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Exposure Reviews
2010S Series
Art Dudley Reviews 2010S in November 2005
Stereophile...
... Exposure wins Stereophile Class A Recommended Component rating.
"This is a positively magnificent little amp.
Its tunefulness and timing are beyond reproach, and, among other things,
it's probably one of the most transparent amplification products I've ever
heard at any price.
The Exposure 2010S is a terrific amp, and a bargain on the order of the
Rega tonearm and Spendor's entry-level speakers. I know and like a lot of
the folks whose products compete directly with the Exposure 2010S but
they're going to have to work harder than hell to be at this thing.
What did surprise me was my own reaction:
Every time I sat down to listen with the Exposure 2010S in my system, it
pulled me in and made me smile; every time I tried to play it while I was
doing something else, it made me sit down."
2010S CD Player - Best Buy
"Chalk up another hit for Exposure. After the
success of the 2010S integrated amp in HFC 262, this matching CD spinner had
a lot to live up to and - lo and behold - it did. It offers good imaging
with some of the best depth we've heard around this price, very sweet treble
and an extremely even-handed midrange... completely at home with everything
from solo piano to glam rock to jazz ballads. It's an engaging Best Buy." -
Hi-Fi Choice, March 2005
2010S CD Player
"The first thing that struck me when I slipped the
CD player into my reference system was the naturalness of the
presentation... vocal had a wonderful combination of smoothness and
clarity... tonal balance was spot on right across the frequency range... the
expected punch was present in spades. I was impressed how the 2010S CD felt
at home with such diverse material. The key was the player's neutral
performance. It doesn't shout about any one particular attribute, but this
allows it to be a bit of a sonic chameleon... the player was totally devoid
of any digital harshness, which allowed extended listening sessions with
absolutely no listener fatigue. Highly recommended." - Hi-Fi News, April
2003
2010S Integrated Amplifier - Best Buy
"A fine example of how a hi-fi amp should be - it
doesn't draw attention to itself, it just gets on with its job and does it
very well. Suffice it to say that this amp gives an admirable degree of
musical insight and communication, and altogether fulfils the criteria of
high-fidelity sound. All-in-all a clear Best Buy." - Hi-Fi Choice, January
2005
2010S Amplifier and Integrated Bi-amp System -
Best Buy
"The basic sound is not dissimilar to the 2010S
integrated. In case you missed it, we found it punchy, rhythmic and tonally
well-balanced, with a very open and natural treble, offering excellent
dynamics and fine imaging. Above all, it was considered very musical and
communicative, really drawing the listener into a performance. Measurements
confirmed that its basic electrical performance is of a high standard, and
its manners are good.
The 2010S power amp is slightly cleaner than the
integrated, which figures given there's less in the way, (there's no volume
control, source selector, buffer stage). That means on its own it's a
stonkingly fine power amp at a price where there's very little competition.
If you're after a 'starter' pre/power system we would have some trouble
suggesting a better place to start.
Now, add the power amp to the integrated to form a
bi-amp system and things really get interesting. After a track or three the
penny begins to drop that there is a significant amount more musical
information coming across. Images that before seemed clear enough are now
even more clean and considerably more concrete and stable. Instrumental
timbres are more naturally preserved, and inflections more meaningful. As
upgrades go, it's a goody.
So, is this a sane upgrade? We'd have to say
absolutely. So strong is the performance of this pair at a still-modest
total [price] that we would urge you to try it. The combined price is still
less than some integrated models of similar spec, and the result is very
fine with a real lift over the good performance of each alone." - Hi-Fi
Choice, March 2005
3010 Series
3010 CD Player
"This is a very inviting player, projecting
characterful vocals and a rich bass line without submerging any subtle
rhythmic elements. There's control and caution in its handling of loud and
intense passages but, unlike the Arcam, there's also a sparkle that brings
out the colour from processed music like Steely Dan. There is a pleasing
openness to the sound but also a sense of determination achieved without its
music sounding forceful. It was the player best able to capture the colour
and resonance of the harmonica together with the rich, slow weight of the
bass guitar. The manufacturer has clearly spent some time listening to this
player. Undeniably captivating." - Hi-Fi Choice, October 2003
3010 Integrated Amplifier
"The 3010 manages the trick of conveying detail
without any attendant harshness... there was a real grip of events, a
confidence that produced a deep and powerful bass, husky but not too fierce
or sibilant vocals and a very sweet, elegant-sounding top end. A real mix of
the old and new with significantly greater power and tolerance of tricky
speakers together with the sweet and enthralling sound that has epitomised
previous Exposure designs. In every important respect, the 3010 delivers all
you could ask from an amplifier at this price and, most probably , well
beyond." - Hi-Fi Choice, August 2004
Classic Series
Classic 35 Integrated Amplifier - Best Buy
"The 35's sound really is quite remarkably solid
and weighty. It likes nothing better than to get properly stuck into some
really hefty bass and deliver it with both aplomb and finesse. And yes, it
does definitely do 'finesse', and very well, too. Lovers of subtler stuff
should take note, too, because alongside the finesse at high levels is a
good dose of subtlety with quieter music.
This is almost the best of both worlds, the
precision of the best solid state design combined with just a touch of the
qualities for which valves are renowned, and the end result is often that
music is particularly pleasing to the ear where before it was perhaps a
shade harsh.
For just sitting down and really getting properly
involved in some music, the Exposure 35 looks like a very good choice. The
35 is very clearly a music-lover's amplifier first and foremost. Its sound
may be a touch tailored, but it's been done in such a way as to maximize
connection with the music without losing detail or or imaging - definitely
Best Buy material." - Hi-Fi Choice, September 2005
Classic 23 Pre-Amp and 28 Power
Amp wins Hi-Fi Choice Product of the Year!
"There's something of the valve sound about the Exposure combo's fluid
and natural midrange that is extremely engaging, the combination with Living
Voice speakers proving highly fruitful on test. Tonally it's particularly
gratifying, with instruments and voices reproduced very convincingly. This
Exposure pre/power combo has a musical transparency and lightness of touch
that gives it a distinct edge over the competition." - Hi-Fi Choice
2004
Classic 23 Pre-Amp and 28 Power Amp
"As well built as ever, with a more refined sound and presented in
attractive new livery, the 23 / 28 combination maintains Exposure's
deservedly solid reputation. This is proper hi-fi."
2010
Series
"Our new CD champion. The player that takes on Arcam and Rotel - and
wins!"
"The Exposure [2010 CD Player] simply sounds faster, tighter and more
exciting ... it's getting more out of the music. The 2010 is a real find: it's
one of those players able to get you trawling through your CDs just to see what
it can do - and the chances are it'll delight every time. Exposure is in a
different league." - What Hi-Fi, March 2002
2010 CD Player - Best Buy
"Overall, the Exposure [2010 CD Player] has more dynamics and warmth than most of the
others. The sound has real body and presence and good vocal control. For my
money this is the superior player. It is probably the one that will have the
greatest appeal to those who cut their audio teeth on analogue sources and who
dislike obvious digital-sounding components. At this price and given its
impressive mix of strengths it's a firm Best Buy." Hi-Fi Choice, April 2002
2010 Integrated Amplifier
"You immediately notice the shed-load of power on offer, [2010 Integrated
and Power Amp], becoming captivated by the huge transparency and detail provided
by this dynamic duo. For the money I really liked this duo, and I've been using
them at the heart of my system for a little while now. This is an attractive,
good value set-up that uncovers lots of information in a very musical way. Go
and listen!" - Hi-Fi Choice, February 2002
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