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Exemplar Audio Exception Integrated REVISITED

I don’t post on Audiogon very often—I’m usually the guy quietly reading everyone else’s impressions and experiences. But this piece deserves a post.

Back in 2014, I wrote about the Exemplar Audio Exception Integrated and how incredible it sounded in my system at the time. More than a decade later, it’s difficult to remember every detail of how a component sounded, but I do remember one thing clearly: the original Exception was something special, and my comments back then were absolutely justified.

Then life happened. Raising kids, paying bills, and changing priorities led me to sell off my audio gear more than once, including the Exemplar Exception.

Fast forward to a few years ago, when I finally built another serious system around a highly regarded integrated amplifier with a retail price around $9K. It’s an excellent piece—refined, powerful, and musical. Everyone who heard it complimented the sound quality, and I genuinely enjoyed owning it.

Recently, I came across another Exemplar Audio Exception Integrated for sale from a long-time Audiogon member. This particular unit had been upgraded with Mundorf power supply capacitors, silicon carbide fast-recovery diodes, and Urushi capacitors. I was also told that John continued refining and tweaking the Exception design over the years—and after hearing it, I absolutely believe it.

I drove three and a half hours to audition it, and we did a direct A/B comparison between the two integrated amplifiers. What I heard convinced me on the spot, and I purchased the Exception.

After getting home, I installed it in my system, powered it up, and left for dinner. Later that night, I finally sat down for a serious listening session.

What I heard honestly stunned me.

Like many people here, I’ve spent years chasing “audio nirvana,” always searching for that elusive combination of realism, musicality, emotion, detail, dynamics, and natural tone. Within minutes, I realized this was not just another excellent component—it was a forever piece. This amplifier will never leave my rack.

The sound has everything you could want: body, bass, texture, dimensionality, effortless dynamics, natural timbre, and an incredibly engaging musical presentation. It pulls you into the performance in a way very few components can.

And I say this without exaggeration: you could spend $20K or more on an integrated amplifier and still not achieve this level of performance.

If deep down you still feel like something is missing from your system—if you’re still searching for that final level of emotional connection and realism—I highly recommend seeking out an Exemplar Audio Exception Integrated.

The combination of John’s ongoing refinements and the upgraded parts in this unit has resulted in a true masterpiece.

The sound is simply breathtaking.

thankful
thankful OP
227 posts
 

I transitioned to integrated amplifiers because I value the simplicity and elegance of a more streamlined system. Fewer components and less cabling not only reduce clutter, but also create a cleaner, more efficient signal path that allows the music to flow with greater coherence and naturalness. The Exception easily surpasses any separates system I have owned.

The bass is deep, articulate, and seamlessly integrated throughout the presentation. Paired with my Zesto Andros II fitted with NOS Mullard 12AX7 tubes, the Exception is delivering the finest sound I’ve ever experienced in my system—without question.

You might assume that a 50-watt amplifier would struggle to properly drive moderately efficient speakers, but the Exception handles them effortlessly. In fact, its authority and ease of presentation are genuinely surprising. My Sonus Faber speakers, rated at 89 dB sensitivity, have never sounded this good. The Exception controls them with remarkable ease, delivering outstanding dynamics, tonal richness, and effortless musicality. The speakers completely disappear into the room, creating a spacious and immersive soundstage with exceptional clarity, texture, and realism from top to bottom.

The soundstage is expansive and immersive, with exceptional depth and beautifully rendered guitar and piano notes that sound natural, textured, and lifelike.

Not trying to beat a dead horse, but the Exception is one seriously remarkable piece. I’m genuinely excited about listening to music again.

 

996turbo911
238 posts
 

I still have an old Exemplar modded Oppo universal player that sounds great for what it is. I'm sure the Exception is an amazing integrated. Congrats on revisiting and loving it.

thankful OP
227 posts
 

I had an Oppo back many years ago.

I am mostly analogue but have a Wiim Pro I use for digital that for <$200 doesn't sound too bad. I hope to upgrade my digital down the trail. 

Yes, the Exception integrated is truly amazing piece of gear. There might be better out there but I guarantee it would be insanely expensive piece of gear to better the Exception. 

grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,700 posts
 

John Tucker’s new dac is a highly modified Gustard Audalytic DR70 and it has gone toe to toe with several megabuck dacs (up to 40k).  It is that good fellow Agoners.  He does quite a few improvements under the hood and also adds a very good external power supply.  It is a solid state R2R dac that is reasonable priced at 3k or so. Not the lowest priced dac, but you have a dac that sounds as good or better than several $10k plus dacs I have heard.  

I had the opportunity to listen to each modification/improvement throughout his development process.  Each iteration was better and better until he finally reached the end product. Best bass articulation I have heard in a dac combined with stellar inner detail and magical imaging. 

 

grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,700 posts
 

I agree with @thankful that a well designed integrated can compete with separates, at least with the eXception integrated amp. 

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