ACCUPHASE ??? Opinions please

[dinyaar]

Hi guys,
Have had the 805s for over a year and am still experimenting with an amplifier to really satisfy. Have gone thru the usual Nad/rotel gear and even tried a bryston Pre/power for a while but the search for an amplifier that does almost everything still continues.
Am based in india and all the global brands do not have a presence here. Tried the regular cayin/prima luna tubes too but want to stick to a high quality SS integrated for now.
Am listing out a few options for all of u to opine on;
1)Accuphase E350 (100WPC @ 8ohms)
2)Moon I 7(150wpc@ 8Ohms)( little out of budget but will still audition it for what its worth)
3)Electrocompaniet ECI 5(120 wpc @ 8 ohms)
4)Lastly an Arcam FMJ A38 or even the A38/P38 as a bi amped combo.

Home demo of all amps may not be possible and hearing all one after another is difficult as they are all distributed by different vendors in different states of my country. Will definately hear the amplifiers but may not be able to hear them with my speakers and in my environment.
Brands like Mcintosh/krell etc are not available here and the popular choice of classe with the B&W is just ridiculously over priced here in India.

Sorry for the long post but your opinions really matter. Please suggest other options that u can think of too.
Thanks in advance.
DK

[audioqueso]

Do me a favor. Tell me what amps you have tried with your 805's, and what kind of sound you like. I have not listened to Accuphase, but tons of dealers here in Japan have them. So I can listen to it, and compare it with similar amps that you have tried (if available). Then I can tell you my opinion. And if you want, tell me what kind of music you want me to try out, and I will give you my personal opinion on my findings.

I am also looking for an amp for my 805s again. Actually, when I lived in the US, I was using Parasound and really enjoyed the sound. I'm just using a Marantz receiver for now (I sold all my gear when I moved), but I've been looking at a lot of different amps and options as well (McIntosh, Emotiva, Parasound again, or a D-class amp).

[Tommy]

McIntosh is pretty popular with B&W. Give it an audition. Their integrates (MA7000 or MA6600) would sound very nice already.

[audioqueso]

He mentioned McIntosh is not available where he's at.

[dinyaar]

Accuphase ???

Hi Audioqueso,
Sorry for the delay in my reply.
Am listing out a few amps i have heard with my speakers:
1) Rotel RC 1070/RB 1080 (Just could not live with this combo)
2)Nad C162/C272 (Actually not a bad performer but nothing special)
3)Nad M3 (preferred the cheaper pre/power than this quirky amp)
4)Bryston BP6/3BSST and 4BSST(very open and transparent)
5) Primare I 30 (sounds like typical British HIFI with sharpness which tires on the trebles plus lacked composure at moderate to loud volumes)
6)Musical Fidelity A5 (smooth sounding amp with enough drive but impression here is its unreliable and has QC issues)
7)The older Arcam FMJ A 32( good build, more than adequately featured and powered and reasonable but is a trifle too polite.

I listen to tons of soft rock, jazz, and western classical in a 14 X 12 sft room.

Mc/krell etc are not distributed here as i mentioned and i am jittery buying an amp with no service back up.

Thanks again Audioqueso for helping. I have two cdps an Arcam CD192 and a Yamaha CD S2000 and use both alternately and auditions were done with the Arcam CDP. Cabling is all kimber for the last decade(Silver streak,timber, 4TC,8TC and power cords are Supra LORAD + some DIY attempts)
Accuphase is just entering India( poor time to enter i guess) and the amp will be on demo soon. Maybe the baby E250 or the E350 merits an audition but that depends on the pricing here.

Rgds

[Chatterbot]

1)Accuphase E350 (100WPC @ 8ohms)

Brands like Mcintosh/krell etc are not available here and the popular choice of classe with the B&W is just ridiculously over priced here in India.

DK,
I never had the fortune to listen to all the other amps you listed except the Accuphase, but I can tell you my experiences so far:

T&A Power-Plant: poor
T&A V10 (Tube): nice, with a lack of bass-precision
Rotel RMB-1070: nice, not spectacular
Rotel RMB 1075 (with AVR as pre): nice, not spectacular
Denon POA 2800 (with AVR as pre): like the Rotels
Classé CAP 2100: very nice, but with a minimal lack of bass-precision

My favourite now and then is the Accuphase E308: it does everything right, especially when it comes to a precise bass. The sound can be found a little bit harsh and sharp at times, but this is what I call "should be this way".

I Listened to all the amps above with my 803s-system.

Hope that helps,
Guenther

[dinyaar]

Hi Guenther,
Every bit of information helps. Thanks.
I too am worried of the High frequencies of the Accuphase. I need to hear it for myself before i concur that it 'should be this way'. Problem is the amps have not yet arrived.
As i was mentioning to audioqueso i have been hearing a few amps lately and the Musical fidelity A5.5 and the Biamped Arcam FMJ are reasonably priced and musical to my ears. Will just wait for the Accuphase, hear it and then decide if it worth doubling the budget.
Thanks again
DK

[Chatterbot]

I too am worried of the High frequencies of the Accuphase. I need to hear it for myself before i concur that it 'should be this way'.

