This Integrated Amp HAS SOUL. CHoco Sound EMEI.

This Integrated Amp HAS SOUL. CHoco Sound EMEI.

A few months ago I received an integrated amp in for review. It was from a new division of Kinki Studios, the Chinese company who brought us the EXM1, which was a POWERHOUSE integrated for around $2500. I reviewed the EXM1 and it had power, slam and force.

My Video Review of the CHoco Sound EMEI

The CHoco Sound EMEI integrated amp is cut from a different cloth when it comes to the sound, but not so far from the stunning design qualities that the Kinki Studios pieces brought. The CHoco Sound integrated is compact but solid and hefty. When you lift it, it feels like every inch of space inside is filled in with some kind of audio goodness as it feels so solid.

It’s also simple with just a front facing display, one volume knob (which is also used as a source selector by pushing it in) and a cool clear window up top that allows us to see inside of the amp. The corners are cut in an artistic way as well and the amp comes in gunmetal or silver. I have the Gunmetal version and it’s understated and quite beautiful.

What shocked me about this amp after it arrived was the quality of the build and the thought that went into the design because this amp comes in at such an affordable price for what is delivered in the EMEI. For under $1,700 this amp delivers not only the good looks but a unique sound and plenty of oomph and power for almost any speaker. As I said, the sound is unique and different from most of the other integrated amps that come through my doors.

The sound is rich, layered and well…leans warm. It reminds me most of a tube SET amp but with balls and power. Not exactly but in the same vein. There is warmth, there is detail, there is some glow going on and I am not sure how they do it at this price point. The EMEI will not soak your brain with surgical imaging or the lean midrange that so many audiophile amps bring to the table. If you want that pure audiophile fully transparent experience this amp is not going to give it to you. In fact this amp is the yin to my Daniel Hertz Maria amps yang.

A blurb from the CHoco Sound website:

“Adopting the latest generation all-DC forward feedback amplification circuit by KINKI STUDIO, there are no capacitive components in the audio signal path, ensuring no coloration and the purest reproduction of the original music.”

While they say there is no coloration, I do hear a little but f0r me, I LOVE IT. Again, no matter the speaker I hook up to this little amp (Focal Diablo, Alexandria Audio Monitor, Triangle Comete 40th, Daniel Hertz EVA or even the CSS Typhons) they exhibit more warmth than when I use other amplifiers. The warmth is present but it is not the kind of warmth I used to associate the word with.

Also…

“The power amplifier is equipped with a 400VA Audio-grade Toroid Transformer, along with high slew rate DC rectifier & Reservoir Capacitors Bank. The exaggerated output power of 138 watts per channel (8ohms) in stereo is unbelievable! The multiple independent DC power supplies provide separate power to the preamp signal amplification, power amplification, protection circuit, control circuit, and expansion equipment. This luxurious configuration is designed exclusively for music.”

I can state that this amp runs SILENT as silent can be and the power seems A PLENTY even when running 86DB speakers in my 13X18 space.

The sound of this amp, while leaning warm is also detailed. The bass and mid bass is warm, the treble is neutral yet somehow this amp manages to blend everything together to where it sounds NATURAL, REAL and it also brings the emotion out in music when it is recorded within it. Not all amps or speakers can do this. Some systems are tuned for all out detail and imaging performance. Some systems are tuned to make pleasing music that connect with us, and the CHoco does this for me, no matter the speaker I hook up to it.

It even warmed up the Triangle 40th Anniversary Comete I had here which created gorgeous music without glare, hardness or brain numbing detail. Compared to the EXM1, that amp has more raw power, a harder quicker sound and doesn’t have as much depth. Instead the EXM1 is about raw power and slam. The EMEI is more about gentle details, groovy music and well, a sound with a little chocolate on top.

My favorite setups with this amp?

It transformed the Focal Diablos into speakers that went from detail hounds to rich and musical with some warmth.

It tamed the Trinagles and they were making big rich music with the CHoco.

