It'll prob last 50 years with a decent service at 30 years. All analog baby. Currently rocking a TOTL Yamaha that is 20 years old and the only thing it doesn't do well is modern digital.
@@Roof_Pizza You’re right. On the strength of Sean’s Luxman L-550 AxII review last fall, I purchased it’s bigger brother the 590. I added a $35 Rocketfish Bluetooth receiver and plugged it in the Luxy. Sounds great with my phone! I’m in the 21st century! Honestly, digital is disposable it moves so fast. All those all-in-one amp solutions will be worth squat when the next new, improved, more up to date model is introduced in the spring.
Just bought a E-280 , came from a Hegel H190 on Totem Metals. This amp is simply incredible. I think it’s worth it’s asking price if your budget allows. I am blown away by the clarity and ease of listening. The tone is simply superb , bass is not boosted like the Hegel and matches the rest of the frequencies perfectly . The build quality is outstanding. Im an instant Accuphase fan for life. Thanks Sean!
Accuphase is completely another level compared to most brands on the market today. Hegel sounds like big bluetooth speaker in comparison. Glad you made the change.
I believe the bass wasn't boosted on the hegel, he simply had more watts, what helped your speaker to become stronger in this part. The lesser powerful Accuphase will probably have less authority in its grasp of the bass boomers.
@@boboutelama5748I think less bass can be a good thing, it allows you to appreciate the mids and overall delivery. I’m running the 280 with Audiovector R3 Arette which are 8 ohm 91dB so 90 watts is plenty for my listening volume.
Oh man, this sounds perfect for me. That comparison with the Luxman was extremely helpful Sean. Nice one, glad you did this one, and have fun in the near future with the E-280. It's stunning, can't wait to see one close-up.
Accuphase is one, if not, the only leading brand in the world, not only for its sound, for the quality of its components, but for the aesthetics that are unique in the world. The Japanese have achieved the old and the new on their equipment to maintain the validity of their products. Having one of these devices at home is not only having the best sound equipment, but also the feeling of having it all. Thank you Accuphase and thank you for sharing your video. Congratulations!!!
I am very familiar with the E-270 which likely has a near identical sonic signature. So obviously I am happy to hear a validation of my opinion on this model of Accuphase. However that is not why I find this review so compelling, rather it is the balance and context that Sean has brought to the table. He has clearly described what he liked but then placed that in vivid context of who would have a similar preference along with what alternative preferences would be (Luxman), with eloquence and integrity (E280 vs E480). I don't think any reviewer has achieved that to the level Sean has and definitely not in the print journals. In my opinion, with this review Sean has cemented his place as one of the best audio reviewers currently out there.
I was looking at Luxman for my happy end amplifier. I have reviewed all your Accuphase reviews and am convinced that my auditions will be Accuphase vs Esoteric. Thank you Sean for very valuable reviews.
I’m not easily impressed with reviews, but this is …by far..the..best…accurate…and helpful review of a product that I have seen for a long, long time. Did not shoot down the cheaper amp (being an owner of the more expensive one) and the whole review was on a detailed but easy to follow level. I have been lucky enough to have a few nice amps, Gryphon Diablo 300, Rega Isoris, and have just bought a E-270 with DAC-50 (yet to collect) to replace a little Naim Atom, I have CELEF LS-8 and Boenicke W8 speakers, and really think this is going to do what I’m after. As I understand, the headphone amp is good on it as well? Great work, well done.
Hi, Thanks for such a wonderful review. I own E-480 (Purchased after watching your review). Hearing that you have ordered the same. I may order as well for my summer home. Long Live Music, Long Live Analogue Sound.
Superb review. I like how you covered it from so many angles: sound quality, value wise, etc. I'd love to see how the Accuphase 280 compares with the McIntosh MA 530.
Thanks for another great review Shaun. I love the Accuphase sound and have the E-480 which I know you love too. Luckily here in the UK it is a little less expensive than over your side of the pond and to me it's worth every single penny, best amplifier I ever owned in the 40 years I have been an audiophile. Thanks again for all your hard work, I highly respect your work.
Just moved from Yamaha A-S1200 to Accuphase e280. Man, what a jump. This is a piece of jewellery. Better tighter bass, fuller sound, sweeter tone, more clarity, significantly better low volume performance, and better build. Yamaha is great and I thought I was done until I got e280.
Thanks for the review. I've owned an E-407 for nearly 20 years. It's a great amplifier but I would like your viewers to be aware of Accuphase's harsh service policy. I live in Australia but the amp was originally purchased in Hong Kong. I have scratches on the volume dial and have contacted Accuphase and both the Australian and Hong Kong distributors. Under their policy, the only way to replace the dials is for me to bring the amp to Hong Kong and have their technician install them. There is no option to have a local service agent do the work, or to supply the dials (a trivial 20 second install). Accuphase and their distributors in my region have been very unhelpful. For anyone considering an Accuphase, please be aware that you are going to run into issues if the amp was originally supplied in a different geographical region.
That is just outrageous customer service! Or rather, lack thereof. We live in an interconnected world and people move countries and continents. So silly that at that level of product quality one cannot take ones one product with and have it serviced elsewhere.
I acquired a accuphase cd player from the 80s and it sounds gorgeous even today, but it’s missing the power button and it drives me nuts. Is there any place I can find a replacement?
Sean, you are now my favorite TV star. Your reviews continue to be informative, fact-filled, well-prepared, concise and entertainingly presented. Also, you are absolutely correct in refusing to air RUclips sound-clips as they are highly misleading. I currently have no interest in purchasing any hifi equipment now (well, maybe a phono cartridge for Christmas), but you do well keeping me informed of what’s new in the field.
I love your reviews. I have had an E270 before. While it was clean and neutral, it was boring. No jump factor at all... currently running Bel Canto eOne series and am happier. Either way great review! Keep it up!
I got the 280 a month ago. Beautiful amp, don’t worry about the little plastic knobs as they look great and are of high quality, not a cheap feel. I have the option to upgrade soon to the 4000 when stock is available but I might stick with the 280 as it sounds nice and looks great with all the exposed knobs. Presently running in the DAC60 module, now at about 40 hours, it sounds nice and is an easy listen, not as open as the Eversolo 8 DAC but I think with another 40 or 50 hours it will be a little more open in the mids.
Excellent review as always. With it's pricing so out of whack in the US, and since one can buy these for a lot less in Japan, the Gray Market on the 480 model especially has to be alive and well. Of course there goes warranty support on an expensive purchase.
Good point. I would also add that it is not just warranty support which is unavailable out of region. No technical support or parts are available outside of the original supply region.
Many people mentioned warranty, but I don't see that matters as much. For every electronic stuff I bought I never counted on warranty. I bought my monitor (professional one), rice cooker etc from Japan and others all the time. I buy high quality stuff and expect them not to have problem or I buy cheap stuff and don't mind to buy a new one. Yes, there is a chance that accuphase does have problem, but the chances are really really low. it would worth the shipping cost back to Japan to get an Accuphase serviced if neccsasry. Or the cost saving even worths you to buy another new Accuphase from Japan down the road when the first one breaks.....
