This Affordable Integrated Amp is ASTOUNDING! Meet CHoco Sound.

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  • Опубліковано 19 сер 2023
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    #HiFi #Audiophile #Stereo
    Written Review: www.stevehuffphoto.com/2023/0...
    Instagram: @stevehuffofficial
    Today I review the CHoco Sound EMEI Integrated Amp from the Kinki Studios brand. CHoco Sound is here and it's a compact yet hefty integrated amp that is a pleasure to look at, use and listen to. For me, it brings some intoxicating music through any speaker I pair with it. Solidity, Slam, Romance and Beauty all in one.
    This looks, feels and sounds like a high end integrated but comes in at under $1,700. Incredible in today's expensive HiFi world.
    This is my full review and thoughts after having it here for two months. Members get an extended cut with a sound demo using the Alexandria Audio monitors!
    Join this channel to get access to members videos:
    / @hifihuff
    Enjoy!
    My Digital Stills Camera: bhpho.to/3JPSa8Y
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    The best bang for the buck TUBE HiFi on Amazon Prime: amzn.to/3OJzBXa
    My BIG review of many BEARD oils: www.stevehuffphoto.com/the-be...
    Media Contact/Review Contact: stevehuff1@icloud.com
  • Наука та технологія

КОМЕНТАРІ • 113

  • @pheunthai
    @pheunthai 11 місяців тому +20

    Sir, I have a similar experience with this manufacturer, with another of its brand. The amplifier I had simply short-circuited and blew my speakers as well. As far as you can tell sir, does this particular manufacturer build in any safety circuitry in their amplifiers?

  • @roynusser5246
    @roynusser5246 11 місяців тому +5

    The way you describe it, it sounds like am amp i would admire, but when I first saw it I thought it looked a bit like a photo scanner. I like that it has XLR inputs.

  • @fletchermunson6225
    @fletchermunson6225 11 місяців тому +3

    Nice review on a beautiful piece.

  • @allanellis5827
    @allanellis5827 11 місяців тому +1

    Sounds like a very interesting product. Thanks a lot.

  • @mrman7453
    @mrman7453 10 місяців тому +2

    One of the biggest lessons I learned certain components I rather buy from an established company .

  • @Woofy-tm8si
    @Woofy-tm8si 9 місяців тому +2

    Case in point: Denafrips. Their gear is top shelf. Beautifully made. Built like tanks.

  • @bruceandt
    @bruceandt 10 місяців тому

    Enjoy your reviews very much.
    These CHoco Emei are an eye grabber. Specs seem impressive. Considering some pairings for speakers. Tekton Lore reference with the upgrade kit. Mid towers are what I’m thinking. Thoughts?

  • @liamporter1137
    @liamporter1137 11 місяців тому

    Thanks for sharing.

  • @robertwang7825
    @robertwang7825 11 місяців тому +7

    On Taobao in China it sells for around USD1085 , very tempting proposition indeed.

    • @raiflores1833
      @raiflores1833 5 місяців тому +1

      You get no warranty if from inside china.

    • @robertwang7825
      @robertwang7825 5 місяців тому

      @@raiflores1833 Actually I’m now looking at the Eversolo F2 amp which is way cheaper with 145Watts

  • @redstarwraith
    @redstarwraith 11 місяців тому +1

    Very cool!

  • @janulik9535
    @janulik9535 10 місяців тому

    So, ..my understanding here is that with alexandria speakers it also does project a bit of depth to soundstage right?, and what about the dynamics? is it ok?

  • @stimpy1226
    @stimpy1226 11 місяців тому +19

    Just because something is produced in China does not mean that it's garbage. There are some great designers in China and they will not sacrifice their designs to poor quality construction.

    • @MrShaggy789
      @MrShaggy789 11 місяців тому +3

      Absolutely. All iPhones are made in Asia. Nobody questions their build quality. Just audiophile snobbery.

    • @gage4375
      @gage4375 11 місяців тому +1

      China's at war with us

    • @HiFiHuff
      @HiFiHuff  11 місяців тому +3

      Exactly. I say this all the time. Sadly, there are those who instantly trash anything made in china, even though they use their phones. Computers, television and even clothing made in china. Some of the Best Buy’s in audio are made in China.

    • @jonfoss3437
      @jonfoss3437 10 місяців тому +1

      Compared to vintage stuff from japan and usa. It is

  • @christiancarranza166
    @christiancarranza166 11 місяців тому

    What would you rather Have the michi x3 or choco EMEI

  • @mocomike01
    @mocomike01 11 місяців тому +15

    So this Choco Sound amp isn't too far from the price of the Heaven 11 Billie Mk2, which I know you are very familiar with. How does Emei stack up to Billie?

