X-i75 AMPLIFIER FROM ADVANCE PARIS

This meaty looking integrated Class AB amplifier packs 75W into 8 Ohms and is bristling with features. Paul Rigby goes old school

And it feels old school from the moment you open the box because the X-i75 looks off the pace in aesthetic terms. Old fashioned, you might say. I was seeing this design 10, 15, 20 years ago. Even so, that very design direction might appeal to you. This is a trad design. 

The interface is, at least initially, confusing because everything is controlled by a central multi-function knob which is ruled by push-button clicks, timed delays and more. 

As a new user I was befuddled by this control, partly because I found myself selecting an input then accidentally entering into a chain of menus to select tone controls and more. Sometimes, after selecting an input and wanting to change the volume I changed the input again by mistake. Sometimes the software upgrade request popped up when I didn’t want it. And so on. 

I’m sure I could have gotten used to this controller over time so I advise patience. In the future? Advanced Paris need to ignore minimalist theory. It’s not clever. They should look at the end user experience instead.  

Also the basic manual features four languages including English but, instead of separating the languages within their own sections, each listed instruction, each feature has four translations. So you’re constantly hunting for your own language. Again, user experience guys. User experience.  

STRAIGHT-FORWARD

Apart from that, the amplifier is pretty straight forward. On the front is a stand-by button, that multi-function controller, input selection lights and labels plus a welcome, built-in headphone amplifier. 

On the rear is a host of useful inputs including an equally welcome built-in phono amplifier supporting moving magnet, analogue and digital banks including USB A and B. It was nice to see both types.

Oh and a big thumbs up to Advanced Paris for using an AKM AK4113 DAC chip. I much prefer the sound of AKM chips to the competition out there. 

Outputs include a ‘Rec Out’ for cassette tape players which is great to see plus an output for a subwoofer. 

 

There’s the usual speaker outputs plus IEC power socket and rocker power switch. There is an output for an external Bluetooth dongle but I’m afraid I didn’t receive that for review.

A button-rich remote control is also included. Again, happy to see that. Too many HiFi boxes resort to app-only control. I like physicality with my HiFi. 

Speaking of which, the X-i75 weighs in a a hefty 8.7kg and spans 120 x 430 x 320mm

So let’s see how this box sounds, shall we?

SOUND QUALITY

I began with CD and Stereolab’s Emperor Tomato Ketchup and Cybele’s Reverie and ran the Audiolab 6000A as a sound reference. 

The X-i75 was a fascinating beast, especially when compared to the 6000A. Firstly because it arranged the music in a different way. That is, voices appeared from different parts of the soundstage and that soundstage was structured differently. 

The 6000A has a broad, expansive soundstage, the X-i75 – at least initially – sounded focused much more centrally. Alternatively, you could say that the stereo image from the X-i75 was rock solid and strong around that central point. The X-i75 did appear to push left and right, just not as far as the 6000A until the three voices on this track appeared. Then the soundstage pushed further left and right to accommodate those. That was a neat effect, having the instruments as a central focus with voices on the edge. That took me by surprise. 

Bass was impressive from the X-i75, allied to an impressive tonal balance. The growling of the analogue synths on this track caused earth tremors in my listening room while guitar strums had real weight but the delicacy of the cymbal taps and tambourine strikes were still to be heard right at the rear of the mix.

VINYL PLAY

Turning to Sarah Vaughan’s innovative Beatles covers album Songs Of The Beatles and Eleanor Rigby – well, it couldn’t be anything else could it? – with its Earth Wind & Fire arrangement. I was again intrigued by the soundstage.

 

The control of the Vaughan vocal was absolute, fixed into the centre of the stereo image with, once more, the edges of the soundstage reserved for highlights, the harmonica and secondary percussion in this case. It was an interesting and subtle soundstage construction and one I like a lot. 

I also liked the clarity around the mids that enhanced the neutral output so you got to hear all of the available detail without any artificial accentuation. No frequencies were boosted here. 

HIGH BIAS

Next? I quickly tested the High Bias switch on the rear of the chassis. Switching this option On, I thought the output was flat with bass pulled back in the mix.

In the Off position, bass had a larger say in the mix being punchier and stronger. I preferred Off but it’s nice to have the option. I viewed this switch as a hardware EQ option.  

USB PLAY

Using a MacBook laptop as a digital source I played Bob Marley’s Jamming at 24bit/96kHz and found the output solid, well behaved and pretty neutral.

Bass was full and bouncy while the instrumental separation was very nice indeed. That is, voices and instruments all found space across the soundstage. The sonic elements never sounded crowded

HEADPHONE OUTPUT

I then plugged my Sennheiser HD 650 headphones into the front-mounted headphone socket and continued to play the Vaughan vinyl.

Music sounded a little warming, cuddly, comforting you might say. Sure, there was plenty of information on offer here but the output wasn’t as balanced. This option was fine for occasional headphone use or while you’re saving for an external head amp. 

PHONO AMP

As for the built-in phono amp? I had an Audio-Technica LP5x sporting a VM-95E cartridge handy so attached that and played the Vaughan LP.

I like this phono amplifier a lot. Open and spacious when many built-in units are plain claustrophobic, the built-in unit here does a great job. 

CONCLUSION

The Advance Paris X-i75, despite its slight finicky interface and simple aesthetics sounds rather wonderful indeed.

And that sonic performance out weighs those design issues. I love the well-crafted and often subtle soundstage, the tonal balance is a relief while, associated with that, the bass gives music a great foundation and power when required.

This well-balanced amplifier can compete with the very best integrated amplifiers under £1k. If you’re in the market for an amplifier at this price point, do not ignore this little cutie from the banks of the Seine. It’s a bit of a stunner. 

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ADVANCE PARIS X-i75 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER

Price: £750

Website: Advance Paris Uk Retailer List: https://www.decentaudio.co.uk/advance-paris: Outside Of The UK: https://www.advanceparis.com/en/revendeurs/

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Good: soundstage, bass, tonal balance, neutral presentation, phono amplifier

Bad: prosaic aesthetics, interface, manual 

RATING: 8

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