Kinki Studio EX-P7 pre-amp

Object of a trade with a fellow audiophile, a Kinki Studio EX-P7 has joined my system.

Not that I was looking for a pre-amp but a trade deal was proposed and I have accepted it, mainly for a deep curiosity about Kinki Studio products and sound.
From the photos the built quality was impressive and so was the apparent care put on the design… but what about the sound. A couple of online reviews were helpful to understand the fundamentals about the functions and possible sound signature, although it is important to underline the existence of two versions, without any differences on the labeling or outside design. Mine is the latest, made in 2023.

So one weekend morning I went to the owner’s house to make the trade and after handing the volume knob I have notice a strange thing: on certain volume positions there was a “pop” sound on the speakers. Always on the same position and when I use only the remote control the same happened. That really turn cold my interest in the EX-P7.
Then I’ve decided to investigate it and the first thing to do was write to Kinki Studio (contact email on the website) and explained the situation (gave the serial number and attached a video), but I didn’t had any answer back.
Then I remembered that Alvin helped me immensely in the past with my Denafrips Pontus II firmware settings, so pushing the rope, I tried to contact Vinshine Audio, but again no luck.
After a bit more online search, I found on Audiogon, a great comment of the wonderful customer service provided by Todd at Tek Audio Specialties (https://www.tekaudiospecialties.com) that is the retailer and service for Kinki Studio and several brands on North America and voilà, I got an answer back!
After a couple of emails and Todd’s commitment, I finally got an official answer from the factory:

As per designer’s advice , the relay-controlled
attenuator remains a superior choice.
The primary objective behind the analog volume control design of the
EX-P7 preamp was to deliver a low noise, low distortion, detailed, and
uncolored sound reproduction.
This goal has been successfully achieved through the use of a
relay-controlled attenuator, which employs multiple relays and
resistors to attenuate the volume.
Although the switching of the relays, at certain steps like 32 , 52 ,
64 , may result in an audible pop /click sound, this is completely
normal and does not pose any harm to the amplifier or loudspeakers.
You may explain to customers that the noise may be annoying , but it
does not introduce voltage levels high enough to harm the components.
If the voltage levels are high enough , it may trigger protection
circuits.

Many many thanks to Todd! Helping a fellow here in Europe is what I call a truly great customer (!) service.

As Todd explained, most likely it was a busy period at Kinki Studio HQ (right after the national holidays) but I wished that the factory response was direct and sooner.

So, I have gone through with the trade and am listening to the EX-P7 at home.
The “pop” sounds are far less noticeable than what I have experienced in the previous owner system (to be analyzed in separate) and I am enjoying it, a complete different beast than the Rogue RP-1 that usually pair with the NAD C275BEE power amp.
The Kinki is immediately more silent (black background), transparent, with superior resolution and detailed mids and highs… but it needs a warmer and perhaps powerful power amp (I have it on the low gain setting).
It is not as engaging pairing as the Copland CSA70 that I had yesterday on the system, but is exciting enough to make me want to explore and invest on a new power amp… and just now, when I was decided in downsizing the system!