Your Accuphase journey

[audio bill]

Originally Posted by kingm88

I've listened to Accuphase and like the sound but just can't get over the Accuphase styling...
If only they were as beautifully engineered on the outside as they are on the inside.

I can understand if you don't care for the Accuphase appearance in that it doesn't match the more typical black and silver finishes of most high end gear. However the quality of their finish is superb, as well as the tactile feel of the controls. Turning the volume control has a smooth and damped feel that exudes confidence in the quality inherent across their product line. Pride of ownership is very high with Accuphase gear for its sound quality as well as its level of build and execution.

[RascerMan]

Originally Posted by nvp

Dear all,

For some time I wanted to start a thread were everybody can share his/her Accuphase story.

My Accuphase journey is a long one, so please be patient. Some 6 years ago I bought my 1st Accuphase combo, i.e the DP-500 cd player and the E-550 integrated amp. At the time I though I will be happy and content with my stereo for very many years. Unfortunately (or fortunately), I could not have been more wrong. These Accuphase boxes are extremely addictive, and after 2.5 years, I have embarked on a series of 7 subsequent upgrades:


1st upgrade: DP-500 & E-550 —> DP-500 & DG-38 & E-550 (Speakers: Focal Utopia Micro be and REL Stentor sub)
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Adding the DG-38 unit made a huge difference. The DG-38 works wonderfully and improves very very much the bass response and the stereo image of the system. As I have stated many times on this forum, the DG units should be mandatory to any reference system.


2nd upgrade: DP-500 & DG-38 & E-550 —> DP-600 & DG-38 & C-2410 & A-45 (Speakers: Focal Utopia Micro be and REL Stentor sub)
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Compared to the E-550 integrated the C-2410 & A-45 combo sounded a bit more transparent, had blacker background (this was probably the most noticeable aspect), and was also able to create a stereo image that was a bit more precise. Regarding the DP-500 and DP-600 players, one very important difference between them is the availability of h-link on the DP-600 player. Connecting the DP-600 to the DG-38 via h-link made a big difference. Everything sounds clearer via the H-link. (It is worth noting here that in my experience a normal internet cable that cost €2.5 can easily outperform balanced interconnect cables costing €250 or more).


3rd upgrade: DP-600 & DG-38 & C-2410 & A-45 —> DP-600 & DG-38 & C-2410 & A-65 (Speakers: Avantgarde Uno G2)
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The difference between the A-45 and A-65 was very big. Significantly bigger than what I have perceived after the 2nd upgrade (even though the 2nd upgrade cost me significantly more than the 3rd one). The A-65 had: 1) significantly better bass, i.e. more bass that went lower and was also better defined, and 2) better stereo image and soundstage. Beside this the A-65 made everything sound calmer, more relaxed, and effortless. In my experience only the top-tier units are able to provide the impression of calm-ness and relax-ness in music. IMO the A-45 has only one advantage over the A-65, i.e. the amount of heat it put out. Unlike the A-45, the A-65 runs rather hot. (I had the A-65 and the A-45 simultaneously in my system for 4-5 months.)


4th upgrade: DP-600 & DG-38 & C-2410 & A-65 —> DP-600 & DG-38 & C-2810 & A-65 (Speakers: Avantgarde Uno G2)
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The differences between C-2410 and C-2810 are similar to those observed when comparing A-45 and A-65. That is, the more expensive unit made the music sound calmer and more relaxed. IMO this happens because the more expensive units (i.e. A-65 and C-2810) are much faster and more dynamic than the "cheaper" ones (i.e. A-54 and C-2410).


5th upgrade: DP-600 & DG-38 & C-2810 & A-65 —> DP-600 & DG-48 & C-2810 & A-65 & PS-1220 (Speakers: Avantgarde Uno G2)
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Sound-wise, I did not find the difference between DG-48 and DG-38 significant. The DG-48 sounds a bit clearer than the DG-38 - but some might perceive this clearer sound as thin. The DG-38, on the other hand, sounds a bit fuller, which again might be interpreted by some as less detailed/clear. Overall both units do their jobs very well, and I can not say I have noticed one yielding significantly better results than the other one. The most important difference between the DG-38 and DG-48 is the user friendliness. The room correction procedure is done automatically in DG-48, while with the DG-38 unit one has to do it manually following the steps given in the manual. Unfortunately the DG-38 manual is abysmal (IMO).

The addition of the PS-1220 brought unexpected (to me) improvements. First, everything sounds more clearer and minor detail in the music become immediately apparent. Second, like the A-65 and C-2810 units, the PS-1220 made everything sound more relaxed, effortless. Third, the unit brings a significantly blacker background. Additionally, the PS-1220 unit allows me to turn on my system by pushing a single button.