@@oskay4018 Good point. I have never had a big heavy and well made class A/B amp fail me until, after about 30 some odd years of loyal and sometimes very hard service, my 1980s era Yamaha A1000 finally quit, all this without a re-cap along the way. No doubt it was fixable by a vintage repair guy, but it was time for me to move on, so I donated it to him; he was quite happy about that. I have no doubt if a gray market Accuphase amp did have an issue, my vintage amp repair guy could fix it, no problem. Hmmm.. I replaced my old A1000 with a new A-S 1200 bought on sale. The wife would shoot me if I spent even gray market Accuphase money - LOL
This was a really well done enjoyable review. Thank you. 👏 I used to be into high end hifi but I moved to an oceanside place when I retired and sold all my equipment. I'm worried about spending the money again as EVERYTHING rusts here in a few months and fails. So I do miss it. Also, the ocean waves are always constant. I have extreme sound proofing windows but you still hear the ocean. 😊 so having a clean silent background sound room is pretty much impossible. Furthermore, I prefer the waves than music now. It is so pure and magical. That said, I miss my hifi time to time and need my fill, so I will always come back to this channel and the like to get it. 😊😊 Thanks again brother. Keep doing what you're doing. More people appreciate what you do than you will ever know. 👍
The distributor markups on Accuphase are truly insane. I got an E-480 in Japan *for less* than the US price of the E-280. The AAVA Volume control is the killer app either way.
Bro. You could fly to Japan. Have a great 1-week vacation. Buy an E-480. Ship it to the US. Buy a converter. And still be AT or UNDER the cost of the E-480 over here. At least the e-280 is fair given the cost of sea freight, domestic shipping, taxes, import, dealer margins, etc..
@@ZeroFidelity aside for the cost itself, another problem is with that kind of markups for Accuphase gear (and others, obviously) is that when you do a comparison with another amplifier "in the same price range", as you normally do, it is not really fair. The E-280 in Japan is USD 2'750!!! I never understood if the "international" price of Accuphase gear is decided by Accuphase itself or by distributors, here in Switzerland is almost 2x Japanese domestic price, in the U.S. even worse... I love Accuphase, right now I have 7 Accuphase pieces, but ALL of them were bought in Japan and set to the my local voltage by me. In case of a failure and "the local distributor/store does not touch an imported machine"? Well, I'll simply buy another and still be +/- at the cost I would have paid for and official one...
Man Sean that is one sweet looking machine! I love that front panel design. Meters just plain rock. I really like the rear panel layout. Thank you for that awesome under the hood look!
This is quite simply a dream amp for many of us here. The sheer quality of components is enough for me. Something to pass on down to future generations. Like a modern Sansui from the early 70's...
The real shocker though is the Accuphase E-5000 is the best value in Accuphase's whole line! Sounds amazing with the new Borresen Acoustics Z5 Cryo Edition Speakers..best value in Borresen's whole line
Nice! I've got a used Adcom preamplifier and amplifier I bought a couple of weeks ago at this used stereo repair shop . Gfa 535 but I have problems with the preamplifier tuner. I had to take it back 3 times to get the FM radio tuner fixed . But for 250.00 a piece I got a good deal. Maybe I should save up for this bad boy!
Gosh, I sold a million of those back in the day. Jason Hanson, retired kicker for the Detroit Lions, bought that same pairing when he first moved to Detroit. Nonetheless, the GFA 535 is a killer little amp, best one Adcom ever made. 60 WPC 8 ohms, 110 WPC 4 ohms. Will drive electrostatic loudspeakers no problem. Ever peek inside it? It’s completely dual mono - there’s 2 power transformers inside, one for each channel. It may image better than that Accuphase because of that 😆😆. That why it’s a GFA ( Great F**king Amp! Yes, it really stands for that. They were high.). The GTP 350 is kinda flat sounding (all ICs) but the tuner - working - sounds great! But waddya want for $350 back in its day? And it was one of the few with a remote back then! Enjoy
I own all high end separates. Yes they sound great BUT, IMO separates are totally over rated. I honestly can not tell a difference or hear an advantage over going the 'full' receiver route-- at least for home audio. The simplicity and beauty of a high end receiver like this one would be my first choice if I had to do it all over again. Love the analog knobs, the view meters, EQ, modular upgrades, and most of all the -- LOUDNESS button!
You did a great review of this one. And yes, I said 'great.' You were able to cover ground on its sound signature and the way you used defining words helped me imagine how this would sound like in contrast to a Marantz, a Yamaha, or a Pioneer. I liked and subscribed, man. Keep it up! God bless. P.S. Please do more vintage premium Hi-fi!
my brother had a Accuphase amp and pre-amp in the mid 70's with Magnapans. wish he would have kept it. i saved some money and got a Rega also hand made
J’ai acheté un pour mon cadeau de retraite l’hivers passé, aucun regret,satisfaction 100% , écoute aussi très agréable.le modèle est pleinement puissant avec mes Silver 300 . Très bel appareil. J’ai passé un très bon hiver.
Thanks for the great review! I consider the 550AX2 is the best value of the Luxman’s transistor line. Although it is not the most powerful, neither transparent, nor with the ultimate bass control, it does some musicality and immediacy that you will not find even in the upper models. For the accuphase, I agree that the e280 is their best value. Only the E650 is fully balanced, although all the models have the power amplifier module balanced.
Exactly what do mean technically by " balanced". Does each channel (right & left) consist of two amplifier sections operating (wired) in differential push-pull mode at the speaker terminals ?
Hi Sean! Thank you for this absolutely great review! They are way to less accuphase reviews on RUclips in my opinion. As a vintage accuphase owner (c200x with a p400) and an audio buddy owning a whole stack of accuphase gear I totally fell in love with the brand after hearing those on b&w. For me it's the right speaker combo on these amps. From the moment accuphase made their signature gold on their gear it doesn't matter to me wich series it is. You will know that they deliver what you would expect from this brand. Even with their e-2xx entry level line up.
Hi ,having an e360(bought preloved for£3k),can't help wondering if the newer e380 might be the perfect answer,more power etc, same brilliant Accuphase build, sound etc,and not that pricey.After all it will probably last a lifetime as you say.Keep 'em coming.
We buy this stuff because it makes us feel good. Exactly. Perhaps if I can be more personally direct about it, it's an addiction - but in the grand scheme of things, a relatively harmless one (although my Bank of Wife would beg to differ).
I think I found my next amplifier. It may take me some time (and money) to find when to buy it. But what to do about other components? Would I need to change my CD transports or speakers? What about streaming? Yes, streaming. Though I really want my next unit to be a 7.2.x theater unit.
