Accuphase amplifier choice

@milpai 

Don’t you feel the choice between the P-4600 and 48S has become a bit tougher? 🙂

When it comes to headroom vs. damping factor, they really shape an amp’s character in different ways. A higher damping factor usually means tighter, more controlled bass, while a lower one often brings a bit more warmth and ease. Headroom, meanwhile, is all about that reserve power — the extra juice an amp can deliver above its rated output for those dynamic peaks in the music.

If you’re buying new, see if your dealer will let you try both amps at home. Nothing beats hearing them in your own system; that’s where the real decision gets made.

I have had the opportunity to spend time with Parasound A21, Primaluna Evo400 and Coda # 8, owned them all at the same time.  Dealer let me trial Krell gear.  Going from the A21 to the Coda was a noticeable step up, the Coda just did everything better, A21 is a great Amp but if I had those 2 amps, the Coda would never leave the rack.  Now, if we are talking solid state class A, I haven’t had any amp in my set up that delivers like the Krell.  It has a damping factor that puts an iron grip on controlling the speakers, enough head room for just about any speaker and is Class A but biased in a way where it isn’t a toaster oven.  The blend, mix of control with a warmth, almost tubelike sound is to me magical.  I would guess the coda 16 would be potentially a step up from my Krell 300xd.  If you are stuck on Accuphase which I’m sure is an unbelievable amp, I’d buy the beefiest class A Accuphase you can. The Coda 16 can drive anything and will deliver more than enough Class A.  If you get the chance, check out the Krell XD amps, sounds like it would deliver exactly what you are looking for. 
 

Accuphase is especially renowned for their class A amps, and their current offerings include the A-48s, A-80 and the A-300 monoblocks.  They all double down to 1 ohm and have high damping factors.  I don't think that they suffer from any lack of headroom.

I have owned the A-48 and the A-300, which I can attest are both hugely capable and very musical, but have not heard the A-80.

@milpai 

Have you looked into Soulnote? I almost bought Accuphase before discovering Soulnote. Also had a Coda #8 and a Vitus.

Wig

@wig 

Which Accuphase amp did you listen or compare before purchasing SoulNote. I got their E2 phono equalizer on my audition list :-)