new integrated amp

marvda1
marvda1 Posts: 4,901
edited July 2018 in 2 Channel Audio
here is a new integrated amp that is getting some buzz on the forums. kind of peaking my interest.
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews2/kinki/1.html

what do you think?

here's a review thread from audiogon.
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/kinki-studio-ex-m1
Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
Puritan PSM156
Post edited by marvda1 on
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Comments

  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    The brand name is a big put off for me. YMMV.
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    that name may mean something totally different there.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,934
    edited July 2018
    And I'm pretty sure they know exactly what it means here/in other markets.

    Probably got inspiration from Schiit Audio when they were trying to come up with their company name! ;)
    marvda1 wrote: »
    that name may mean something totally different there.

    "What are you doing? Oh I'm just playing with my kinki schiit!"
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    I found kinki is a region of japan.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,801
    yw5mhfif9bia.png

    The front panel is making my eyes vibrate.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,801
    marvda1 wrote: »
    I found kinki is a region of japan.

    But the article says the company HQ is in Guangzhou which is profoundly not in Japan.
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,934
    Right, but they just really like that region in Japan, so they're paying homage to it by naming their company that.

    Definitely NOT a sexual reference.
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    But the article says the company HQ is in Guangzhou which is profoundly not in Japan.

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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    well, I guess if we can buy Schiit and be happy we can get a little Kinki (kinky) >:)
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,801
    edited July 2018
    Is there a nut missing on that heat sink on the (edit) left?

    no40b4djph2a.png

    dg7mjhgzpygj.png
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,934
    Are you referring to this?

    52pnreokjpy1.png
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,801
    from page 5 of that review
    As to Terry's and TP's 'Swiss' sound, I too use this descriptor for the school of DC-coupled ultra-bandwidth amplifiers from CH Precision, Goldmund and Soulution. In our personal inventory, samples thereof are from Bakoon, Crayon and LinnenberG. Based on my review of it, Audiozen's integrated from Sicily belongs there as well.

    Ultra-bandwidth, eh?

    yvsznki2y6g5.png


    PS the graphic blandishment on 6moon's site drives me nuts...
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited July 2018
    the review says 10 to 150,000 while the kinki site specs says 10 to 130,000 + or - 3db.
    looking at the graph, it's on page 2 and has a total, maybe they are showing the points where the response is 0 db + or -
    Post edited by marvda1 on
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • mlistens03
    mlistens03 Posts: 2,767
    edited July 2018
    I noticed the missing nut as well Doc, however I feel like that is something they would try really hard not to forget, especially on the model on their website page, so maybe there is some reason it isn’t there? Or maybe they just missed it. Lol
    (Edit) maybe the other one isn’t supposed to be there :wink:
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited July 2018
    they might have rushed it through assembly to get the pictures posted before they did a full qc.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,801
    edited July 2018
    Good heat sinking is kind of important.

    The image in the 6moons review is also on Kinki's web page:
    https://www.kinki-studio.com/ex-m1

    I don't know what to think about the frequency response imbroglio. It'd be nice to see a third-party measurement of the frequency response curve(s) for a production amp.
    EDIT^2: OK, sorry, I see that the input sweep stopped at 35k. Don't know why, but that does explain the curve.

    EDIT: I must admit, I (in all seriousness) enjoyed the instruction manual's wry tone :)

    5rvmvrc65kv5.png

    https://s3.amazonaws.com/wix-anyfile/6ie2C9ZYSciPwbvUYPyW_EX-M1.pdf
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,801
    edited July 2018
    marvda1 wrote: »
    well, I guess if we can buy Schiit and be happy we can get a little Kinki (kinky) >:)

    I'm surprised Vanilla's censor lets us get kinky.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,801
    edited July 2018
    Clipdat wrote: »
    Are you referring to this?

    52pnreokjpy1.png

    yup.
    Maybe the heat sink on the left has a threaded hole in it -- but that seems odd, too.
    A photo from the other side doesn't show any obvious difference between the two.

    5zz4y303wsym.png
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited July 2018
    I emailed the distributor the questions that were brought up here about the qc issue and the frequency response graph.

    you don't have to return it to Singapore for repair, they have the guy that makes Verrastar
    cables in the u.s. doing the repairs.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    Clipdat wrote: »
    Are you referring to this?

    52pnreokjpy1.png

    yup.
    Maybe the heat sink on the left has a threaded hole in it -- but that seems odd, too.
    A photo from the other side doesn't show any obvious difference between the two.

    5zz4y303wsym.png

    I don't know that much about hardware (screws), but those screws don't look like the ones that need nuts
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,934
    That front plate is the first thing I noticed, to be honest. Kindof a deal breaker. I wouldn't be able to live with that, to be honest.

    Isn't this thing approaching/around Dayens Ecstasy III integrated pricing? I'd be curious to hear how they compare.
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    The front panel is making my eyes vibrate.

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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,801
    edited July 2018
    Is there any comment in the 6moons review about the load impedance?
    The published specs for the amplifier reference 8 ohms (only).

    yt0qiz9nzhzd.png


    Looking at the screenshots, I am confused, again. Looks like they fed 2 VAC (RMS) @ 1kHz in. I am guessing the load's 8 ohm (resistive). I cannot comprehend that "Analog Input" screen... but the "Analyzer" screen looks like they measured output (295 watts) with only one channel driven(?)

    oy9z0ef2gisa.png

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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,801
    Am I just naive of how Audiogon reviews work?
    There seems to be no mention of the source nor loudspeakers in the review at https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/kinki-studio-ex-m1

    Maybe this guy's components are well know @ Audiogon?
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited July 2018
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    Am I just naive of how Audiogon reviews work?
    There seems to be no mention of the source nor loudspeakers in the review at https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/kinki-studio-ex-m1

    Maybe this guy's components are well know @ Audiogon?

    this guy is not a professional reviewer, he had just purchased the amp and was giving his thoughts.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    I already emailed him about the 4 and 2 ohm spec. he answered that the 4 ohm rating is 400 watts and that he would have to get with the manufacturer about if it is rated down to 2 ohms. have not heard back from him yet.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited July 2018
    I am not as much so worried about the missing screw just go read some of the stuff in the troubleshooting section.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • maxward
    maxward Posts: 1,577
    Agree that the Audiogon guy is not a pro. However, Srajan Ebaen is and he does not hand out 6moons awards on a daily basis. It sounds like it could be a real bargain integrated amp. Not sure if I care for the faceplate either, but it probably doesn’t show fingerprints.
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited July 2018
    reminds me of the mytek dacs.
    swy9bs7w2mh2.png

    bz03xctvpd3u.jpg

    Post edited by marvda1 on
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    got some of the answers back. the heat sinks are screw- threaded, photos were taken while work was in progress.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,801
    maxward wrote: »
    ...Not sure if I care for the faceplate either, but it probably doesn’t show fingerprints.

    Good point! :)

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  • motorhead43026
    motorhead43026 Posts: 3,897
    Why do you touch the faceplate?
    The best way to predict the future is to invent it.

    It is imperative that we recognize that an opinion is not a fact.
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