    • @jackfalco5351
      @jackfalco5351 11 місяців тому +2

      Billy has a built-in dac and phono stage

    • @mocomike01
      @mocomike01 11 місяців тому +1

      @@MasterofPlay7 Emei is approx. $1700, and Billie is $2000

    • @mocomike01
      @mocomike01 11 місяців тому +5

      @@jackfalco5351 yup. Billie is definitely more feature packed, but I'm curious how they stack up sound wise.

    • @psysword
      @psysword 11 місяців тому +2

      Billie is made in Canada. 'nuff said

    • @kevinwest1607
      @kevinwest1607 11 місяців тому

      So these two different amplifiers both come from communist countries.

  • @Mikespree-dy4fc
    @Mikespree-dy4fc 8 місяців тому

    Will this work well with Bowers and Wilkins cm9 s2 speakers 200 w sensitivity 89DB?

  • @HaraHetta
    @HaraHetta 10 місяців тому

    Your listening room is my dream

  • @thomasbirdsell840
    @thomasbirdsell840 11 місяців тому +5

    Is there any type of display, for power output or for input selection?

    • @Jayboulders
      @Jayboulders 7 місяців тому

      Yea for real. No one has these super unique speakers, and I get the amp pairs magically, but how about a walk through of the Bluetooth remote or the oled screen or whatever. Colorful gushing aside what’s the feature set.

  • @E.T.Persson
    @E.T.Persson 10 місяців тому

    great, wonder how it compares with the ex-m1

  • @petez4608
    @petez4608 11 місяців тому +1

    I’m just moving up from nice little Cambridge audio integrated. This could be a great candidate, amongst Hegel 95, Sphinx Audio and maybe this are the candidates under $2000 USD. Open to other thoughts from the community here.

  • @CarlosPerez-eb5er
    @CarlosPerez-eb5er 11 місяців тому +12

    Any reason why you didn’t show it lit up, turned on?

    • @jorgebravo7980
      @jorgebravo7980 11 місяців тому +2

      Exactly! It (seems it) has a huge screen and got no idea how it looks like

    • @2HatHudders
      @2HatHudders 11 місяців тому +1

      Must have had an issue with it. He showed it working in one of his shorts from a few weeks back

    • @HiFiHuff
      @HiFiHuff  11 місяців тому +1

      I did here: ua-cam.com/users/shortsEp6tDXurpSM?feature=share

    • @HiFiHuff
      @HiFiHuff  11 місяців тому +1

      @@2HatHudders no issue at all. I’m listening to it right at this moment. Most shots here it was unplugged or in my hands. The members version of the review shows it on before the sound demos. You can also see the display in a previous video here: ua-cam.com/users/shortsEp6tDXurpSM?feature=share

    • @scrutor7
      @scrutor7 10 місяців тому

      How is the soundstage and imaging?

  • @craigosterberg5045
    @craigosterberg5045 11 місяців тому

    Thanks

  • @scrutor7
    @scrutor7 10 місяців тому +1

    Sorry for the elementary questions, but with two analog inputs, how am I to connect a streamer or a DAC in addition to my turntable and cd player?

    • @mcpfrid73
      @mcpfrid73 10 місяців тому +1

      I think the Eversolo would work

  • @m.j.s.3838
    @m.j.s.3838 11 місяців тому

    I was just looking at that one the other day.

  • @rokodrago
    @rokodrago 11 місяців тому +8

    Question. What’s the difference between EMEI and EX-M1+ in terms of sound performance?

    • @E.T.Persson
      @E.T.Persson 10 місяців тому

      @@hushpuppykl cool, have you heard them both? side by side? Is the Emei much warmer? thx

    • @E.T.Persson
      @E.T.Persson 10 місяців тому

      @@hushpuppykl thx very helpful. I have the ex-m1 v1 With an Burson opamp atm playing my Dynaudio sp40. I think I’m moving on from the Kinki to something with more glow and shine. Any recommendations? And can you elaborate on the differences more? (Ex-m1 v emei) 🙏🏼

    • @atulnsingh
      @atulnsingh 4 місяці тому

      There is no EMEI+ in Choco sound but is there in Kinki Studio. The EXM1+ and the regular are same amps; the + model comes with a pre-out to connect a subwoofer or external power amp. I think that is the only difference.

  • @JingoLoBa57
    @JingoLoBa57 11 місяців тому +6

    So it’s a class A/B?

