Introduction
Introducing the Advance Paris MyConnect 250, a comprehensive all-in-one amplifier brimming with features and versatility, offered by the renowned French brand.
Design: A Fusion of Modern and Retro Aesthetics
The MyConnect 250 presents an intriguing marriage of contemporary and vintage design elements. Its front panel is adorned with captivating windowed tubes that emit a warm amber glow, not only enhancing its visual appeal but also imparting a distinct sound signature to the pre-amplification stage. In contrast, the power amplifier boasts full transistorization, boasting an impressive array of 12 power transistors with the capability to drive speakers with up to 2 x 180 watts at 8 ohms, promising an enthralling auditory experience.
User-Friendly Controls
The front panel of the MyConnect 250 is equipped with a selection of eight small metal buttons, exuding an old-school charm. These buttons offer convenient control over CD playback, streaming, and radio operations. Meanwhile, the inclusion of VU meters adds a touch of nostalgic elegance to the device, even though their practical utility might be considered more aesthetic than functional.
Robust Interfaces
Turning our attention to the rear panel of the Advance Paris MyConnect 250, we encounter an array of high-quality and mechanically sturdy interfaces. While some might argue that there are more sophisticated solutions available, these connectors guarantee steadfast and reliable connections, even after years of use.
Intuitive User Operation
The MyConnect 250 simplifies user interaction through its two rotary controls on the front panel, facilitating volume adjustment and input selection. Additionally, dot matrix displays, situated beneath the VU meters, provide clear information on selected functions and can be manipulated via rotation and pressing. In terms of operation, the MyConnect 250 is intuitive, although the user manual could be improved for more accessibility.
Streaming and App Integration
For seamless network integration and streaming, the MyConnect 250 is accompanied by the “Advance PlayStream” app, which supports a wide range of music streaming services, including UPnP, Tidal, Qobuz, Amazon Music, Deezer, and Spotify Connect. While the app’s graphical interface might appear relatively simple at first glance, its ease of use compensates for any initial reservations.
Stable Network Integration
The MyConnect 250 effortlessly integrates into WLAN networks, simplifying the connection process through the use of the WPS button. The app primarily focuses on streaming and volume control, while input selection and control of other interfaces can be managed using the included remote control or the buttons and controls on the device itself.
Sound Quality Assessment
When it comes to sound quality, the MyConnect 250 shines with its dynamic capabilities. It delivers precise and powerful bass reproduction, competing favorably with more expensive amplifiers. Fine dynamics are also commendable, offering an engaging and immersive listening experience. The amplifier’s standout feature is its ability to create a well-defined spatial presence, enhancing the overall listening experience.
Sound Test & Evaluation
In the realm of high-fidelity audio, sound quality is paramount. The Advance Paris MyConnect 250 underwent a thorough sound evaluation, covering various aspects of its sonic performance.
Dynamic Performance
One of the standout qualities of the MyConnect 250 is its dynamic prowess. It packs a powerful punch, delivering precise and impactful bass reproduction that can rival amplifiers twice its price. Whether it’s handling deep bass beats or demanding low-frequency passages, the MyConnect 250 exhibits unwavering confidence and precision. For listeners who revel in energetic and dynamic music genres, this all-in-one amplifier earns high marks. It competes favorably with dedicated power amplifiers in the 3000 euro class and surpasses most all-in-one solutions in its league, such as the Block CVR 200.
Fine Dynamics
In addition to its impressive gross dynamics, the MyConnect 250 excels in fine dynamics. The amplifier reproduces intricate details in music with finesse, offering a listening experience characterized by subtlety and nuance. This finely-tuned rendering of music adds depth and complexity to the overall soundstage. Whether it’s capturing the delicate nuances of a piano key’s touch or the subtle variations in a vocalist’s timbre, the MyConnect 250 ensures that every sonic subtlety is presented with precision.
Soundstage and Imaging
Soundstage and imaging are pivotal aspects of audio quality. The MyConnect 250 impresses with its ability to create a captivating soundstage that extends convincingly in front of the listener. The stage opens up engagingly, enveloping the listener in a rich and immersive sonic environment. This three-dimensional presentation contributes to an authentic listening experience, with instruments and voices appearing as distinct and precisely placed entities within the stereo panorama. The MyConnect 250’s ability to convey depth and spatiality is a testament to its high-quality audio performance.
Tonality and Frequency Balance
In terms of tonality, the MyConnect 250 strikes a balance that appeals to a wide range of listeners. It boasts a neutral tonal profile, offering a robust and well-defined bass range that anchors the music. The bass is not only confident but also exhibits a pleasing level of contoured depth. This characteristic is augmented by the amplifier’s overall tonal neutrality, which provides a solid foundation for audio playback.
However, there is a subtle emphasis in the upper midrange and presence range. As the device undergoes break-in, these areas become more pronounced. While this slight emphasis may not be to everyone’s taste, it contributes to the amplifier’s overall clarity and presence. It’s worth noting that these tonal characteristics remain within an acceptable range, and for many listeners, they enhance the listening experience by adding a touch of vibrancy.
