Advance Paris A-i130 Nova black
Specifications and features
Advance Paris Nova A-i130: the hybrid tube integrated amplifier
A glowing tube behind a brushed aluminum front panel, two needle VU meters, and beneath this classic look, enough to drive an entire stereo system from a single unit. Advance Paris positions its NOVA range at the top of its catalog, above the Classic and Apex series. The A-i130 is its entry point: a hybrid integrated amplifier combining a tube preamp and transistor amplification, with a built-in digital converter and room correction.
Tube warmth, transistor grip
It all starts with the input stage. The signal first passes through ECC81 tubes, two dual triodes visible on the front panel in a specific version selected by Advance Paris. They add a slight coloration where a transistor remains more neutral. These subtle even-order harmonics are the kind the ear tends to find natural; they add a little body to vocals, strings, and brass. The rest of the work is handled by the transistors: the Class AB power stage takes over the signal and controls the speakers, with the control and headroom that a tube alone could not provide. This approach is not new in high fidelity, but it remains rare at this level of finish, and it is what gives the A-i130 its character.
Enough headroom to drive speakers
Under the hood, a 380 VA toroidal transformer powers the output stage. The A-i130 delivers 133 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 200 watts into 4 ohms; this near doubling as impedance drops is a sign of a power supply that does not run out of steam when faced with a difficult load. In plain terms, the amplifier drives both bookshelf and floorstanding speakers, in a room of standard to generous size. Distortion remains low, measured at 0.042% at 1 kHz for 90 watts into 8 ohms, and bandwidth extends up to 80 kHz.
This single transformer is shared between both channels. This is the choice that distinguishes the A-i130 from its bigger brother, the A-i190: the latter uses dual mono, with one transformer per channel, for the most demanding speakers and large rooms. For most setups, the A-i130’s headroom is more than sufficient.
The ESS9017S converter and digital inputs
On the digital side, the A-i130 features an ESS9017S DAC operated in Quad mode. The principle: grouping the converter’s eight internal channels into four analog paths, which lowers noise and expands dynamic range compared with a conventional configuration. Numerous sources can be connected. Three optical and three coaxial inputs accept PCM up to 24-bit/192 kHz, while the USB input also handles DSD, in DSD64 and DSD128. An HDMI eARC port completes the package for TV sound, limited here to stereo PCM, in keeping with the unit’s stereo purpose.
A DSP to match bass to the room
A listening room always colors the sound: its dimensions, walls, and geometry mainly affect bass. The A-i130 addresses this with an ADAU1452 DSP distributed across four channels, two for the main speakers and two for optional subwoofers. Its Room Tune function corrects the response according to the position of each speaker, and an adjustable crossover distributes the signal between speakers and subwoofers. In practical terms, this helps properly integrate one or two subwoofers, stabilize the soundstage, and achieve controlled rather than boomy bass. The two dedicated SUB-OUT outputs make this connection straightforward.
Turntable, TV, and headphones on the same unit
The analog connectivity covers the essentials of a hi-fi living room. Five line-level RCA inputs accommodate players and various sources, and a moving-magnet (MM) phono input allows a turntable to be connected without a separate preamp; moving-coil (MC) cartridges, however, will require an external phono preamp. HDMI eARC simplifies the connection to the TV: a single cable carries the sound, and the amplifier can be powered on and controlled from the TV remote. There is also a PRE-OUT output for adding a power amplifier, a REC-OUT output for recording, and a front-panel 6.35 mm headphone jack. A 12 V trigger input and output are used to synchronize power-on with other components.
An aluminum front panel and two VU meters
The styling follows Advance Paris codes: a brushed aluminum front panel, central display, and above all two needle VU meters with selectable white or blue illumination. The unit is available in black or silver. A detail noticeable in use, volume is controlled by an ALPS potentiometer, whose smooth attenuation and firm feel change the way the level is adjusted. The unit remains compact for its category, 43 cm wide and weighing 13.3 kg, and its speaker terminals accept bare wire as well as spades and banana plugs.
Upgrade the amplifier without replacing it
The A-i130 offers neither built-in streaming nor Bluetooth, but it has two slots for adding them. The A-NTC cartridge provides network playback, with access to Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, Roon, and AirPlay 2 at 24-bit/192 kHz. The A-BTC dongle adds bidirectional Bluetooth 5.4: you can stream to the amplifier, but also from the amplifier to wireless headphones. These two modules remain optional, as does the A-RTR metal rotary remote control; the REM-21 infrared remote is included. The idea is to keep the unit up to date as usage evolves, without having to replace it.
