New Exposure XV RC - just arrived, and a few surprises, can you spot them?

[Stubies]

Here is the just arrived new Exposure XV. It was well packed, and arrived fine.
http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x321/stuarttill/Exposurefront.jpg

It is very heavy, a look inside shows why – BIG transformer!
http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x321/stuarttill/ExposureInside.jpg

The screws looked well worn – seems a few things may have been replaced – though dated a long time ago…
http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x321/stuarttill/Exposureinside2.jpg

The Back… Now here are 2 surprises! Can you spot them?
http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x321/stuarttill/Exposureback.jpg


scroll down to see the answer...



Left and Right are MISLABELED! Yes, look again.... and I tested it – unplug the right input and the ‘left’ speaker stops working!! Ha, wonder how many have listened to their stereo backwards?



Also, do you see a serial number?

I didn't think so. How about I write 0001 on it? Could i sell it for lots of cash as a ‘first off the production line’…
http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x321/stuarttill/Exposureserial.jpg

[Stubies]

BTW

The speakers make a 'pop' when the amplifier it turned on, even when the volume is at zero. Not a huge pop, but a medium pop.

Any ideas if i should worry about this?

[pjdowns]

Hi Stuart,

Looking good although I am somewhat dumbfounded by the speakers outputs being the wrong way around or the lack of serial number. Hmmm

[istari_knight]

The pop is normal :)

I've repaired a couple of Exposure amps & the components in yours look original [from what I can see :scratch:]

Edit: Oh I see, the PCB was replaced in '00. Output stage meltdown probably destroyed tracks... Is it possible later PCB revisions swapped the L/R outputs [yours is a newer PCB in old chassis.]

[Stubies]

Hi Paul!

Actually the speaker outputs are the 'right way around' - i.e. the normal way on most amps.

It is the labeling that is wrong.

So the side that says 'left' is actually the right channel. It was probably the person that did the lettering - didnt know the standard convention, and no one checked i guess....

Go figure!

Hi Stuart,

Looking good although I am somewhat dumbfounded by the speakers outputs being the wrong way around or the lack of serial number. Hmmm

[Andrew B]

Nice one Stuart! Looks minty inside too. The switch on thump is par for the course with Exposure. Believe it or not, you kinda miss its reassuring thud when you try other amps after a while. The little Exposure X seemed to make the biggest bang from my experience. Maybe it had "small man syndrome" ;)

[pjdowns]

BTW

The speakers make a 'pop' when the amplifier it turned on, even when the volume is at zero. Not a huge pop, but a medium pop.

Any ideas if i should worry about this?

Na the Speakers make a 'pop' sound when I turn on my power amps... and also a slightly quieter 'pop' sometime (5-10 seconds) after I switch them off too!

[Yomanze]

Exposures, pops and thumps on turn-on. Standard. :)

They are sensitive to warm-up too, and no harm (some would argue it's better) when you leave them on.

[pjdowns]

Exposures, pops and thumps on turn-on. Standard. :)

They are sensitive to warm-up too, and no harm (some would argue it's better) when you leave them on.

I agree entirely with Neil on this one. I never turn off my Exposure's and they sound a lot better for it!

[Stubies]

Thanks for your comments guys!


Interesting.

There are no ventilation holes on the amp. Its a completely sealed box.

All my other amps had ventilation. Wonder why Exposures dont?

[pjdowns]

Thanks for your comments guys!


Interesting.

There are no ventilation holes on the amp. Its a completely sealed box.

All my other amps had ventilation. Wonder why Exposures dont?

I think it had something to do with better ventilation desperation but I am not entirely sure :)

[Stubies]

Niel, Paul,

thanks for the reassurance! Glad to hear there is nothing to worry about!


Na the Speakers make a 'pop' sound when I turn on my power amps... and also a slightly quieter 'pop' sometime (5-10 seconds) after I switch them off too!

Nice one Stuart! Looks minty inside too. The switch on thump is par for the course with Exposure. Believe it or not, you kinda miss its reassuring thud when you try other amps after a while. The little Exposure X seemed to make the biggest bang from my experience. Maybe it had "small man syndrome" ;)

[pjdowns]

You're very welcome Stuart... so have you listened to the Exposure much? what are your first thoughts?

Paul.

[The Outcast]

Never mind all that. What does it sound like? I have owned a lot of the early Exposure amps (John Farlowe designed units) and they sounded great. I always thought they give Naim a run for their money. The amp you have there looks great and my guess is that it boogies?
:):guitar:

[Stubies]

Just breaking it back in - not sure how long it has been on the shelf, so better to expect a bit of burnin.

