2. amps-preamps
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Finally heard Accuphase

I heard it at T.H.E. Show last weekend.

I was pretty shocked at how bad they were. Of course there are many variables at a show, but they were in more than one room. The sound was so wishy-washy and vague and uninvolving I couldn't get past it.

And I was hearing stacks of like $50k ,75k worth. A $3k Sugden sounds about the same, if memory serves. Or even the $8k Yamaha. More or less. But to spend that money on these amps makes no sense. Just build your own tube amp for $1500.

Whats going on with this brand?

To be fair, I also heard a $300k system that sounded more or less like a good PA system at a small concert venue that costs like, IDK $10k or something. This stuff is making no sense anymore.

clustrocasual
thriftyaudio's avatar
thriftyaudio
109 posts
 

@clustrocasual I agree with you regarding the gryphon room. Something was definitely off there. 

The various Accuphase rooms went from just OK to pretty darn good. 

The Audio Note room was a disappointment, but it may have been the room. Hard to tell.

Almost everything at THE Show was underwhelming. I did like some of the electrostatic rooms, but not all. I do prefer the electrostatic presentation.

The Chesky room was amazing, considering the value. I am looking to buy a pair of the speakers for my son. Add a subwoofer and an entry level audiophile system is ready to go.

clustrocasual OP
115 posts
 

@thriftyaudio what did you find disappointing about the AN room? The Snell box designs are certainly very different from electrostatics. 

rsf507
2,416 posts
 

I've heard accuphase at Axpona, accurate but wasn't musical but again this was a show condition. Didn't stay for more than 2 songs but just did nothing for me. Now Airtight that was very special.

thriftyaudio's avatar
thriftyaudio
109 posts
 

@clustrocasual So much at this show was speaker focused. I was unable to compare equipment due to the layout. Probably more my issue, because this was my first show and I had high expectations.

I had trouble staying in the Audio Note room for more than two songs. I was in the room for all three days, although the third day was essentially a walk in, don't like it, walk out experience. The sound was boring, missing soul, just blah.

I did make a nice show price purchase on a piece of equipment, so overall it was worth my time. Met a couple of vendors/manufacturers that I will keep in touch with and maybe buy from in the future.

clustrocasual OP
115 posts
 

@thriftyaudio By the way, I heard AN at a private dealer. I compared these field coils from the show ($65k) with their lowest end speakers of the same shape. I found the lower end ones (around $7k I think) to sound more emotional and soulful. The bass was looser but it just made things more enjoyable and lively. The wood cabinet seemed to vibe a bit more as well.

I thought their field coil was sonically denser but not as lively. That might have been what you were hearing.

 

 

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