Shaun, excellent review! My sincere congratulations on the effort put into this and other reviews, which at least for me are very helpful. However, there is one thing that bothers me in the case of Accuphase. Why in Japan Accuphase amplifiers are almost twice cheaper than in the rest of the world? Do you have any thoughts on this?
Most hi-fi companies do their best to set a fair global pricing strategy. In Japan, there are companies that will pass on the savings of removing freight, import fees, and distributor margins, onto their customers. I'm perfectly fine with this strategy as a consumer. Sometimes people in North America enjoy the same arrangement (with brands like Tekton, for example). As a distributor however, I may grumble a bit as it would encourage people to buy direct from Japan and then connect it to converters. It could also paint the picture of me (the distributor) being rather greedy to the outside who has zero understanding of the costs involved with running a distribution company. As always, there's no perfect solution. I'm fine with how things are.
@@ZeroFidelity Thank you for your answer. I like the "local" patriotism used by Accuphase. However, it is a rare case that the price differs so much on the domestic market as compared to the prices abroad. For me, it looks as if Accuphase is selling its products to distributors around the world at a price similar to ordinary users in Japan :)
starting to think in a mid system the DAC is all important. Well maybe not 'all' but next upgrade will be a high end DAC, possibly a Sonnet Morpheus if I can pony up 3k.
Sean, THX for your great review!!! as always :) Do you testet the E-280 with Buchardt S400? does the amp deliver enough power for them S400, or will the more powerful E.480 be a better match? THX
I so dread these reviews because we all love audio jewelry that we can pass down to our grandchildren!! So for $5,000 to $7000: Accuphase vs Luxman vs Yamaha?
I have Luxman amp I purchased a few years back. I have it paired with Tannoy Gold reference speakers. The speakers and the Amp sound beautiful together and I haven't even finished tweaking the setup so I expect even greater things down the down the road. Accuphase reminds me of the Luxman in a gold color. Accuphase is on my bucket list for the future.
@@lmstefanini1 Purchased my Luxman and Tannoy's directly from dealers who both gave me terrific deals on the speakers and amp. I just happened to come across them by accident when I was looking for a certain sound. Was interested in a Mcintosh amp a dealer was selling and he asked me what speakers I was driving. He told me that the Luxman amp was a better choice. He was right.
Thanks Sean . (Sean) I might just HAVE TO add to my collection . Love the build quality screams relability The AAVA Volume/control is built very well thats so important . Very nice controls overalll. Sean Where is all the internal cables/wires ?😆 😆(hidden) Almost a 50 pounder impressive The engineering and build quality is truely impressive.
I am lucky to own both these amps (well 550AX and E-260 to be precise). They both are great and music to my ears (pun intended). With B&Ws 702s and 705s each sounds slightly different (as they should) but both are a pure audiophile joy. They are Japanese models and was able to buy them really cheap. Accuphase has DA-30 Dac card that is really good and makes this piece more attractive in comparison. Anyway, Japanese electronics are my thing...
sounds amazing with 99 db vintage altec lansing speakers and with seas 8 inch fullrange 97 db ,tha amp makes the speakers sound to go out of the walls the 3 d imaging is unbelivle ,you should get one ,by the way the price in the u.s is about 20 % more than allmost every country ,for the lower price range thats a realy good deal ...
Great review as usual Sean! Beautiful piece of equipment. Wish the 280 were sufficient to move my speakers but no doubt the 480 would do a better job. But then again, the value is questionable... Even though prices in Europe are sliglty more palatable (for once!)
The U.S. Accuphase distributor's prices are way higher than in Canada due to greed. That may be a reason to either buy in Canada and damn the torpedos, or buy Luxman.
Hi @Zero Fidelity, first off thank you for the energy you put into this hobby for the community. I'm coming to you from Canada and purchased Gresham's Grand Avand Garde. I know you haven't tested those but you did meet their sibling! I currently have pass labs x150.5 driving them with audio research ls16mk iis. I see two paths to go to the next level, double down on their strengths (accuphase/other?) or balance the smoothness with bryston/luxman. What advice would you offer or route would you take?
Hi Sean, have you auditioned the Musical Fidelity Nu-vista integrated? I am looking for something in the $6k to $10k range to drive a pair of Audiovector R3 speakers. I am currently using a MF 3A pre and P140 which are now long in the tooth. I just auditioned the Alluxity integrated and it is extremely listenable, pulls you in and hangs on! Love your channel.
Unfortunately I won't be of any help as I haven't heard the Nu Vista, nor have I heard your speakers. I hear they are pretty clean / slightly forward sounding, which tends to be the reputation of Musical Fidelity as well. Either way, I wish you the best in figuring out a solution!
It's weird, I owned an E260 and never thought the knobs were plastic. Even removed for cleaning, they seemed to be high-density composition material maybe?
I have the E-280 and I am fairly certain the input and volume knob are metal. They feel cool and solid to the touch. The power button is likely metal too. As for the smaller knobs like the tone controls and the buttons, these are plastic. It never even occurred to me this was the case since their paint matches perfectly with the metal faceplate.
good review. however for the price? i highly recommend you review or listen to the yamaha A-s1100. i found a open box unit from cal. fof 1,500 bucks. reg. retail about 2800. i absolutely love everything about this sound! those beautiful v u meters and the classic yamaha sound. the build quality is second to none it weighs about 50 pounds. the dead give away?? look at the back panel..10 times better than the accuphase. by the way, i have the yamaha paired with the triangle bro 3 , on your recommendation. couldnt be happier. cant wait to hear the yamaha with my magnepans lrs+ that are on order. keep up the good reviews. 90 into 8 ohms 150 int 4!
Depressing as hell that hi-fi stereo systems cost so much these days. 30 years ago, I’d go to a stereo outlet in Philadelphia. They had wall-to-wall amplifiers, stereos, speakers, receivers, and turntables from many brands and price ranges. They were affordable to the average joe. I never imagined that todays hi-fi stereo systems are affordable only to the rich. Had I known, I would have bought a garage full of stereo equipment. Then sell them as vintage and make a profit.
This is a luxury item. It's not built for the average Joe. This one review does not represent even a fraction of whats available in 2022. Today, there is NO shortage of great, affordable hi-fi products to chose from. Example: You can buy a set of Triangle Borea 3's for $319 a pair, new, with warranty, that will humble most similar sized/prized speakers that was sold back in the late 1990's. The choices now are endless and very reasonable in terms of price. Accuphase is not and has never targeted that market.
After your review, I'm in between the Accuphase E280 and Doge 10. Would you ever consider reviewing this Chinese amplifier? I have considered many amps, but these two seem to be great value (and looks).
Great review and great channel! Im thinking of buying Accuphase 280! Sean ,would Accuphase pair well with Bowers Wilkins speakers in your opinion (since you know B&W sound signature)? Particulary BW 705 S2.Or is Luxman a better match with B&W.Thank you.
