New Accuphase A-48 class A amp
 

The new A-48 is announced for mid of July 2019 http://www.audiounion.jp/ct/news/article/1000007406/

Yup, I just found out myself a few days ago.

http://www.audiounion.jp/images/a-48_front600.jpg


Rated output: 90W / ch (4Ω load) / 45W / ch (8Ω load)

Total harmonic distortion rate: 0.05% 2 Ω load, 0.03% 4 to 16 Ω load

IM strain rate: 0.01%

Frequency characteristic: 20 to 20 kHz + 0-0.2 dB (at rated continuous average output)

Gain (gain): 28.0 dB

Load impedance: 2 to 16 Ω at the time of stereo specification

Dumping factor 800

S / N ratio: 117 dB (GAIN switch MAX)

122 dB (GAIN switch-12 dB)

Accuphase is very conservative when it comes to published specs. I would expect the output to be well above the 45W @ 8ohm rating. This amp is gorgeous too.

What happens when an Accuphase class A amp (or any class A amp) exceeds it's conservative rating? I assume it doesn't drop in A/B mode.

I think the Accuphase is no different than Luxman in that the published A class specs are misleading since they do have tons of overhead reserve and it indeed goes from class A to A/B until it clips or goes into thermal shut down. The Luxman for example is rated at 30w/60w true Class A into 8/4 but in reality puts out 140w into 4 ohms.

major improvement?
 

It seems that the A-60 and A-65 were very close, but that the A-70 was a major improvement, and that the A-75 is very similar and not fundamentally different.
For the series A-45, A-46 and A-47 somebody told me that they are very similar, but that the new A-48 is a different machine, with a major improvement (with elements deriving from the A-200 and A-75). Can anybody confirm this? Is the A-48 a major improvement? (I am wondering about buying a second hand unit, or taking a good deal on the A-47 series that is running out, or waiting for the new A-48). Thanks for your comments.

The A-48 output powers published (see the Japanese brochure) are:
Class A: 45W @8Ω , 90W @4Ω, 180W @2Ω, 360W @1Ω
max. power before clipping (Class A/B): 102W @8Ω, 194W @4Ω, 281W @2Ω, 438W @1Ω

Luxman only publishes the rated Class A power @8Ω and @4Ω.

Martin

From a strictly technical point of view you may be right.
However, Accuphase never ever brought a new model on the market without also a clearly audible sonic improvement. In reality the different models may not have been as very close as you think.
Whether you can (fully) hear the sonic improvement, entirely depends on the other components in your system.

Example: my B&W 800 D3 was fairly well matching with the A-200 but the A-250 was a significant improvement capable of remarkably better showing off the speakers potential.

I'd highly recommend to either compare the two models (A-47 and A-48) within your own system, or on a similar system to yours at a dealer.
And also please keep in mind, that you might update other components of your system in the future, that may lead to the power amp becoming the limiting factor.
Personally, I'd clearly go for the new A-48.

Martin

Thanks Martin

Still no English-language brochure at Accuphase.com, but the German distributor has one in German on their news page: https://pia-hifi.de/news/

Oh, and I have one since last Friday ;-) together with a C-2450 (instead of C-2120)

Some specs

・The output stage features a circuit configuration equivalent to that of the A-75
・6 parallel push-pull arrangement of MOS-FETs in the power amplifier modules.
・Newly-developed, massive high efficiency toroidal power transformer
・Two 60,000uF filtering capacitors (the A-47 has 2 56,000uF)
・Rated Output Power: 45W/8 ohm、90W/4 ohm、180W/2 ohm、320W/1 ohm
・Damping Factor of 800 where the A-47 is 600

Hello Martin - currently using a Class A Luxman 590AXii.....with Triangle Magellan Cello Speakers ....considering Accuphase pre & power combination as my next upgrade ...

Was considering P4500 and then all this talk about A48 comes up.....would you Martin advocate that A48 would win thumps up against the p4500. Might be hard to say if you haven't auditioned them - still your knowledge if you could share is much appreciated.

At that level - would A & AB would it be sonically different ? audible enough ? Thanks

class a amps from accuphase have balanced and unbalanced inputs...does this mean, one can hook up 2 different preamps and amp will automatically run signal from whichever preamp is turned on?

I don't know from accuphase, I do with mcintosh just turn the button wish ever you want, balanced or unbalanced.

No, you will have to manually change the input on the front of the amp. It will not "auto-detect"

:thumbsup:

I have a chance to listen to E650 and C2420+A48 in the same system. Pretty amazed with the pre-power combo as compared to the great E650.
There is more ease and effortlessness, with better separation and better control of the system.

Sorry, but I cannot honestly answer your question. Too many unknown parameters to me. I do neither know the Luxman nor your speakers, and there is also no information about your sources or your cabling.

I once had the opportunity to listen to P-4200 vs. A-47, but on speakers and in an environment I knew. To my ears, the A-47 had some advantages over the P-4200, so personally I would have chosen Class A in this context.