Technical specifications
Audio power and performance
- Output power at 8 Ω: 133 W (THD+N 1%, 1 kHz, 2 channels operating)
- Output power at 4 Ω: 200 W (THD+N 1%, 1 kHz, 2 channels operating)
- Output power at 8 Ω (20 Hz - 20 kHz, THD+N below 0.07%): 125 W (2 channels operating)
- Output power at 4 Ω (20 Hz - 20 kHz, THD+N below 0.07%): 186 W (2 channels operating)
- Frequency response: 20 Hz > 80 kHz (31 W, 8 Ω)
- Distortion: 0.042% (1 kHz, 90 W, 8 Ω)
- Signal-to-noise ratio: 112 dB (1 kHz, 90 W, 8 Ω)
Architecture
- ECC81 tube preamplification
- First link in the signal chain
- Adds even harmonics that enrich vocals, strings and brass
- Deep soundstage and spatially positioned instruments
- Class AB transistor amplification
- ESS9017S multichannel DAC in Quad mode
- Combines 8 channels into 4 analog paths
- Reduced noise, expanded dynamics, reproduction of micro-details
- Handles PCM 24 / 192, DSD and HDMI eARC formats without alteration
- ADAU1452 DSP
- 4 independent channels (2 main speakers and up to 2 subwoofers)
- Adjustment of each speaker according to its position in the room
- ALPS potentiometer with precise linear attenuation
Power supply
- Mains input compatibility: 115 / 230 V, 50 / 60 Hz with switch
- Transformer: toroidal, 380 VA
Digital connectivity
- Optical inputs (3x): 24-bit - 192 kHz PCM
- Coaxial inputs (3x): 24-bit - 192 kHz PCM
- USB audio input (1x): 24-bit / 192 kHz PCM - DSD64 - DSD128
- HDMI eARC input: stereo PCM, direct TV compatibility
- Input for A-BTC Bluetooth dongle (optional)
- Input for A-NTC network streamer (optional)
Analog connectivity
- Analog inputs
- Line-level RCA (5x) for analog sources
- MM phono-level RCA (1x) with grounding terminal for turntable
- RCA analog outputs
- REC-OUT (1x): recording output
- PRE-OUT (1x): preamplifier output
- SUB-OUT (2x): dedicated subwoofer outputs
- Headphone jack: high-quality 6.35 mm jack
- Speaker terminals (2x): compatible with bare wire, spades and banana plugs
Controls and update
- Update / DSP: USB A (2x)
- Trigger jack: input and output (2x), 12 V
Upgradeable architecture
- Two dedicated expansion slots
- A-NTC cartridge for adding streaming functions
- A-BTC dongle for bidirectional Bluetooth connectivity
Included accessories
- REM-21 infrared remote control, compatible with A-i190 / A-i130 models
Optional accessories
- A-NTC: streaming cartridge inserted into the NOVA amplifier for complete streaming functions
- A-BTC: Bluetooth dongle for easy connectivity, with the option to connect Bluetooth headphones that will play all sources connected to your NOVA amplifier
- A-RTR: metal wireless remote control for elegantly controlling the amplifier’s basic functions (power, volume, input change, mute)
Dimensions and weight
- Product dimensions (W x H x D): 43 x 17.5 x 35.1 cm
- Packaging dimensions (W x H x D): 54.5 x 29.5 x 53.5 cm
- Gross weight: 17.25 kg
- Net weight: 13.3 kg
Frequently asked questions
Do you need an external phono preamp to connect a turntable?
It depends on the cartridge. The A-i130 includes a phono preamp for moving magnet (MM) cartridges: a turntable fitted with an MM cartridge connects directly to the dedicated input. For a moving coil (MC) cartridge, you need to use an external phono preamp, or opt for the A-i190, whose phono stage handles both types.
Does the A-i130 decode surround sound or Dolby Atmos from a TV?
No. This is a stereo amplifier, and its HDMI eARC input receives a stereo PCM stream. Multichannel formats such as Dolby Atmos are not decoded: the TV then sends a stereo mix. For music and two-channel TV use, this connection remains the simplest and preserves signal quality.
What is the difference compared with the A-i190 in the same range?
Both share the same ECC81 tube hybrid design and digital processing. The A-i190 delivers more power—190 watts per channel into 8 ohms—thanks to a dual-mono design with two separate transformers, one per channel. It adds balanced XLR inputs, a balanced preamp output, and a phono stage compatible with MM and MC cartridges. The A-i130 retains a single transformer and RCA connectivity, which suits most systems.
Can two subwoofers be connected?
Yes. The device has two SUB-OUT outputs, and its DSP manages four channels, including two dedicated to subwoofers. The adjustable crossover distributes bass between the speakers and subwoofers, and room correction is applied to each output according to its position.
Can you listen with wireless headphones?
With the optional A-BTC Bluetooth dongle, yes. Its Bluetooth is bidirectional: the amplifier receives a stream from a smartphone, but can also send audio to Bluetooth headphones, whatever the source being played. Without this module, headphone listening is via the 6.35 mm jack socket on the front panel.
Does the PRE-OUT output allow you to add a power amplifier?
Yes. The RCA-format PRE-OUT output takes the signal after the preamp, enough to drive an external power amplifier or active speakers. This allows the A-i130 to be used as a preamp, while keeping its tube stage and converter at the front of the chain.
Is a remote control included with the amplifier?
Yes, the REM-21 infrared remote control is included; it also works with the A-i190. Advance Paris also offers, as an option, a metal rotary remote control, the A-RTR, which controls the basic functions: power on, volume, source selection and mute.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.
- GTIN / EAN: 3760179292695
