Integrated amplifiers — BC Acoustique EX-214

The EX-214 is a stereo integrated amplifier with Bluetooth from BC Acoustique, a French company active since 1993 in loudspeakers and electronics. The model opened the EX series, launched roughly a year before November 2022, and the line later added the EX-234 amplifier, the EX-614 CD player and the EX-714 system. The French list price is EUR 499. The maker describes it as a straightforward amplifier for driving a pair of speakers in a domestic system.

Key specs that matter

A class AB stage is rated at 2 x 45 W RMS into 8 ohm and 2 x 70 W into 4 ohm. Total harmonic distortion is below 0.01 percent, and the S/N ratio reaches 100 dB(A). Frequency response is given as 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The analogue side offers a pair of RCA line inputs, an MM phono socket and a 3.5 mm mini-jack for portable players, while optical and coaxial inputs take digital signals. The phono stage has an input impedance of 47 kohm and 45 dB of gain. The chassis measures 430 mm wide, 60 mm high and 245 mm deep, and weighs 5.72 kg.

Engineering and use context

Digital reception relies on an Asahi Kasei AK4112 receiver and a Texas Instruments PCM1606 converter, handling up to 24 bit and 96 kHz on the coaxial and optical inputs. The Bluetooth receiver supports aptX and aptX Low Latency, so a phone, tablet or television can stream without a cable. A fairly large toroidal transformer supplies the amplifier. The front panel carries bass, treble and balance controls, a loudness function and a direct switch that bypasses the tone circuits, plus a large headphone jack. A rotary selector chooses the source. The USB socket is intended only for firmware updates, not for audio playback. The top panel is perforated for ventilation, and the speaker terminals are standard binding posts with adequate spacing between them. Inside the box, alongside the amplifier, BC Acoustique packs the remote handset.

Pairing

Two RCA outputs are provided, one fixed for recording and one variable pre-out, and the latter allows bi-amplification with a second power amplifier. The optical input is aimed at the audio output of a flat screen television. A manual and a power cable are also included. Within the same series, the EX-614 CD player matches the width of the chassis and can feed the amplifier through its digital or analogue outputs.

Alternatives

The BC Acoustique EX-234 is the higher integrated amplifier of the EX series, adding an XLR input and a second pair of optical and coaxial inputs.