Exposure 3510 Integrated Amplifier Lab Report

Lab Report

While there is some trickledown from the 5010 monoblocks [HFN Nov '18] there is still a clear connection between the design of the new 3510 and the earlier 3010S2 integrated [tested for HFC Jul '13]. The overall +41.1dB gain and slightly below-average 80.2dB A-wtd S/N ratio are unchanged, but this is a white noise rather than invasive hum, so any subjective impact is likely to be benign. The power output of the new 3510 is also identical to the 3010S2's at 2x135W/ 8ohm and 2x220W/4ohm, both illustrating the very strict PSU regulation that is a feature of all Exposure amps. The figures are also comfortably ahead of their 110W specification, but the 3510 wins out courtesy of its much improved ability to drive low impedance loads. The 3010S2 offered 175W, 330W, 555W and a (protected) 335W into 8, 4, 2 and 1ohm loads under dynamic conditions while the 3510 powers on to totals of 166W, 318W, 546W and 762W [see Graph 1]. This 27.6A maximum current delivery (<1% THD/10msec) is very impressive for a 'mere' 100-watter.

The ~0.01ohm output impedance and HF response shaping observed from the 3510 is, again, almost identical to that measured with the 3010S2, both amplifiers offering a –3dB response reaching from 4Hz-40kHz (–1.0dB/20kHz). Distortion is also closer in level to that achieved by the 3010S2 than the 5010 at 0.006-0.051% (3510) vs. 0.0006-0.005% (5010), all for 20Hz-20kHz/10W. At two-thirds output, distortion increases to 0.025-0.18% [see red trace, Graph 2, below] which is not unreasonable given the stress on an output stage configured with only modest levels of feedback. In a nutshell, the 3510 is a proven, fine-sounding design, now with added 'grunt'! PM

1221exp.lab1

Dynamic power output versus distortion into 8ohm (black trace), 4ohm (red), 2ohm (blue) and 1ohm (green) speaker loads. Max. current is 27.6A

1221exp.lab2

Distortion vs. frequency at 1W/8ohm (black, 5Hz-40kHz), 10W (blue) and 70W (red, 20Hz-20kHz)

Continuous power (<1% THD, 8/4ohm) 135W / 220W
Dynamic power (<1% THD, 8/4/2/1ohm) 166W / 318W / 546W / 762W
Output impedance (20Hz–20kHz) 0.010–0.022ohm
Freq. resp. (20Hz–20kHz/100kHz) –0.19dB to –1.0dB / –15.8dB
Input sensitivity (for 0dBW/110W) 25mV / 265mV
A-wtd S/N ratio (re. 0dBW/110W) 80.2dB / 100.6dB
Distortion (20Hz-20kHz, 1W/10W) 0.003–0.058% / 0.006–0.051%
Power consumption (idle/rated o/p) 25W / 370W (1W standby)
Dimensions (WHD) / Weight 440x115x300mm / 12kg
Price £2250

COMPANY INFO
Exposure Electronics Ltd
Lancing, UK
Supplied by: Exposure Electronics Ltd
01273 423877
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