Exposure kit from the 1990s

[MisterMoseley]

Giving some initial thoughts to acquiring Exposure kit from the 1990s - John Farlowe era.
Neat speakers would be connected.
Any thoughts/advice/personal experience of 30 year old Exposure equipment would be much appreciated.
I’ve read a lot - some of it on here - but am a but bamboozled by the number of, and names, of the pre, power and integrateds.
Things to look out for, things to avoid?
Thanks for any input.
PS I’ve messaged Exposure to try and get some idea of servicing costs.

[Pete The Cat]

I have a lot of time for Exposure amps of that era since the 'house sound' is warm and rich, with plenty of thump. Your questions are pertinent however the answers potentially quite lengthy so just a few key thoughts here.


30 year old... If you mean 'are they still competitive with today's market when operating at their best' then I would say so, which is why plenty of folks have stuck with them (as to whether they still function optimally after 30 years' then the usual answer applies to all solid state equipment and you're wise to check with Exposure regarding servicing costs).


As a broad rule you can't go wrong with any of the John Farlowe era amps, which if memory serves ran up to the XXI pre. I've seen some argue that the models prior to XVII were his best but the XVII pre + XVIII power were a joy and are more readily obtainable than some preceding pre and power favourites such as XI pre + IV dual mono power (yes, the numbering is a unique language). However you may struggle to get a decent opinion across the whole range since there were so many models in that timespan and their individual production numbers weren't so large. Plus it's quite hard to source some models these days and folks tend to hang on to them - a final version dual regulated IV power or monobloc power amps such as the XVIs are like hens' teeth.


The simplest answer I can give, but also the one that might be most prudent, is to dip your toe in with one of the integrateds X, XV or XX, or the VII pre + VIII power, to see if you like that 'house sound'. They're also more readily available than others further up the range. If you do try an an early pre and power combination check the specific power supply requirements for the pre since they vary (in my answer above the VII takes its power from the standard VIII). Also ensure you use low capacitance speaker cable such as Cable Talk, Naim or Exposure own. While you're enjoying one of these entry options you can spend more time researching the labyrinth of arcane model numbers and features. But when I say 'entry' I still mean damn good and IMHO they spank Naim equivalents.


I feel that the post-Farlowe models deserve more acclaim from our community. The Exposure power amp that I kept in the end was a XXVIII which is a beast.

Enjoy the journey.