Exposure’s new flagship 5510 integrated amplifier balances being a top “all-rounder’ with sounding “beautifully refined and ‘hi-fi’ when the content demands”. “Music-making doesn’t always sound this effortless”, says Mark Craven in the December issue of Hi-Fi News.
In the new 5510 integrated amplifier, British Brand Exposure Electronics leverages technology from its 3510 monoblock, and introduces some notable changes over the brand’s more affordable 3510 integrated.
Sporting a smart, brushed metal fascia, with gold-coloured lettering around its controls, and general ‘classic hi-fi’ look, the 5510 offers five line inputs (with optional modules for MM/MC/DS phono and digital/DAC), a tape loop and two preamp outputs, and dual 4mm speaker cable sockets to support bi-wiring. Additionally, a new board compatible with DS Audio’s optical cartridges will launch around the end of 2025.
“Arguably the 5510’s most significant update over the older 3510 amplifier is the new stepped-resistor volume control, replacing Exposure’s traditional ALPS potentiometer”. Exposure’s attenuator proves its mettle, delivering “precise adjustment over a massive ~95dB range”.
“To keep abreast of the new volume control, the 5510 features another Exposure first – an OLED panel… indicating the action of the logic- controlled input rotary and stepwise volume”. The display is “easily read from across the room”, while the screen automatically goes dark after a minute, “which will be appreciated by those who like ‘lights-off’ listening”.
“In its promotional materials, Exposure is eager to emphasise the all-rounder status of the 5510 integrated, saying it’s equally suited to ‘delicate acoustic pieces’ as it is ‘high-energy rock’,” notes Craven. “The company will get no quibble from me here, as with the amp up and running, I enjoyed listening sessions spanning various musical genres and time periods – ‘enjoyed’ being the operative word.”
“Like previous Exposure amps, the 5510 integrated covers all hi-fi bases with quiet authority. A degree of midband warmth and sweetness makes playback unfatiguing, but it finds ample detail in the bass and treble to give music a dynamic, wide-ranging feel”. “There’s sufficient power here to unleash a surging bassline or orchestral crescendo” with “fulsome lows” and “speaker-driving ability”, blending “generous, deep-diving bass and tonal sweetness” to deliver an “organic, largescale quality”.
“This cements the 5510’s all-rounder status, as does the plug- and-play nature of its specification, but I’m aware prospective buyers will expect more… Good for Exposure, then, that its new top-line amplifier sounds beautifully refined and ‘hi-fi’ when the content demands – hearing Lisa Batiashvili in complete mastery of her violin, on Deutsche Grammophon’s Visions Of Prokofiev, proved its mettle… Batiashvili felt impressively close and real, her rapid finger work and precise bowing made visible in the mind’s eye by Exposure’s articulate, natural-sounding amp.”
“The appeal of Exposure’s latest and more sophisticated amplifier is undeniable, from its blissfully simple operation to its confident, involving performance. Music-making doesn’t always sound this effortless,” concludes Craven.
Exposure fans should also watch this space – as you can expect new flagship 5510 pre/power models to arrive in due course.
Read Mark Craven’s full review in the December issue of Hi-Fi News.
Find out more about Exposure’s new flagship 5510 integrated amplifier, and find your nearest specialist retailer to arrange an audition, at https://exposurehifi.com
David Denyer PR | The hi-fi specialist 