View Full Version : Speaker Cable for Exposure Amp
What kind of speaker cable do you use for an older model Exposure Amp (XXV)
I dont really understand the requirement to have 'low impedence cable' but some say the amp can be damaged if the wrong speaker cable is used.
Any recommendations?
Will Van Damme 4mm cable be ok? (i dont see an impedence measurement here)
http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x321/stuarttill/VanDamme.jpg?t=1375827676
http://www.van-damme.com/23.html
southall-1998
06-08-2013, 22:27
Linn LK20 will work good with the Exposure!
Andrew B
06-08-2013, 22:34
Absolutely agree. I'm biased but I LOVE K20! Definitely my first choice with Exposure, even against Exposure cable. Big, sassy and sumptuous sound.
Things like NAC A4, NAC A5, Kelvin K120 and Cable talk 3 will work too, as will all NVA cables. K20 is cheap too though, so for me it's a no brainier :)
Thanks guys for your quick replies!
Turns out there was some nice k20 on ebay, clean and terminated, ready to go:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281147682821?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
Andrew - wish i new about the exposure power/pre combo, or bid more on the myst! Anyway i hope it is still very good
Andrew B
06-08-2013, 23:08
I wouldn't worry. It will still be a very good amp. Remote control is always worth a good bit extra too. I wish my amps were!
I reckon you'll still probably make your money back when and if you sell, too. Prices seem to be rising on the integrateds. If you ever get a chance of a Dual IV ( it has two transformers and two sets of smoothing caps, instead of just one) you just won't believe how good it is. They must be the biggest bargain in hifi right now. Huge, heavy and beautifully made. I certainly miss mine to this day.
Thanks for your encouragement! I will keep an eye out for the IV
Sometime you just get to caught up to think about it...
For example, i could have bought this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NVA-AP20-Integrated-amplifier-/270458105896?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiF i_Amplifiers&hash=item3ef88f3028
Do you have any kit you would like to sell? im still upgrading, and still need some more great stuff!
I wouldn't worry. It will still be a very good amp. Remote control is always worth a good bit extra too. I wish my amps were!
I reckon you'll still probably make your money back when and if you sell, too. Prices seem to be rising on the integrateds. If you ever get a chance of a Dual IV ( it has two transformers and two sets of smoothing caps, instead of just one) you just won't believe how good it is. They must be the biggest bargain in hifi right now. Huge, heavy and beautifully made. I certainly miss mine to this day.
Andrew B
06-08-2013, 23:27
I just tend to hoard stuff these days :) I must just be getting old. Your Exposure amp was a grand new, so it should be a fair bit better than, say, a Ten.
Those little AP20s can be quite surprising. I plugged one in against a Naim 250 once and it was a close thing. The AP20 was probably better everywhere except bass. Mind you, a year or two later, I tried substituting the same Naims for a 3/9/Dual 4 and the Exposures were vastly better. The Naims just sounded ragged and blurred in comparison. That was with a Naim CDI and SBLs, so it was a bit unexpected. I still really like Naim amps. I just think he Exposures have the beating of them for me.
Oh, by the way, all Exposure amps I've tried have got great phono stages. Lots of other peoplehave said the same. I still envy you that remote control too. Mind you, I have enough of a struggle keeping my weight down these days!
Sovereign
07-08-2013, 05:41
Exposure speaker cable works extremely well with Expo amps, I have also tried NVA and TQ and all work very well. These ables were trie on a IVDR.
These may be of interest ;)
http://i.ebayimg.com/t/PAIR-OF-EXPOSURE-ELECTRONIC-BI-WIRE-SPEAKER-CABLES-/00/s/NDgwWDY0MA==/z/AcEAAOxybetR9qME/$T2eC16VHJGoFFv3gIMvNBR9qMENn6w~~60_12.JPG
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PAIR-OF-EXPOSURE-ELECTRONIC-BI-WIRE-SPEAKER-CABLES-/231024068249?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Other&hash=item35ca1b8699
Andrew
Any thoughts on CD players to buy, i have a NAD C541 CD Player that i may upgrade as well.
How are the Exposure CD players?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Exposure-CD-Player-2010-S2-/321180333467?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiF i_CDPlayerSeparates&hash=item4ac7d6f59b
I just tend to hoard stuff these days :) I must just be getting old. Your Exposure amp was a grand new, so it should be a fair bit better than, say, a Ten.
Those little AP20s can be quite surprising. I plugged one in against a Naim 250 once and it was a close thing. The AP20 was probably better everywhere except bass. Mind you, a year or two later, I tried substituting the same Naims for a 3/9/Dual 4 and the Exposures were vastly better. The Naims just sounded ragged and blurred in comparison. That was with a Naim CDI and SBLs, so it was a bit unexpected. I still really like Naim amps. I just think he Exposures have the beating of them for me.
Oh, by the way, all Exposure amps I've tried have got great phono stages. Lots of other peoplehave said the same. I still envy you that remote control too. Mind you, I have enough of a struggle keeping my weight down these days!