For me, when I hooked up the already musical Alexandria Audio speakers I was in musical heaven. The sound was huge, powerful yet with that warm hug and gentle details that invited me to keep listening track after track. Again, nothing here is mushy, bloated or veiled. None of that is present here. This amp brings warmth without the negatives and speaking of bass, it’s powerful, taught and tight. You will not get big bloated bass, as it is tight and detailed but there is also plenty of it.

As I listened to this amp for the last several weeks I was starting to fall for it hard for several reasons.

First is the price. With some amps I may spend $10k on just an integrated. It may sound lovely but after some time I realize this is not worth the money. I then have regret. When I find pieces that are reasonable in price and perform to a similar or even better level that is when I keep a piece long term and keep it around. The price of this amp is remarkable and we get this kind of savings as it is made in China. Being made in China doesn’t bother me at all as it’s still a human being building an amp. Where this human being lives doesn’t matter to me as anyone making a product like this has the PASSION, and that is what counts to e above all else.

There are many HiFi products made in China and many of them are just as good as their USA or European counterparts for 1/4 the cost. Just like our phones, TV’s, computers, clothing, electronics and 75% of what we own and use daily, yes this amp is made in China.

It has been reliable and I have had no issues except a user error where my speaker cables touched together while the amp was on and blew a fuse. A quick fuse replacement and it was back up and running. Over the weeks since then the amp has settled in and sounded better and better the more I used it, or so it seemed.

I was running this as a simple system. The Alexandria Audio speakers, a simple WIIM Pro Plus streamer and DAC, my fave $39 speaker cables and the EMEI. Total retail cost of this system is close to $9k but that is because the speakers retail for $6500. If we swap those with say the Triangle Comete 40th, that cost goes down to $4500. The Alexandria Audio setup is a much more refined and musical setup as it puts out some low bass where the Triangles do not. In any case, I love this little amp and I prefer it personally to the EXM1.

It may not look as exciting as the EXM1 but it is a different vibe all together. A different look and sound. Do you prefer fast, powerful and impactful or warm-ish with some glow and beauty? BTW, the EME1 can do slam and power as well but not as effortlessly as the EXM1.

I prefer the CHoco Sound amp and have it in right now. It delivers such a different sound to my Daniel Hertz system and I love both of them. I will keep both systems so I can swap them out from time to time. The best of both worlds. The Hertz system is technically the most impressive system I have ever owned or heard. It delivers all music with wow factor and it also has a hint of warmth as it is for sure in no way lean or bleached. It’s as close to “perfect” as I have ever heard in an audio system. Sometimes though, I prefer the lights dimmed, a drink in hand and some led lights for mood. It is also when I like some meat, warmth and fullness to the sound, though while still enjoying a somewhat 3D soundstage with gorgeous details and glow.

Over the last few years I have heard a ton of integrated amps that range in price from $999 to $20,000. While my all time fave integrated amps are now the AAvik U150, Pass Labs INT250 and the Daniel Hertz Maria I can say that I would place the CHoco sound right after them as it is unique, different, cute, and well built with quality parts and it has a sound I love.

This fave amps of mine come in at $20k, $13k and $10k while the CHoco comes in at $1698. What a bargain it is.

The negatives? It only has two inputs. That is about it. If you need more than two inputs then this is not the amp for you but f you are like me and keep things simple, and use one input for streaming and one for analog then this amp could be the one you have been searching for. I love this EMEI amp from CHoco Sound and highly recommend it if this review sounds like it may be for you.

You can buy or see more info on this amp at the CHoco Sound website HERE. I make zero commission, have not been paid to do this review and have no affiliation with CHoco Sound. They sent me this amp for my honest opinion and that is what I am giving here.

SPECS of the EMEI:

Output Wattage 138 Watts into 8Ω

THD+N 0.002%

Frequency Response 5Hz-150KHz  ±0.5dB

Signal To Noise Ratio 96dB

Analog Input RCA x 2 ｜ XLR x 1 ｜ K-LINK x 1 

Power Consumption 

Standby 1W ｜ Operation 50-80W ｜ Peak 500W

Dimension W280 x D310 x H110 (mm)

Weight 10kg