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Can someone explain to me why : Accupahse Equipment is that expensive ?

…….I was recently looking into their Power Conditioners as well as their Amplifiers and for a company where there is very little reviews done on their products, along with a small ( here in the US anyway )  almost a cult following if someone could tell me why is their prices the way they are. I just don't understand it. I have listened to their equipment and is nice and the build quality is very good but ; I always said to myself ; '' Not for that price ". I do not mean to be in an any way inflammatory with this statement but is :  Accuphase the McIntosh of the East ?  McIntosh makes some nice stuff but is no way priced like Accuphase, however it seems to operate very much with the same business model ; you are paying for the name and the pride of ownership and the sound is very much dated. Maybe I am missing something here and the sound is very good and like Rolex you buy a piece and you are set for a lifetime. FM Acoustics is also another one of the those companies......Just looking for a really good amp and these companies come up in my search but I am just sitting here scratching my head ?           
garebear

Showing 14 responses by garebear

garebear OP
1,183 posts
 
Thanks Roxy54  - but you really didn't answer the question . 
garebear OP
1,183 posts
 
…..thank you for this information and it all makes sense now and some of this through my travels has come up in the past. I think that I will continue my search and look at other amps. My concern is what Mr Whart has noted about not being able to service if it ever needed.    
garebear OP
1,183 posts
 
Okay guys  - thanks but the post was not about watches, but about Accuphase. Got to bring you guys back on track here.... Thanks Ericsh - as I have been looking at Luxman who have straightened out their distributor issues here in the US and seem to make some really nice stuff. I never thought that the sound of Accuphase was all that special. Maybe as I noted ; they are like Rolex where any watch can tell time , but it is gear that sounds very good and will last you many , many years without any issues. So are they that good is still the question ?      
garebear OP
1,183 posts
 
Thank you Al - and always nice to hear from you. I am really surprised as you noted  - that there does not seem to be a lot of interest here in the US for Accuphase. I truly enjoy my Esoteric - A03 amp which is 50 wats of pure class A power  - and ooooh is all so sweet but at times, it does lack a little push as I am driving Wilson Benesch speakers which are a tad inefficient. So looking at different amps and Accuphase was on my list and I came to s dead halt. Looking at the McIntosh 452 but do think it will have the resolution I am used to and I am looking into the Luxman M-900u and also  the top of the line Esoteric S-02. None of these are cheap and do not want to make a mistake. I really like the Cardas  XL's and have re-done my whole system with them. The Clear Beyond as you and I have talked about  - are not all that far beyond ( no pun intended ) are pretty darn good cords. Also looking ta Rowland but I think are out of my range. Stay well and thank you for your input as what you noted seems to be the issue.            
garebear OP
1,183 posts
 
...thank you all again. I currently own the following ; Esoteric A-03 ( 50 watts pure class A design ) amp along with an Esoteric C-02x pre-amp and the Esoteric K-01xs player. I love the A-03 class A amp but at times …..I could use a little more head room. I am skeptical of going back to an AB design ( no...I will not do tubes ) so looking for an amp that is sweet and has a little more bottom end ; oooomph . The speakers are Wilson Benesch's.       
garebear OP
1,183 posts
 
...and Mr Glupson you are absolutely correct. Luxman has got its distribution here in the US squared away and makes some really nice equipment. I will probably stay in the Esoteric line …..really nice stuff but can be a little analytical at times.    
garebear OP
1,183 posts
 
….thank you dldennis but you are not answering the question. I am not interested in Canadian or PS Audio amps or what you have as amps. I am looking at buying Accupahse but trying to find out, which some have answered here on why they do not seem to have such a presence here, and why are they soo expensive is the question    
garebear OP
1,183 posts
 
….and whipsaw you are correct. I wonder if Roxy54 nailed it....'' an overblown legend''. Seems about right.    
garebear OP
1,183 posts
 

Thank you Mr andysf - as I am now coming to that conclusion as a well and appreciate your response as their does appear to be some more heavy handiness involved here . 

Mr-retsock thank you as well but I checked into Esoteric as I have whole stack of that stuff and Esoteric / TEAC is fine as a subsidiary of The Gibson Company as it is they you are struggling and not Esoteric.   

garebear OP
1,183 posts
 
......thank you again and the post is not about what amp you think I should have as I can make that decision. Personally, Bryston makes nice gear and McIntosh has nice meters and a very nice personally blue front.....but those amps are not what I am looking for and the post is about how Acuupahse is marketed here and even though its really nice equipment. There are a lot of hands in the pot in the distribution line that makes the product's price inflated and expensive here in the US. However, there is one point that keeps coming through is that all those who do own Accupahse, really like Accuphase and that it makes nice music. That to me is what it is all about ….two each their own and enjoy the music. I will look more into purchasing an amp of theirs.           
garebear OP
1,183 posts
 
MR. M ...I guess that you could and being the OP, my question was directed at Accuphase specifically. The reason that I started  the thread as I have been looking at their amps …. 
garebear OP
1,183 posts
 

'' Accuphase does make a very good product with the highest quality of parts for sure. But it is not going to take an audiophile to the brink of solving the ever elusive problem of sound replication. ''

….and you know this for a fact ? Subjective comment and what actually is ; audio nirvana ?

I am / was looking for a more factual comment on price vs performance from actual owners of Accuphase equipment which some have commented her and have helped me.

Sure all '' cars '' can take you to from point A to point B - that is a fact , but there is difference in that drive if you are in a Ford Pinto vs and Austin Martin. Just sayin ….   

 


garebear OP
1,183 posts
 
Mr. Glupson …….drove one of those to a Daytona Spring Break in the 70's .....from New York !
garebear OP
1,183 posts
 
...thank you for the post Mr GGC and I did know that hence the reference.  I do not believe they are associated now. I have read about the Hedges ...and I think you can throw B&W as well as Classe' in that group as well. However, something can be said about the perpetuation of the company as Thiel sadly found out.      
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