Accuphase amplifier choice

I have some experience with the Coda CSIB which is the same amp section of the No. 8. The coda has power and sounds clean. It’s got a good solid state amplifier sound/ a little cool but great drive and authority. The P-4600 sounds better. It’s juicer, more real, less electronic sounding, as it ought to be considering the price differential. Not really a fair comparison. The P-4600 is one of the best medium power amps available for under 20K. For your speakers the P-4600 would make them sing. I don’t think the 48 will have the headroom but it all depends on your listening habits and program material. 

@milpai I owned Parasound A21 back in 2015. Very good amp but as you said it lacks refinement. In the last 15 years I went through a slew of amps -- tubes, class D, and solid state. Owned Audio Research, Luxman, Aavik, VTL, Vitus, AGD Audions, Rogue Audio, Raven Audio, and a few more. I eventually ended up with Accuphase A-80. I can say without a hint of exaggeration that this is by far the best amp I’ve owned. No contest. It produces a sound that is harmonically rich, tonally dense, and perfectly balanced from top to bottom. Absolutely no lack of bass whatsoever. It’s an amp that caters to the music lover first and foremost. Period.

Do yourself a favor and get the best Accuphase you can afford. It’ll pair beautifully with your Backert.

@milpai 

Do you see yourself keeping the ProAc for the next 5–10 years? If the answer is yes, then go with the P-4600. But if you’re likely to move toward speakers in the 95–96 dB efficiency range in the near future, the A-48S would be my pick. If your emphasis is on building your system around musicality, go with the A-48S. For maximum flexibility, power, and long-term versatility, the P-4600 is the way to go. Both amps are truly end-game pieces for anyone who tends to keep their gear for the long haul. 

I don’t see any subs in your room. A well-matched pair like REL’s could be a fantastic addition — they would add depth, scale, and bring even more life to your setup.

When I added my Tannoy and Accuphase back in late 2018, I knew, I’ve found my forever components; the kind I could build the rest of my system around. Like @arafiq I’ve had my fair share of gear swapping… Accuphase finally got me off the merry-go-round 🙂

I've no experience with either but it would seem a 50wpc class a would heat up your room and run up your electric bill pretty nicely.

@dpac996 ,Thank you for getting back on the comparison. I am leaning towards the Accuphase.

@arafiq Your discussion with @lalitk and others actually piqued my interest in Accuphase. I am glad that you mentioned the AGDs. I did consider the Duets based on @twoleftears experience. How would you describe the sound of the AGD Audions Vs the Accuphase? Cool/Warm/etc? Yes, I do feel that an Accuphase amp will go very well with the Rhumba I have. 

@lalitk, very good question. With a high school freshman and another in college, I do plan to keep the ProAc at least for 5-8 years. They make me so happy every time I play music - in my system they are that good. But I for sure do not want to sound to be more warm. I did read a review of the Accuphase A-48S and based on it, it sounds like the A-48s might be a bit warm for my taste. You are so right - I read many a reviews and found that while these 2 amps are entry level in Accuphase's line, they are end-game amps - so some serious amps. About subs - I do not think I need them - especially with what the ProAcs do and how I have tamed the bass in my system. Yes, subs will provide even more foundation - but for the moment the money would be well spent on an amp rather than divide the amount between a nice sub and an amp. I have always checked your system from time to time and saw that Accuphase. But your Tannoys are far more efficient than my ProAcs. Hence I am also considering the Coda 8, because of price and the fact that the version 1 has a nice Class A bias. Also I have not read a single review that states that the Coda is warm.

@llg98ljk you are right about Class A and heat. But that would be the last reason for me to not go with the amp.