I am 36years old and I have an Accuphase E-470 with an external DAC (Topping D90SE) and a small streamer connected to it (Wiim Pro) , it works perfectly
I been trying to find info wrt ztreamers but all I get is reviews or saying if you need it or not. I wpukd love to see why so many ppl are obsessed with them, 😢
Accuphase E-360 owner here, other than the great sound quality, the two things I really appreciate about Accuphase integrated amps are (1) they sound wonderful even at low volumes, no need to crank up volume unnecessarily (2) AAVA volume control steps are very granular (down to 0.2 db step). Btw, activating attenuator will reduce 20db in gain, giving much more control on the volume control.
I own an Accuphase E-370 and I completely agree with your assessment. The great performance at low levels was a N1 requirement for me and the Accuphase delivers it in spades (I am listening to it with Aurum Cantus Volta MkII speakers and a REL T9 subwoofer). It's just magic at any volume. I selected the E-370 after an audition process that lasted 3 months. I listened to amps from McIntosh, Hegel, Roksan, T+A, Devialet, Musical Fidelity...you name it. And every time I was coming back to the Accuphase. It simply blew all the competition away by a significant margin. Yes, it is expensive, but it is built like a tank and sounds marvelous. The fact that I got a great price also helped, I guess. :-)
@@asplmn Feels extremely precise. I would not describe it exactly as silky smooth because you feel a bit of tension when turning it - it is necessary precisely to ensure precision, I think.
@@morespinach9832 I compared the Accuphase E-370 against the McIntosh MA5300 in the same speaker/CD player setup. The McIntosh sounded cold and dry, too analytical and with a shallower sound. The E-370 is simply in a different class, imho.
Thank God it only cost around US$5,500 here in Hong Kong before was replaced by its successor E-4000 this year🎉. And the E-4000 is not much more expensive than the E-480 either, no tax, no shipping cost if you drive and can carry it yourself as usual. Living in HK is a bliss.
This reminds me of threads where people debate the best rock band. What is your comment based on? I have no personal experience, but saying any brand of audio equipment is #1 is a large statement given differing tastes,
My first Accuphase was the E-205 . the entrance to the Accuphase world at the end of the 80s. I used this amplifier for 20 years and I never regret spending so much money for an amplifier. I compared the Accuphase with so many other manufactureres at friends and Hifi-Studios and always realized how the guys who heard the Accuphase for the first time were completely blown away. BTW I never intend to buy an Accuphase, I was looking for optical more impressive Pre/Power Amps. (Marantz, Yamaha, Onkyo, Technics). But when it came to sound I had to change my mind and bought the little Accuphase. :)
@@LorenzoNW that's a logical conclusion however I've always dreamed of a high power SS amp that doesn't have that typical SS sound. From all I've heard this is the SS amp that converts tube guys. Unfortunately, in order to get there is the price of a really good motorcycle!
@@billbones1000 I just don’t get it. The E-480 is $12K. For a LOT LESS money, you could buy a 100W per channel Cary SLI-100 with all the upgrades and high-end NOS tubes. And that leaves you with money for a great power conditioner like an Audience Adept Response aR2p-T4 which makes all the difference in the world! And you’d still have enough money left over for quality cables before reaching $12K. That’s going to give you more emotionally engaging sound than a SS amp. Between that and a motorcycle…begin with whichever brings you more joy.
@@LorenzoNW expensive tube amps or expensive ss amps can both be equally good. At this level nothing is bad and you don't have to fuss with tubes down the road.
@@brandonburr4900 Sure, both can be good…but not equally good. Tubes and SS are just a different sound. The most musical SS amp and preamp I ever heard was from darTZeel. But for that kind of money, you could almost buy a pair of Cary 805RS amps and a First Sound Paramount MKIII-S Super Special Edition Statement preamp which would sound far more musically and emotionally engaging. Good NOS tubes will generally last 8 - 10 years. Aside from that, quality tube components are very reliable.
You give that extra extra effort in all of your reviews that we don’t often find from other reviewers. Greatly appreciated! Got my eye on the Luxman 509X, but Accuphase is has my interest. Wish they had the phono stage as standard.
on my altec lansing vintage speakers the 480 sounds better than the luxman but on on a pair of loudspeakers by magico the luxman sound nore engaging i think its a matter of synergy between components
I am so glad you are still in the Parasound / John Curl camp as your benchmark. I moved from a mid grade Marantz AVR to an A-21 amp and P6 2.1 preamp/DAC, with the current Martin Logan ESL 9 Classics. It is most likely my last stop on the audio 'merry go round' as well, it is the finest sound I have ever owned. BTW, I will be 68 next month, and it is so good to be content at last ((O: Thanks for your continued great reviews and comentary Sean..
How do you like ur set up? I really want to get martin logan esl 9 for two channel music and cant figure out what preamp/power amp vs integrated amp to pair with.
@@savanp228 As mentioned in my comment, the Parasound/Martin Logan combination is the finest sounding system of all 3 in my home and I do not plan to make upgrades or change outs with the gear any time soon. THIS system was hand picked by my dealer and I could not be happier. I suggest you look into the same pairing if your budget will allow it 😉
@@garysmith8455 thanks!!! I was looking at some McIntosh Int amp to pair with Esl speakers but it is hard to see these products in person, demo and difficult to make purchase of something that expensive not knowing what you get. Are you pairing ESLs with any subs or you get a good bass without them?
@@savanp228 Aaah, you bet.The latest addition was the Martin Logan Dynamo 1600x. A very advanced subwoofer with the Anthem Room Correction built in. Sence I have a tile floor, I am running it in downward fire mode. It is instantly convertable for forward firing should you desire. It worked beautifully and all settings are suggested from Martin Logan for the ESL Classic 9's. Highly recommended for 2.1 channel use. I just needed that extra octave for my orchestral recordings and also the low pedal of pipeorgan performances.
Oh yeah. Don't forget to SMASH / DESTROY / DECIMATE WITHOUT MERCY... that LIKE button. Heh. Now I feel like an official RUclipsr! Seriously though, click on the description box and check out the links to learn more about this piece and Accuphase in general. Tis' interesting stuff! EDIT: My summary of the "attenuator" function was incorrect. It does not 'disable' the volume control. It instantly reduces the volume by 20dB. According to Accuphase, this is useful when you need to immediately decrease the volume (phone call, wife, kids, delivery person, etc..).
Always up to learn all I can , knowlege is power in Audio ! I have sold out all of my Audio several times over the years ro upgrade to my taste. you can always build up to Audio you think you could never afford how ? buy smart sale smart do your research ! 😃
$12,000 is a goodly amount of scratch for that amplifier. However Accuphase is gold. For me, I found a well cared for Yamaha AX900U on Ebay for $460. I'm very happy with it.
I think you do a great job with reviews. Bottom line, I believe what you’re saying v some of the others that do reviews. I heard you say you may not continue doing them. I hope that is not the case. Your contributions are valued.
I was 99% ready to go with Luxman until I saw this review. I wanted to look into Accuphase and it seems that they are too expensive.. Sean addresses this and from what I was told yesterday by a local dealer the price went up on 11/1 by 15% in the states. So now the "same" integrated amp spec wise is almost 2x the price. I would be interested in the comparison with this in mind..
@@richardyanicky1845 I feel Accuphase build and above all sound is in a league above compared to Luxman. Luxman is of chinese ownership btw, if that means anything. In Europe where I live E480 costs about the same of L509x, or even less, so it's not a matter of price. Furthermore, comparing their top of the range class AB integrateds, the Accuphase is much more powerful and drives difficult speakers with ease. E480 is a current monster.
@@fabrized Thank You! I think I really need to hear a Accuphase , I will search out a used one for purchase. The prices in the US are too high. They push it to the price of a soulution integrated. I would like sean or Jay or both to do a comparison. I didn't realize Luxman wasn't a Japanese company anymore...
@@fabrized Luxman is a Japanese company - owned by a Chinese Taipei conglomerate IAG. All Luxman products are manufactured in Japan - I own one. Before purchasing it I compared both for 2 weeks and chose the Luxman as it was a bit cheaper. That was the only consideration! Build quality and sound was absolutely at par - in my living space, with my music at least. Just as an aside - by your logic - "Volvo is a Chinese company" and "Jaguar Land Rover is an Indian company" - just saying....