Andrew B
07-08-2013, 15:43
I'm sure others will have their faves but Naims CDI is the most musical CD I've had. They go for £600 plus on EBay but they can be had for £400 from Naim dealers if you can wait til one pops up
I use Cable Talk Talk 3 speaker cable and was recommended against Exposure cable, which still surprises me as Exposure cable is just branded Cable Talk! :doh:
+1 for the CDI although make sure it has an earlier "Top Hat" puck as the later ones were not as good. Also, Naim have run out of Mechanism's so try to make sure the Nextel (Black ring on Mechanism that the CD sits on is not too warn.
Other CD Players worth a listen are the Meridian 206B or Delta Sigma or 200/203 combo. Not sure about later model.
Also Teac VRDS CD Transports were always good.
I've heard good things said about the Audiolab (Pre-Sale) CD Transport & DAC.
The Naim CDX or CDX2 are good although IMHO not quite as musical as the CDI.
If you have the budget go for a Naim CDS (1st Generation/Olive green) which is a two box version of the CDI and quite something but they still sell for in the region of £1000.
I can highly recommend NVA LS3 cable, which works great with Exposure. In general you are looking for a very low capacitance speaker cable, and can handle higher inductance. DO NOT use high capacitance / low inductance stuff like Goertz or Kimber cable.
With all the many Exposure amps I've owned over the years I was lucky enough to try a fairly wide selection of speaker cables. With my old X it was Cable Talk Concert 2 which worked beautifully - the new stuff made under the Talk Electronics label is named Talk 3 and is along similar lines.
The Super XV integrated liked NVA LS3
The IVDR really liked Exposure cable (the old sort, broadly similar to Naim NACA4/5 and Linn K20) as you'd expect and worked equally well with NVA LS5. The Exposure cable made the amp hit harder & faster, the LS5 was smoother and more lyrical.
I did try Chord Rumour (recommended by a Naim dealer) with the X but it was harsh and spitty. Awful stuff.
For a really cheap (£4/m) cable the Talk 3 takes some beating. I use it with my big Sony ES and it works like a dream.
Andrew B
07-08-2013, 17:15
I have to say I find Exposure amps to be one of those rare phenomena that don't seem to have a downside. They seem to be sonically exceptional, great for PRT, have real balls and be built like tanks. They always looked and sounded like a better bet than the Naims at the time to me, but the dealers I frequented all loved Naim.
I have a spare 3m set if you want to borrow it or order via NVA for 30 day sale or return.
I have a spare 3m set if you want to borrow it or order via NVA for 30 day sale or return.
Can't say fairer than ^that^ :)
Niel,
Thanks for the offer, very kind and most appreicated! - i would accept, except i already took the above advice and quick pruchased some Linn K20 from ebay (so that the amp doesnt wait... much) . I think i iwll stick with that for now.
And thanks all for the great advice from everyone!!:cool:
I have a spare 3m set if you want to borrow it or order via NVA for 30 day sale or return.
I have to say I find Exposure amps to be one of those rare phenomena that don't seem to have a downside. They seem to be sonically exceptional, great for PRT, have real balls and be built like tanks. They always looked and sounded like a better bet than the Naims at the time to me, but the dealers I frequented all loved Naim.
Yep although don't tell Naimie's that, they'd lynch you!
The thing I love about Exposure amps are that they are simple, warm sounding but still with a significant amount of detail and they have lots of walloping bass which is controlled like no other.. My Dad uses a Naim 252/250/Supercap combo and I still prefer the sound of mine!!
Paul
I am excited to join the party :)
Although from Andrews comments - i can now see that both you and he have the pre/power config, and i probably could have done better by following your lead more closely...:doh:
Still i think i will love it
And when i will continue the journey when i find the pre/power and some epos es 14s or spendors to try :fishing:
Yep although don't tell Naimie's that, they'd lynch you!
The thing I love about Exposure amps are that they are simple, warm sounding but still with a significant amount of detail and they have lots of walloping bass which is controlled like no other.. My Dad uses a Naim 252/250/Supercap combo and I still prefer the sound of mine!!
Paul
I am excited to join the party :)
Although from Andrews comments - i can now see that both you and he have the pre/power config, and i probably could have done better by following your lead more closely...:doh:
Still i think i will love it
And when i will continue the journey when i find the pre/power and some epos es 14s or spendors to try :fishing:
Don't worry too much Stuart, their integrated amps of that generation are still excellent pieces of kit and can drive almost anything!!
Andrew B
07-08-2013, 20:29
ES14s might be a really good call. The 7 and 8 are magical with them IMO. The reviewers of the day loved the Exposure Ten with ES14s, but I thought they needed just a bit more grunt than it could offer. Your 25 shouldn't be shy in that area though, so you may well love the pairing.