  • @nc3419
    @nc3419 10 місяців тому

    As to the inside components, I've seen two different photos and don't know which is representative of the current model. One has 2 caps, one has 4. One shows one blue encapsulated toroid with a larger black one and one shows 2 blue with a caged PS. Which is it?

  • @bruceandt
    @bruceandt 6 місяців тому

    Just watched some reviews of the Galion
    TS A 75. This unit is worthy of your review.
    Hope you check out this solid state amp.
    You might like to review this one

  • @ibrahim-alani
    @ibrahim-alani 11 місяців тому +1

    I hope you try the HoloAudio - May DAC ( the giants killer)

  • @michaellichnovsky8397
    @michaellichnovsky8397 11 місяців тому +1

    Nice one!

  • @bruceandt
    @bruceandt 11 місяців тому

    Could this compliment the Totem Forest.
    Ccs audio TD1x?

  • @joelnorris4064
    @joelnorris4064 11 місяців тому +1

    Would you recommend buying Daniel Hertz speakers with this amplifier if on a budget?

    • @yantrussart6584
      @yantrussart6584 11 місяців тому

      Do you know the price of the Daniel Hertz speakers? Maybe you and I don't have the same definition of "budget"...

  • @HailKingCeezer
    @HailKingCeezer 11 місяців тому

    How many opamps are there?

  • @Pete.across.the.street
    @Pete.across.the.street 11 місяців тому +5

    How did you blow the fuse?

  • @jean-michel2489
    @jean-michel2489 11 місяців тому

    What about the K link on the rear panel ? Shall we expect a complementary product ( DAC or streamer ) ?

    • @brandonwinstead5128
      @brandonwinstead5128 10 місяців тому

      They are working on a Bluetooth product that you can play music through your phone or tablet with.

  • @jimfarrell4635
    @jimfarrell4635 11 місяців тому +2

    I struggle with the lack of inputs. I appreciate the size constraints but it does limit it's use to simple systems.

    • @dan-sc7fm
      @dan-sc7fm 11 місяців тому +1

      Lack of inputs and outputs.

    • @jimfarrell4635
      @jimfarrell4635 11 місяців тому

      @@dan-sc7fm indeed.

  • @jameschan2404
    @jameschan2404 11 місяців тому

    Which colour do you prefer?

  • @pchlars5666
    @pchlars5666 11 місяців тому

    I would like to seesome shots of screen. Kinky Ex m1 has very visable vol which is great.

  • @gregsaddie
    @gregsaddie 11 місяців тому

    Yba Integre DT had the magic...

  • @jakobgooijer
    @jakobgooijer 11 місяців тому

    Very nice amp!
    Looks nice on your very old but great REL sub!

  • @paulpaulzadeh6172
    @paulpaulzadeh6172 11 місяців тому +1

    Can you try Sophie Zelmani albums in it .

  • @peterw2714
    @peterw2714 9 місяців тому

    It would be interesting to hear how this compares with your new reference system the Amber from Daniel Hertz.

    • @HiFiHuff
      @HiFiHuff  9 місяців тому

      It doesn't. Nothing I have heard compares to the Amber system, seriously. This amp plays very nice with the Amber speakers though and creates a warmer more tube like sound. For slam, excitement, details, dynamics and even plenty of warmth and body the Maria powers the Ambers as good as they can be powered as they were tuned together by Mark Levinson. I was able to hear three tunings with the Ambers as he was finalizing it all. The final tuning is spectacular. This amp is a sweet amp for almost any speaker though. In fact. it hasn't sounded bad with any speaker I have hooked up to it. I love this amp. It has a little magic inside of it and for me it bests the Kinki EXM1 but it depends on the sound you like.

  • @Kazsud215
    @Kazsud215 11 місяців тому

    Will you be reviewing the Kef Reference 1 meta since you reviewed the R3 meta?

    • @HiFiHuff
      @HiFiHuff  11 місяців тому +1

      Unlikely. KEF has not offered to send me a pair of REF1. If they do I’ll review them. Thanks.

    • @Kazsud215
      @Kazsud215 11 місяців тому

      @@HiFiHuff I got the ref1 og a few months ago and would love to hear your take w/ your amps which are better than mine. Crossing fingers.

  • @jo1512
    @jo1512 11 місяців тому +2

    4 ohm ?

  • @JingoLoBa57
    @JingoLoBa57 11 місяців тому +1

    I bet you haven’t tested the AudioLab 8003a fully balanced amp or can comment on these two? Anyone chime in?

    • @nc3419
      @nc3419 10 місяців тому

      I've read the 8300a isn't really fully balanced on the XLR inputs. Now replaced by newer amps which I don't know if fully balanced either.