@@arijitsengupta1101 I know that Luxman r&d and factory are still japanese, in fact I only spoke about the company's ownership. You can say this doesn't doesn't matter in regards to product, and I can agree in certain cases and disagree in others; ownership will always have influence on company's production. I bring you an example, Dynaudio after the chinese purchase started to voice its product completely differently, to me they're not true Dynaudio anymore, Contour series of 2016 was a mess and in fact they hurried to make a new "improved" version in no time; previous Contour model was on catalogue 13 years and sounds better then the new (now already old) one for all the people I know. For the automotive example, if I wanted to buy an Italian car (my country), should I buy a Fiat, whose factories are more abroad than in Italy and headquearters and taxpaying are in Luxembourg?
I've been lucky enough to have heard a few Accuphase amplificers demoed in my time and honestly I found no faults whatsover. Great pieces all around. If I just had the money, I could easily live with them for the rest of my life. End game, you bet 🙂
Thanks, Sean, for the Accuphase E-480. Reviews on Accuphase are about as rare as Clorox wipes. Your honest review of the Luxman L-550AxII was the final push for me to put a deposit on it’s bigger sibling, the L-590AxII. I’m done. Except no one in the country (massive manufacturing delays in Japan - thanks, Covid) has one so my Christmas present may be a Valentines or Easter gift. There is a big difference in Class A operation as demonstrated to me some years ago on a 1990 Krell KST-100 power amp (great amp, by the way). A service person was able to adjust it to operate in Class A up to 50 watts, then readjust the bias down to just 5 watts in Class A. The density of the sound at the high bias levels, the grip, the bloom, and the ease of the sound was a transformation. Of course the amp heated the room and drew over 6 amperes at idle... I want that sound again.
Not enough 'external' heat sinking for 50w A operation. Try compromise; 10 or 15 watts equivalent bias current. I build 'solid state single- ended (current sourced) amps. I bias each channel at 2.75 to 3.0 amps with 22 volt rails. This yield about 25 w p c. I use chassis with huge external heat sinking like a Threshold 400 or Nakamichi Pa-5. I'm no B.S.!
Having heard this exact model at David Michael Audio ( Royal Oak Michigan ) driving Rockport | Magico Loudspeakers........, I’ll proudly go on record as saying “ it’s the very best sounding state amplification, I’ve heard period “.
Excellent review! I've been waiting for a video review of the Accuphase, and this was far better than what I was hoping for. I recently upgraded from the HINT to the 480, and agree with everything you're saying. It'll be the core of my system for a looong time. Keep up the good work :)
Great review Sean as a musician, like yourself i'v tried every thing over many years but in 2012 i purchased the Accuphase 350 am and i love it the sound hugs you like a warm blancket i have reached my final journey with this wonderful amp at present i have this wired up to klipsch and Thiel speakers and the sound is just incredible on both sets of speakers so if your lookiing for that almost perfect nirvana in your two channel stereo set up this model from Accuphase could be the one you will enjoy for many years Go for it Peace
Now I am convinced! In the long line of video RUclips reviewers the work you do is vastly superior. Rating of Quality Information per 60 seconds of airtime comes in at an 8. 10 scale. Next closest might be Hans at 7 but I can never get through his diatribe. You also address big picture issues which to many are of even more interest than a given product review. Good Job!
It is the first time for me visiting this channel. Great review. As for HIFI equipment, I personally believe that I will always be searching for something better; I'm never satisfied for long. As soon as I find something is bothering me, it will grow and grow until I have to get something else, no matter how expensive it is.
Fantastic review. I have the slightly less powered E-380 and its end-of-game!! A great match with revealing speakers like Harbeths, a match made in heaven. Your observations are spot on with my experience, keep on the great work
30 years ago I was close to buy an Accuphase E-205 from my savings but a local vendor wanted to keep his last item instead of selling it to me. Disappointed as a 17 year old boy could get, my father managed to convince me to invest in a Compaq 80286 PCs instead, whose price was three times the one of the E-205 back then. This turned out well, I don't complain, but I still feel I have unfinished business with Accuphase. Hmm, perhaps I should get one ...
I just took delivery of a DP-560 SACD and I have the DG-68 Room EQ on its way to go with my McIntosh MC462 amp/ C1100 pre-amp and my dCS Rossini DAC with word clock... would LOVE to see more videos on these and reviews like this...I will be posting a review of my stuff once its all assembled with the rest of my system.
I use the Accuphase E-408 for more than 20 years in Germay. Yes it is an end game! ...but I have 4 other stereo systems for less money. I like them too. ;) Good review! ( ...and I can hear the diffenentce in filters on my Topping D90 DAC. And good cables, too!)
I recently got to listen to Accuphase E-380, I have been deeply impressed by the pure, energetic, but rich and musical performance. I found it perfectly transparent end extended both on high and low end, with excellent detail but never fatiguing, with excellent bass control. For saying it better, its sound is just beautiful and magical, it really has something drawing you in. Mosfet's sound is iconic, and I love it. It reminded me of my old Denon s10 monoblocks which I loved as well. Based on this demo, I'm almost set on purchasing E-480. After listening to many amplifiers in this price range, I easily put the Accuphase I listened to well above all of them. I am sure I could with this amp for the rest of my life. (just to be objective, only little letdown on E-380 where the little plastic knobs for tone controls, but this is only a minor annoyance and I've never even used tone controls in my life - I think it will be the same on E-480?) At this point, my only curiosity stands toward the incoming Technics su-r1000 reference amp, which appears to bring very innovative tech. I got Technics Sacd/streamer sl-g700 last year and I am enthusiastic over it. But Su-r1000 still is Class D. I don't know what to think of Class D, to this day I find it still a little artificial, and I wonder if the Technics could be a game changer. It has full digital drive and GaN-fet at the power output stage, so on paper it could be the best thing ever, summarizing Class D advantages to a more natural sound typical of analog amplifiers. I hope to be able to listen to both amps in a comparison as soon as possible and to come to a conclusion. Certainly the Technics has to be something out of this world to sound better than Accuphase.
@@emiltsenov7853 Hello Emil. I finally bought the e480 since my last message, and I must say I've never been so happy before in my audiophile life. Incidentally my source also is the SL-G700 and, like you said, I find this combo just magical. I also had the opportunity to listen to the SU-R1000 but its sound just wasn't my cup of tea. Cheers
@@fabrisony7729 These are impressive speakers. I had B&W 7 series but sold them. My main problem with B&W is the inability to play well at very low volumes. I am currently using Aurum Cantus Volta MkII. They are amazing speakers for their money, check them out if you can. I added a REL T5 sub to them.
Thanks for the excellence of your reviews Sean. The lens of your experience and exposure to a broad range of audio products and ability to communicate your findings clearly and with quiet passion is of great value to me as a trusted source on where I might go next in pursuit of home music enjoyment. Thanks again.
Your reviews are always very detailed and honest. Loved this review. Almost ready to buy PrimaLuna Evo 300 amp. But now reconsidering my decision after watching this reviews, even though both are technically completely different devices including the price.
Great review! I was lucky enough to hear some TOTL Accuphase power amps in Tokyo last year and they might just be the best amps I've ever heard. Also, thanks for your review of the Boyuurange A10. One popped up on Vancouver Craigslist the other day and I snagged it. Very happy so far
Hi there quick note, (We sell these Amplifiers). The Attenuate button is more like a mute button but rather than a "volume knob disabler". It simply attenuates the signal to a lower level so if someone is trying to talk to you while you are listening, you can quickly reduce the volume without muting it completely. The Main in selector is what you use if you are using the amp solely as a power amplifier.
Great review Sean. Accuphase is like the McIntosh of Japan, except probably even better. I have had both and I can live with either one but but would probably go with Accuphase if you put a gun to my head. Gorgeous, mind blowing build quality and they sound out of this world. Expensive, yes, like a fine watch. Their Power Conditioners and DACs and CD/SACD players are insane. I know you love your ultra high end iFi CD player, you would LOVE their CD/SACD players.
With any doubt, Accuphase is in another level of quality superior than McIntosh. Luxman and Esoteric maybe are in the same league as McIntosh... But Accuphase is really Hi End.
Great video! Nicely balanced and also thoughtful on the price point. One of Accuphase’s biggest problems is the US distributor, who marks them up 25% vs ROW. If we could get them here at “real” prices, they’d be a very strong competitor for any integrated at the same price, given comparable set up (ie no dac or phone at $9k, or with dac and phono at ~$13k). Also Accuphase really is heirloom quality. I still run my father’s ?40? year-old Accuphase gear (serviced once) and enjoy it - not my main rig, but a total pleasure (although, same with his Marantz, McIntosh and Luxman from same era). Comparing Accuphase and Luxman listening experience is a fun and separate discussion (and is a matter of preference)
Want... It took me about a hundredth of a second at the start of the review to realize that this is literally the most beautiful piece of Hi-Fi gear I have ever seen. Would love to see it in person. Maybe one of these days when the house is paid for, if Accuphase still has it production I could actually own one... Truly a magnificent work of art in every way. Thank you ZF for sharing this with us.
got ya, so you say when I travel to Canada for the next F1 GP I should pick up this unit while I am there and carry it back over the border when I return home.
