I recently bought one of these beauties and have been really amazed at how sweet and seductive it sounds after solving a minor volume/balance issue. I imagine one would have to spend $3K+ to match its performance today but the build quality would likely be lacking and you probably would be without a QUALITY phono stage. The only nitpick so far is that it does not produce quite as wide a soundstage as I like, though its depth and texture is top-shelf. With an AUX inputs, two tape inputs, TWO phono inputs, and pre and amp mains, it is well-equipped. One of the super phono stage inputs even has variable level control and variable loading (30k, 47k, and 100k).
I am giving it a careful listen over the next couple-o-weeks before forwarding my impressions to my local electronics wizard for purposes of tailoring internal updates. I figure a cap or three will need replacing eventually, anyway.
The seller described this unit as 9.5 cosmetically, and I figured I’d be happy if it turned out to be an 8.0 – the way most folks describe these days. Turns out to be damn near a 10.0. I showed pictures to someone who said I should post them for all to see as “reference material”. Link below does just that.
Accuphase E-202
