Accuphase E-480

Lalitk,

Thanks for the comprehensive and detailed impressions on the E650. Very well written, certainly useful and appreciated.

I’m not going to add much here. I pretty much agree with your thoughts on synergy and the merits of Class A solid-state since I own one myself, a Luxman L-590AXII. After more than 20 years of messing around with various solid state integrateds and pre-power with couple of tube amps thrown in, the Luxman got me off the merry-go-round of upgrades.

I can surely relate to system synergy having experienced it with my current amps and speakers. The Luxman matches very well with the Marten speakers in my main system but doesn’t sound too good with the Harbeth. On the other hand, the Harbeth sounds great with the Naim but not so great with the Luxman. Synergy is a real thing.

Back to the Accuphase. There’s a thread on these fine Japanese amps running on another forum. The Accuphase, Luxman and to a lesser extent Yamaha get a lot of attention not only for their amazing sonic attributes but impeccable build quality, front (glowing) meters and attention to fine detail. There’s a certain rivalry going on between Accuphase and Luxman owners but it’s all good. In the end it is all about the enjoyment of good music in our systems.

By the way, an E650 owner on the other forum once tried the Krell S300i (I think this is the model) but returned to the E650 shortly after he found his Naim speakers to sound better with the Accuphase.

Tannoy Canterbury are serious speakers. I’m sure it sounds splendid when driven by the E650.

“Is it appropriate or convenient to post the impressions on the E650 or E480 over here?”

@ryder,

Here are my impressions of E-650 based on it’s synergy within my system. I would like to point out, components Synergy is probably the most important attribute to consider when you’re putting together a audio systems.

My search for an SS integrated ended when I first heard E-650 in my system. The E-650 not only musically satisfying but transparent enough to let other components shine through in my system. Despite of its modest power, my Tannoy Canterbury’s have blossomed from its pure class A 30W. The bass is outstanding, with a wonderful combination of solidity in the lowermost octaves along with excellent control and definition in the mid and upper bass region. In addition to this solidity and weight, the Accuphase allows Canterbury’s 15” woofer to beautifully reproduce the texture of the bass along with its attacks and decays in a way that brings the instruments to life. I can’t stress this enough but getting the proper ‘bass’ is so important for the foundation of music.

The E-650 delivers just the right amount of sweetness and purity in the mids and highs that very few integrated possess. There’s something about the sound of a pure Class A watts that is particularly beguiling. Class A in general, doesn’t sound like Class AB solid-state nor does it sound like tubes. The virtues of E-650 Class A operation were readily apparent on a range of instruments. The E-650’s smooth yet suave midrange and treble beautifully renders a natural and unfatiguing tonality.

The E-650 liquidity with vocals in also unmistakable. I could easily pick out the dense texture and richness of vocal harmonies on one hand and its resolution and transparency on the other. The voices blends beautifully with arrangements without congealing; the rendering of space is exemplary not just in width and depth but more importantly in the precise placement of images within the soundstage. Notably, instruments are presented as individual objects spatially and texturally, making it easy to clearly hear individual parts within the whole. That’s one quality that a meticulously designed component does well; to hear it to this degree from an integrated amplifier is quite astonishing and rewarding. Once you hear the E-650 textural beauty, resolution and liquidity, it becomes very hard to walk away :-)

Of course, none of the above is possible unless you have speakers, source components, cables and complimentary tweaks that allows you to fully appreciate the sonic tapestry E-650 paints with each listening session.

Just sent you PM via Audiogon.

Is it appropriate or convenient to post the impressions on the E650 or E480 over here? As far as I know the E650 is very good, quite a bit better than the 480.

take a look at this italian amp.
https://www.stereonet.com/au/reviews/norma-audio-revo-ipa-140-integrated-amplifier-review

https://www.audiothesis.com/product-page/norma-audio-revoipa-140b-integrated-amplifier

@davloyken65, 

Just sent you PM via Audiogon. 

Thank you!

Reach out to @lalitk  He has the E-650 and has been very happy with it.