Great review. Accuphase is one of very few last remaining hi fi brands persistantly making old school, authentic 2 channel audio components. Accuphase is like Lexus and their higher range is like Toyora Century. Some may find Accuphase unsuitable for their system, but Accuphase (and Luxman)'s sound as well as its build quaility is undeniably up there, above many other audio brands.
Almost Legendary brand status for some Audiophiles, I found it interesting that you selected the Hint6 as a stepping stone to this type of presentation..... Throughout the video I thought you were describing a similar sonic signature to my own JC5! .... I have a similar opinion with regards to built in riaa stages and DACs...... Looking forward to further content , following your personal "end game" component selection.... You deserve it man 👌🏻
Hey Saun, I was lucky to pick up an e360,used with warranty.This fits with your review of the e480 to a Tee.A beautiful amp, both to listen to and just look at.I find bluray video's of live concerts magical.My speakers are Dali Rubicon 6.Magic, soundstage fablious,overall sound just lovely. Recommend you keep yours.
I'd love to see you do a a review of the new Yamaha A-S3200 integrated. At ~$7500, it's in the realm of the Luxman and Accuphase. I bought a Yamaha CA-800 back in '76 and it served me well thru the years. Musical (as all get out! My son now uses it on a daily basis. I now have a mint vintage Accuphase E-202 with my Dynaudio FOcus 110 and it the $#!t!
There was a recent price increase which maybe why you were getting different retail numbers. However you hit the Achilles heel of Accuphase in the US - the price. There is a significant but likely justifiable markup for Accuphase outside of Japan (the Japanese price is a steal), however in the US the markup is borderline criminal. Why the US price isn't comparable to the Canadian or European price makes no sense but it is what it is. Additionally Accuphase and their country specific distributors will only sell and support units sold in their region. Very nice of the Canadian distributor to send you a unit - maybe the US distributor should take a hint from them.
the issue with Accuphase isn't the fact it doesn't have a DAC or phono built in...The issue is the distributor of in the US who is ruining the brand with over pricing it.
I understand business models often dictate that manufacturers try and sell as many components separately as possible. Also, while there is some validity to the claim the separate components do have a minimal edge in ultimate sound quality, at these prices there is no excuse for not including a sub-chassis with separate power supply for a streamer and DAC and an exceptional DAC at that. And that's really my point of contention. While I'm sure the Accuphase is a wonderful sounding unit at 13,000 bucks I can buy a high quality pre-amp, an equally high quality amp and a killer separate DAC and streamer assuming the pre-amp didn't have one for the same or less money. Or I could by a more complete integrated such as a Hegel H390 for less than half the Accuphase price. Yes, amps sound different and one may love the Accuphase sound but there are so many great integrated amps on the market today that other than nostalgia and the wish to own something a handful of audio geeks would worship you for I can't imagine not being able to find a suitable solution to anyone's input and power needs for far less money.
I think your perspective is very reasonable. This is part of the reason why I walked away from owning 40-60k systems roughly 10 years ago. Were the systems nice? Absolutely. Was there a strong pride in ownership? Sure. But in my heart of hearts, I never felt like I was experiencing 40-60k worth of sound during every listening session. Or even with most listening sessions. As you likely know, the E-480 is barely scraping the surface of true high-end audio, but for me, that's fine. It still represents that point in which you pay more, and you clearly get more. Now clearly 9k, 13k, or whatever.. can buy you a lot of stuff. Shoot. You could get a set of Upgraded Tekton DI's, The Denafrips Hestia and Hyperion combo, and still have enough money for a badass source. Questions of aesthetics aside, the above system should be suitable for most people! But sometimes, you want more than just suitable. Hell, one could argue that's why we're into luxury audio to begin with. For me, products in the E-480's range are near the top of what I'd consider spending on an integrated, lest I find myself in the position that I was in roughly a decade ago. Either way, it's nice to have options.
The option of adding a dac and phono stage seems like the perfect solution. You can have it with built in or without. Some people want to buy a loaded car, others can't afford the loaded car but want the engineering for that brand/model.
@@jked7463 its is its an out dated chipset with a 1000 dollar implementation at best. better then some for sure but you could easily do better and honestly considering the amps capabilitys why wouldent you. Iv heard gryphon diablo with there internal dac ( which is arguably far better then acuphases option) and it did not impress compared to external options. It's really a limiter as you would be unable to flip it so easily after you were tired of it especially on resale. If i were blowing wads I'd look at lixmans new dx 10 or whatever the stand alone turns out to be
@@markw7303 Good to know about the chipset. But that's the great thing. You don't have to get it and buy what you want as a separate, which is what I would do anyway.
Wow - this is a thing of beauty - the inside of it is just phenomenal! @zero fidelity Thank you for another excellent review, always terrific content 🤟👍💥
Shaun, when it comes down to what YOU want as you're end game system, it's what pleases you, no one else. I would probably make the same decision that you made, especially if I could afford to buy it. I have 2 stereo systems right now. Not in the same caliber that you have, but more than decent. I have been in to audio for almost 50 years. I've had, Conrad Johnson, Class'e, Micromega, California Audio labs., Michael Green Audio, Paradigm, Cary Audio, Cary Audio/ Rotel, ( first Cary Audio CD player, with Rotel Body!), Marantz, Kef, Polk, Jm. Labs, Focal, Plinius, Primare, Rotel, Yamaha, Monster, Exact Power.,Nad, Allison Speakers, Micro Seiki, Mapleshade products, and tons of Accessories from, Michael Green Audio, to Black Diamond Racing, and much too much to list. Not to mention Cables, which I definitely think make a difference!! I made some mistakes along the way, but I learned a lot about the products that I owned, and I also learned, you get what you pay for. I'm on Social Security, and I will never be able to own a pair of Magico M3s, but you learn to be smart in how to assemble the best system that is in the ultimate price point in which you can afford, and even trade up, here and there. It's all about you're taste in the system you love, not your audience, not your friend, You!! Enjoy!!! And if I win the lottery, you can bet, I will be owning those Magico's, and that Accuphase!! I think you were born to do exactly what you're doing on U Tube, it's a gift, and believe me, I feel you are the best man for the job. I appreciate the other guy's who try to talk and review audio on U Tube, but, I get bored with them after a minute or so. Some people have it, and some people don't, YOU Do! You keep the attention of your audience. The way you speak, the way you phrase, like I said, it's a gift. I have seen some of the greatest bands and solo artists in the world. And showmanship, plus talent, make a good live show. I hope that I made my point, your very good at this, and I learn about the products in which you are talking about. Keep on, Keeping on. Enjoy what you're doing, because I think people enjoy listening to you, I know I do, I never get bored with any of your posts, and when you do describe a component, I know exactly what you're trying to get across. Sorry for this book of a coment, but I felt that I had to share this, thanks, and Peace to you also!!!
You nailed it: What connects the listener emotionally is the pursuit we as audiophiles and music lovers are all after. Thanks fir this great review. The best I have seen so far for this unit.
Hey Sean, is the E-480 still on the top of your list? Anything come close to toppling it yet? I'm seriously considering grabbing one for myself as a "this will hold me over for awhile" amp, so long as the preamp out is also top notch.
Sean, thank you so much for this review. I was fortunate enough to compare the 480 with Parasound JC5/JC2BP. Auditioned both in my home with Sonus Faber Serafino and with new Dynaudio Confidence C30. And I have to say I was hugely surprised how close the Accu came to the JC combo. At the end of the day, I might have even leaned towards the 480, due to its phenomenal harmonic richness in the mid/treble. And even though the JC shown more control over the bass, they were both equally detailed and discerning in the bass notes. The E480 was a stark improvement over the 470 too, which sounded dull and overall unimpressive. Conclusion: I was thinking of JC combo as my potential endgame, but Accu has shown there's a viable alternative. I can't wait to audition their separates! BTW, the word on the street is that the new E800 is a first Accu integrated that's as good as some of their separates [drool].
Accuphase make Nice gear...I use Luxman in my rotation and love the Brand...At my local shop I been demoing in 5K range (Accuphase dealer) and my next purchase is NAD M33. This will fit nicely into my mix as I am looking for BluOS Streaming system.
For what you pay especially in us, I would take a Lavardin IT-20 any time of the days though there is nothing wrong with Acuphase. One is extreme opposite of another. One is beautiful piece of art with a great sound and another with no features except sound with soul approach to best of 300B set with bass.
