Kinki EX-M1?

Discussion in 'Power Amps' started by ufospls2, Apr 17, 2019.

  1. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    Great review @rlow !! Have been quite curious about these guys given the built quality and price point. Overall might be good synergy with Harbeth... And maybe the Dynaudios. I may have missed talk about synergy about the various speakers you have between Kinki and Vidar.
     
  2. Sonorus

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    The amp is good match with various sound signatures but overly warm speaker's will not served very good.
    For example regarding your post above I think that it will match great with Dynaudio but you may not like it with Harbeth.

    It was a great synergy with Focal Sopra and Elac speaker's.
     
  3. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Good point I forgot to mention that. They paired best with the Dynaudios, you’re right. This is becuase, with the Special Fortys at least, they have a bit more body in the mids, and a slightly rolled off / darker signature - the Kinki was a good match on those areas and livened the Dynaudio up a bit, especially on the top end. The one area they didn’t really need the help though was in bass quickness and punch - they already have that in spades and they’re a bit dry in the bass as well, so maybe not the best match there for my tastes, but some people may actually really like it becuase they punch even harder than normal for a pretty small speaker, which is already quite impressive. But to me, it sounds a bit forced, and a bit too much like a small speaker trying to make bass.

    But overall I would say it sounded pretty similar with all the speakers I had, with just a bit of variation between them. And that’s to say they sounded good with all of them, just missing a couple of key elements for me.

    I would assume they would probably be good with Harbeths as well yeah, at least for me, since I would think they’d be a good balance to the Harbeth sound, but it probably depends how you like your Harbeths - rich and smooth, or dynamic and tight. Synergy is tough though, definitely requires auditioning.

    I should have said - if I didn’t have Vidar and Freya to compare against, or had any of my previous amps, I would have stuck with the Kinki for sure. Definitely the best integrated I’ve heard, just missing a few elements that I prefer in the Schiit sound. If you’re the type of person who doesn’t need or want warmth from their amp, you’ll probably love this amp.

    I’m going to bet the Onyx would actually be a good DAC pairing with this amp - dense mids and slight rolloff in the top end.

    Sonorus I’ve not heard the Sopras, but if they’re like a much better version of the Aria 906, for people who like the Focal sound, you might be right - the 906s had a lazy woofer that needed some definite high damping and power to get moving. And the top end on the Kinki was sweet, so maybe it would be a good match with the Focal tweeter, but I would likely find it way too bright for my taste - for those that like sound that bright sparkle from their Focals though, it could be a good pairing.
     
    Last edited: Apr 20, 2019
  4. Sonorus

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    That's right , we are talking for Sopra 1 power hungry despite the size.
    It's 8 ohms going down to 3.9 ohm with 85db/1m/1w efficiency and berylium brain drilling tweeter.
    The Kinki is a perfect match with more than enough power to move the woofers , good bass extension
    with decent description and a little bit sweet up top to tame the beryliums.
    Someone is going to need a great lot money if he decides to go brand name amp.
     
  5. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    You’re right, sweet is a better term for the top end of the Kinki - smooth sounds like it’s rolled off or smoothed-over, which it isn’t. It’s very well extended and very articulate, but sweet. Its probably the one area of tonaility I preferred over the Schiit duo, which is a bit sharper and less refined in the treble.
     
  6. Sonorus

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    Last edited: Apr 20, 2019
  7. Samoyed

    Samoyed New

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    On the Mike Powell thing, do your homework.
     
  8. Sonorus

    Sonorus Facebook Friend

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    ?
     
  9. ufospls2

    ufospls2 Friend

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    Bernard @ Charisma is actually really helpful and patient. He answered all my questions, and offered a loaner for a week for review purposes for my blog/website. He definitely didn't try to push his other products on me, and was just really great all round.

    I actually ended up buying one so I didn't need the review loaner, so I will report back next week with how I'm finding it initially.
     
  10. Sonorus

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    Great!
    It's a very good amp , i hope that you can find synergy with your speakers.
    What is your blog/website?
     
  11. ufospls2

    ufospls2 Friend

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    Thanks man! I hope so too. I'll be using it with the Susvara as well.

    I'll definitely be posting a review once I get some listening in :)

    www.headphonesnstuff.blog

    www.instagram.com/headphonesnstuff
     
  12. Sonorus

    Sonorus Facebook Friend

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    Congrats for the blog!
    Are you going to run the Susvara from the speaker outs?
     
  13. ufospls2

    ufospls2 Friend

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    Thats the plan. I've run the Susvara off of speaker amps before, so it should work ok, all going well.
     
  14. Sonorus

    Sonorus Facebook Friend

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    Yes sure it's a normal routine for difficult planar's.
     
  15. ufospls2

    ufospls2 Friend

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    OK. Just got the amp in. First thing. Its HEAVY. Holy shit. It weighs more than the Audio GD Master 9. This is a hefty unit. Big Chonk.

    Anyhow, so far sonic impressions are positive, however...

