Exposure 2 (1979)

The Exposure 2 was the first preamplifier the British company ever made. It came out in 1979 as part of a system with the Exposure I power amplifier. As noted in Studio Sound (June 1977, p.24), Exposure Electronics was already established in the professional audio market by then. It was the "budget" or "new to hi-fi" model in the Exposure lineup, and it competed with other British separates of the late 1970s like the Naim Nait and the Nytech. The design was deliberately minimalist. Simplicity was the goal, and it shows in both the circuit and the front panel.

The unit is a straightforward preamp with two RCA phono input pairs and a DIN 5-pin connector on the rear, plus a 3.5mm mini-jack on the front. Output is via two RCA phono pairs at 0.5V from a 50-ohm source impedance. It has its own regulated supply delivering 30mA at ±24V. Classic Audio lists the sensitivity as 250mV input for 500mV output, frequency response of 10Hz–40kHz ±0.75 dB, noise 84dB below 500mV with input shorted, and input overload at 3V. The case measures 220×46×200mm and needs 115V or 230V AC mains.

Period reviews called it a good but basic preamp - "no-nonsense" and "no-frills," if a bit limited. The sound was described as "clean, neutral." It was only available for a short time before the design was replaced. Sources disagree on the original UK price: VintAudio lists £168 and Classic Audio cites £180.