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Accuphase amps

I'm trying to read up on Accuphase amps and integrated amps across various forums and looking to see if anybody out there has some knowledge and history of the Accuphase line and what era and models are considered maybe better than others and if the house sound ever changed. There seems to be a TON of models over the years so if anybody had any experience they'd like to share on what amps from Accuphase you've had or tried and with what speakers that would be greatly appreciated. 

My current setup is a Melody AN845 set amp powering a pair of Klipsch KI-396's that are basically two way speakers with a huge horn and 15" driver that goes down to 60hz so I have a couple of Rythmik subs I incorporate. They're 101db efficient so I don't need a lot of power and the 22 wattts or so from the Melody is more than enough so I'm curious about the Class A offerings from Accuphase in particular. 
t_ramey
11 responses Add your response
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Accuphase may have been the very first high end Japanese manufacturer imported to America. I owned one of their first CD players. It was my first CD player which I bought in 1980 I think. Every CD player I’d heard before that sounded like crap to me but the Accuphase sounded like a tube unit, no harshness at all. After hearing it my think was, "crap, vinyl is dead." The unit weighed 40 lb and was of the absolute finest construction in it’s day. It had the fastest transport I have ever used. The CD drawer came out almost before you pushed the button. Their current equipment is of the same quality and I have no problem recommending it to any one if you afford the price of admission. It is worth every penny.

Mike
Post removed 
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,385 posts
 
I sold Accuphase components in the mid 70's when the brand was first introduced.  They were manufactured by Kensonic Labs at the time.  They were always the best sounding in our sound room and built like a brick **** house.
andrewkelley
275 posts
 
I have a p-250 that has been restored and I think it’s wonderful!
audioguy65's avatar
audioguy65
3 posts
 
The first Class A amplifier Accuphase released was the P-102 back in the early 1980’s. I owned one. Beautiful amp, both in design and performance. It was my first Accuphase separate (I had owned an integrated amp prior). A fully balanced design, 50 watt output into 8 Ohms.

The P-102 was replaced with the A-50, a very different design. Much more substantial in build and price. It too offered 50 watt output, but ran linear with 100 watt into 4 Ohm load. It too sounded wonderful having heard one at the CES show back in the day, but was priced beyond my means at the time.

Having migrated to the world of SET amplifiers, I retired my P-102 for many years, and just parted with it this year to a friend who purchased an Accuphase CD player and pre-amp I had among my collection of components. He’s driving a pair of Tannoys, and they have never sounded better.
deanen
1 posts
 
I have an Accuphase DP-70 which I purchased in the 80s.
I play it regularly &  to me sound is equivalent to that of vinlyl.
It is built like a bank vault, weighs over 40 lbs yet is a beautiful piece of art.
I would not trade it for the world
t_ramey OP
632 posts
 
Thanks for the responses! I'm amazed at the value Accuphase holds after all these years, definitely a testament to their build quality and most assuredly their performance.

As far as the tone or character of the Accuphase, from what I can gather Luxman is just on the warm side of neutral but Accuphase is a little warmer and Pass Labs even more so. Is this a common consensus?
rivendell1
29 posts
 
t_ramey - Wish I could help you regarding Accuphase, but I have never been so lucky. However, I AM looking at a P-102 for sale and pondering making a move. On another note, how is the Melody treating you? I have to admit I have drooled over that unit ever since I saw one. Any reason you might part with it...?
t_ramey OP
632 posts
 
Hi rivendell, I still enjoy the Melody very much as I like to rotate amps from time to time. I probably will never sell it unless somebody local would interested. I would have to be pretty lucky to come across an Accuphase within my price range in order to try one so I'm not holding out much hope but who knows it may happen some day.
builder3
758 posts
 
t_ramey, look hard at the Luxman offerings, they're pretty highly regarded, and a bit more affordable than Accuphase.  The L-509X is there TOTL class AB integrated, and the L-590AXMkII likewise in Class A.  I own the L-590AX, which was the prior version. Solid stuff.
nitewulf
422 posts
 
My personal opinion is Accuphase is overpriced. Luxman is as good if not better. Read the reviews of the L509X, as well as the measurements. The measurements do not lie, its a hell of an amplifier.
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