Sean, if this is on the top of your list, where would you place the Luxman l550axii respectively? And why would you choose the Accuphase over the Luxman?
Accuphase has a higher specification quality and build quality standards than luxman, while no yamaha is built to the highest standards like luxman either.
@@ianjohnhorwood2605 Yes. Accuphase is in another level of quality (superior). Luxman are more comparable with Esoteric or McIntosh for example. Yamaha “fight” with Denon or Marantz. I tested integrated amps of those brands many times and Accuphase is a clear winner. Is the best japanese audio brand with no doubts, and far superior to McIntosh. Luxman is better than McIntosh either. In the very Extreme High End, probably Audio Note, Gryphon and Nagra is the better.
Gorgeous unit! I love that front panel design, always love seeing meters. Love all of those inputs, great rear panel layout. Thank You for the under the hood look! Love that toroidal transformer, and those big heat sinks. P.S. I smashed the like button!
Oh my God, you did review an Accuphase! I'm one of those people too that have very big respect for this company. Simply stunning and amazing machines. Thank you for this review XD, and another great job. Features?! in an Accuphase?! No. We are talking about THE hi end company. Accupase is old school devices with EMPHASY in built and sound quality. If you are of the kind of people, that wants feautures, look elsewhere. I wish that Accuphase will find enough customers, in the future, so they will not change. We have more than enough companys for feautures. Let some stay traditional :)
Warm sounding to me equates to subduing the higher frequencies a tad. which is to some peoples musical taste but not mine. I am swayed towards the Luxman for that reason. At theses prices I would need to hear them in the flesh before ordering.
Its bass is impactful because of the highly efficient, high current power stage, the e480 can extract amazing bass from speakers but the high damping factor gives bass speed and perfect control. This has nothing to do with bass quantity, this amp is very transparent, very linear and with very extended crisp highs. Luckiliy it never gets harsh thanks to ultra low distortion.
My first exposure to Accuphase was with a buddy with some bose series 1..i had a 110 watt JVC receiver...we hooked the bose and then the 110 watt accuphase...which blew the reciever away...smoother louder cleaner...At that point...i became a fan of high end audio...just not the budget.
It’s rare for tech / audio gear to be cheaper in Canada than in the US and especially to be so much cheaper. This invites the inevitable comparison to the price of a car but a car depreciates to near zero or basically ceases to function so the Accuphase is the better value. Guess it’s Uber and car sharing for me from now on.
I bought an Accuphase piece straight in Japan for a killer price when i was on a business trip there years ago. It was the only thing that came in my hand carry luggage. The distributor here in the US is an awful/lazy/greedy vulture! ("passionate individual", my a**!)
If it was easy to convert to 120v, I would be wanting to do the same. I think the e480 is ~6000 USD in Japan. Cheaper than the Luxman 509x (which is 10 lbs heavier).
@@billiondollarbaby3276 I checked AudioCubes and they offer this integrated amp for about $7K shipped. This includes a transformer to match the local voltage. I think I am going to pull the trigger on this.
Not much more that I can ad to the descriptors on a product like the Accuphase. If you ever get a chance, checkout the Esoteric F-05. You may change your mind. But in the end I think that you really can't go wrong with either. Or a Luxman for that matter. Like deciding whether I want the Koenigsegg, Pagani or the Bugatti.
Class AB integrated Accuphase is best, for pure class A integrated I've read more positive reviews of the 590mkii than the E800. The super pricey sell your house seperate pre-amp/power amp monoblock setups at the top of Accuphase and Luxman I have no clue, but they seem to hold their used value even 20 year old units so they must be magical
Hello from Montreal, Regarding Accuphase, have you ever come across the E-800? My local audio shop just started selling Accuphase. The E-800 is 50watt class A integrated. I presently have Mcintosh separates which I purchased there. I went in the shop the other day and saw the E-800 and had a listen. Wow it’s so soothe. The distributor you mentioned is in Montreal so if anything go wrong there right there. Thank you for all you do, your opinion does matter.
Nice review. I'm a gen-x. A few years back I moved from all-i One sulotion to standalone gears. A mix of new, used and vintage. I think there will be a future for seperates for sure. We still build sail boats - becuase they make us feel better.
Nobody gives a better review than Sean. And this one is no different. Thank you! I need your advice on a new pair of speakers for my desk. Apparently I need to replace these because I thought I heard you say twelve thousand dollars for the amp. Certainly my woofers are shot. Twelve thousand?!? Ahem... I'll be sure to ask Santa for one.
Beautiful amp. I want to know more about the sound master. My Japanese amp the Denon PMA a100 had one also... and I love it’s feel and sound especially at low volume. No meters and hardly any lights but that’s okay.
@ Zero Fidelity - Ok, I need to know... Between the E480 and the Luxman 550 AXII, which would you prefer in the long haul? Is the Lux a potential 'end game' amp, not unlike this Accuphase?
A message for the Accuphase dreamers. You may get lucky buying a used or older model (still amazing sound) or the Japanese version that works with no issues. I was lucky enough to buy like-New E-260 for...$1,200 on eBay (well, it was $1,800 with a turntable amp card that I sold for $600). This entry model is probably enough for most of the users here in terms of power and quality although 4 series sounds like the real end game. With Energy Veritas 6.3 speakers, Cambridge Azure 851N and Martin Logan Dynamo 1500 this is my end game... until I move to a bigger house.
Nice review! I went from Hegel H390 to Accuphase E480 and now Im happy with a Pass Labs INT30A. Dream would be a mash-up - Accuphases looks, with Hegels price,dac streaming abilitys and some of Pass Labs magic class A :)
Accuphase showed me that 'hi-end' is not for everyone. Previous year I bought old Accuphase E-206 (for about 850 USD equivalent in Poland) and after few weeks I sold it because I felt it boring for me and went back to my Yamaha AX-750 (that costed me 150 USD 4 years ago). Next I had opportunity to listen new separate Accuphase system on the show (organized by Polish dealer) and it also felt boring for me similarly to vintage E-206.
I am 36years old and I have an Accuphase E-470 with an external DAC (Topping D90SE) and a small streamer connected to it (Wiim Pro) , it works perfectly
I been trying to find info wrt ztreamers but all I get is reviews or saying if you need it or not. I wpukd love to see why so many ppl are obsessed with them, 😢
I completely share your feelings. I have an E-460 since 6 or 7 years and still look forward to listening to it every day.
Accuphase E-360 owner here, other than the great sound quality, the two things I really appreciate about Accuphase integrated amps are (1) they sound wonderful even at low volumes, no need to crank up volume unnecessarily (2) AAVA volume control steps are very granular (down to 0.2 db step).
Btw, activating attenuator will reduce 20db in gain, giving much more control on the volume control.
I own an Accuphase E-370 and I completely agree with your assessment. The great performance at low levels was a N1 requirement for me and the Accuphase delivers it in spades (I am listening to it with Aurum Cantus Volta MkII speakers and a REL T9 subwoofer). It's just magic at any volume.
I selected the E-370 after an audition process that lasted 3 months. I listened to amps from McIntosh, Hegel, Roksan, T+A, Devialet, Musical Fidelity...you name it. And every time I was coming back to the Accuphase. It simply blew all the competition away by a significant margin. Yes, it is expensive, but it is built like a tank and sounds marvelous. The fact that I got a great price also helped, I guess. :-)
Any chance you’ve compared these to Mcintosh?
@@emiltsenov7853 how does the volume knob feel when you turn it..? Silky smooth?
@@asplmn Feels extremely precise. I would not describe it exactly as silky smooth because you feel a bit of tension when turning it - it is necessary precisely to ensure precision, I think.
@@morespinach9832 I compared the Accuphase E-370 against the McIntosh MA5300 in the same speaker/CD player setup. The McIntosh sounded cold and dry, too analytical and with a shallower sound. The E-370 is simply in a different class, imho.
Thank God it only cost around US$5,500 here in Hong Kong before was replaced by its successor E-4000 this year🎉. And the E-4000 is not much more expensive than the E-480 either, no tax, no shipping cost if you drive and can carry it yourself as usual. Living in HK is a bliss.
My search was over with my DP65 and E-307. Dream team.....
Mine was over with the E307 and the DP400
If loving this is wrong, I don't wanna be right.
You've done something wrong in the most beautiful way😆
Fuckin A
Agree - Accuphase is consistently the #1 Audiophile brand over many years.
This reminds me of threads where people debate the best rock band. What is your comment based on? I have no personal experience, but saying any brand of audio equipment is #1 is a large statement given differing tastes,
AaazzVb pop ł Ll
@@ikwho1 LOL!!!
