Accuphase E-650 inbound

[meltemi]

E-650 uses principally the same balanced AAVA as C-3850 (and its predecessor C-3800).

However there were a number of engineering challenges to overcome, the most important one being space.

In the C-3850 the AAVA consists of 6 pc boards per channel (5 VI boards and one IV board) leading to a total of 12 pc boards occupying about 60% of the box, which as a pre only is of similar size to the complete E-650.
In the E-650 the complete balanced AAVA for both channels consists of a single pc board at about the size of 3 pc boards from the C-3850. A remarkable technical achievement!

The s/n ratio of the C-3850 is considerably better than that of the E-650 (and virtually all other pres out there anyway).
(Caution: the s/n ratio of the C-3850 is pre only, whereas that of the E-650 includes the power amp section).
According to the specs the C-3850 uses 20 VI unit amps per half channel (4 + 2 + 14x1) whereas the E-650 uses only 16 (16x1). The C-3800 used 18 (2 + 2 + 14x1).
Increasing the number of VI unit amps in the highest stage (compared to the C-3800) certainly helped to improve the s/n ratio of the C-3850.

The bottom line:
E-650 is most likely one of the best integrated amps ever produced, but will definitely not be able to outperform a C-3850/power amp combo.
But then for combos like C-3850/A-250 or C-3850/A-70 you will have to spend 5 to 8 times more than for an E-650.

Martin

[Harris4crna]

Martin, thank you for the thorough explanation between both components in respect to the AAVA. I am still learning what AAVA actually is and how it compares to the standard. When you know what you actually have and what the manufacture actually needed to do to achieve the end product, you start appreciating the equipment you have.

Shawn

[Chenkong]

Balanced...a word that gets audiophiles excited and a marketing hype that makes no difference if one uses short cables.

[xv21]

Originally Posted by jororupp

Welcome at audioaficionado Nero...

Accuphase E-650 price in Germany?

[NeroNepolus81]

I Think its around 11-12.000 Euro

[jororupp]

Got no info about the price of an E-650 yet.

The E-600 was 9.700 € at the beginning, with the 2017 price uplift it is 11.300€ now.

now. E-650 will probably be close to that price.

[meltemi]

Originally Posted by Chenkong

Balanced...a word that gets audiophiles excited and a marketing hype that makes no difference if one uses short cables.

Unbalanced is referenced to the ground.
Balanced and floating is independent of the ground.
That's the difference.

[NeroNepolus81]

E-650=10800 eu in Germany

[Jerome W]

Congrats Ivan,
I love Accuphase Class A amps. This E650 is superb and highly desirable.

[NeroNepolus81]

Ivan,

We need more Pictures from your 650