Intro
Contents
No, this is not a dCS Apex device. It is about a new, quite updated French Advance Paris A12. The “Apex” version. New dac, more connectivity…. and… white lights! Let’s see how this update plays out in practice.
White lights and vu-meters. On an Advance Paris. Yes: that takes some getting used to. But honestly, it turns out very nicely. This A12 still looks – and sounds – like an Advance Paris. The thick plastic faceplate, the tubes glowing hot, the big VU meters swishing happily back and forth…. it’s all nice and quirky. Lovely Advance Paris.
A12 Apex Update
The biggest update is the dac board. The voltage regulation has been addressed to provide even cleaner and more stable power. We also now see an ESS9039Q2M dac chip to act as its heart. A nice chip, if properly integrated of course.
We also see more connectivity options. It’s quite cowded on the back now. Three times coaxial and optical, a module connection for bluetooth, AES/EBU, hdmi-eARC, USB, two analog XLR in, one XLR pre-out, two subwoofer outputs (rca), 5 rca inputs, rec-out, pre-out and an amp-in. Not to mention a phono-input. MM and MC with some adjustment possibilities.
We also notice the famous high and low-bias setting. We actually always prefer high-bias. It’s just a little smoother. But it does take a little more idle-power. And it might not match with your speaker. So be sure to try that.
The French way?
We can be brief about the finish: it’s good. The buttons feel good, things are in logical places and we don’t see any crazy crooked screws or seams. The measurements are also fine, as you will see later. In short: no crazy things and certainly no French ‘slapdash’ job!
I used to think one MUST have a separate DAC and that’s really not the case. I sold my Holo Audio because whatever is in my M33 does it better. I also used to own the regular A12 and it’s a great gentle giant of an amp with a not very good DAC. This package could be a very nice option, a Sabre DAC makes a lot of sense on an otherwise smooth amp. Not sure how I feel about losing the blue VUs but I guess the black knobs and white lights make it look cleaner and more mature.