Accuphase Experiences

Can Accuphase integrated amps be operated as an amp. For example can you by other pre amp and use the volume control on the DAC. I noticed a power amp XLR input on the e4000. 

With good flat response headphones and a good DAC you can get a very good sense of a component’s sound characteristics on YouTube.  You have to listen at a slightly elevated volume. Some demos sound terrible but there are a lot of excellent examples. An in comparison demos with the same track you can easily toggle between components. works particularly good for amps which have very slight and unique differences

I will be auditioning the Bryston 4b3 Monday and the Accuphase P-4600 on Wednesday. I did find out the you can run the e4000 or e5000 Integrated amps as an amp bypassing the entire pre amp section by using the XLR power amp inputs. 
 

I will report back on my auditioning experience. 
 

I think what so far has impressed me about Accuphase is their natural sound that can be listened to at any volume. As you increase the volume the overall character stays the same. I like that. 

@zszwedo 

Thanks. I’m looking forward to auditioning the P-4600 on Wednesday. 

@vassilis_t 

The only  consistent criticism of the Accuphase products sound is the while the upper and mid base is excellent the lower bass lacks impact. Did you find this to be true?  I will be testing this when I audition the P-4600 on Wednesday. 

@vassilis_t 

Thanks. The dealer will be using an Accuphase preamp, a Chord DAC and Harbeth Speakers. The A-80 is too big and heavy for my needs. Plus I prefer the A/AB line with more power. 
 

No I didn’t bring the AHB2 with me however the Accuphase clearly had a more expansive soundstage and better instrument separation as well as a slightly more larger presentation that wasn’t confined to a between the speakers image. Also vocals were slightly behind the speaker plane vs at the plane or slightly  in front with the AHB2.

Sorry. Been busy and forgot to post the results of my amp auditions. 
 

I liked the Bryson 4b3 demoed with the same DAC, Streamer and Speakers I own. The amp was very dynamic with a nice soundstage. Nothing to complain about but nothing that was significantly different from my current amp. This audition was at Overture in Delaware where I purchased my Streamer, DAC, and Speakers. 
 

My current system is

Aurender N20 Streamer, MSB Discrete DAC, Harbeth C7es-XD Speakers and the Benchmark AHB2 amplifier. 
 

I then auditioned the Accuphase P-4600. Few dealers around me but I found BEK in Allentown PA that actually had a P-4600 on demo and they had Harbeth Speakers. In this case the 5s. Eric who is the owner used a Accuphase preamp and a Chord DAC. The Accuphase sounded wonderful.  Very natural with a beautiful midrange and an expansive soundstage. It was however almost twice the price of the Bryston. So I wanted to give it some thought and maybe hear the Bryston one more time. The next morning I called Eric at BEK and told him while I really like the Accuphase I was conflicted over the price difference with the Bryston. After some discussion Eric gave me a great deal and since I really preferred the Accuphase I ordered it. It’s coming on the next shipment to the distributor which was scheduled to leave Japan on April 10. So hopefully I get it by end of April. 
 

BEK is A 90minute  drive from me. As part of the deal Eric is going to deliver and set up the amp for me which is great as its shipping weight is 80 lbs while amp is 66lbs. 
 

Bottom line is the Accuphase amp and sound had the exact characteristics that appeal to me and the characteristics I was able to detect listening to the YouTube demos especially the ones from Asia that are extremely good recordings. 

Yes the ABH2 is very nice amp. Very neutral and detailed. Great amp for evaluating all components in the system. But it just lacks that last bit of midrange body and  while it basically delivers whatever is connected before it with no coloration I find it just slightly missing something. I can’t really put my finger on it. Don’t get me wrong it really sounds very nice, clean , quiet and smooth. But when you compare it to an amp like the Accuphase it becomes apparent what I find missing. I also recently heard the Hegel H30A also with my DAC, Streamer and Speakers and that amp was amazingly good. Beautifully smooth, warm and with a soundstage that while not as wide as the Accuphase had tremendous depth. It clearly surpassed the Benchmark. However it $18k and over 100lbs. Beyond my budget and weight class. So I guess my point is that while the ABH2 is an amp with great performance characteristics and a very nice neutral sound especially for the money there are other amps that offer clearly better sound and of course for a lot more money.