My first Accuphase was the E-205 . the entrance to the Accuphase world at the end of the 80s. I used this amplifier for 20 years and I never regret spending so much money for an amplifier. I compared the Accuphase with so many other manufactureres at friends and Hifi-Studios and always realized how the guys who heard the Accuphase for the first time were completely blown away. BTW I never intend to buy an Accuphase, I was looking for optical more impressive Pre/Power Amps. (Marantz, Yamaha, Onkyo, Technics). But when it came to sound I had to change my mind and bought the little Accuphase. :)
Your passion, knowledge and talent for explaining, is impressive.
Please don't build Sean's ego any bigger than it is! 🤓
Great review.
Sean, I'm a tube guy and this amp is still my holy grail.
If you're a tube guy, I would think a 300B SET amp would be your holy grail.
@@LorenzoNW that's a logical conclusion however I've always dreamed of a high power SS amp that doesn't have that typical SS sound. From all I've heard this is the SS amp that converts tube guys. Unfortunately, in order to get there is the price of a really good motorcycle!
@@billbones1000 I just don’t get it. The E-480 is $12K. For a LOT LESS money, you could buy a 100W per channel Cary SLI-100 with all the upgrades and high-end NOS tubes. And that leaves you with money for a great power conditioner like an Audience Adept Response aR2p-T4 which makes all the difference in the world! And you’d still have enough money left over for quality cables before reaching $12K. That’s going to give you more emotionally engaging sound than a SS amp.
Between that and a motorcycle…begin with whichever brings you more joy.
@@LorenzoNW expensive tube amps or expensive ss amps can both be equally good. At this level nothing is bad and you don't have to fuss with tubes down the road.
@@brandonburr4900 Sure, both can be good…but not equally good. Tubes and SS are just a different sound. The most musical SS amp and preamp I ever heard was from darTZeel. But for that kind of money, you could almost buy a pair of Cary 805RS amps and a First Sound Paramount MKIII-S Super Special Edition Statement preamp which would sound far more musically and emotionally engaging. Good NOS tubes will generally last 8 - 10 years. Aside from that, quality tube components are very reliable.
You give that extra extra effort in all of your reviews that we don’t often find from other reviewers. Greatly appreciated! Got my eye on the Luxman 509X, but Accuphase is has my interest. Wish they had the phono stage as standard.
on my altec lansing vintage speakers the 480 sounds better than the luxman but on on a pair of loudspeakers by magico the luxman sound nore engaging i think its a matter of synergy between components
I am so glad you are still in the Parasound / John Curl camp as your benchmark.
I moved from a mid grade Marantz AVR to an
A-21 amp and P6 2.1 preamp/DAC, with the current Martin Logan ESL 9 Classics. It is most likely my last stop on the audio 'merry go round' as well, it is the finest sound I have ever owned. BTW, I will be 68 next month, and it is so good to be content at last ((O: Thanks for your continued great reviews and comentary Sean..
How do you like ur set up? I really want to get martin logan esl 9 for two channel music and cant figure out what preamp/power amp vs integrated amp to pair with.
@@savanp228 As mentioned in my comment, the Parasound/Martin Logan combination is the finest sounding system of all 3 in my home and I do not plan to make upgrades or change outs with the gear any time soon. THIS system was hand picked by my dealer and I could not be happier. I suggest you look into the same pairing if your budget will allow it 😉
@@garysmith8455 thanks!!! I was looking at some McIntosh Int amp to pair with Esl speakers but it is hard to see these products in person, demo and difficult to make purchase of something that expensive not knowing what you get.
Are you pairing ESLs with any subs or you get a good bass without them?
@@savanp228 Aaah, you bet.The latest addition was the Martin Logan Dynamo 1600x. A very advanced subwoofer with the Anthem Room Correction built in. Sence I have a tile floor, I am running it in downward fire mode. It is instantly convertable for forward firing should you desire.
It worked beautifully and all settings are suggested from Martin Logan for the ESL Classic 9's. Highly recommended for 2.1 channel use. I just needed that extra octave for my orchestral recordings and also the low pedal of pipeorgan performances.
Oh yeah. Don't forget to SMASH / DESTROY / DECIMATE WITHOUT MERCY... that LIKE button. Heh. Now I feel like an official RUclipsr! Seriously though, click on the description box and check out the links to learn more about this piece and Accuphase in general. Tis' interesting stuff! EDIT: My summary of the "attenuator" function was incorrect. It does not 'disable' the volume control. It instantly reduces the volume by 20dB. According to Accuphase, this is useful when you need to immediately decrease the volume (phone call, wife, kids, delivery person, etc..).
Oh God. I've been lusting after this amp since its e-470 incarnation... I must find a way to own it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Always up to learn all I can , knowlege is power in Audio ! I have sold out all of my Audio several times over the years ro upgrade to my taste. you can always build up to Audio you think you could never afford how ?
buy smart sale smart do your research !
😃
Will it be possible to do a review on Hegel Amplifiers like H series (H390/H190 etc ) / (H20/30) ... also have you done any comparisons to Hegel?
@@TheLkdude write Hegal and tell them to send sonething Seans Way !
I will also 😃
I wonder how this Accuphase compares to more modern solutions like Hegel H590 or Lyngdorf TDAI 3400. I guess I‘ll never know 😄
$12,000 is a goodly amount of scratch for that amplifier. However Accuphase is gold. For me, I found a well cared for Yamaha AX900U on Ebay for $460. I'm very happy with it.
Now that’s beautiful. Achingly beautiful.
I think you do a great job with reviews. Bottom line, I believe what you’re saying v some of the others that do reviews. I heard you say you may not continue doing them. I hope that is not the case. Your contributions are valued.
Looking forward to that Luxman vs Accuphase comparison.
Great review, thanks.
I was 99% ready to go with Luxman until I saw this review. I wanted to look into Accuphase and it seems that they are too expensive.. Sean addresses this and from what I was told yesterday by a local dealer the price went up on 11/1 by 15% in the states. So now the "same" integrated amp spec wise is almost 2x the price. I would be interested in the comparison with this in mind..
@@richardyanicky1845 I feel Accuphase build and above all sound is in a league above compared to Luxman. Luxman is of chinese ownership btw, if that means anything. In Europe where I live E480 costs about the same of L509x, or even less, so it's not a matter of price. Furthermore, comparing their top of the range class AB integrateds, the Accuphase is much more powerful and drives difficult speakers with ease. E480 is a current monster.
@@fabrized Thank You! I think I really need to hear a Accuphase , I will search out a used one for purchase. The prices in the US are too high. They push it to the price of a soulution integrated. I would like sean or Jay or both to do a comparison. I didn't realize Luxman wasn't a Japanese company anymore...
@@fabrized Luxman is a Japanese company - owned by a Chinese Taipei conglomerate IAG. All Luxman products are manufactured in Japan - I own one. Before purchasing it I compared both for 2 weeks and chose the Luxman as it was a bit cheaper. That was the only consideration! Build quality and sound was absolutely at par - in my living space, with my music at least. Just as an aside - by your logic - "Volvo is a Chinese company" and "Jaguar Land Rover is an Indian company" - just saying....
@@arijitsengupta1101 I know that Luxman r&d and factory are still japanese, in fact I only spoke about the company's ownership. You can say this doesn't doesn't matter in regards to product, and I can agree in certain cases and disagree in others; ownership will always have influence on company's production. I bring you an example, Dynaudio after the chinese purchase started to voice its product completely differently, to me they're not true Dynaudio anymore, Contour series of 2016 was a mess and in fact they hurried to make a new "improved" version in no time; previous Contour model was on catalogue 13 years and sounds better then the new (now already old) one for all the people I know. For the automotive example, if I wanted to buy an Italian car (my country), should I buy a Fiat, whose factories are more abroad than in Italy and headquearters and taxpaying are in Luxembourg?
I've been lucky enough to have heard a few Accuphase amplificers demoed in my time and honestly I found no faults whatsover. Great pieces all around. If I just had the money, I could easily live with them for the rest of my life. End game, you bet 🙂
Thanks, Sean, for the Accuphase E-480. Reviews on Accuphase are about as rare as Clorox wipes. Your honest review of the Luxman L-550AxII was the final push for me to put a deposit on it’s bigger sibling, the L-590AxII. I’m done. Except no one in the country (massive manufacturing delays in Japan - thanks, Covid) has one so my Christmas present may be a Valentines or Easter gift. There is a big difference in Class A operation as demonstrated to me some years ago on a 1990 Krell KST-100 power amp (great amp, by the way). A service person was able to adjust it to operate in Class A up to 50 watts, then readjust the bias down to just 5 watts in Class A. The density of the sound at the high bias levels, the grip, the bloom, and the ease of the sound was a transformation. Of course the amp heated the room and drew over 6 amperes at idle... I want that sound again.