Wow. Just bought a pair of Rosso Fiorentino Elba2 and looking for an amp upgrade. Wondering whether the Luxman or the Accuphase would be a better match. The speakers are already warm, so maybe the Accuphase is too warm. LOVE the speakers. Better than my old Cremonas. Thanks for another great review Sean!
Congrats on those Elba 2's. Fantastic speakers. I'm sure the distributor would tell you to try out Norma. If he's willing to offer a demo, try that combo first. Otherwise, I'd lean slightly towards Lux for the Rosso's.
I agree ! Geez their cd players look amazing don't they ! And we all know a hifi system starts at the transport I have almost as much bread in my transports than either my speakers and amp 😆
The best explanation comes from reviewer and engineer Noel Keywood in his review of the new Technics SU-R1000 integrated amplifier in the British journal Hi-Fi World, October, 2021. There the power of the Technics exceeds the 150 WPC spec measuring 180 WPC into 8 ohms and 340 into 4 ohms into a purely resistive load. However, into a reactive load presented by his reference Martin-Logan ESL-X electrostatic hybrids, the amp choked at 20 watts with a “glassy crackle” and promptly shut down. Treble of “hard quality” and “strident” was the sound NK heard from the (non-electrostatic) Sonus Faber Lumina V when the meters peaked above 10 watts. Read the article for measurements and the rest of the gruesome detail.
Wow! So, it is the rapidly changing impedances over the frequency range of the loudspeaker that makes it a reactive load and a strong power supply is needed to handle it. Thanks.
@@brucepruzansky5830 That, and the fact that an electrostatic speaker is reactive by nature, it’s like a big capacitor. Plus, crossovers in dynamic speakers are full of capacitors and inductors too, all contributing to varying impedances and reactance by frequency.
What a beautiful amp! When you opened it up all I could think of was: no globs of glue like the crown amp had. I know not a fair comparison but shows the difference between high end and run of the mill. Thanks for another great review of an amp noone ever reviews!
@@RennieAsh Well we could debate who the xls's are marketed too, but my point was the difference in aesthetics between the two. Understandably the $6000 unit should win but is there really any excuse for "globs" of glue deposited in the casing to hold a light part. I think not, it's just hurry and waste. Two things that don't speak well of a product.
You say it doesn't shine with peak dynamics on classical music, but my vintage luxman 5m21 seperates KILLS on classical dynamics, though having identical capacitance in Fahrads (60.000). Does the double mono transformer make such a big difference, I can't imagine...Do you have any idea what could be the problem with the Accuphase? It sounds very alluring otherwise...
Hi Sean. A new subscriber here. I find your reviews awesome, correct, accurate and even passionate. I'm in my late 20s and I'd like to start setting up my audiophile gear system. There are few or even unexistent specialized retail stores in my country for these type of products. This being said, I kindly ask you for your expert advise. I purchased a Denon DRA-800H Receiver which I chose over a Marantz 5005 integrated amplifier which I found rather simple. I recently got an Audio-Technica 120 usb-bt turntable. My big question lies on the speakers. The only ones that I can get here without having to sell a kidney are the Polk T50 floor stand speakers. I think they might be pretty basic, but there are no others. Maybe some Yamahas, but again the prices are ridiculous. So, what is your take on this please? I appreciate your thoughts.
Hey Jean - I love the T50s! I reviewed them years ago, and think they are an excellent speaker at that price. A warm, yet expressive sound. A few tips: 1). Put those speakers on something solid, like say a thick cutting board. Decoupling them from the floor and getting them a little bit higher really cleans up the bass. 2). When it comes time to upgrade, you're actually better off changing out your receiver or turntable. The T50s' are good enough to where they can be paired to fairly expensive components before they become the weak link. That's my take. Good luck and have fun!
I was so excited when you said “you don’t have to be in the highest income bracket “. Then you said $6000 and I had to reassess my status in life.
It'll prob last 50 years with a decent service at 30 years. All analog baby. Currently rocking a TOTL Yamaha that is 20 years old and the only thing it doesn't do well is modern digital.
@@Roof_Pizza You’re right. On the strength of Sean’s Luxman L-550 AxII review last fall, I purchased it’s bigger brother the 590. I added a $35 Rocketfish Bluetooth receiver and plugged it in the Luxy. Sounds great with my phone! I’m in the 21st century! Honestly, digital is disposable it moves so fast. All those all-in-one amp solutions will be worth squat when the next new, improved, more up to date model is introduced in the spring.
@@Roof_Pizza My Brystons are now in their 40th year as well as 2 sets of JBL studio monitors.
🙆🏻♂️
😂😄
Just bought a E-280 , came from a Hegel H190 on Totem Metals. This amp is simply incredible. I think it’s worth it’s asking price if your budget allows. I am blown away by the clarity and ease of listening. The tone is simply superb , bass is not boosted like the Hegel and matches the rest of the frequencies perfectly . The build quality is outstanding. Im an instant Accuphase fan for life. Thanks Sean!
Accuphase is completely another level compared to most brands on the market today. Hegel sounds like big bluetooth speaker in comparison. Glad you made the change.
I believe the bass wasn't boosted on the hegel, he simply had more watts, what helped your speaker to become stronger in this part. The lesser powerful Accuphase will probably have less authority in its grasp of the bass boomers.
Got mine last week and it’s a thing of beauty. Surprisingly heavy for its size.
@@boboutelama5748I think less bass can be a good thing, it allows you to appreciate the mids and overall delivery. I’m running the 280 with Audiovector R3 Arette which are 8 ohm 91dB so 90 watts is plenty for my listening volume.
Yes, clarity and details but also and the rolled off highs
Oh man, this sounds perfect for me. That comparison with the Luxman was extremely helpful Sean. Nice one, glad you did this one, and have fun in the near future with the E-280. It's stunning, can't wait to see one close-up.
Accuphase is one, if not, the only leading brand in the world, not only for its sound, for the quality of its components, but for the aesthetics that are unique in the world. The Japanese have achieved the old and the new on their equipment to maintain the validity of their products. Having one of these devices at home is not only having the best sound equipment, but also the feeling of having it all. Thank you Accuphase and thank you for sharing your video. Congratulations!!!
You like this or McIntosh?
I just wish Accuphase would manage to have the LED numerals match the illuminated logo. The red is very jarring and 1970s style.
This gets me nostalgic for the stereo shop when I was a teen in the 70's and my old Yamaha integrated.
Had the 25 w/ch Realistic integrated in ‘70s
I am very familiar with the E-270 which likely has a near identical sonic signature. So obviously I am happy to hear a validation of my opinion on this model of Accuphase. However that is not why I find this review so compelling, rather it is the balance and context that Sean has brought to the table. He has clearly described what he liked but then placed that in vivid context of who would have a similar preference along with what alternative preferences would be (Luxman), with eloquence and integrity (E280 vs E480). I don't think any reviewer has achieved that to the level Sean has and definitely not in the print journals. In my opinion, with this review Sean has cemented his place as one of the best audio reviewers currently out there.
