FOCUS/AMPLIFIERS

Unobtrusive subtlety
Exposure 2010 Power Amplifier

VERDICT A decent power amplifier. Conservatively rated. Good dynamics, low noise floor, very pleasing.
PRICE R??
SUPPLIED BY Extraordinary AV (021) 
WEBSITE www.extraordinaryav.co.za

To complement the rest of the 2010 series range, the last of the components to finally escape my grabbing paws, this power amplifier is a case of saving the best for last. At least, that's what I think. 

The unit is immediately identifiable as a 2010 series with its elegant brushed aluminium front face panel complemented with a single power switch and corresponding bright blue LED. Nomenclature is elegant and simple and follows the family tradition. And there is something to be said for an entire system composed from the same stable, if only from an ergonomic and looks point of view. Oh yes, and one remote control...

The 2010 power amplifier hooks up to the pre outs from the 2010 integrated amplifier. I used my silver Tributaries (I use them for everything!) for reference. It's simple enough and perhaps asking for balanced inputs at these levels is pushing the envelope a bit...

Onto specs then. The 2010 power amplifier is rated at 60 watts a channel which is only 10 watts a channel more than its integrated counterpart. And if you're screaming "what's the bloody point then?" allow me to elucidate. It's a perfect foil for bi-amping your speakers. You let the integrated amplifier run the tops and push the mid/bass through the power amplifier. And you can bridge the power amplifier into mono block mode doubling up your current output to 24 A, which will drive a difficult speaker without a problem. There is output protection in case of a dead short, and a three year warranty for further peace of mind.

So there are distinct benefits to adding the power amplifier to the system, which is what hi-fi is all about: the pursuit of benefit. About the only gripe I have with the power amplifier is the speaker output terminals on the thing. I've said it before so I'll leave it at that. 

Still, using my gold plated banana adapter plugs I managed to get by. The amplifier makes up for this small oversight in terms of it' performance, which is not unsurprisingly very similar to its integrated counterpart. Big, boisterous and generously proportioned is the performance, albeit with a slightly lower noise floor I felt. Again I felt that the power rating was a little conservative given the degree to which it grabbed my speakers and put them through their paces. There is considerable pace and dynamics are effortlessly floated past the ears but without so much as a whiff of harshness. The music is less in your face than boldly presented. 

Once more I was impressed by the amplifier's ability to switch music without missing a beat. This family really does present all music exceptionally well and neutrally with a good recording being rewarded. Deeper silences and more detailed harmonics all contribute to a musical picture that quickly forms itself and maintains integrity until the last dying note fades away into nothingness and you are left to contemplate the meaning of it all. 

Now, bi-amping my speakers with the units and leaving the power amplifier unbridged, proved exciting. Suddenly the extra power really kicks in and control goes from being merely good to iron-fisted, rock solid. The speakers took on an extra edge and the sound stage opened up that fraction extra. Dynamics improved noticeably, as would be expected, and the whole performance was nudged up the extra notch or two that is so hard to achieve at these levels. 

Particularly noticeable is the extra range that the system seems to benefit from. There is more of everything that's good and less of that which isn't. Not that there is anything bad about the system to begin with, but the added grunt doesn't bring any unwanted elements to the party. If anything, it reinforces the notion that you can never, ever have too much power!

The bi-amping route is most certainly the way to go, and it is refreshing to see a company with the vision in mind of their customers having an upgrade path already planned for them. You start with the CD player and integrated amplifier and then upgrade with an additional power amplifier or two and your hi-fi nirvana is complete. And given the levels of sophistication exhibited by the range, it is logical that you can also undergo a few speaker upgrades long before you need to consider replacing any of your original kit. This translates into a high value for money factor, which on an overall package like this, is something very special indeed. 

William Kelly