6th upgrade: DP-600 & DG-48 & C-2810 & A-65 —> DP-600 & DG-48 & C-3800 & A-65 (Speakers: Avantgarde Uno G2)
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Moving from C-2810 to C-3800 was another big step forward. Two things were immediately apparent with C-3800: 1) it has much more bass (which is also more detailed and deeper) than C-2810, and 2) it is more detailed than C-2810. In the beginning the C-2810 together with DG-48 sounded better than C-3800 alone. This made me question the purchase. However, after 6 months of burn in the sound of C-3800 has risen to a whole new level. Everything is clear, musical, relaxed, with no frequency intervals drawing attentions to themselves. The DG units are still needed, but the C-2810 is nowhere near this level of performance. However, I have two complains about C-3800: 1) the amount of heat it put out which is a lot, and 2) the minuscule led indicators for volume and input source which are small and no bright enough.


7th upgrade: DP-600 & DG-48 & C-3800 & A-65 —> DP-720 & DG-48 & C-3800 & A-65 (Speakers: Avantgarde Uno G2)
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The DP-720 was a nice upgrade from DP-600. Sounde-wise DP-720 surpassed the DP-600 without much effort, as it is more detailed, clean and dynamic than DP-600 while just as musical. Also, the DP-720 has a display with larger led indicators that are also more intense, it has a usb input for the DAC, and has a very good digital volume control which with the right amp may circumvent the need for a pre-amp. (Though, the digital volume control in DP-600 is also very good.)



I will conclude by listing the units which have given me the best value for the money: DG-38, E-550, A-65, C-2810 and PS-1220.

I hope other will also take the time to share their Accuphase story/journey. Please also list the components you have found to be most significant.

I finally got a piece of the pie, just bought A-70 x2, C-2850, DP-720, and DG-58, a year and some after unwelcome guest came calling while I was away. Unexpectedly came home to an empty rack, I will miss my set of Marantz Ref. Ma- 9S2s, SC-7S2 x2 for mono, SA-7S1. Installed new Telsco alarm and if they come again this time Mr. Ramtron will show up caring a thunderbolt. It's funny how the most depressing day in ones life works out in the end. Now I am a member of the club. And a new AA member as well. Now that I feel worthy, and class A to boot. No pun intended.

[2fastdriving]

Originally Posted by RascerMan

I finally got a piece of the pie, just bought A-70 x2, C-2850, DP-720, and DG-58, a year and some after unwelcome guest came calling while I was away. Unexpectedly came home to an empty rack, I will miss my set of Marantz Ref. Ma- 9S2s, SC-7S2 x2 for mono, SA-7S1. Installed new Telsco alarm and if they come again this time Mr. Ramtron will show up caring a thunderbolt. It's funny how the most depressing day in ones life works out in the end. Now I am a member of the club. And a new AA member as well. Now that I feel worthy, and class A to boot. No pun intended.

Wow, sounds rough but you've bounced back. Congratulations and welcome to AA!

[GreginNH1]

My Accuphase journey has certainly not been as glamorous as some posts here. Due to a house move and need to cycle out some speakers that did not work in my audio room, it's been a little crazy here for the last 8 months. I started with the E-470 and I liked it very much but did not love it. After two other integrated amps (Gato and Esoteric), I pulled the trigger on an E-600. It should be here in a couple of weeks.

Hopefully the Class A sound will put an end to my OCD-fueled quest for sonic perfection (at least for a while). I really can't afford to go further up the Accuphase food chain.

[Weirdcuba]

You'll love the E-600. Can't wait for the report.

[GreginNH1]

Originally Posted by Weirdcuba

You'll love the E-600. Can't wait for the report.

Thanks Jim,

I'm hoping the E-600 will do the trick.

Greg

[imprezap2]

E-600 is a great amp, for sure there are better, way more expensive, separates on the market, but I think this amp is a "sweet spot", very good all-rounder.

[turntable]

Bought an Accuphase C-37 phono stage. After a longish break in its sounding sublime an quiet.
3 inputs is great for my multiple tables, as is 3 ground terminals and each input's settings are remembered. build quality is out of this world.
An all round sonic, build quality and ergonomic upgrade from the Pass XP-25.

[JSimberg]

Originally Posted by imprezap2

E-600 is a great amp, for sure there are better, way more expensive, separates on the market, but I think this amp is a "sweet spot", very good all-rounder.

not that much better accuphase is great products

[King]

Hello I am recently join AA, and I am pretty new my self to Accuphase.

I am setting up my mini system (probably micro as per Ivan standard) because my primary system are on the box due to house renovation.

I decided to use accuphase to run 805D3 and so far it has been wonderful experience to have C2400 and P1000 combo.

The above combo really driving my 805 well

Here are the quick clip from my iphone. Pardon the mess

https://youtu.be/8Hw58s1AH0w