So far... its very nice!

Tight, solid, smooth.

More soon!


Never mind all that. What does it sound like? I have owned a lot of the early Exposure amps (John Farlowe designed units) and they sounded great. I always thought they give Naim a run for their money. The amp you have there looks great and my guess is that it boogies?
:):guitar:

[Gromit]

Nice amp. :)

Couple of things...

Early (ie Farlowe) Exposure integrateds always have their speaker outlets that way round, plus you'll notice the input sockets are 'upside down' from the norm (the Exposure is R on top, L on bottom). One thing that does puzzle me slightly is that the RC XXV should come with a 'double pair' of speaker outlets for bi-wiring. I'm only 90% certain on that though.

Switch-on thump is normal, nothing to worry about as they all do it. :)

[Theo]

The original XXV integrated was not configured for 2 sets of speakers:

http://www.exposurehifi.com/archive/reviews/ampreview/ampreview.htm

They also didn't have a glossy front plate. The lack of a serial number might indicate that this was either an early model, or possibly a one-off? Whatever, still a fabulous integrated. Enjoy!

[Gromit]

Hi Theo - I've seen a few XXV's with the glossy front, but can't quite work out if these were a limited edition intro version, or if they were done as a 'special' when production was drawing to an end.

[Stubies]

Theo

Lots of interesting points - thanks.

From the picture on the review - the left and right are still 'reversed' from their normal positions. And yes, only one set of banana plugs.

The front plate on mine is definately piano gloss finish.




The original XXV integrated was not configured for 2 sets of speakers:

http://www.exposurehifi.com/archive/reviews/ampreview/ampreview.htm

They also didn't have a glossy front plate. The lack of a serial number might indicate that this was either an early model, or possibly a one-off? Whatever, still a fabulous integrated. Enjoy!

[Stubies]

Hi Theo - I've seen a few XXV's with the glossy front, but can't quite work out if these were a limited edition intro version, or if they were done as a 'special' when production was drawing to an end.

Gromit - have you ever tried to remove a 'left input' to see if the 'right speaker' goes dark?

it would be interesting to see if im the only one...

what range is your serial numbers? might give a clue to new or late..

Stu

[Gromit]

Gromit - have you ever tried to remove a 'left input' to see if the 'right speaker' goes dark?

it would be interesting to see if im the only one...

what range is your serial numbers? might give a clue to new or late..

Stu

Hi Stu - sadly I don't have an Exposure amp these days but I've owned more than a few over the years. Like Theo, I absolutely love the things. :)

Both my X and Super XV integrateds had their rear sockets in the exact same format as on your lovely XXV so please don't worry that your speakers sockets (in particular) seem to be the wrong way round. It always seemed odd to me though that, having the amp sat between the speakers, the speaker cables would cross eachother on their way to each speaker.

The serial No. thing is slightly odd though - may be worth dropping an email to Tony Brady at Exposure who's always happy to help. He may be able to shed some light on this. :)

Good luck - and enjoy what must be one of the finest solid state integrateds ever made, for sensible money at least.

[Stubies]

Paul, Gromit et al,

I received a reply from Tony at Exposure - very helpful and ready to assist.

Regarding the speaker connections Tony says: "It must be an early one as the screen print is wrong for the speakers. Old XV were the same as marked on your XXV but XXV are the other way around - logical to have the left speaker socket nearest the left speaker!"

Nice bit of trivia for Exposure fans :)

He is not sure why mine does not have a serial number though...







Hi Stu - sadly I don't have an Exposure amp these days but I've owned more than a few over the years. Like Theo, I absolutely love the things. :)

Both my X and Super XV integrateds had their rear sockets in the exact same format as on your lovely XXV so please don't worry that your speakers sockets (in particular) seem to be the wrong way round. It always seemed odd to me though that, having the amp sat between the speakers, the speaker cables would cross eachother on their way to each speaker.

The serial No. thing is slightly odd though - may be worth dropping an email to Tony Brady at Exposure who's always happy to help. He may be able to shed some light on this. :)

Good luck - and enjoy what must be one of the finest solid state integrateds ever made, for sensible money at least.

[Gromit]

Nice one Stuart, that Tony's definitely one of the good guys, always williing to help. :)

[pjdowns]

He is not sure why mine does not have a serial number though...

I wouldn't worry about it Stuart, it may just have warn away over time... really, no biggie :) :)