Resolution and Detail
Resolution and detail are critical factors in assessing audio quality. The MyConnect 250 excels in this department, offering remarkable clarity and detail retrieval. It unravels intricate musical passages with precision, rendering even the most subtle nuances and textures in the music. Every instrument and vocal is presented with remarkable clarity, allowing listeners to delve deeper into the music and discover hidden layers they might have previously missed. The amplifier’s ability to reveal intricate details contributes to its overall audiophile appeal.
Timbre and Purity
Timbre and purity are crucial for an accurate and enjoyable audio experience. The MyConnect 250 impresses with its ability to reproduce instruments and voices faithfully. It maintains a level of timbral neutrality that allows the inherent character of each instrument or vocal to shine through. This neutrality ensures that the listener experiences music as it was intended by the artist. Instruments sound authentic, and vocals retain their natural tonal qualities. The MyConnect 250 strikes a balance between analytical precision and musicality, offering an engaging and pure listening experience.
Conclusion: Impressive Sonic Performance
In conclusion, the Advance Paris MyConnect 250 demonstrates impressive sonic performance across various dimensions. Its dynamic capabilities, encompassing both gross and fine dynamics, are praiseworthy. The amplifier’s ability to create an expansive and immersive soundstage, coupled with its precise imaging, enhances the overall listening experience.
Tonally, it strikes a balance between neutrality and subtle emphasis, adding vibrancy without sacrificing authenticity. The MyConnect 250 excels in resolution and detail retrieval, allowing listeners to uncover the nuances and intricacies within their music.
Furthermore, its commitment to timbre and purity ensures that music is reproduced with accuracy and fidelity. While it may not achieve absolute perfection in every aspect, the MyConnect 250 offers a compelling combination of features and sonic performance, making it an attractive choice for audiophiles and music enthusiasts seeking a comprehensive and high-quality audio solution.
Tonality and Resolution
In terms of tonality, the MyConnect 250 boasts a neutral sound profile, with a confident bass range and a subtle emphasis on the upper midrange and presence range. As the device undergoes break-in, these characteristics become more pronounced. CD playback, in particular, offers a slightly more organic and audiophile experience compared to streaming, while analog input performance falls between the two.
Playback Options: CD and Analog Input
CD playback, expectedly, exhibits a more organic and audiophile character compared to streaming. Analog input performance falls between these two options, offering a balanced listening experience.
Conclusion: Feature-Rich and Impressive Sound
In summary, the Advance Paris MyConnect 250 is a standout in the realm of feature-rich amplifiers. Its user-friendly app, versatile streaming capabilities, and impressive sound performance make it a compelling choice for those seeking a comprehensive and high-quality audio solution. While it may not achieve absolute purity in certain frequency ranges, its overall performance, combined with its reasonable price, positions it as an excellent all-in-one amplifier for audiophiles and music enthusiasts.
The Advance Paris MyConnect 250 is characterized by …
- An extremely powerful, gripping sound that can keep up with dedicated power amplifiers in this regard, with great gross dynamics.
- A deep, beautifully contoured, tonally neutral bass.
- A high tone that neither appears particularly mild nor tends to be sharp, good fine dynamics and good resolution, only the very last bit of purity in the overtone spectrum is missing, which would not least make the resolution and fine dynamics appear even more finely polished.
- Through a middle tone that tends slightly towards the present, especially when streaming, no voluptuous or highly pure yet convincing tones.
- A high-end stage image that separates itself excellently from the speakers and is on par with much more expensive amplifiers in terms of its dimensions. It’s not very good, but it has good localization sharpness due to the timbre.
- Flawless workmanship and unique design. As well as usability that doesn’t pose any hurdles even for technical laypeople. The streaming playback, which falters under certain conditions (only in WLAN mode), and the noise that occurs when fast-forwarding tracks via the app are criticized.
Facts:
- Product: Advance Paris MyConnect 250
- Category: Hybrid all-in-one amplifier, compact system, streaming amplifier
- Price: 2,999 euros
- Inputs: Ethernet/WLAN, AirPlay, USB-B, USB-A, integrated CD drive, radio (DAB+/FM), 2 x HDMI ARC, S/PDIF (3 x RCA, 3 x Toslink, AES/EBU), 5 x RCA analog, 2 x XLR analog, RCA phono (MM/MC), RCA amp-in, additional slot for optionally available Bluetooth receiver module
- Outputs: Speaker A/B/C, XLR pre-out, RCA pre-out, 2 x RCA sub-out, 2 x headphone output (6.35 mm and 3.5 mm)
- Output power (RMS): 2 x 190 watts at 8 ohms, 2 x 280 watts at 4 ohms
- Streaming: UPnP, Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify Connect, Amazon Music, Deezer, Napster, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Internet radio
- Data rates: up to 24 bit/192 kHz (optical 96 kHz), up to DSD128 via USB-B
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 19 x 43 x 41 cm
- Weight: 19kg
- Color: Black, acrylic front panel
- Guarantee: 3 years