Not enough 'external' heat sinking for 50w A operation. Try compromise; 10 or 15 watts equivalent bias current. I build 'solid state single- ended (current sourced) amps. I bias each channel at 2.75 to 3.0 amps with 22 volt rails. This yield about 25 w p c. I use chassis with huge external heat sinking like a Threshold 400 or Nakamichi Pa-5. I'm no B.S.!
Having heard this exact model at David Michael Audio ( Royal Oak Michigan ) driving Rockport | Magico Loudspeakers........, I’ll proudly go on record as saying “ it’s the very best sounding state amplification, I’ve heard period “.
Excellent review! I've been waiting for a video review of the Accuphase, and this was far better than what I was hoping for. I recently upgraded from the HINT to the 480, and agree with everything you're saying. It'll be the core of my system for a looong time. Keep up the good work :)
Great review Sean as a musician, like yourself i'v tried every thing over many years but in 2012 i purchased the Accuphase 350 am and i love it the sound hugs you like a warm blancket i have reached my final journey with this wonderful amp at present i have this wired up to klipsch and Thiel speakers and the sound is just incredible on both sets of speakers so if your lookiing for that almost perfect nirvana in your two channel stereo set up this model from Accuphase could be the one you will enjoy for many years Go for it Peace
That is a thing of beauty. Great review!
Now I am convinced! In the long line of video RUclips reviewers the work you do is vastly superior. Rating of Quality Information per 60 seconds of airtime comes in at an 8. 10 scale. Next closest might be Hans at 7 but I can never get through his diatribe. You also address big picture issues which to many are of even more interest than a given product review. Good Job!
Thanks, Sean, very helpful review. I’m glad you’re starting to compare between different price points.
It is the first time for me visiting this channel. Great review.
As for HIFI equipment, I personally believe that I will always be searching for something better; I'm never satisfied for long. As soon as I find something is bothering me, it will grow and grow until I have to get something else, no matter how expensive it is.
Fantastic review. I have the slightly less powered E-380 and its end-of-game!! A great match with revealing speakers like Harbeths, a match made in heaven. Your observations are spot on with my experience, keep on the great work
love this amp a friend of mine have that amp with a pair of 94 db seas fullrange it sounds amazing ....
Pure Analog Beast with Mosphetes ! 😃 Beautiful Integrated , Thanks Sean
Yep mosphetes!!
My dreamamp. No doubt about it!
At a point in my like when.... Ahh maturity. How things change as we get older. That amp sounds like a perfect solution.
30 years ago I was close to buy an Accuphase E-205 from my savings but a local vendor wanted to keep his last item instead of selling it to me. Disappointed as a 17 year old boy could get, my father managed to convince me to invest in a Compaq 80286 PCs instead, whose price was three times the one of the E-205 back then. This turned out well, I don't complain, but I still feel I have unfinished business with Accuphase. Hmm, perhaps I should get one ...
If you really liked Accuphase, it seems like it would be worth flying to Toronto and buying it there.
Very honest review, even though i cant afford this amp but the review alone has value in it.
Oh my God, it's beautiful.
Thanks for reviewing this dream amplifier! My next amp will be an accuphase without any doubt.
ues it's still miles to A-70 class A. It's was 2-3 experience with it...Yes Accuphase it's end gear i must say to my ears.
Finally, an advantage in price for Canadians!
I just took delivery of a DP-560 SACD and I have the DG-68 Room EQ on its way to go with my McIntosh MC462 amp/ C1100 pre-amp and my dCS Rossini DAC with word clock... would LOVE to see more videos on these and reviews like this...I will be posting a review of my stuff once its all assembled with the rest of my system.
at last,a review of an accuphase component!now,lets see a review of the accuphase dynamic duo of their 950 sacd transport and dac.
You must be new to the channel or haven't been paying attention.
almost purchased the E480 with Harbeth 40.2 Anni combo. created a beautiful mid range this combo.
I use the Accuphase E-408 for more than 20 years in Germay. Yes it is an end game! ...but I have 4 other stereo systems for less money. I like them too. ;) Good review! ( ...and I can hear the diffenentce in filters on my Topping D90 DAC. And good cables, too!)
Mmm. That is a tasty amp. Will revisit if the good ship "FU Money" ever comes in.
Had Luxman Z and 2 Accuphase. The E4000 is now my keeper amp, it is superb and does vocals beautifully.
I recently got to listen to Accuphase E-380, I have been deeply impressed by the pure, energetic, but rich and musical performance. I found it perfectly transparent end extended both on high and low end, with excellent detail but never fatiguing, with excellent bass control. For saying it better, its sound is just beautiful and magical, it really has something drawing you in. Mosfet's sound is iconic, and I love it. It reminded me of my old Denon s10 monoblocks which I loved as well.
Based on this demo, I'm almost set on purchasing E-480. After listening to many amplifiers in this price range, I easily put the Accuphase I listened to well above all of them. I am sure I could with this amp for the rest of my life. (just to be objective, only little letdown on E-380 where the little plastic knobs for tone controls, but this is only a minor annoyance and I've never even used tone controls in my life - I think it will be the same on E-480?)
At this point, my only curiosity stands toward the incoming Technics su-r1000 reference amp, which appears to bring very innovative tech. I got Technics Sacd/streamer sl-g700 last year and I am enthusiastic over it.
But Su-r1000 still is Class D. I don't know what to think of Class D, to this day I find it still a little artificial, and I wonder if the Technics could be a game changer. It has full digital drive and GaN-fet at the power output stage, so on paper it could be the best thing ever, summarizing Class D advantages to a more natural sound typical of analog amplifiers.
I hope to be able to listen to both amps in a comparison as soon as possible and to come to a conclusion. Certainly the Technics has to be something out of this world to sound better than Accuphase.
I am listening to the Technics SL-G700 with E370. Magic.
@@emiltsenov7853 Hello Emil. I finally bought the e480 since my last message, and I must say I've never been so happy before in my audiophile life. Incidentally my source also is the SL-G700 and, like you said, I find this combo just magical.
I also had the opportunity to listen to the SU-R1000 but its sound just wasn't my cup of tea.
Cheers
@@fabrisony7729 Congratulations - may you enjoy it for many, many years! What speakers are you using?
@@emiltsenov7853 Thank you very much; speakers are B&W 804D3, yours?
@@fabrisony7729 These are impressive speakers. I had B&W 7 series but sold them. My main problem with B&W is the inability to play well at very low volumes. I am currently using Aurum Cantus Volta MkII. They are amazing speakers for their money, check them out if you can. I added a REL T5 sub to them.
Thanks for the excellence of your reviews Sean.
The lens of your experience and exposure to a broad range of audio products and ability to communicate your findings clearly and with quiet passion is of great value to me as a trusted source on where I might go next in pursuit of home music enjoyment.
Thanks again.
Your reviews are always very detailed and honest. Loved this review. Almost ready to buy PrimaLuna Evo 300 amp. But now reconsidering my decision after watching this reviews, even though both are technically completely different devices including the price.
Great review! I was lucky enough to hear some TOTL Accuphase power amps in Tokyo last year and they might just be the best amps I've ever heard.
Also, thanks for your review of the Boyuurange A10. One popped up on Vancouver Craigslist the other day and I snagged it. Very happy so far
Hi there quick note, (We sell these Amplifiers). The Attenuate button is more like a mute button but rather than a "volume knob disabler". It simply attenuates the signal to a lower level so if someone is trying to talk to you while you are listening, you can quickly reduce the volume without muting it completely.
The Main in selector is what you use if you are using the amp solely as a power amplifier.
As always a great review. I owned an earlier version of this model and sold it. I have regretted it ever since.
Great review Sean. Accuphase is like the McIntosh of Japan, except probably even better. I have had both and I can live with either one but but would probably go with Accuphase if you put a gun to my head. Gorgeous, mind blowing build quality and they sound out of this world. Expensive, yes, like a fine watch. Their Power Conditioners and DACs and CD/SACD players are insane. I know you love your ultra high end iFi CD player, you would LOVE their CD/SACD players.
With any doubt, Accuphase is in another level of quality superior than McIntosh. Luxman and Esoteric maybe are in the same league as McIntosh... But Accuphase is really Hi End.