Everybody's different, but lots of people liked Exposure with Epos. My first acquaintance with Exposure was the 7 and 8 with Epos at the Sound Org. I still remember it now, because it was fab :)
ES14s might be a really good call. The 7 and 8 are magical with them IMO. The reviewers of the day loved the Exposure Ten with ES14s, but I thought they needed just a bit more grunt than it could offer. Your 25 shouldn't be shy in that area though, so you may well love the pairing.
Everybody's different, but lots of people liked Exposure with Epos. My first acquaintance with Exposure was the 7 and 8 with Epos at the Sound Org. I still remember it now, because it was fab :)
Hmm not sure I'd agree Andrew. The XXV will drive the ES14s but I think the experience will leave Stuart wanting the Pre- power/Bi-amped kit!
However the combination of Epos and Exposure work very well... I think it's because Exposure control the splashy treble on the Epos and grab the bass by the ...
Don't worry too much Stuart, their integrated amps of that generation are still excellent pieces of kit and can drive almost anything!!
Agreed, and in my experience something like a Super XV out-peforms a VI/VII/VIII - not by a large margin admittedly, but it sounds 'stiffer' and more in control. It's only when you get onto the bigger Expo powers (IV/Super XVIII and Super XVIII monos) that they really surge ahead.
A very clean Super XV recently went for £266 on eBay. If that isn't a bargain I'm a mushroom. It'd eat a Nait 2 for breakfast.
I've owned these and loved every single one...
X
Super XV
VII/Dual VI/IV Dual
XI/XII*/IVDR
XIV/IX/IVDR
XXIRC/Super XVIII mono
The best of the above was the XXI/Super XVIII combination - more 'modern' (neutral I'd say) sounding perhaps, and a total joy to listen to music through.
*Later upgraded to IX psu.
I will own another Exposure amp at some time. :)
Agreed, and in my experience something like a Super XV out-peforms a VI/VII/VIII - not by a large margin admittedly, but it sounds 'stiffer' and more in control. It's only when you get onto the bigger Expo powers (IV/Super XVIII and Super XVIII monos) that they really surge ahead.
A very clean Super XV recently went for £266 on eBay. If that isn't a bargain I'm a mushroom. It'd eat a Nait 2 for breakfast.
I've owned these and loved every single one...
X
Super XV
VII/Dual VI/IV Dual
XI/XII*/IVDR
XIV/IX/IVDR
XXIRC/Super XVIII mono
The best of the above was the XXI/Super XVIII combination - more 'modern' (neutral I'd say) sounding perhaps, and a total joy to listen to music through.
*Later upgraded to IX psu.
I will own another Exposure amp at some time. :)
My combo of the XVII and 2x XVIII are significantly better than my friends similar vintage X but then they should be lol ;)
My combo of the XVII and 2x XVIII are significantly better than my friends similar vintage X but then they should be lol ;)
Doesn't surprise me in the least Paul. :)
The X woke me up (in 1992) to life beyond Naim - I had a CB Nait 2 at the time (bought from new) but a local dealer had a lightly-used X for sale so out of interest I took a bit of a gamble and bought it blind. It took just one 4-bar musical phrase to make me realise the Nait was going up for sale. The X had power, grip, and a solidity that the Naim just didn't have - sure the Nait sounded 'fun' but by comparison it was gutless and had so little dynamic headroom I really couldn't see the point of it.
The only disappointment (a relative term I should add) was the IX/XIV/IVDR - this was the 'dream' combination and at one time the best Exposure made. I never truly gelled with it, and ended up doing a deal with someone for the XXI/Super XVIII monos which (with an NVA phonostage) sounded better to me.
Yep, my first experience of Exposure was around 1992 when I went with my Dad to Uxbridge Audio to replace his 1970s Yamaha receiver. He went with the intention of buying an Audiolab 8000a which he did but he (and I) were gobsmacked by a second hand Exposure X which was somewhat better than the Audiolab. The problem was that Dad also needed speakers at the time and just couldn't find enough for both speakers and the Exposure!
From that day on, I promised myself I'd buy an Exposure amp :)
Andrew B
07-08-2013, 21:10
Seems like most of us who have let Exposure kit go, have at least some regrets, or at the very least some very fond memories. Says a lot about how good it is and also what it's like being a hifi nut ;)
Seems like most of us who have let Exposure kit go, have at least some regrets, or at the very least some very fond memories. Says a lot about how good it is and also what it's like being a hifi nut ;)
Never a truer statement Andrew :)
I've not owned any Exposure kit which is my loss by the sound of it... :eyebrows:
Yep, my first experience of Exposure was around 1992 when I went with my Dad to Uxbridge Audio to replace his 1970s Yamaha receiver. He went with the intention of buying an Audiolab 8000a which he did but he (and I) were gobsmacked by a second hand Exposure X which was somewhat better than the Audiolab. The problem was that Dad also needed speakers at the time and just couldn't find enough for both speakers and the Exposure!
From that day on, I promised myself I'd buy an Exposure amp :)
Small world Paul - my Nait 2 came from Uxbridge Audio. Got the Expo X from Northwood Audio.
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