Exposure 2010s integrated amp problem

default -- Wed, 05/13/2009 - 12:46

today i auditioned this amp, i found out that when u push the power button to turn-on the amp (no problem with turning-off), there would be a "bluupk" sound from the speaker. The sound was not too loud but it was clearly audible from like 1,5 - 2 meter (5 - 6 feet) away. Same thing happen with the second unit, but no such problem occur with 3010s model.
The dealer who's also the importer made phone call in front of me, to exposure office in england and talked with the chief engineer (i forgot the name). This chief eng explained that the 2010s model uses ' high current system.." that caused the "bluupk" sound (i don't realy understand his explanation partly because i know almost nothing about technical issue/engineering side in audio equipment). The 3010s model uses different system. He also said about the 2010s model that such sound shouldn't be a problem, and it should not damage the speaker either.
I read that 2010s has passive pre-amp in front of a high-voltage-gain power amp., while the 3010s model has an active pre-amp.

I like the 2010s very much (is 3010s better?), with quite neutral tonal balance, good dynamic and transparancy, i would certainly have bought it if not for this problem.
Have any of you known this issue? Any thoughts? Is there any risk of speaker damage ? Thank u in advance.

blazen69 (not verified) -- Sat, 07/25/2009 - 11:12

I own the same amp and they all do this.It's nothing to worry about.It will not cause any damage to your speakers.The reason this happens has nothing to do with active or passive preamp stages.Every high current amp has capacitors that store electricity.When you turn them on some of it is discharged by the caps which causes the thump.Pretty much every amp on earth would do this if not for relays.If i were to hazzard a guess i would say that the 3010s has some kind of relay to stop this from happening. The 2010s doesn't have relays which is why it thumps.The reason they were not included in the design are probably to keep cost down and because some designers subscribe to the theory that relays are just
another thing in the signal path that degrade the sound.They may be right.This amp does sound fantastic.It's annoying that it does this but i assure you it will not cause any damage.Hope the way i explained that makes sense to you.