More and more local products started to surface in the past few years. As far as I can recall, I have reviewed speakers, cables, pre amps, power amps, streamer, and headphone amps. This will be the first integrated amp with a Malaysian touch that I had the pleasure to review. First of all, a big thanks to Matthew Ong of AFC Top HiFi for sending this unit over.
THE BUILT, INS AND OUTS, SPECIFICATION
Sturdily built and beautifully finished aluminium chassis with a simple front fascia. The front is equipped with a small screen to show the volume step. There are 2 knobs, one for input selector and one for digital volume. The volume knob also act as a mute knob by pressing it in. The power button is also located here.
The unit is relatively heavy compared for its size. I would say about 6 to 7 kg.
On the rear, the unit offers 4 RCA inputs and a 2 sets of RCA outputs (I believe there is a plan for XTARK to introduce power amps as well). The speaker terminals accepts standard banana plugs.
The remote is something special. Reminds me of a Bryston remote. Metal remote with minimal buttons for volume, input selector and mute. Even battery compartment is locked in with screws.
The IA10 amp is a 100 watter per channel amp at 8 ohms, 200 watts at 4 ohms and 300 watts at 2 ohms. THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) is at 0.005% and the response frequency goes from 20 Hz to 35 kHz (-0.5dB)
THE SETUP
The amp is hooked up to SONY HAP Z1ES, Kronos Sparta via Absolare Phono stage and the PMC Twenty5.24 speakers.
THE SESSION
On the digital side, playing Tak Seindah Wajah by the late Dato S.M. Salim from my SONY HAP Z1 ES, I was extremely surprised by how huge the sound stage have transformed in my set up. Clarity of vocal seems to be the main strength in this first impression session. Its not just clear but the amp injects the energy to reproduce his sweet and emotional vocal. With regards to the low frequency, the amp does not fall short in providing very well defined bass. The PMC Twenty5.24 was giving out an immersive bass experience driven by this amp. The highs can be of a concern as at times, it can sound a little bit harsh. The huge sound stage is also one the amp's strong point. I initially thought that this was a hybrid amp i.e. having both tube and solid state characteristics. But nope. This huge sound stage was coming from an AB amp.
On the analog side of things, this track Samba de Menino by Michael Blicher, Dan Hemmer, Steve Gadd is a testament of what this amp can deliver . The percussion on this track was presented in a very engaging manner. The bass drum was hard hitting and so were the toms. The snare was dispersed and hi hat was splashy to give that huge staging impact. This one really got me going as my feet was moving to the beat of this track. The part that impressed me most was the fact that the amp can still produced such a controlled and grip on the bass but at the same time maintained that huge sound stage that painted a real lively listening ambiance.
THE VERDICT
At RM4680, I would place this amp as a very decent start up hifi category. Minimalist but with a very high grade build and also a decent specs. In this price range, consumers are spoiled with various options from Marantz, Arcam, Musical Fidelity, Rega etc. However, this XTARK IA10 can give you the spacious sound if that is what you prefer in your listening session. It does give a little bit harshness in the highs but given the overall presentation, the clarity from the vocals and controlled bass delivery compensate a lot to this minor setback. Give it a go and demo it. AFC Top HiFi is located at Bandar Kinrara 5.
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