  • @HiFiHuff
    @HiFiHuff  11 місяців тому

    The short I posted weeks ago shows it in silver... ua-cam.com/users/shortsEp6tDXurpSM?feature=share

  • @peterborelli3877
    @peterborelli3877 11 місяців тому

    Where are your Fleetwood DeVille SQs?

  • @chengo51
    @chengo51 11 місяців тому +4

    The kind of brand you never heard of and like hundreds of them, it will disappear the way it appeared !

    • @cheveyo2403
      @cheveyo2403 11 місяців тому

      most people were raving a bout kinki studio a couple of years ago. and this is a subbrand of kinki

    • @chengo51
      @chengo51 11 місяців тому +1

      @@cheveyo2403 Who raved of what ? Kinki ....never heard of it ....a non-brand ! Let the poor minded jump on any new marketing rubbish. If you are serious with your listening pleasure, get the real proven stuff !

    • @yantrussart6584
      @yantrussart6584 11 місяців тому +4

      ​@@chengo51Kinki Studio have indeed garnered many accolade from reviewers over the last couple of years. Maybe you should do a bit of research before pissing in the punch bowl...

    • @Yiannis2112
      @Yiannis2112 11 місяців тому +4

      @@chengo51 The real, proven stuff used to be non-brand at some point in the past.

    • @Jeipr
      @Jeipr 11 місяців тому +2

      ​@@chengo51Well the fact that you havent heard ot it dont mean the company makes bad products or isnt making waves in some audio circles. Kinda of narrowminded opinion.

  • @Tom_the_great
    @Tom_the_great 11 місяців тому +1

    Surprised he bought that DH system

  • @psysword
    @psysword 11 місяців тому

    I can't do class D so far. Love my class As.

    • @Jeipr
      @Jeipr 11 місяців тому

      CHoco is class AB

  • @leodesforges161
    @leodesforges161 11 місяців тому

    The triangles are pronounced: COE-mett

  • @ricardodiaz1753
    @ricardodiaz1753 11 місяців тому +2

    Can it handle 4 ohm?

  • @peternilsson1645
    @peternilsson1645 11 місяців тому

    🎯👏👍🙏❤

  • @Pete.across.the.street
    @Pete.across.the.street 11 місяців тому +3

    China makes all the best stuff. Looks pretty cool. If I was in the market for a starter system, this would be on my list.

    • @tokobjork
      @tokobjork 11 місяців тому +3

      They still copy o lot. Oppurtunistic behaviour without western standard for the employed and copyright non existent.

    • @jimfarrell4635
      @jimfarrell4635 11 місяців тому +1

      ​@@tokobjorkKinki, the parent company, did indeed start off life copying Goldmund designs and Goldmund DNA is still apparent in the Ex M1, but they are now designing all their own stuff from scratch.

  • @HungryEatNow
    @HungryEatNow 9 місяців тому

    Another month another hype 😂

  • @spacejaime
    @spacejaime 11 місяців тому +2

    No sub out. Bummer.

    • @maxadams1298
      @maxadams1298 11 місяців тому +3

      speaker taps -REL subs

    • @thanatoasbingus4253
      @thanatoasbingus4253 11 місяців тому

      REL does not need sub out / preout

    • @2HatHudders
      @2HatHudders 11 місяців тому +1

      Lots of subs with hi level input.

  • @jeffkalina7727
    @jeffkalina7727 11 місяців тому +1

    So much for fuses. Get some stuff from EU and ditch China. Service available where? Warranty?

  • @hi-fiwithgary7532
    @hi-fiwithgary7532 11 місяців тому

    EMEI is pronounced as Er May, roughly but close

  • @purnimaarong4767
    @purnimaarong4767 11 місяців тому +1

    Hello sir 18 years boy murdered by jadobpur University hostels older boy's.india west bengal.can you called his soul.current news that is.

  • @seanb3303
    @seanb3303 11 місяців тому +2

    Is this Class D?

  • @adotopp1865
    @adotopp1865 11 місяців тому

    The warranty is not worth the paperwork it's written on if you buy it online.

  • @YouSoundButtHurt
    @YouSoundButtHurt 11 місяців тому +6

    What about the 4ohm rating? Is there one?

    • @jimfarrell4635
      @jimfarrell4635 11 місяців тому

      Seemingly it puts out a little over 200 watts into 4 Ohms. Can't remember the exact figure.

    • @mikehuntington4440
      @mikehuntington4440 11 місяців тому

      6moons says is 180watts into 4ohms