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Kinki studio EX-M1, EX-M1+ differences... vs Denafrips Hestia/ Hyperion combo?

I've been reading up on some Integrated Amps and Pre-Amp/Amp combos lately but have some questions.

The following is an excerpt from SoundStageHifi:
The original EX-M1 was introduced in 2017. The newly updated EX-M1 — without the “+” — costs $2398 and includes, among other things, changes in the power supply, capacitance, and the volume control, the latter now using a MUSES72320 controller instead of the previous relay-based control. The EX-M1+ is essentially identical to the upgraded EX-M1, but adds a preamp-stage output and a home-theater bypass to entirely bypass the preamp stage.

That last sentence has me a little confused. 
"The EX-M1+ is essentially identical to the upgraded EX-M1" - What is the "upgraded" EX-M1?  Does this mean that the latest version of the EX-M1 has all the updates that they just covered preceding this statement?

The 2nd half of the statement says " but adds a preamp-stage output and a home-theater bypass to entirely bypass the preamp stage." - You'll have to excuse my ignorance.  Does this mean that I can add a pre-amp in the future and use the EX-M1+ as a Power Amp?  Also, does this mean that I cannot add a pre-amp to the EX-M1 (non-plus)?

At this time, I don't have hard to drive speakers, and I don't foresee having something like that anytime soon, so I was also considering the Denafrips Hestia/Hyperion combo.  I haven't seen any reviews comparing these 2 company's offerings... any feedback is appreciated.

jwlaudio
jwlaudio OP
17 posts
 
@mboldda1  - Thank you.  It was nice to read about something else besides what all the reviewers are taking turns reviewing.

I've decided to go another direction due to a sale that brought an item down into my price range.  I wish I would have seen the sale sooner, but oh well, I learned a lot during that time.

Thanks everyone!

jwlaudio
jond's avatar
jond
5,794 posts
 
@jwlaudio don't just leave us hanging what did you get?
jwlaudio OP
17 posts
 
@jond 

I didn't know you cared!  hahaha

I ended up with a First Watt F8 (Picked up 30mins from me =) and I was able to get a 30% discount on a new PS Audio BHK Preamplifier.  I found out about the PS Audio sale after I bought the First Watt F8.  I could have ended up with the PS Audio BHK 250 + BHK Pre, for about $1k more.  The BHK Pre is getting built right now, so we'll see how it sounds.  So far, the First Watt F8 is getting better and better as it burns/breaks in... it is also on the bottom shelf, but near my thermostat and my place is freezing in every room when it's on. This amp runs HOT! lol
jond's avatar
jond
5,794 posts
 
@jwlaudio that's great I've heard First Watt amps a few times at shows always sounding great you basically can't go wrong with a Nelson Pass amp. And a tube pre and great SS amp is a fantastic combo for many listeners. And yes those class A amps do need extra ventilation get it away from that thermostat lol!
jackd
1,068 posts
 
@jwlaudio 

Just a bit of info that may or may not be important to you from an owner of the BHK preamplifier for over three years.  As the F8 is a single ended amp and the BHK is fully balanced you are likely to run into two small issues.  One is you are likely going to half to lift the ground on either the amp or the preamp and secondly the BHK preamps in general are not fond of SE amp connections as it tends to cause an increased level of clicking with their unusual volume control.  I tried mine with well over a half dozen SE amps and the increased clicking occurred with each one.  A friend tried two different samples of the BHK and ran into the same issues and this includes SE amps with convenience XLR connectors.  Another issue that may limit your tube choices is that the BHK needs input tube with matched triodes to keep the volume control noise in check which is much harder and more expensive to find in NOS variants than in new production tubes.  But in the end if you have an amp that the BHK "likes" then it is a very solid choice.  
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