control. EX-M1 uses an advanced microprocessor-controlled, JRC MUSES72320 2-channel electronic volume, which is optimized for high-end audio and professional audio applications with advanced circuitry and layout. The MUSES72320 performs low noise and low distortion characteristics and with resistance ladder circuit.”
The input and volume dials are some of the smoothest and most luxurious I have ever felt in an integrated. This shows the attention to detail here, and this is a good thing. I am staring at my silver unit now and am in awe of how gorgeous it looks in the flesh. The black is more muted but also very nice.
There is one “Blanaced” input and three RCA inputs. The XLR input is not truly balanced but a “Quasi” balanced version, meaning you will not have any improvement in performance over the RCA inputs. They are there though, for those who have XLR cables. There is no real benefit when it comes to sound.
Yes it is, but it’s one of those Made in China brands that takes tremendous pride in their work. Much like Line Magnetic and Denafrips, Kinki Studios offers up a product that competes with some much bigger name brands.
This amp was built using premium parts and materials. While I have seen heftier and nicer speaker binding posts on integrated amps in the $10k and up range, the inside of this amplifier is absolutely gorgeous with an impeccable attention to detail.