Great video! Nicely balanced and also thoughtful on the price point. One of Accuphase’s biggest problems is the US distributor, who marks them up 25% vs ROW. If we could get them here at “real” prices, they’d be a very strong competitor for any integrated at the same price, given comparable set up (ie no dac or phone at $9k, or with dac and phono at ~$13k). Also Accuphase really is heirloom quality. I still run my father’s ?40? year-old Accuphase gear (serviced once) and enjoy it - not my main rig, but a total pleasure (although, same with his Marantz, McIntosh and Luxman from same era). Comparing Accuphase and Luxman listening experience is a fun and separate discussion (and is a matter of preference)
Nice review !
The all new Luxman L-507z is the one to get now ! Go listen ! 😇
What a beauty!
Road trip to Canada is in order! Beautiful indeed..............
Good luck hiding this beauty down your pant leg
Want...
It took me about a hundredth of a second at the start of the review to realize that this is literally the most beautiful piece of Hi-Fi gear I have ever seen. Would love to see it in person. Maybe one of these days when the house is paid for, if Accuphase still has it production I could actually own one... Truly a magnificent work of art in every way.
Thank you ZF for sharing this with us.
got ya, so you say when I travel to Canada for the next F1 GP I should pick up this unit while I am there and carry it back over the border when I return home.
Great review. Accuphase is one of very few last remaining hi fi brands persistantly making old school, authentic 2 channel audio components. Accuphase is like Lexus and their higher range is like Toyora Century. Some may find Accuphase unsuitable for their system, but Accuphase (and Luxman)'s sound as well as its build quaility is undeniably up there, above many other audio brands.
Перевисти на руский
Almost Legendary brand status for some Audiophiles, I found it interesting that you selected the Hint6 as a stepping stone to this type of presentation..... Throughout the video I thought you were describing a similar sonic signature to my own JC5! .... I have a similar opinion with regards to built in riaa stages and DACs......
Looking forward to further content , following your personal "end game" component selection.... You deserve it man 👌🏻
Bought mine, and a DP-450, as a result of this review.
Hey Saun,
I was lucky to pick up an e360,used with warranty.This fits with your review of the e480 to a Tee.A beautiful amp,
both to listen to and just look at.I find bluray video's of live concerts magical.My speakers are Dali Rubicon 6.Magic,
soundstage fablious,overall sound just lovely.
Recommend you keep yours.
I'd love to see you do a a review of the new Yamaha A-S3200 integrated. At ~$7500, it's in the realm of the Luxman and Accuphase. I bought a Yamaha CA-800 back in '76 and it served me well thru the years. Musical (as all get out! My son now uses it on a daily basis. I now have a mint vintage Accuphase E-202 with my Dynaudio FOcus 110 and it the $#!t!
There was a recent price increase which maybe why you were getting different retail numbers. However you hit the Achilles heel of Accuphase in the US - the price. There is a significant but likely justifiable markup for Accuphase outside of Japan (the Japanese price is a steal), however in the US the markup is borderline criminal. Why the US price isn't comparable to the Canadian or European price makes no sense but it is what it is. Additionally Accuphase and their country specific distributors will only sell and support units sold in their region. Very nice of the Canadian distributor to send you a unit - maybe the US distributor should take a hint from them.
In HK, E480 is sold at half price of that in USA.
the issue with Accuphase isn't the fact it doesn't have a DAC or phono built in...The issue is the distributor of in the US who is ruining the brand with over pricing it.
I understand business models often dictate that manufacturers try and sell as many components separately as possible. Also, while there is some validity to the claim the separate components do have a minimal edge in ultimate sound quality, at these prices there is no excuse for not including a sub-chassis with separate power supply for a streamer and DAC and an exceptional DAC at that. And that's really my point of contention. While I'm sure the Accuphase is a wonderful sounding unit at 13,000 bucks I can buy a high quality pre-amp, an equally high quality amp and a killer separate DAC and streamer assuming the pre-amp didn't have one for the same or less money. Or I could by a more complete integrated such as a Hegel H390 for less than half the Accuphase price. Yes, amps sound different and one may love the Accuphase sound but there are so many great integrated amps on the market today that other than nostalgia and the wish to own something a handful of audio geeks would worship you for I can't imagine not being able to find a suitable solution to anyone's input and power needs for far less money.
I think your perspective is very reasonable. This is part of the reason why I walked away from owning 40-60k systems roughly 10 years ago. Were the systems nice? Absolutely. Was there a strong pride in ownership? Sure. But in my heart of hearts, I never felt like I was experiencing 40-60k worth of sound during every listening session. Or even with most listening sessions. As you likely know, the E-480 is barely scraping the surface of true high-end audio, but for me, that's fine. It still represents that point in which you pay more, and you clearly get more. Now clearly 9k, 13k, or whatever.. can buy you a lot of stuff. Shoot. You could get a set of Upgraded Tekton DI's, The Denafrips Hestia and Hyperion combo, and still have enough money for a badass source. Questions of aesthetics aside, the above system should be suitable for most people! But sometimes, you want more than just suitable. Hell, one could argue that's why we're into luxury audio to begin with. For me, products in the E-480's range are near the top of what I'd consider spending on an integrated, lest I find myself in the position that I was in roughly a decade ago. Either way, it's nice to have options.
I love my Accuphase P-300, C-200 and T-100.
Hello Sean, how well do you think Accuphase will pair will Klipsch Heresy/Cornwall/La Scala?
Did U get a chance to try the pairing?
The option of adding a dac and phono stage seems like the perfect solution. You can have it with built in or without. Some people want to buy a loaded car, others can't afford the loaded car but want the engineering for that brand/model.
Yes, it’s and advantage in my view, not a detriment..
Ha at 2k or more each there not that good
@@markw7303 The 2k price may or may not be expensive depending on quality.
@@jked7463 its is its an out dated chipset with a 1000 dollar implementation at best. better then some for sure but you could easily do better and honestly considering the amps capabilitys why wouldent you. Iv heard gryphon diablo with there internal dac ( which is arguably far better then acuphases option) and it did not impress compared to external options. It's really a limiter as you would be unable to flip it so easily after you were tired of it especially on resale. If i were blowing wads I'd look at lixmans new dx 10 or whatever the stand alone turns out to be
@@markw7303 Good to know about the chipset. But that's the great thing. You don't have to get it and buy what you want as a separate, which is what I would do anyway.
Wow - this is a thing of beauty - the inside of it is just phenomenal! @zero fidelity Thank you for another excellent review, always terrific content 🤟👍💥
Shaun, when it comes down to what YOU want as you're end game system, it's what pleases you, no one else. I would probably make the same decision that you made, especially if I could afford to buy it. I have 2 stereo systems right now. Not in the same caliber that you have, but more than decent. I have been in to audio for almost 50 years. I've had, Conrad Johnson, Class'e, Micromega, California Audio labs., Michael Green Audio, Paradigm, Cary Audio, Cary Audio/ Rotel, ( first Cary Audio CD player, with Rotel Body!), Marantz, Kef, Polk, Jm. Labs, Focal, Plinius, Primare, Rotel, Yamaha, Monster, Exact Power.,Nad, Allison Speakers, Micro Seiki, Mapleshade products, and tons of Accessories from, Michael Green Audio, to Black Diamond Racing, and much too much to list. Not to mention Cables, which I definitely think make a difference!! I made some mistakes along the way, but I learned a lot about the products that I owned, and I also learned, you get what you pay for. I'm on Social Security, and I will never be able to own a pair of Magico M3s, but you learn to be smart in how to assemble the best system that is in the ultimate price point in which you can afford, and even trade up, here and there. It's all about you're taste in the system you love, not your audience, not your friend, You!! Enjoy!!! And if I win the lottery, you can bet, I will be owning those Magico's, and that Accuphase!! I think you were born to do exactly what you're doing on U Tube, it's a gift, and believe me, I feel you are the best man for the job. I appreciate the other guy's who try to talk and review audio on U Tube, but, I get bored with them after a minute or so. Some people have it, and some people don't, YOU Do! You keep the attention of your audience. The way you speak, the way you phrase, like I said, it's a gift. I have seen some of the greatest bands and solo artists in the world. And showmanship, plus talent, make a good live show. I hope that I made my point, your very good at this, and I learn about the products in which you are talking about. Keep on, Keeping on. Enjoy what you're doing, because I think people enjoy listening to you, I know I do, I never get bored with any of your posts, and when you do describe a component, I know exactly what you're trying to get across. Sorry for this book of a coment, but I felt that I had to share this, thanks, and Peace to you also!!!
Thanks for sharing .
Gorgeous piece!!!!
You nailed it: What connects the listener emotionally is the pursuit we as audiophiles and music lovers are all after.