Thank you so much!!
Thanks for doing the Luxman comparison. It was very informative.
Yep. Sean nailed the comparison.
I was looking at Luxman for my happy end amplifier. I have reviewed all your Accuphase reviews and am convinced that my auditions will be Accuphase vs Esoteric. Thank you Sean for very valuable reviews.
I’m not easily impressed with reviews, but this is …by far..the..best…accurate…and helpful review of a product that I have seen for a long, long time. Did not shoot down the cheaper amp (being an owner of the more expensive one) and the whole review was on a detailed but easy to follow level. I have been lucky enough to have a few nice amps, Gryphon Diablo 300, Rega Isoris, and have just bought a E-270 with DAC-50 (yet to collect) to replace a little Naim Atom, I have CELEF LS-8 and Boenicke W8 speakers, and really think this is going to do what I’m after. As I understand, the headphone amp is good on it as well? Great work, well done.
Enjoyable review ! I've been using a Accuphase E202 since 1978 and it still amazes me !
Absolutely gorgeous! My wallet cant afford this absolute piece of art - I can dream though.
Amazing product from an amazing company. Just waiting on the second mortgage approval from the bank and this baby is all mine.
Hi, Thanks for such a wonderful review. I own E-480 (Purchased after watching your review). Hearing that you have ordered the same. I may order as well for my summer home. Long Live Music, Long Live Analogue Sound.
Superb review. I like how you covered it from so many angles: sound quality, value wise, etc. I'd love to see how the Accuphase 280 compares with the McIntosh MA 530.
I’d be interested in that comparison too, perhaps ignoring the MA5300 internal DAC and then the price would be a bit comparable also…
Thanks for another great review Shaun. I love the Accuphase sound and have the E-480 which I know you love too. Luckily here in the UK it is a little less expensive than over your side of the pond and to me it's worth every single penny, best amplifier I ever owned in the 40 years I have been an audiophile. Thanks again for all your hard work, I highly respect your work.
The E-480 is such a great amp! I'm happy for you!!
In South Africa that number will easily and quickly jump up to $13 000.00🙆🏻♂️
Just moved from Yamaha A-S1200 to Accuphase e280. Man, what a jump. This is a piece of jewellery. Better tighter bass, fuller sound, sweeter tone, more clarity, significantly better low volume performance, and better build. Yamaha is great and I thought I was done until I got e280.
Thanks for the review. I've owned an E-407 for nearly 20 years. It's a great amplifier but I would like your viewers to be aware of Accuphase's harsh service policy. I live in Australia but the amp was originally purchased in Hong Kong. I have scratches on the volume dial and have contacted Accuphase and both the Australian and Hong Kong distributors. Under their policy, the only way to replace the dials is for me to bring the amp to Hong Kong and have their technician install them. There is no option to have a local service agent do the work, or to supply the dials (a trivial 20 second install). Accuphase and their distributors in my region have been very unhelpful. For anyone considering an Accuphase, please be aware that you are going to run into issues if the amp was originally supplied in a different geographical region.
That is just outrageous customer service! Or rather, lack thereof. We live in an interconnected world and people move countries and continents. So silly that at that level of product quality one cannot take ones one product with and have it serviced elsewhere.
I acquired a accuphase cd player from the 80s and it sounds gorgeous even today, but it’s missing the power button and it drives me nuts. Is there any place I can find a replacement?
Very nice. If the biggest issue are the plastic tone control knobs, I'd say that it's a winner.
Great 👍 review thanks. Accuphase looks retro but modern at the same time beautiful.
Good to see you active, I hope all is well health wise. ✌🏻
Sean, you are now my favorite TV star. Your reviews continue to be informative, fact-filled, well-prepared, concise and entertainingly presented. Also, you are absolutely correct in refusing to air RUclips sound-clips as they are highly misleading. I currently have no interest in purchasing any hifi equipment now (well, maybe a phono cartridge for Christmas), but you do well keeping me informed of what’s new in the field.
I'm just a dude with a ballcap. Thanks though! I genuinely appreciate it!
I don't know much about sound tech but that thing looks very classic and cool at the same time
great review and nice comparison with the Luxman. aesthetically i definitely like the 'cleaner' facade of the luxman.
Damn, these things are drool worthy. Both the Luxman and Accuphase. Old school and modern is a neat trick to pull off.
Wonderful fresh and genuin review. I like your style and honesty. Nice one!.
Great feature as always…nice relaxed yet incisive balance. Thanks
I love your reviews. I have had an E270 before. While it was clean and neutral, it was boring. No jump factor at all... currently running Bel Canto eOne series and am happier. Either way great review! Keep it up!
Yep. This certaintly isn't for somebody who wants a lively listening experience!
Today I learned of the tube E 280F, looks interesting, no tubes here but the engineering on this is excellent
Very nice Sean. I'm speechless. "Ooo Yeah Baby!"
I got the 280 a month ago. Beautiful amp, don’t worry about the little plastic knobs as they look great and are of high quality, not a cheap feel. I have the option to upgrade soon to the 4000 when stock is available but I might stick with the 280 as it sounds nice and looks great with all the exposed knobs. Presently running in the DAC60 module, now at about 40 hours, it sounds nice and is an easy listen, not as open as the Eversolo 8 DAC but I think with another 40 or 50 hours it will be a little more open in the mids.
Please keep us informed how you like it down the road :)
Excellent review as always.
With it's pricing so out of whack in the US, and since one can buy these for a lot less in Japan, the Gray Market on the 480 model especially has to be alive and well. Of course there goes warranty support on an expensive purchase.
Good point. I would also add that it is not just warranty support which is unavailable out of region. No technical support or parts are available outside of the original supply region.
Many people mentioned warranty, but I don't see that matters as much. For every electronic stuff I bought I never counted on warranty. I bought my monitor (professional one), rice cooker etc from Japan and others all the time. I buy high quality stuff and expect them not to have problem or I buy cheap stuff and don't mind to buy a new one. Yes, there is a chance that accuphase does have problem, but the chances are really really low. it would worth the shipping cost back to Japan to get an Accuphase serviced if neccsasry. Or the cost saving even worths you to buy another new Accuphase from Japan down the road when the first one breaks.....
@@oskay4018 Good point. I have never had a big heavy and well made class A/B amp fail me until, after about 30 some odd years of loyal and sometimes very hard service, my 1980s era Yamaha A1000 finally quit, all this without a re-cap along the way. No doubt it was fixable by a vintage repair guy, but it was time for me to move on, so I donated it to him; he was quite happy about that. I have no doubt if a gray market Accuphase amp did have an issue, my vintage amp repair guy could fix it, no problem.
Hmmm.. I replaced my old A1000 with a new A-S 1200 bought on sale. The wife would shoot me if I spent even gray market Accuphase money - LOL
great review, Sean!
