Advance Paris will debut a new product line at the upcoming AXPONA audio show, which will take place in the American city of Chicago. The Nova series currently consists of five products: two integrated amplifiers, a streaming expansion module, a bidirectional Bluetooth dongle, and a rotary remote control heavily focused on tactile operation.
Integrated amplifiers with analog and digital connections
Both the A-i130 and the A-i190 from Advance Paris are built on the same core idea: this is not just an integrated amplifier, but the control center for a complete system. Advance Paris combines hybrid amplification, DSP, DA conversion, and subwoofer management in a single enclosure and offers the user the option to expand it later with modules.
Both models utilize a hybrid design featuring an ECC81 tube preamp driving a Class AB output stage. You get a rich harmonic texture without sacrificing control. On the digital side, both rely on an ESS9017 DAC operating in Quad mode, coupled with a four-channel DSP that handles EQ and room correction for the left, right, and up to two subwoofers.
Incidentally, subwoofer integration is taken seriously here. Both models support 2.1 or 2.2 configurations with a solid crossover filter and independent control, which immediately distinguishes them from many integrated amplifiers that, according to the manufacturer, still act as if subwoofers do not belong in stereo systems.
Then there is also HDMI eARC, USB with DSD support, multiple optical and coaxial inputs, five RCA line inputs, an MM input (with ground), pre-out, record-out, dual subwoofer outputs, and a 6.35 mm headphone jack. The amplifiers are designed to replace a stack of separate components without compromising sound quality.
They also share the same expansion capabilities. Both have slots for the optional A NTC streaming cartridge and A BTC Bluetooth module, enabling full streaming or bidirectional wireless audio, including headphone transmission. And yes, both support the rotary knob remote control if you want to adjust the volume without having to get off the couch.
The A-i130 delivers 130 Watts per channel at eight Ohms using a single toroidal transformer. The A-i190 builds upon that foundation and takes it to the next level. The device features a dual-mono design with two toroidal transformers, effectively isolating each channel and increasing the output power to 190 Watts per channel with more headroom. Connectivity has been expanded where it really matters: in addition to the same five RCA line inputs and digital inputs (optical, coaxial, USB, HDMI eARC), the A-i190 now also features balanced XLR inputs and a balanced XLR pre-out alongside the RCA pre-out. The phono input has been improved to support both MM and MC cartridges and retains the dual subwoofer output and the recording output. In other words, it is not just more power, but it is also designed to integrate seamlessly into more demanding, high-end systems without having to make compromises.
Advance Paris A-NTC: network module
The A-NTC is Advance Paris' modular answer to streaming and is designed to work in two ways without making things unnecessarily complicated. On its own, it can function as a standalone streamer via the optical output, adding network playback to any system with a compatible digital input. However, install it in the expansion slot of the A-i130 or A-i190 and it disappears into the housing. No extra cables or housing are required then.
The network module supports the platforms that really matter: Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, DLNA, and Roon, with connectivity via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. The output is limited to 24-bit/192 kHz, which covers the vast majority of streaming applications in practice, without striving for high figures for marketing purposes.
Advance Paris A-BTC: Bluetooth dongle
The A-BTC is a bidirectional Bluetooth 5.4 module that uses the same expansion slot and adds both transmit and receive functionality to the NOVA platform. You can stream from your phone to the amplifier or send audio to a single pair of Bluetooth headphones.
Codec support includes aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Low Latency, and AAC, ensuring solid coverage for both audio quality and low-latency video. Lip synchronization should be tight with aptX LL, and aptX Adaptive handles variable bitrates better than older standards.
What is *not* included is just as important: there is no LDAC and no aptX Lossless. That is a problem if you use newer wireless headphones that rely on these codecs for maximum resolution. In other words, this is a well-executed, practical Bluetooth solution, but it is not the latest technology in the field of wireless audio.
Advance Paris A-RTR: rotary Bluetooth remote control
The optional A-RTR rotary knob remote control is exactly what the name suggests: a solid, heavy metal control intended to sit on your coffee table or listening surface, and not to disappear between the cushions of the sofa. It connects wirelessly to the A-i130 and A-i190 via the A-BTC Bluetooth module, so yes, you need that module for this to work.
In terms of functionality, it has been kept simple. The rotary knob controls the volume, while additional buttons operate input selection and the on/off button. No screen, no app dependency, no fuss. Just direct control with a physical interface that reflects the design style of the amplifiers themselves.
