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  #1  
Old 06-11-2015, 11:44 AM
nvp nvp is offline
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Default Your Accuphase journey

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.

Last edited by nvp; 09-27-2015 at 04:05 AM.
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  #2  
Old 06-12-2015, 07:06 AM
Mattia Mattia is offline
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Really beautiful description nvp.

I would like contribute, but my Accuphase experience is way less deep and interesting

Anyway, I try to add my 2 cts.

I'd say that a really big improvement was the switch from using the 303x as integrated, to using his final section with the C-275 preamplifier (lower noise floor, much more definition and scene separation in all the music spectrum, even if the "honey" presentation of the 303x pre section could be nice and cozy), to acquire the P-700 (total control of the 801 S3: the 303x power section at high levels becomes a bit harsh with those speakers).

The DG-58 substituted the miniDSP 22D, and honestly it is better in some aspects (relaxed presentation, perfectly pitch black noise floor, easy to use, stand alone without computer to calibrate, many more functions) but a little worse in others (calibration effectiveness regarding some room problems). In my case I had to improve the bass passive room treatment to reach the result I had with the Dirac correction alone. Now is fine.
Just for fun, I once switched the 801 S3 with the Klipsch Heresy III I have in second system, and they interact more with the room: with the miniDSP results were good, with the DG-58 much less so, because I think that the Accuphase correction is less capable to eliminate this "interaction" with the room from the less braced Heresy cabinet.

The C-2420 was included in the mix just to have a good and user friendly volume control. Before, I connected directly the DG-58 to power amp. The result is that I don't ear any difference regarding music presentation in my system (I also did some blind tests and measured with REC), wich for me is good news since in my view a pre should not add nor subtract anything, especially if a DG is in the mix (but it's only my view) and I have a source/dac with some "character" (see below).

The DP-75 substituted the DP-510 in main system. I am now using it as a DAC, after DG-58, and I find his R2R presentation more graceful than Delta/Sigma DP-510 and DG-58, wich in comparison a find a bit too much analytic and "lifeless". But I must stress that differences are small and I surely need to blind test it. It could be possible that I am influenced by the soft spot I have for minimalistic mid '90 Accuphase styling

I must add that while I always had the same speakers during my small journey, so a variable less and good for comparison purposes, maybe now they start to act as the bottle neck and don't let me fully appreciate present and future improvement. We wiil see

Last edited by Mattia; 06-12-2015 at 07:47 AM.
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  #3  
Old 06-12-2015, 07:45 AM
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My first Accuphase equipment:

E-550
DP-500 (my only minor dissapointment with the brand, got completely outplayed by an Ayre CX7e MP)
Speakers: Focal Electra 1037Be (with upgraded xovers)

Second wave:
E-560 (which had more control over the Focal woofers)
Focals replaced with Magico V3

third wave:

Accuphase E-600


Basically I enjoyed all three class A integrateds very much, with the latest incarnation being the most neutral and giving the widest soundstage. (and a more tight/faster bass)

But all is relative, as over the years I have done many tweaks to my system, the separate power supply being the largest improvement. Wouldn't mind trying an E-550 again to see if the difference with the E-600 is that large.

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  #4  
Old 06-12-2015, 07:57 AM
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My first Accuphase gear:

E460 - Integrated
DP550 - CD/SACD player
T1100 - FM Tuner

I loved them so much, that I came back and went all in:

A200 - Monoblock Amps
C3800 - Pre-Amp
DP900 - CD/SACD Precision Transport
DC901 - Precision Digital Processor
DG-58 - Digital Voicing Equalizer
T1100 - FM Tuner
PS520 - Power Supply

Most recent

Upgraded my E460 > E470
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Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES

Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES

Last edited by Masterlu; 06-12-2015 at 07:59 AM.
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Old 06-13-2015, 09:44 AM
TOGA TOGA is offline
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When I was 16 my dad bought me Accuphase P-360 and P-11 to bi amp JBL XPL200.
Then 22 years later, I bought my own DP900/DC901, PS520, and C37 as the latest member.
Unbelievable P11 is still in service, driving Wilson Sophia 3 quite satisfying.
Toga
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Old 06-13-2015, 10:04 AM
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For me, very modest, the AC-2 and AC-3 moving coils long ago. Has anyone tried the AC-5?
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Old 06-13-2015, 07:21 PM
Dave_72 Dave_72 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TOGA View Post
When I was 16 my dad bought me Accuphase P-360 and P-11 to bi amp JBL XPL200.
Then 22 years later, I bought my own DP900/DC901, PS520, and C37 as the latest member.
Unbelievable P11 is still in service, driving Wilson Sophia 3 quite satisfying.
Toga
Very cool. You have a very nice dad! To be honest my dad has helped me here and there with audio purchases over the years, haha. So, he's pretty cool too!
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Old 06-14-2015, 03:05 AM
TOGA TOGA is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave_72 View Post
Very cool. You have a very nice dad! To be honest my dad has helped me here and there with audio purchases over the years, haha. So, he's pretty cool too!
Nice. But but he didn't buy me Accuphase DP-70V, or even DP-60 at that time, that was my dream CD Player at that time. So I got Sony CDP-X77ES instead to work with P-360. Toga.
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Old 06-15-2015, 03:06 PM
Dave_72 Dave_72 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TOGA View Post
Nice. But but he didn't buy me Accuphase DP-70V, or even DP-60 at that time, that was my dream CD Player at that time. So I got Sony CDP-X77ES instead to work with P-360. Toga.
Yeah, I couldn't afford the top Accuphase CD players back then. They were pretty much the best, really. The top Sony's were no slouches either, and that's what I ended up with too. I forgot which model, though. It might have been the one you had...
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Old 09-25-2015, 06:54 PM
CountDeMoney CountDeMoney is offline
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I bought an E-460 and loved it. The end.
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