This was a really well done enjoyable review. Thank you. 👏
I used to be into high end hifi but I moved to an oceanside place when I retired and sold all my equipment. I'm worried about spending the money again as EVERYTHING rusts here in a few months and fails. So I do miss it.
Also, the ocean waves are always constant. I have extreme sound proofing windows but you still hear the ocean. 😊 so having a clean silent background sound room is pretty much impossible. Furthermore, I prefer the waves than music now. It is so pure and magical.
That said, I miss my hifi time to time and need my fill, so I will always come back to this channel and the like to get it. 😊😊
Thanks again brother. Keep doing what you're doing. More people appreciate what you do than you will ever know. 👍
Awesome review and keep up the good work
Another superb review Sean. Always informative and entertaining. 👍
Must get my hands on one of those Accuphase amps! 😀
The distributor markups on Accuphase are truly insane. I got an E-480 in Japan *for less* than the US price of the E-280. The AAVA Volume control is the killer app either way.
Bro. You could fly to Japan. Have a great 1-week vacation. Buy an E-480. Ship it to the US. Buy a converter. And still be AT or UNDER the cost of the E-480 over here. At least the e-280 is fair given the cost of sea freight, domestic shipping, taxes, import, dealer margins, etc..
@@ZeroFidelity aside for the cost itself, another problem is with that kind of markups for Accuphase gear (and others, obviously) is that when you do a comparison with another amplifier "in the same price range", as you normally do, it is not really fair. The E-280 in Japan is USD 2'750!!! I never understood if the "international" price of Accuphase gear is decided by Accuphase itself or by distributors, here in Switzerland is almost 2x Japanese domestic price, in the U.S. even worse... I love Accuphase, right now I have 7 Accuphase pieces, but ALL of them were bought in Japan and set to the my local voltage by me. In case of a failure and "the local distributor/store does not touch an imported machine"? Well, I'll simply buy another and still be +/- at the cost I would have paid for and official one...
@@79Tiamat how do you set the voltage yourself? Is there a switch inside the unit (so all units are basically built the same)?
Beautiful and solid amp 👍🏻
Nice job! Really enjoy your reviews. I have a PS audio set up, but you make a case for that beauty.
Man Sean that is one sweet looking machine! I love that front panel design. Meters just plain rock. I really like the rear panel layout. Thank you for that awesome under the hood look!
This is quite simply a dream amp for many of us here. The sheer quality of components is enough for me. Something to pass on down to future generations. Like a modern Sansui from the early 70's...
The real shocker though is the Accuphase E-5000 is the best value in Accuphase's whole line!
Sounds amazing with the new Borresen Acoustics Z5 Cryo Edition Speakers..best value in Borresen's whole line
Great review man.
Nice! I've got a used Adcom preamplifier and amplifier I bought a couple of weeks ago at this used stereo repair shop . Gfa 535 but I have problems with the preamplifier tuner. I had to take it back 3 times to get the FM radio tuner fixed . But for 250.00 a piece I got a good deal. Maybe I should save up for this bad boy!
Gosh, I sold a million of those back in the day. Jason Hanson, retired kicker for the Detroit Lions, bought that same pairing when he first moved to Detroit. Nonetheless, the GFA 535 is a killer little amp, best one Adcom ever made. 60 WPC 8 ohms, 110 WPC 4 ohms. Will drive electrostatic loudspeakers no problem. Ever peek inside it? It’s completely dual mono - there’s 2 power transformers inside, one for each channel. It may image better than that Accuphase because of that 😆😆. That why it’s a GFA ( Great F**king Amp! Yes, it really stands for that. They were high.). The GTP 350 is kinda flat sounding (all ICs) but the tuner - working - sounds great! But waddya want for $350 back in its day? And it was one of the few with a remote back then! Enjoy
Yeah I like it. All I can afford.
I own all high end separates. Yes they sound great BUT, IMO separates are totally over rated. I honestly can not tell a difference or hear an advantage over going the 'full' receiver route-- at least for home audio. The simplicity and beauty of a high end receiver like this one would be my first choice if I had to do it all over again. Love the analog knobs, the view meters, EQ, modular upgrades, and most of all the -- LOUDNESS button!
You did a great review of this one. And yes, I said 'great.' You were able to cover ground on its sound signature and the way you used defining words helped me imagine how this would sound like in contrast to a Marantz, a Yamaha, or a Pioneer.
I liked and subscribed, man. Keep it up! God bless.
P.S.
Please do more vintage premium Hi-fi!
my brother had a Accuphase amp and pre-amp in the mid 70's with Magnapans. wish he would have kept it. i saved some money and got a Rega also hand made
Great review and a beautiful amp.
J’ai acheté un pour mon cadeau de retraite l’hivers passé, aucun regret,satisfaction 100% , écoute aussi très agréable.le modèle est pleinement puissant avec mes Silver 300 . Très bel appareil. J’ai passé un très bon hiver.
A beautiful piece of equipment! Where's my bib? I'm drooling!
Thanks for the great review!
I consider the 550AX2 is the best value of the Luxman’s transistor line. Although it is not the most powerful, neither transparent, nor with the ultimate bass control, it does some musicality and immediacy that you will not find even in the upper models.
For the accuphase, I agree that the e280 is their best value. Only the E650 is fully balanced, although all the models have the power amplifier module balanced.
Exactly what do mean technically by " balanced". Does each channel (right & left) consist of two amplifier sections operating (wired) in differential push-pull mode at the speaker terminals ?
You always deliver !
Hi Sean! Thank you for this absolutely great review! They are way to less accuphase reviews on RUclips in my opinion. As a vintage accuphase owner (c200x with a p400) and an audio buddy owning a whole stack of accuphase gear I totally fell in love with the brand after hearing those on b&w. For me it's the right speaker combo on these amps. From the moment accuphase made their signature gold on their gear it doesn't matter to me wich series it is. You will know that they deliver what you would expect from this brand. Even with their e-2xx entry level line up.
Hi ,having an e360(bought preloved for£3k),can't help wondering if the newer e380 might be the perfect answer,more power etc,
same brilliant Accuphase build, sound etc,and not that pricey.After all it will probably last a lifetime as you say.Keep 'em coming.
We buy this stuff because it makes us feel good. Exactly. Perhaps if I can be more personally direct about it, it's an addiction - but in the grand scheme of things, a relatively harmless one (although my Bank of Wife would beg to differ).
Hahaaa, bank of wife...I'm with ya there. As they said in the movie Risky Business, every once in awhile ya gotta say "what the fu--"😀
Another really great review!
I think I found my next amplifier. It may take me some time (and money) to find when to buy it. But what to do about other components? Would I need to change my CD transports or speakers? What about streaming? Yes, streaming. Though I really want my next unit to be a 7.2.x theater unit.
Luxman comparison was very helpful.
Great review, thanks! 👍🏼
Truly enjoyed your review, very insightful. Thanks
Great review!
Shaun, excellent review! My sincere congratulations on the effort put into this and other reviews, which at least for me are very helpful.