    On low gain, with a 2v DAC input, I am at 10 steps on the volume with the Susvara, with room to go up to 15, maybe, if you want it LOUD. With the Diana Phi, I am at 3, with room to go to 5 or 6 maybe?

    I am surprised, as someone on HF said he was at 35-40 with the HE6, which is pretty much the same sensitivity as the Susvara.

    Weird.

    EDIT: Ok. The volume steps are a little smaller than I thought. You can go a bit higher than I thought with either headphone. Still have to be careful though.


    Anyhow, I'll report back later with some thoughts on the sonics.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: May 10, 2019
  16. ufospls2

    ufospls2 Friend

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    OK. I've been trying the Kinki with my Susvara, Diana Phi, and also my Philharmonic Audio BMR's all afternoon.

    This is what I'm getting so far.

    Pretty neutral, with superb air in the treble and a fairly spacious soundstage. It is like there is more air and space around the notes. The treble seems a bit sweet sounding, it isn’t going too far and ending up bright and harsh. It doesn’t strike me as a warm and bass heavy amp, the bass is just tight and neutral.

    So yeah. I'd love to hear what more senior members think of this amp, because I'm pretty impressed so far.

    With the Susvara, it is the best I have heard them in terms of clarity, and punch. I have run them off of a speaker amp (HT receiver, 50wpc) before, but this just takes it to another level. It is completely different from the Wells Audio Milo, which I also love with the Susvara. I could see owning both for different moods, if you could afford it.

    I really want to try this amp with the RAAL SR1a's, now that would be an interesting pairing.

    As an aside, The build quality is crazy for the money. This thing is a TANK! Jeebus. Moving it around is a bitch.
     
  17. MikePowellAudio

    MikePowellAudio New

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    Im the only one to ever be chosen for distributor, and to inspire confidence in you ? isnt that the definition of a Con man ? If the photos of me on my site with Mark Levinson himself in Korea since he asked me to be on his team to consult with LG or with Jeff Rowland at my house isnt enough for you to figure out I'm legit . then Im at a loss. Thing is it sounds like you need to be convinced or sold , I dont do that.. theres too much jabber jawing in the industry already its a sign of someone that has no idea what they are talking about. So out of respect, I allow sales to happen naturally and dont impose my will on something I ultimately have no control over. But there are plenty of guys around that will exhaust themselves inspiring confidence if thats what you are short on. Did you consider I did not post the wattage because I dont believe it ? Probably not. Did you watch my OCD HiFi Guy Youtube channel, where I compare 200 Jeff Rowland Watts as a comparsion ? didnt think so.

    If you continue to think the way you've always thought, you'll continue to get what you've always got.

    Im not sure you grasp the severity of how the mainstream market is kept under the ether.
     
  18. MikePowellAudio

    MikePowellAudio New

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    Wow this is real poetry. a guy that posts to tell others to avoid buying from me, whereby the transaction went smooth with no issues , yet his reason for telling others to avoid me is because he did not like my personality ? So I caused you no damage admittedly, yet you feel compelled to somehow cause me loss. Wow, why don't you just think about yourself for a second. Do a check up from the neck up. You are starting a quarrel on this site same as you accuse me of and there was one singular drunk human that on Friday night wanted to push his hubris and be the only person ever allowed to buy direct from the manufacturer, around me. A complete breach of contract he called for on his important behalf. You know this was my decision to let him have his way. I could have completely banned him from buying from us , as we reserve that right. I gave him his way. My "antics" lol .. You mean my YouTube Channel "OCD HiFi Guy" where I educate the clueless audio buyers how to avoid being taken to the cleaners ? You are totally correct that I dont care about making any particular sales. I care about serving the people with integrity. Selling you may not be in your best interest. I know ten times what you do about the products I carry . I know which wont drive your speakers or which sound strident, or which sound soft, or warm. The guy who does nothing more than take your order and asks no questions about how you listen or what speakers youll use or what the room is like is very possibly enabling you to make a bad decision for your particular situation. Since I am committed to operate in my clients best interest, I suggest what I think is best for them whether or not that results in a sale for me right then. I can only be honest , whether or not its what you want to hear. Its clear you do not know how to recognize professionalism. Professionals consult and assess the situation before selling you anything. Perhaps you want an order taker.
     
  19. zonto

    zonto Friend

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    The fact that you joined a random Internet forum to publicly “defend” yourself by insulting two strangers, all with such horrible grammar and lame rhymes, while you underhandedly try to increase traffic to your YouTube channel, speaks more to your professionalism than our words ever could.

    Audio dealers are not fiduciaries. You sound like a pompous ass. I’ve quoted your posts here to enshrine for posterity.

    While you’re here,
    1. What is the EX-M1 power rating at 4 ohms?
    2. Why is Bluebird Music no longer a Kinki distributor?
     
    Last edited: May 11, 2019
  20. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    Big D, is it you????

    If you say "Kabish" and start using 300 bullets in your posts, i'm gonna loose my shit.
     

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