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Accuphase E-202 Integrated

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
4yanx
4yanx OP
1,576 posts
 
Arthur, yes, the $700 would be for a thorough going through and replacement of most every cap, relay, diode etc., and re-soldering all PC connections from my understanding of their process (though I haven't heard from them at all). Initially, and given that it is 30 years old, I figured electrolytic caps should be replaced and maybe a relay or two. Still may do that just as a preventative measure but this thing sounds too good to mess with much, I'd say. Wish everything sounded this good dollar-to-sonics wise.
aball
2,016 posts
 
I have rebuilt 3 McIntosh amps myself that were a minimum of 42 years old each. One of the amps really needed the overhaul but the other two were pretty good still with all their voltages and biases just right. Of course, with age, capacitors loose their dynamic capability even when statically they are still good so you would probably benefit from the rebuilding but it isn't in dire need just yet.

So far in my experience, changing out the diodes/rectifiers makes an even bigger difference than new caps when you check the waveforms on an oscilloscope. I suggest HEXFREDs and not NOS parts as technology has advanced greatly in diode design in the last 30 years.
axcel
8 posts
 
I have 2 E 202 they are great was considering selling one and getting a P 300 and C 200 combo any thoughts out there?
jedinite24's avatar
jedinite24
1,503 posts
 
Anyone ever use a C-200 preamp along with an Accuphase E-202 with the E-202 set up like an amp? My uncle had this combo in storage and found it again recently but doesn't recall how he set both up. I saw on the back of the E-202 that it has a 2 sets of jacks labeled Preamp or Main Input and a switch below it to toggle between. Seems like you can use the E-202 as an amp but from what I've read some members have just used the E-202 as an integrated.

Thanks
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