However, there is one thing that bothers me in the case of Accuphase. Why in Japan Accuphase amplifiers are almost twice cheaper than in the rest of the world? Do you have any thoughts on this?
Most hi-fi companies do their best to set a fair global pricing strategy. In Japan, there are companies that will pass on the savings of removing freight, import fees, and distributor margins, onto their customers. I'm perfectly fine with this strategy as a consumer. Sometimes people in North America enjoy the same arrangement (with brands like Tekton, for example). As a distributor however, I may grumble a bit as it would encourage people to buy direct from Japan and then connect it to converters. It could also paint the picture of me (the distributor) being rather greedy to the outside who has zero understanding of the costs involved with running a distribution company. As always, there's no perfect solution. I'm fine with how things are.
@@ZeroFidelity Thank you for your answer. I like the "local" patriotism used by Accuphase. However, it is a rare case that the price differs so much on the domestic market as compared to the prices abroad. For me, it looks as if Accuphase is selling its products to distributors around the world at a price similar to ordinary users in Japan :)
I love my Sugden A21SE.
Try it once and see how you like it
Loudness button? Sold!
starting to think in a mid system the DAC is all important. Well maybe not 'all' but next upgrade will be a high end DAC, possibly a Sonnet Morpheus if I can pony up 3k.
Sean, THX for your great review!!! as always :)
Do you testet the E-280 with Buchardt S400? does the amp deliver enough power for them S400, or will the more powerful E.480 be a better match?
THX
Yep. It's a good match with the original S400, and a *fantastic* match wit the new MK2.
I so dread these reviews because we all love audio jewelry that we can pass down to our grandchildren!! So for $5,000 to $7000: Accuphase vs Luxman vs Yamaha?
I feel your pain. I want them all.
Answer: Collect them ALL!
@@ZeroFidelity Especially if you guess you will have 3 grandchildren or more :)
If you’re collecting, definitely put a McIntosh MC275 tube amp in your trophy case.
It surely can be precious and valuable to you, but grandchildren rarely care about your shit.
I have Luxman amp I purchased a few years back. I have it paired with Tannoy Gold reference speakers. The speakers and the Amp sound beautiful together and I haven't even finished tweaking the setup so I expect even greater things down the down the road. Accuphase reminds me of the Luxman in a gold color. Accuphase is on my bucket list for the future.
Luxman and Tannoy are an excellent match
@@lmstefanini1 Purchased my Luxman and Tannoy's directly from dealers who both gave me terrific deals on the speakers and amp. I just happened to come across them by accident when I was looking for a certain sound. Was interested in a Mcintosh amp a dealer was selling and he asked me what speakers I was driving. He told me that the Luxman amp was a better choice. He was right.
Great review, Sean. If you want to review another pricey amp, can you do the gorgeous Gato 150? It's screaming your name.
It *does* look purdy.
Uuummm....salivating. And totally agree, this one seems worth the $$$$. Maybe...just maybe, down the road (and some dedicated saving).
How would this compare to the MA5300 McIntosh?
Thanks Sean .
(Sean) I might just HAVE TO add to my collection .
Love the build quality screams relability
The AAVA Volume/control is built very well thats so important .
Very nice controls overalll.
Sean Where is all the internal cables/wires ?😆 😆(hidden)
Almost a 50 pounder impressive
The engineering and build quality is truely impressive.
I want it second....
I'm patient.
Pretty much any time you or Steve want something enough to pay for it... I want it too!
I am lucky to own both these amps (well 550AX and E-260 to be precise). They both are great and music to my ears (pun intended). With B&Ws 702s and 705s each sounds slightly different (as they should) but both are a pure audiophile joy. They are Japanese models and was able to buy them really cheap. Accuphase has DA-30 Dac card that is really good and makes this piece more attractive in comparison. Anyway, Japanese electronics are my thing...
Have you ever tried the phono card on the Accuphase?
@@barrybrennan2135 No, never tried it. It came with the amp (AD-20) actually but sold it as I’m not into analog.
@@barrybrennan2135 I have the DAC card (DA-30) inserted instead and it is much preferred to the CXN V2 DAC in my streamer.
sounds amazing with 99 db vintage altec lansing speakers and with seas 8 inch fullrange 97 db ,tha amp makes the speakers sound to go out of the walls the 3 d imaging is unbelivle ,you should get one ,by the way the price in the u.s is about 20 % more than allmost every country ,for the lower price range thats a realy good deal ...
Great review as usual Sean! Beautiful piece of equipment. Wish the 280 were sufficient to move my speakers but no doubt the 480 would do a better job. But then again, the value is questionable... Even though prices in Europe are sliglty more palatable (for once!)
I own a Yamaha 501 which was quite an investment for my budget. I heard $6000 and almost had a heart attack
Sean, one of your best reviews. Just need to find a good US dealer. That may be a problem.
The U.S. Accuphase distributor's prices are way higher than in Canada due to greed. That may be a reason to either buy in Canada and damn the torpedos, or buy Luxman.
Hi @Zero Fidelity, first off thank you for the energy you put into this hobby for the community. I'm coming to you from Canada and purchased Gresham's Grand Avand Garde. I know you haven't tested those but you did meet their sibling! I currently have pass labs x150.5 driving them with audio research ls16mk iis. I see two paths to go to the next level, double down on their strengths (accuphase/other?) or balance the smoothness with bryston/luxman. What advice would you offer or route would you take?
Hi Sean, have you auditioned the Musical Fidelity Nu-vista integrated? I am looking for something in the $6k to $10k range to drive a pair of Audiovector R3 speakers. I am currently using a MF 3A pre and P140 which are now long in the tooth. I just auditioned the Alluxity integrated and it is extremely listenable, pulls you in and hangs on!
Love your channel.
Unfortunately I won't be of any help as I haven't heard the Nu Vista, nor have I heard your speakers. I hear they are pretty clean / slightly forward sounding, which tends to be the reputation of Musical Fidelity as well. Either way, I wish you the best in figuring out a solution!
I’m just still put off my the plastic knobs, at this price point it’s a no brained to have them metal!
That said, I would still happily own it!
It's weird, I owned an E260 and never thought the knobs were plastic. Even removed for cleaning, they seemed to be high-density composition material maybe?
I have the E-280 and I am fairly certain the input and volume knob are metal. They feel cool and solid to the touch. The power button is likely metal too. As for the smaller knobs like the tone controls and the buttons, these are plastic. It never even occurred to me this was the case since their paint matches perfectly with the metal faceplate.
good review. however for the price? i highly recommend you review or listen to the yamaha A-s1100. i found a open box unit from cal. fof 1,500 bucks. reg. retail about 2800. i absolutely love everything about this sound! those beautiful v u meters and the classic yamaha sound. the build quality is second to none it weighs about 50 pounds. the dead give away?? look at the back panel..10 times better than the accuphase. by the way, i have the yamaha paired with the triangle bro 3 , on your recommendation. couldnt be happier. cant wait to hear the yamaha with my magnepans lrs+ that are on order. keep up the good reviews. 90 into 8 ohms 150 int 4!
