New Accuphase Amplifier Experience

@jfrmusic Great write up, thanks for posting! I agree with your findings on the AHB2; tried that for a few weeks and pretty much came to exact same conclusion. I also agree with your characterization of the Accuphase P-4600. I had been running a Simaudio 761 power amp (direct from my DAC playback mpd-8) into ATC SCM 50 passives. The Sim/ATC synergy is very good, but sometimes I felt like the upper presence region a touch too forward or spot-lit, and that a tiny bit warmer amp in this area would be welcome. Challenging to find an amp that has the transparency and resolution, ie gets out of the way of the source, but that has a natural and unforced presentation in the midrange/upper mids, that is not a tube amp. Long story short, was able to try a P-4600 and was super pleased with the ATC/Accuphase pairing. The 761 had more super low bass control and "slam" but the Accuphase, quite simply, sounded better- more natural and open. The ATC midrange is super clear and articulate and paired with the high performance tweeter (also manufactured by ATC), makes for speakers that render up stream changes readily. The P-4600 is everything you describe sonically and I'd further offer, that it's built to a higher spec; from a purely industrial and mechanical design, than the identically priced 761 (loved this amp and still have high praise for it). I won't say it's night and day better than the 761- it all comes to system synergy and our own subjective preferences, but for me it was a compelling enough move in the direction I wanted my system to go that I ordered the P-7500 as my endgame amp. The SCM50 woofers love power and the move to the P-7500 has confirmed the bass performance exceeds that of the 761, with at least the same quality of organic naturalness in the midrange to tweeter expression.

@milpai  I would not call these latest amps from Accuphase warm- the top end is brilliant, clear, and very extended; to me the descriptions that come to mind would be harmonically right sounding, unforced, and like water flowing more freely from its source. Maybe the A-80 (or other Class A amps they make) is more saturated in the midrange that biases the subjective experience to “warm” connotations but I have not heard that amp yet. BTW I also owned that exact Parasound. You will be blown away by the jump in sound quality to the P-4600. It is a musical monster.

@jfrmusic 

Thank You for getting back on the Accuphase. Good to know that it is on the "slight warm" side of neutral. TBH, the Parasound A21 is doing a nice job in my system; but I am looking for more refinement now and hence the search has begun.

@dpac996 ,

I appreciate your feedback on the Accuphase. Unfortunately the P-7500 is completely out of budget. The P-4600 itself is a bit stretch. But please tell me a bit more on your comparison of the A21 Vs the P-4600's sound characteristics, that you briefly had in your system. If not, please tell me the the P-7500 Vs A21 sound. As you are also aware that the A21 is a phenomenal amp and I enjoy that on a daily basis. But it is the nature of this hobby that we look for something better.

I will admit that I am also considering the Coda 8, AGD Duet and NAD M23 v2 amps.

I have directly compared the Parasound A21 with my Accuphase E470 integrated used both as an integrated as well as just as a power amp. The system included an Okto dac and the Harbeth M40.2 speakers. The Accuphase was significantly richer, more sophisticated and iirc also more detailed and was obviously the better amp, but the Parasound had better bass presence and authority. FWIW

@milpai 

It’s been a while, I visited your room. IMHO, among the amps you’re considering, the Accuphase P-4600 will take you to that promised land of refinement and musical immersion.

I can totally see the trio of ProAc, Rhumba, and Accuphase turning into something really special. The Backert Rhumba 1.3 adds that beautiful musical bloom and engaging midrange presence, while the Accuphase P-4600 brings the muscle, current, damping, and headroom — that the ProAc D48R needs to sing with real control and dynamics. If you enjoy an emotionally involving midrange but still want tight, precise bass and excellent command over the ribbon tweeter, this combo should deliver in spades.

You’ve also got a nice advantage with the Rhumba, it responds really well to tube rolling. If you haven’t tried it yet, experimenting with NOS or modern 12AU7 variants can make a surprising difference. I’ve had great luck recently fine-tuning my tube phono’s character by nudging things slightly toward more air / warmth. That flexibility might come in handy if the Accuphase + Rhumba pairing ever leans a touch too warm for your taste.

My goal for next year is to move up from my Accuphase integrated to a full separates setup. I’m holding off until I decide which solid-state phono stage pairs best with my system before making the leap, likely between the C-2900 + A-48S or the C-2300 + A-48S combo.

Good luck! 

@donquichotte 

Thank You for the comparison between the A21 and the Accuphase integrated amp, used as power amp. It is somewhat helpful TBH.

@lalitk 

Appreciate your feedback. Yes, the Rhumba is something special. Currently have the Raytheon 5814A and I am super impressed with what they do in my system. The Rhumba responds really well to tube rolling. One things that I noticed was that the Parasound A21 had a "damping factor" of greater than 1000 while the Accuphase has a damping factor of 800. Not sure how that will affect the ProAc sound. But all this is paper comparison of the A21 Vs the P-4600. I just don't want the dynamics to be killed for refinement. Also, I cannot swing the P-7500, as it is out of budget.

I had not considered the Accuphase before going through this thread and the discussions between you and @arafiq

I was also considering the Audio Research S200. But I have not seen a single review or even heard that it is out. Most sites list a "pre-order".