They'd do so much better in the US market if they got rid of that thievery distribution with the 200% markup. The products are spectacular and built as good as anything out there, but you're better off buying new from Japan seller and importing and saving 1000s in the process. In the rare event it ever needs service would still be cheaper to pay out of pocket locally for repair. And you don't need to use a step-down transformer with the JPN spec units either (common misconception) unless you're running the Class A space heaters (or Rice Cookers) that draw lots of heat and current. Class A/B, Pre-Amps and Disc Transports will run fine on US power. Japan's mains is actually 105V-107V on average at the wall hence how most JPN gear is spec'd "~100V". Well within the margin of 110-120V US power. Infact it's very common in Japan for them to run US 110/117/120V gear on their system directly as well, no issues. For all intents and purposes we have the same electrical system and they were an NTSC country as well. Same for Taiwan.
People get bent about the prices on higher end audio, and it can be expensive. But if you look at what some of the vintage stuff is going for now and look at what it went for when new and adjust for inflation the prices aren't really different. I have a Yamaha A-S301 integrated amp and an A-S3200 integrated amp. They both pretty much do the same thing, but one cost $350 and the other $8,000. If you compare the components and build quality it's easy to see where the money went. Using an inflation calculator that $8,000 in 1975 dollars would have been $1,378.02 with an inflation rate of 82.8%. Now $1,378 is a lot for many now, so imagine what it was like back then. I know there was no way in hell I could have afforded that back then, lol. Anyway look at some of the coverage of the recent Axpona if you want to see some really outrageously expensive and downright idiotic equipment that makes the Accuphase look like a real bargain.
Very nice integrated. But still way too expensive in the U.S. market. $7,000 has some extremely competent brands in that range. That being said. I definitely want one for the right price.
The E-280 has always been a low margin amp and one that Accuphase offers at their lowest price possible. The current price is ($6995) and it was not reduced when the rest of the line was lowered . Almost every Accuphase product in the USA had its price reduced a while back but the E-280 remained the same. It is one awesome integrated amp and we feel worth the coin!
Here's one you didn't know: In Japan Specialty Shops like Fuji Accoustic in Shizuoka always made fun of Accuphase. They'd call it Akirita-phase. Akirita meaning cut. My Accuphase power amp burned up one day. It WAS a great sounding amp when paired with a conrad-johnson PV3 tube pre. The matching Accuphase Pre amp was not much better than the Pioneer amp I had at the time.
Sound like elitist snobs. Accuphase is built better than anything I've ever owned and I've owned many of the best, name it and I've probably had it. I have amps, pre-amps and power conditioners from them in a system that's all from the early-mid 2000s still going strong 20+ years later.
Great looking and sounding amp 👍🏻 I love the retro look and the VU meters
They'd do so much better in the US market if they got rid of that thievery distribution with the 200% markup. The products are spectacular and built as good as anything out there, but you're better off buying new from Japan seller and importing and saving 1000s in the process. In the rare event it ever needs service would still be cheaper to pay out of pocket locally for repair. And you don't need to use a step-down transformer with the JPN spec units either (common misconception) unless you're running the Class A space heaters (or Rice Cookers) that draw lots of heat and current. Class A/B, Pre-Amps and Disc Transports will run fine on US power. Japan's mains is actually 105V-107V on average at the wall hence how most JPN gear is spec'd "~100V". Well within the margin of 110-120V US power. Infact it's very common in Japan for them to run US 110/117/120V gear on their system directly as well, no issues. For all intents and purposes we have the same electrical system and they were an NTSC country as well. Same for Taiwan.
People get bent about the prices on higher end audio, and it can be expensive. But if you look at what some of the vintage stuff is going for now and look at what it went for when new and adjust for inflation the prices aren't really different. I have a Yamaha A-S301 integrated amp and an A-S3200 integrated amp. They both pretty much do the same thing, but one cost $350 and the other $8,000. If you compare the components and build quality it's easy to see where the money went. Using an inflation calculator that $8,000 in 1975 dollars would have been $1,378.02 with an inflation rate of 82.8%. Now $1,378 is a lot for many now, so imagine what it was like back then. I know there was no way in hell I could have afforded that back then, lol. Anyway look at some of the coverage of the recent Axpona if you want to see some really outrageously expensive and downright idiotic equipment that makes the Accuphase look like a real bargain.
Thanks for this Todd. (Hope you are doing well, too.)
Wonderful amp, great review..!!!
Very nice integrated. But still way too expensive in the U.S. market. $7,000 has some extremely competent brands in that range. That being said. I definitely want one for the right price.
Didn't Accuphase lower prices in the US?? Is this the new price or the old price?
The E-280 has always been a low margin amp and one that Accuphase offers at their lowest price possible. The current price is ($6995) and it was not reduced when the rest of the line was lowered . Almost every Accuphase product in the USA had its price reduced a while back but the E-280 remained the same. It is one awesome integrated amp and we feel worth the coin!
This cost no more than $3800 in Japan Brand New, in USA the price is ridiculous more than $6800!!!! Yes! 3K more!!!!!
@@JohnSmith-zl8rz In Hong Kong selling USD 4000. 6800 is unreasonable...
Good stuff and better investment.
Very good stuff but really to expensive in Canada around 9 thousands$.
Here's one you didn't know:
In Japan Specialty Shops like Fuji Accoustic in Shizuoka always made fun of Accuphase. They'd call it Akirita-phase. Akirita meaning cut. My Accuphase power amp burned up one day. It WAS a great sounding amp when paired with a conrad-johnson PV3 tube pre. The matching Accuphase Pre amp was not much better than the Pioneer amp I had at the time.
You're a mean bastard....
Sound like elitist snobs. Accuphase is built better than anything I've ever owned and I've owned many of the best, name it and I've probably had it. I have amps, pre-amps and power conditioners from them in a system that's all from the early-mid 2000s still going strong 20+ years later.
Ridiculous the price of electronics.
This cost no more than $3800 in Japan Brand New, in USA the price is ridiculous more than $6800!!!! Yes! 3K more!!!!! Why!!! ?
Same in Europe...overpriced!
@@Hooligan.Residuato.Italia.90 yes, insane overpriced!!!
bla bla bla,