Depressing as hell that hi-fi stereo systems cost so much these days. 30 years ago, I’d go to a stereo outlet in Philadelphia. They had wall-to-wall amplifiers, stereos, speakers, receivers, and turntables from many brands and price ranges. They were affordable to the average joe. I never imagined that todays hi-fi stereo systems are affordable only to the rich. Had I known, I would have bought a garage full of stereo equipment. Then sell them as vintage and make a profit.
This is a luxury item. It's not built for the average Joe. This one review does not represent even a fraction of whats available in 2022. Today, there is NO shortage of great, affordable hi-fi products to chose from. Example: You can buy a set of Triangle Borea 3's for $319 a pair, new, with warranty, that will humble most similar sized/prized speakers that was sold back in the late 1990's. The choices now are endless and very reasonable in terms of price. Accuphase is not and has never targeted that market.
After your review, I'm in between the Accuphase E280 and Doge 10. Would you ever consider reviewing this Chinese amplifier? I have considered many amps, but these two seem to be great value (and looks).
Great review! I’d love to hear your opinion on Croft acoustics gear, if it’s available in the USA
Great review and great channel! Im thinking of buying Accuphase 280! Sean ,would Accuphase pair well with Bowers Wilkins speakers in your opinion (since you know B&W sound signature)? Particulary BW 705 S2.Or is Luxman a better match with B&W.Thank you.
Still hoping to see you laying your hands on some accu power amps (preferably class A)! :)
Oooohhh!
That's right he got the good stuff :P
@@jackbaker9023 What does feel of the knobs have to do with the sound? Ask for the sound!
Wow. Just bought a pair of Rosso Fiorentino Elba2 and looking for an amp upgrade. Wondering whether the Luxman or the Accuphase would be a better match. The speakers are already warm, so maybe the Accuphase is too warm. LOVE the speakers. Better than my old Cremonas. Thanks for another great review Sean!
Congrats on those Elba 2's. Fantastic speakers. I'm sure the distributor would tell you to try out Norma. If he's willing to offer a demo, try that combo first. Otherwise, I'd lean slightly towards Lux for the Rosso's.
@@ZeroFidelity thanks Sean. You rock!
zero dude,you need to review the accuphase cd player.
I agree ! Geez their cd players look amazing don't they ! And we all know a hifi system starts at the transport I have almost as much bread in my transports than either my speakers and amp 😆
Could you explain what is meant by: Doubling power into 4ohms is less important that how the amp handles a reactive load.
The best explanation comes from reviewer and engineer Noel Keywood in his review of the new Technics SU-R1000 integrated amplifier in the British journal Hi-Fi World, October, 2021. There the power of the Technics exceeds the 150 WPC spec measuring 180 WPC into 8 ohms and 340 into 4 ohms into a purely resistive load. However, into a reactive load presented by his reference Martin-Logan ESL-X electrostatic hybrids, the amp choked at 20 watts with a “glassy crackle” and promptly shut down. Treble of “hard quality” and “strident” was the sound NK heard from the (non-electrostatic) Sonus Faber Lumina V when the meters peaked above 10 watts. Read the article for measurements and the rest of the gruesome detail.
Wow! So, it is the rapidly changing impedances over the frequency range of the loudspeaker that makes it a reactive load and a strong power supply is needed to handle it. Thanks.
@@brucepruzansky5830 That, and the fact that an electrostatic speaker is reactive by nature, it’s like a big capacitor. Plus, crossovers in dynamic speakers are full of capacitors and inductors too, all contributing to varying impedances and reactance by frequency.
The PASS LABS INT-250 : 250 watts into 8ohms, 500 watts into 4ohms. $12,000
What a beautiful amp! When you opened it up all I could think of was: no globs of glue like the crown amp had. I know not a fair comparison but shows the difference between high end and run of the mill. Thanks for another great review of an amp noone ever reviews!
The crown is a rack mount pa who is it not? Designed for different purpose. Costing 6k and having money put into aesthetics or 1%rs isn't it .
@@RennieAsh
Well we could debate who the xls's are marketed too, but my point was the difference in aesthetics between the two. Understandably the $6000 unit should win but is there really any excuse for "globs" of glue deposited in the casing to hold a light part. I think not, it's just hurry and waste. Two things that don't speak well of a product.
@@pm4898 it's there to prevent excessive vibrations for to nature of the parts used.
How would you achieve this otherwise in that price range?
@@RennieAsh it's a $600+ amp, there are a number of ways to achieve that without the "globs." If you're cool with it, fine.
P M please, do elaborate :)
A beautiful masterwork, but you would probably need equally good pieces to hear it at its best, cracking review.
Btw, very insightful reviews
You say it doesn't shine with peak dynamics on classical music, but my vintage luxman 5m21 seperates KILLS on classical dynamics, though having identical capacitance in Fahrads (60.000). Does the double mono transformer make such a big difference, I can't imagine...Do you have any idea what could be the problem with the Accuphase? It sounds very alluring otherwise...
Hello Sean, have you ever thought of reviewing the new Buchardt I150? Quite intrigued by it, hope you consider it. Cheers!
Hi there, Is the E-280 a good match for the KLH 5? Does it have enough power to make them sing? Thanks !!! Great video Sean !
Hi Sean. A new subscriber here. I find your reviews awesome, correct, accurate and even passionate. I'm in my late 20s and I'd like to start setting up my audiophile gear system. There are few or even unexistent specialized retail stores in my country for these type of products. This being said, I kindly ask you for your expert advise. I purchased a Denon DRA-800H Receiver which I chose over a Marantz 5005 integrated amplifier which I found rather simple. I recently got an Audio-Technica 120 usb-bt turntable. My big question lies on the speakers. The only ones that I can get here without having to sell a kidney are the Polk T50 floor stand speakers. I think they might be pretty basic, but there are no others. Maybe some Yamahas, but again the prices are ridiculous. So, what is your take on this please? I appreciate your thoughts.
Hey Jean - I love the T50s! I reviewed them years ago, and think they are an excellent speaker at that price. A warm, yet expressive sound. A few tips: 1). Put those speakers on something solid, like say a thick cutting board. Decoupling them from the floor and getting them a little bit higher really cleans up the bass. 2). When it comes time to upgrade, you're actually better off changing out your receiver or turntable. The T50s' are good enough to where they can be paired to fairly expensive components before they become the weak link. That's my take. Good luck and have fun!
@@ZeroFidelity Fantastic. Thanks for replying and for the valuable tips, Any chance you review the Denon DRA-800H somewhere in the future?
I've always wanted to own a high end Japanese amp like Accuphase or Luxman, but I think, alas, that ship has sailed....
Would love you to compare the Accuphase against the Lyngdorf TDAI 3400 with Roomperfect. Both of these are in my wish list.