The A12 Classic is an integrated amplifier with built-in DAC by Advance Paris that delivers 190 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 280 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms. It was released in 2023. It is a 2-channel design using a Class AB-T output stage. The A12 Classic is a hybrid, with vacuum tubes in the preamplifier stage feeding a solid-state output. A minimum impedance of 4 ohms makes it compatible with a wide range of loudspeakers. It has a built-in DAC, so you can play digital sources directly with no separate DAC unit needed. It also has a phono input, so a turntable can connect straight to it. The Advance Paris A12 Classic has an MSRP of $4,499.
There are 9 Advance Paris amplifiers in our database. Below you can see the main specs of these amps.
Advance Paris Integrated Amplifier Series
Performance Specs
One of the most important factors when deciding on an integrated amplifier is its power ratings and compatibility with your speaker's impedance requirements. The Advance Paris A12 Classic is rated at 190 watts RMS into 8-ohms. Advance Paris provides this wattage at a THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) of 0.007% which is an important indicator of distortion at the given values (lower THD is better).
Here are the main highlights of its performance specs:
- 190 watts into 8-ohms (20 Hz-20 kHz) at 0.007%
- 280 watts into 4-ohms
- 4-ohms Min Impedance (allows compatibility with a wide range of loudspeakers)
- 100dB Signal to Noise Ratio
How loud will 190 watts actually play in your room? →
Wiring more than one pair of speakers to it? Check the load first →
Which speakers suit the Advance Paris A12 Classic?
190 W into 8 ohms, 280 W into 4, rated down to 4 ohms.
We rank every passive speaker we cover against it on power, impedance safety and current
delivery.
Need more power?
Advance Paris A12 Classic is rated at 190 watts into 8 ohms, which puts it in our Over 180 watts band. That is the top band we cover, so there is no step up from here - if it is not enough, the answer is more sensitive speakers or a smaller room, not more watts.
When pairing the Advance Paris A12 Classic with a passive Bookshelf (Stand mount) or Passive Floor Standing (Tower) speaker, you have to check if their Max Power Range is below the max wattage of the amp for the given impedance levels.
Operating your amp outside of this max range may damage the speakers.
Inputs and Outputs
Besides the performance specs of the Advance Paris A12 Classic, the next important feature set that you have to evaluate is the input and output selections that it offers.
Inputs
- Phono Input
- 3 Optical Digital Input
- 3 Coaxial Digital Input
- USB Input
Outputs
- Speaker Outputs
- Preamp Outputs
- Pre-out/Main-in Loop
- 1/4,3.5 Headphone Output
- Subwoofer Output (Dual)
Bluetooth Connectivity
Advance Paris A12 Classic doesn't have bluetooth connectivity feature. In order to stream your music via bluetooth, the easiest way is to connect an external bluetooth receiver to your Advance Paris A12 Classic. Two bluetooth receivers that we recommend are the
iFi Zen Blue V2 and the
Audioengine B1.
Among the amps in the same price range, these are the 5 amps that have Bluetooth Connectivity:
Balanced connections
Advance Paris A12 Classic has a balanced XLR input. A balanced cable carries the signal twice, on two conductors of opposite polarity. Interference picked up along the way lands on both equally and cancels when the two are recombined at the far end, so the longer the cable run and the noisier the surroundings, the more the connection is worth. Whether a balanced connection also yields more power depends on how the amplifier is built inside - some are balanced end to end, others convert to single-ended internally and deliver the same power either way, so it is worth reading the maker's own wording rather than assuming.
DAC and Digital Music
The Advance Paris A12 Classic's built-in DAC allows the connection of digital sources directly, eliminating the need for an external DAC.
Advance Paris A12 Classic Pros and Cons
Drawn from the published figures on this page, not from listening.
- ✓190 watts per channel into 8 ohms is more than most rooms and most speakers will ever ask for.
- ✓Hybrid design, with a valve stage ahead of a solid-state output section.
- ✓Signal-to-noise ratio of 100dB, so the amplifier itself should be inaudible between tracks.
- ✓Distortion is specified at 0.007%, an order of magnitude below what is generally held to be audible.
- ✓Built-in DAC handling 24-bit / 192, so a TV, computer or streamer can connect digitally with nothing in between.
- ✓Digital inputs cover 3 optical, 3 coaxial and USB.
- ✓Phono stage built in, so a turntable needs no separate preamplifier.
- ✓Pre-outs (Yes) leave room to add a power amplifier or an active subwoofer later.
- ✓Dedicated subwoofer output (Dual).
- ✓Balanced XLR inputs, worth having on a long cable run.
- ✓Headphone output.
- ✓Detachable mains lead (IEC 3-prong).
- ✗No Bluetooth and no network streaming - everything arrives over a cable.
Advance Paris A12 Classic External Dimensions and Weight
Advance Paris A12 Classic has external dimensions of (H x W x D) 7-11/16 x 17 x 18-5/8 inch (195.3 x 431.8 x 473.1 mm ). The unit weighs
17.92 kg (39.5 lbs).
Base Surface Area
Base surface area of an integrated amplifier may become an important decision factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base area of the Advance Paris A12 Classic is approximately 2042.8cm2 / 316.6inch2.
- Width: 431.8mm (17")
- Height: 195.3mm (7-11/16")
- Depth: 473.1mm (18-5/8")
- Weight: 17.92 kg (39.5 lbs)
- Base Surface Area: ~2042.8cm2 / 316.6inch2
- Volume: ~39.9 liter / 10.5 gallon
Warranty
2 Yr / 3 Yr (registered) of parts warranty and 2 Yr / 3 Yr (registered) of labor warranty is generally provided for the Advance Paris A12 Classic by the manufacturer.
| General |
| Brand |
Advance Paris |
| Full Model Name |
Advance Paris A12 Classic |
| Release Date |
2023 |
| Amplifier Type |
Integrated Amplifier |
| Number of Channels |
2 |
| Amp Class |
Class AB-T |
| Amplifier Technology |
Hybrid (vacuum tube and solid state) |
| Performance |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 8-ohms |
190 watts |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 6-ohms |
N/A |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 4-ohms |
280 watts |
| Frequency Bandwidth |
20 Hz-20 kHz |
| THD |
0.007% |
| Minimum Impedance |
4 |
| Signal to Noise Ratio |
100 dB |
| Digital Music |
| Built-in DAC |
Yes |
| Bluetooth |
No |
| WiFi |
|
| Ecosystem |
| Apple AirPlay |
No |
| Apple AirPlay2 |
No |
| DTS Play-Fi |
No |
| Chromecast built-in |
No |
| Roon |
No |
| HEOS |
No |
| BluOS |
No |
| CONNECTIONS |
| Phono Input |
Yes |
| Optical Digital Inputs |
3 |
| Coaxial Digital Inputs |
3 |
| USB Input |
Yes |
| Preamp Outputs |
Yes |
| Pre-out / Main-in Loop |
Yes |
| Headphone Output |
1/4,3.5 |
| Removable Power Cord |
IEC 3-prong |
| PHYSICAL SPECS |
| Height |
195.3mm (7-11/16") |
| Width |
431.8mm (17") |
| Depth |
473.1mm (18-5/8") |
| Weight |
17.92 kg (39.5 lbs) |
| OTHER |
| Parts Warranty |
2 Yr / 3 Yr (registered) |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Yr / 3 Yr (registered) |