You could actually buy a brand-new Accuphase Japanese model with a step-down transformer here in US with limited warranty and it can indeed be a cost-effective option (less than 50% listed price here). However, there is some concern regarding the potential impacts on sound quality. Using a step-down transformer might introduce minor electrical noise or interference, especially if the transformer isn’t top-notch quality, as transformers can sometimes cause slight hums or limit the amp’s full potential under certain conditions. That said, many audiophiles report negligible or even no noticeable impact, particularly when high-quality transformers designed for audio equipment are used.
Accuphase class A amps - going up the food chain from an A-48 to an A-80 or A-300?
Earlier this year I acquired Accuphase separates (C-2450 pre-amp, A-48 amp) and have been very happy with them.
We have a decent resale market in Canada for Accuphase products, and I was able to snag a C-2900 pre-amp at a good price this past weekend. We see mostly integrated amps on the resale market here, and current production separates are much harder to find.
The C-2900 sounds noticeably better than the C-2450, and it got me thinking about moving up from the "entry level" A-48 to either the mid-level A-80 or even the top of the line A-300 monoblocks (though size and expense are almost prohibitive).
Does anyone have any experience or advice about moving up from the A-48 to the A-80 or A-300 monoblocks?
BTW Accuphase pricing in Canada is significantly better than in the US - so much so that Canadian Accuphase dealers are not allowed to post prices online for fear of alerting US customers to how unfair pricing is in the US - and Canadian dealers are not allowed to ship to US customers.
Showing 5 responses by lanx0003
Japanese domestic models typically come with a fixed voltage setting specifically for the Japanese market, which is 100V AC. These models often lack the multi-tap voltage options (100/117/220/240V AC) found in international versions. For those you pay shipping cost, no tax. Check with the company about the limited (typically 1-year) warranty. The total cost via this route is still less than 50% of the retail list price here. Like OP mention, you could try to import from Canada yourself. Importing from Canada could be a viable option. You’ll need to consider factors like import duties, taxes, shipping costs, and any potential differences in warranty or support. You could call Canadian dealers to find out the list price over there and figure out the total cost. I could not find such information on line but do your homework if interested. The ones, new or preowned, carried on eBay may come with 120V but you need to pay for import duties, taxes and additional charges. It’s a good idea to confirm these fees beforehand to avoid surprises. eBay may provide estimated duties and tax details at checkout. |
It’s interesting that the one who brought up the 'distracting' pricing issue was the OP himself, right from the very beginning. Anyway, I agree with @westcoastaudiophile that the A48 should not be considered entry-level compared to the Class A Axx series, such as the A75 and A80. They share many similarities, if not identical specifications, except for wattage and slight differences in damping factor and signal-to-noise ratio. What really stands out, though, is the stable, continuous high current across load impedances. The circuit efficiency across the entire spectrum—from 8 ohms down to 1 ohm—remains at 100%, for all three models. This is the first (and possibly not the last) amplifier capable of achieving this and advertising this specification down to 1 ohm. It’s truly amazing. The Class A/B Pxxxx series, on the other hand, is considered a step-down model from the A-series. Looking at the specifications, the circuit efficiency remains at 100% down to 4 ohms but only reaches 75% at 2 ohms. No reading is reported for 1 ohm. While this is still impressive, it reveals a significant difference in providing stable, continuous current across various load impedances. I auditioned the A75 with Fyne speakers, which are not difficult to drive. It sounded fantastic, with transparent high frequencies and weighty, deep low-end. The midrange, particularly for female vocals, was sweet and engaging. I don’t know your speakers, but if they’re not demanding in power, the A48 could still perform admirably. |
@soloaudio Thank you for sharing your experience. It is good to know the unit can be imported without custom charges. Did the seller offer any warranty? If so, how is the warranty repair is handled? |