Thanks fir this great review. The best I have seen so far for this unit.
Hey Sean, is the E-480 still on the top of your list? Anything come close to toppling it yet? I'm seriously considering grabbing one for myself as a "this will hold me over for awhile" amp, so long as the preamp out is also top notch.
Sean, thank you so much for this review. I was fortunate enough to compare the 480 with Parasound JC5/JC2BP. Auditioned both in my home with Sonus Faber Serafino and with new Dynaudio Confidence C30. And I have to say I was hugely surprised how close the Accu came to the JC combo. At the end of the day, I might have even leaned towards the 480, due to its phenomenal harmonic richness in the mid/treble. And even though the JC shown more control over the bass, they were both equally detailed and discerning in the bass notes. The E480 was a stark improvement over the 470 too, which sounded dull and overall unimpressive. Conclusion: I was thinking of JC combo as my potential endgame, but Accu has shown there's a viable alternative. I can't wait to audition their separates! BTW, the word on the street is that the new E800 is a first Accu integrated that's as good as some of their separates [drool].
Thanks for the review-always wondered about accuphase. A little warmth isn’t bad :-)
Accuphase make Nice gear...I use Luxman in my rotation and love the Brand...At my local shop I been demoing in 5K range (Accuphase dealer) and my next purchase is NAD M33. This will fit nicely into my mix as I am looking for BluOS Streaming system.
I thought pornography wasn't allowed on you tube.
For what you pay especially in us, I would take a Lavardin IT-20 any time of the days though there is nothing wrong with Acuphase. One is extreme opposite of another. One is beautiful piece of art with a great sound and another with no features except sound with soul approach to best of 300B set with bass.
You had me at VU Meters 😍
Sean, if this is on the top of your list, where would you place the Luxman l550axii respectively? And why would you choose the Accuphase over the Luxman?
Accuphase has a higher specification quality and build quality standards than luxman, while no yamaha is built to the highest standards like luxman either.
@@ianjohnhorwood2605 Yes. Accuphase is in another level of quality (superior). Luxman are more comparable with Esoteric or McIntosh for example. Yamaha “fight” with Denon or Marantz. I tested integrated amps of those brands many times and Accuphase is a clear winner. Is the best japanese audio brand with no doubts, and far superior to McIntosh. Luxman is better than McIntosh either. In the very Extreme High End, probably Audio Note, Gryphon and Nagra is the better.
Gorgeous unit! I love that front panel design, always love seeing meters. Love all of those inputs, great rear panel layout. Thank You for the under the hood look! Love that toroidal transformer, and those big heat sinks. P.S. I smashed the like button!
Oh my God, you did review an Accuphase! I'm one of those people too that have very big respect for this company. Simply stunning and amazing machines. Thank you for this review XD, and another great job. Features?! in an Accuphase?! No. We are talking about THE hi end company. Accupase is old school devices with EMPHASY in built and sound quality. If you are of the kind of people, that wants feautures, look elsewhere. I wish that Accuphase will find enough customers, in the future, so they will not change. We have more than enough companys for feautures. Let some stay traditional :)
You just can’t go wrong with an Accuphase. So nice ...
You just cant go wrong with 10 K in your pocket
Great review, but does this have plastic knobs like the E-280?
Warm sounding to me equates to subduing the higher frequencies a tad. which is to some peoples musical taste but not mine. I am swayed towards the Luxman for that reason. At theses prices I would need to hear them in the flesh before ordering.
This amp is not warm at all, nor is it rolled off on the top end. It is very linear. Luxman 509x by contrast is more coloured.
Its bass is impactful because of the highly efficient, high current power stage, the e480 can extract amazing bass from speakers but the high damping factor gives bass speed and perfect control. This has nothing to do with bass quantity, this amp is very transparent, very linear and with very extended crisp highs. Luckiliy it never gets harsh thanks to ultra low distortion.
My first exposure to Accuphase was with a buddy with some bose series 1..i had a 110 watt JVC receiver...we hooked the bose and then the 110 watt accuphase...which blew the reciever away...smoother louder cleaner...At that point...i became a fan of high end audio...just not the budget.
It’s rare for tech / audio gear to be cheaper in Canada than in the US and especially to be so much cheaper. This invites the inevitable comparison to the price of a car but a car depreciates to near zero or basically ceases to function so the Accuphase is the better value. Guess it’s Uber and car sharing for me from now on.
I bought an Accuphase piece straight in Japan for a killer price when i was on a business trip there years ago. It was the only thing that came in my hand carry luggage. The distributor here in the US is an awful/lazy/greedy vulture! ("passionate individual", my a**!)
If it was easy to convert to 120v, I would be wanting to do the same. I think the e480 is ~6000 USD in Japan. Cheaper than the Luxman 509x (which is 10 lbs heavier).
@@amirjubran1845 You just switch the Jumper Cables internally. They use Multi Voltage transformers.
@@billiondollarbaby3276 Is this process documented?
@@tlhuffman There is a diagram on the internet. Plenty of places that do the "work" otherwise AUDIO CUBES in NYC wouldnt have any business.
@@billiondollarbaby3276 I checked AudioCubes and they offer this integrated amp for about $7K shipped. This includes a transformer to match the local voltage. I think I am going to pull the trigger on this.
Not much more that I can ad to the descriptors on a product like the Accuphase. If you ever get a chance, checkout the Esoteric F-05. You may change your mind. But in the end I think that you really can't go wrong with either. Or a Luxman for that matter. Like deciding whether I want the Koenigsegg, Pagani or the Bugatti.
I think that Esoteric and Accuphase are a little best than Luxman in overall build and sound quality.
Class AB integrated Accuphase is best, for pure class A integrated I've read more positive reviews of the 590mkii than the E800.
The super pricey sell your house seperate pre-amp/power amp monoblock setups at the top of Accuphase and Luxman I have no clue, but they seem to hold their used value even 20 year old units so they must be magical
Hello from Montreal, Regarding Accuphase, have you ever come across the E-800? My local audio shop just started selling Accuphase. The E-800 is 50watt class A integrated. I presently have Mcintosh separates which I purchased there. I went in the shop the other day and saw the E-800 and had a listen. Wow it’s so soothe. The distributor you mentioned is in Montreal so if anything go wrong there right there. Thank you for all you do, your opinion does matter.
Nice review. I'm a gen-x. A few years back I moved from all-i One sulotion to standalone gears. A mix of new, used and vintage. I think there will be a future for seperates for sure.
We still build sail boats - becuase they make us feel better.
Good morning Sean. Been waiting for this!
Nobody gives a better review than Sean. And this one is no different. Thank you! I need your advice on a new pair of speakers for my desk. Apparently I need to replace these because I thought I heard you say twelve thousand dollars for the amp. Certainly my woofers are shot. Twelve thousand?!? Ahem... I'll be sure to ask Santa for one.
Beautiful amp. I want to know more about the sound master. My Japanese amp the Denon PMA a100 had one also... and I love it’s feel and sound especially at low volume. No meters and hardly any lights but that’s okay.
@ Zero Fidelity - Ok, I need to know... Between the E480 and the Luxman 550 AXII, which would you prefer in the long haul? Is the Lux a potential 'end game' amp, not unlike this Accuphase?
Always enjoy and trust your reviews. You really know your stuff . You have guided me and I now have a very very good system. Thanks.
I'm sure this Accuphase is awesome...But I'm happy with my German engineered Vincent SV-737
Maybe MacIntosh does not want Accuphase to gain market share in the US?
A message for the Accuphase dreamers. You may get lucky buying a used or older model (still amazing sound) or the Japanese version that works with no issues. I was lucky enough to buy like-New E-260 for...$1,200 on eBay (well, it was $1,800 with a turntable amp card that I sold for $600). This entry model is probably enough for most of the users here in terms of power and quality although 4 series sounds like the real end game. With Energy Veritas 6.3 speakers, Cambridge Azure 851N and Martin Logan Dynamo 1500 this is my end game... until I move to a bigger house.
Nice review!
I went from Hegel H390 to Accuphase E480 and now Im happy with a Pass Labs INT30A. Dream would be a mash-up - Accuphases looks, with Hegels price,dac streaming abilitys and some of Pass Labs magic class A :)
Accuphase showed me that 'hi-end' is not for everyone. Previous year I bought old Accuphase E-206 (for about 850 USD equivalent in Poland) and after few weeks I sold it because I felt it boring for me and went back to my Yamaha AX-750 (that costed me 150 USD 4 years ago). Next I had opportunity to listen new separate Accuphase system on the show (organized by Polish dealer) and it also felt boring for me similarly to vintage E-206.