Review Kinki Studio EX-M1+

Made in China

A pre-out and a home-theatre bypass were provided to meet a number of customer requirements. Hence the + in the EX-M1+. But connecting a power amplifier to this seems completely unnecessary because this amplifier produces 215 watts in 8 ohms and 350 watts in 4 ohms. These watts are, rather unexpectedly, not in class D but in class A/B, with of course the first watts in pure class A. If you don’t need the pre-out and home-theatre bypass then take the regular EX-M1. The most striking element at the back, however, is their slogan that proudly states: ‘Kinki Studio, we come from China!”

The volume control is not done according to a traditional potentiometer but via an R2R micro-processor that digitally controls the volume. This gives us no less than 256 steps in which a slight click is audible each time. A digital volume control, if properly executed, provides excellent performance and has a number of advantages. Think of better channel separation and less noise development. We have no complaints about the implementation on the EX-M1+.

Availability

On the website we see a row of top brands (Neutrik, Furutech, Amplino, Nichicon) to indicate that only the best components were used. All in all, this creates a premium feel and this amplifier is nowhere inferior to more established brands. All of the above creates confidence but does not guarantee that the view will be top. Still, it shows that Kinki Studio tries to build the best possible puristic amplifier at the best possible price. And no one can be against that.

Meanwhile, a number of international importers have been recruited to distribute the products in a decent way. For our regions – BeNeLux – , this is Boelsz Audio that specializes in affordable hi-fi from China. Because delivering directly from the factory is one thing, but paying about 3000 euros for something you’ve never heard or seen is not something people should do carelessly. And buying based on reviews is, especially in this price range, not wise. No matter how well they’re written…

What a review can do is trying to put a potential buyer in a certain direction. Suppose you want a device with digital inputs. Then the story already stops here. Or you still like a phono stage and headphone jack built in? Again end of story unfortunately. But for a powerful, affordable analogue amplifier, you’re in the right place at the Kinki Studio.