All Advance Paris APEX Series – A8 APEX, A10 APEX, A12 APEX & ACD APEX Products
Advance Paris · 30th Anniversary · APEX Series
Discover Advance Paris's limited-edition APEX lineup: three hybrid integrated amplifiers blending tube preamplification with Class A/B power - and a compact tube CD player to match. Expect refined dynamics, HDMI eARC for TV integration, serious DACs, and the brand's signature VU meters in an exclusive black finish.
All APEX integrated amplifiers support optional A-BTC Bluetooth (aptX Adaptive Low Latency) and include HDMI eARC (PCM stereo) for seamless TV integration.
A8 APEX vs A10 APEX vs A12 APEX — At-a-Glance
Spec
A8 APEX
A10 APEX
A12 APEX
Power (8 Ω / 4 Ω)
76 W ×2 / 110 W ×2
130 W ×2 / 198 W ×2
190 W ×2 / 292 W ×2
Amplification
Class A/B with High-Bias
Class A/B with High-Bias
Class A/B with High-Bias (dual-mono)
Tube stage
ECC81 / 12AT7 (preamp)
ECC81 / 12AT7 (preamp)
ECC81 / 12AT7 (preamp)
DAC
ESS9018
ESS9018
ESS9039
Phono stage
MM
MM
MM / MC
Analog inputs
7×RCA + 1×MM
5×RCA + 1×MM + 1×XLR
5×RCA + 2×XLR + 1×MM/MC
Digital inputs
1×Opt · 2×Coax · 1×USB-B
3×Opt · 1×Coax · 1×USB-B
3×Opt · 3×Coax · 1×USB-B · 1×AES/EBU
HDMI eARC
Yes (PCM stereo)
Yes (PCM stereo)
Yes (PCM stereo)
Subwoofer outputs
1×
2× (mono or stereo)
2× (mono or stereo)
Pre-Out
RCA
RCA
RCA + XLR
AMP-IN (HT bypass)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Transformer
Toroidal · 240 VA
Toroidal · 380 VA
Dual toroidal · 2 × 280 VA
Dimensions (W×H×D)
430 × 132 × 363 mm
430 × 175 × 351 mm
430 × 192 × 454 mm
Net weight
9.4 kg
12.9 kg
18.25 kg
EAN (GTIN-13)
3760179292756
3760179292763
3760179292770
Specs summarized from the manufacturer's APEX product pages and technical sheets.
Which APEX is right for you?
Vinyl-first systems
Choose A12 APEX for its MM/MC phono stage and balanced RCA + XLR Pre-Outs. A8 and A10 include an MM stage for moving-magnet cartridges.
Hi-Fi + TV via HDMI eARC
All three amplifiers include HDMI eARC with CEC volume and power control. Start with A8 for smaller rooms, step to A10 for dual subwoofers and XLR, or go A12 for maximum headroom.
Large rooms / demanding speakers
A12 APEX delivers 2 × 190 W (8 Ω) from dual toroidal transformers—ideal for difficult loads and big rooms.
Compact spaces / first hi-fi
A8 APEX offers the full hybrid experience, HDMI eARC, and a capable ESS DAC in a slimmer chassis.
How it works — quick setup guides
Connect your TV with HDMI eARC
Plug TV's HDMI (eARC) to amp's HDMI eARC.
Enable eARC/CEC in the TV menu. Select the amp's HDMI input.
Set TV audio to PCM Stereo. Control volume with the TV remote.
Use AMP-IN for home-theater bypass
Connect your AVR's front L/R Pre-Out to the amp's AMP-IN.
Select AMP-IN when watching movies; return to normal inputs for music.
Front speakers stay powered by the APEX amp for cleaner stereo.
Dial in one or two subwoofers
A8: 1× Sub-Out. A10/A12: 2× Sub-Out (mono or stereo).
Start with crossover ≈ speaker's −3 dB point; match sub level to mains.
Fine-tune phase for tight, coherent bass at the listening position.
APEX Series — Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the APEX amplifiers "hybrid"?
They combine a tube preamplification stage (ECC81/12AT7) with solid-state Class A/B power amplification for warmth, drive, and dynamics.
Do all APEX integrated amplifiers include HDMI eARC?
Yes. A8, A10, and A12 each include an HDMI eARC input with CEC for TV power/volume control (PCM stereo).
Which models support dual subwoofers?
A10 APEX and A12 APEX provide two subwoofer outputs that can be set to mono or stereo. A8 APEX offers a single Sub-Out.
Is there a balanced (XLR) input?
A10 APEX adds 1× XLR input. A12 APEX includes 2× XLR inputs and also offers XLR Pre-Out. A8 APEX is single-ended (RCA) only.
What DAC chips are used?
A8 and A10 use ESS9018; A12 upgrades to ESS9039. The ACD APEX CD player uses WM8761.
What phono stages are built in?
A8 and A10 include MM phono (RIAA). A12 includes MM/MC phono (RIAA) for broader cartridge support.
Can I add Bluetooth?
Yes. All APEX integrated amplifiers support the optional A-BTC Bluetooth receiver (aptX Adaptive Low Latency). It also enables Bluetooth headphones.
Does the ACD APEX output via analog and digital?
Yes. It offers analog RCA & XLR outputs powered by mini-tubes, plus optical and coaxial digital outputs.
Advance Paris APEX Series info presented for shopper education.
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