Generally speaking, you need to find the optimum balance for your system. All components (sources, amps, speakers and cables) should eventually be chosen to match your sonic taste.
The only way to find your personal optimum is by doing a lot of (comparative) listening.
In this context you should not try to listen for differences you could describe in words, but rather rely on your emotional reaction to the music.
Do you feel more relaxed with a particular choice than with another? Do you get tired of listening more quickly with one choice than with another? Do you feel, you like one sonic character more than another?

Martin

Thanks for this info. I was on the fence with this exact component decision to make two weeks ago, without the luxury of hearing either component. Decided to go pre/power and now just waiting for them to come in.

Very cool, please post your thoughts once you have had a chance to listen. Would love to hear about it.

I did this too a while ago with the C-2120 + A-47 compared to the E-650.
In addition, I compared the C-2120 + p-4200 to the E-470. At the same time.
So I tested four systems. With an Accuphase source on Focal Sopra 2 loudspeakers. Audioquest cabling.

Conclusion: yes, the combo pre/power is clearly "better" than the integrated.
(and this what not the 2420 and not yet the 48 !)
The dilemma is A (48) or AB (4500)? (or E-650 and E-480).
You cannot say that one is better than the other.
They are different. Like red and white wine.
(or wine and beer ...).
Really a question of taste.

I had the chance to get the C-2120 + P-4200 at a very good price, but I am tempted by a A-something, because the majority prefers A-class Accuphase amplification.
But I wonder if I would be happier with that...

There is an interesting comparison bet class A vs AB.

What is the difference you heard? Unfortunately i did not have chance to compare with accuphase AB amp.

There are probably thousands of comments to that question what makes A different from AB. You have some hours to read the different posts?

In summary for me, the AB is more powerful, adapted to rock and large orchestra, it is very rapid and dynamic.

The class A is nuanced, very nice timbres, wonderful for voices and small ensembles.

I tried to be positive for both...

When I auditioned both it was with several Accuphase demo discs. Some pieces sounded better with A, others with AB.

At the end, it is a question of taste. You have to experience.

But in fine the better is to have both, impossible to find a compromise
:music:

Thank you very much....looks like I am marching towards the A48. Thank you for your time.

A47 m900u
 

I would give the Luxman 900u a listen
I a/b an A47 to a Luxman 900u and the Luxman definitely had more grip and the music just seemed to flow with ease from the speakers dynaudio C2 new model.
I also like class A but I have to say the Luxman smoked the A47.
My opinion but the store owner also agreed and he really wanted to get rid of the A47

Could I ask which pre-power combo you ordered ?

I live in a place where Accuphase is not represented and it is a tough decision to make - cause of the price tag and once purchased - it wont be easy to return or exchange and stuff like that.

A48+C2450+DC37 OR E480+DC37 how would these combination fare in terms audio quality? Or would you say forget about Accuphase DAC unit (DC37) ?

I know standalone DAC's are always better that the built in or optional boards (like D50) - but DC37 - does the performance justify the cost ? Its a 2014 model - and probably time to phase them out right ?

Could the members share their views please ?

I would simply never spend that much money without a proper audition. The investment is so significant that you should be able to justify flying to a place first where you can actually listen to the equipment. One thing you will always find with Accuphase is as you spend more it gets really better but then there are so many things that affect the musicality of your system that you also need to think about cables and the rack.

I am a big accuphase fan (just see my signature), but would not buy the dc37 at this time. To be sure, it’s a fabulous piece, but lots has happened in the digital world and it seems that it should be updated soon. I have no idea of timing, but I would hate to buy it only to have it quickly outdated within the accuphase line.

Yeah it seems many have switched to FPGA's including Esoteric. It would be nice to see Accuphase take this route as well. It would give customers a nice upgrade path.

Thanks for your thoughts - will wait for few more months ...

Sorry, but this comparison is not really working.
First, we are in a different price league (the Luxman is 50% more expensive), and we are with an A amplifier (Accuphase) versus an AB amplifier (Luxman). These are completely different machines.
The Luxman 900u should be compared with the Accuphase p-6100.
Put a p-6100 in front of the Dynaudio C2 and you get a different picture.

Agreed and good point.

My point was if he was looking at class a from accuphase maybe should look further up the chain.
Also accuphase here 13500 Luxman 15000 so Not 50%
He was also considering an A/b correct?
So that was my other point.

If you talk in Euros, the Luxman 900u is at 15k€, the Accuphase A-47 at 10.5 k€ in Europe
(thus the Luxman is 43% more expensive)
An AB power amp from Accuphase can drive nearly everything, it would be interesting to try the p-4500 or the P-6100 in comparison with the Luxman.
And as Meltemi wrote a few posts higher, everything depends on the other elements of the system!

A48
 

Hello Jororup.....is there anyway i could email you or pm you with a question on the A48 ?

You would need to become a Subscriber to send a PM; Jororup already is.

Would any of the owners kindly post the actual Height (with its 4 corner bushes) / Width and Depth of the A48 and C2850 in cm please ?

Just checking existng audio rack....

Um, why dont you go take a look at the manufacturers website?

Their website is very precise. Worth the (minimal) effort.