Advance Paris X-i1100

The X-i1100 is a stereo integrated amplifier from Advance Paris, a French manufacturer, belonging to the Classic range. It brings together preamplification, digital-to-analogue conversion and a power stage within a single chassis, capable of directly powering passive speakers without an additional power amplifier, whilst also offering the possibility of connecting one via its dedicated preamp output.

Its output reaches 2x220W into 8Ω and 2x400W into 4Ω, delivered by a 700VA toroidal transformer paired with a 60,000 µF filtering capacitance. The amplification boards, mounted on large heatsinks, feature a triple push-pull per channel based on NJW0281G and NJW0302G bipolar transistors, connected to the output terminals via 4 mm² section cables. A "High Bias" switch located at the rear allows the unit to run up to 45W in a mode close to class A before switching to class AB beyond that. Digital conversion relies on a Burr Brown PCM1796 DAC, supported by an XMOS USB3318 jitter-correcting receiver for the USB input and a Cirrus Logic CS8416 for the AES and S/PDIF inputs, with the whole system handling signals up to 24-bit / 192 kHz. The frequency response extends from 10 Hz to 70 kHz at -3dB, with distortion below 0.025% and a signal-to-noise ratio above 102 dB.

The X-i1100 offers six analogue inputs, including a moving-magnet phono input, an unbalanced and balanced CD input, a tuner input, two auxiliary inputs and a direct "Amp In" input. On the digital side, it has a USB input, an AES input and six S/PDIF inputs, four of which are optical. It also offers a dedicated unbalanced line recording output as well as a preamp output.

This amplifier is aimed at music lovers seeking a versatile piece of electronics, capable of accommodating analogue sources, an MM cartridge turntable and various digital sources, whilst retaining the possibility of moving to a separates system thanks to its preamp output. Its generous output into 4Ω allows it to drive speakers that are demanding in terms of impedance.