Happy testing, but be open-minded. That´s essential.

I did not mention that I bought the E308 after my home-test and am still very happy and pleased with it. It´s worth every Penny. The "roughness" of sound was only audible when directly compared with the Classé, which was a tick more "soft" in higher frequencies.
I also did not mention that the test happened with a showroom Classé and a brand new Accuphase.... maybe that has something to do with it, dunno...

Take note of the bass-precision, that was the most important difference at least for me. :T

Cheers,
Guenther

[joetama]

I've usually heard good things about Accuphase products, but it seems you are looking for a specific sound. Have you considered changing loudspeakers to fit what you are looking for? If you are set on keeping the 805 then I would check out the Moon for sure. I have 703 and have tried out Moon equipment, but it was out of my price range. But, none the less I was still thrilled by the sound and detail.

[DM3000 Owner]

Hi Audioqueso,

6)Musical Fidelity A5 (smooth sounding amp with enough drive but impression here is its unreliable and has QC issues)


I listen to tons of soft rock, jazz, and western classical in a 14 X 12 sft room.


Rgds

I was going to recommend Musical Fidelity. If available where you are, check out the older Musical Fidelity A308CR series. These units were made about 4 years ago and were teh last units made in Great Britian before they went with production in China. They are known for being very reliable and have a great warm yet detailed sound.

[dinyaar]

Accuphase???

Hi guys,
Thanks for all the inputs.

Joe i had the 704s earlier with Rotel gear and now have the 805s as i moved apartments and the music room is much smaller. I like the speaker, am really just trying to get the most out of it by playing with different amps.
I generally keep the international prices as a guide and most vendors here are just 10/15 % above the US or UK retail price which i would consider but some (classe,Sim and a few others) can be about 50% costlier than in other western countries which seems a rip off and should be best avoided.
I would love some older MF gear as that would be a good deal but we dont really have an organised platform for pre owned gear. Tons of crappy gear from the middle east/singapore is refurbished and sold here by a few guys and that seems a bit unreliable to get into.
At the moment i am just waiting for the accu which should be available anytime now. Will compare the sound to the Arcams i like and see whether the sound is that much better to warrant 2 X the price.
Thanks again

[dinyaar]

Accuphase?????

Hi guys,
Finally have more details on the Accuphase as they have almost arrived at the dealers. The E350 will retail for about 9000 USD equivalent which is just out of my price range and hence the wait for the Accu is over. Will hear it anyway but cant afford it.
Please give me an opinion on the MArantz PM 11 S2. Its superbly built, sounds smooth and the midband/trebles are to die for. I dont really care to have a 'big brand' on my rack and the marantz seems to do the trick for 'my' tastes. HAve requested and arranged a home demo.
What is your feed back on this marantz reference series amp. Its very very different amp from some of the amps i heard(Bryston/Rotel etc) Pricing is attractive too and is distributed here so warranty is available.
Thnaks again

[audioqueso]

I'm not sure what kind of comment you want about the Marantz PM-11S2. I've heard it with the matching CD player on my 805s. I love that combo! It's soooooo smooth and rich! But I don't think I'll ever go that route as I like HT too much.

[dinyaar]

My New Accuphase

Hi Guys,

Well after quite a lot of confusion and backache (had to carry all the amps to and fro) i have got the Accuphase E 350 at an 'introductory price'.

I did an A/B/C with a Marantz PM 11 S2 /Accuphase E350/Sim I 7 and chose the Accu.Its been a week and all i can say is its a wonderful amplifier. The marantz was good too, very fluid but just falls apart when pushed, the Sim (out of the box) didnt appeal to me at all. I had heard that this amp does everything right but to me it was an edgy sounding amp. The Accuphase (out of the box too) sounded superb. Maybe the purist would label it as a 'colorful' amp but to me it sounded great.

Heard Jazz, Classical, opera ,soft rock and even heard some pop and the amp was really convincing.

I have heard that these amps take a while to break in so i'll be patient. But in any case i am a happy camper.

Thanks to all the guys for all the suggestions.

Rgds
Dk

[Chatterbot]

The Accuphase (out of the box too) sounded superb. Maybe the purist would label it as a 'colorful' amp but to me it sounded great.

The Accuphase will please you for a long time. :T
I´m still happy with my E308.

What did you think about the bass (punch-wise) compared to the other amps?


Cheers,
G.

[dinyaar]

Accu

Thanks Guenther,
Its just a superb sounding amp. Fantastic bass for a small integrated.
I have heard this amp for hours on end and there is no fatigue at all.

Biggest factor for me is that it plays 'most' music with aplomb.

But to me the Bass master will always be my Bryston 4BSST. (I still have the old 4BST in the living room of my old home)

Guys looking for a great integrated for their B&Ws should seriously look at the Accuphase. It will shame a few pre/powers from reputed brands for sheer musicality.

Thanks once again.
Rgds
DK