Accuphase amplifier choice

One member here just had this to say about his Accuphase A-80 amplifier: 

"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"

While I don’t have the A-80, I can tell you that the A-48S is also the best amplifier I’ve had.  I had the P4600-S but then traded it in for the A-48S after I demo’d Fyne Vintage 15 spkrs and immediately sensed the rich harmonics and smoothness that this amplifier offered. The P4600 is a great amplifier but the A48-S appeals to me more.  I can also tell you that the A48-S which is extremely non fatiguing and gives me endless hours of musical bliss. I will upgrade to the A-80 - bragging rights if anything - but I’m extremely content with my Accuphase A-48S.  FYI, my A48-S is paired with an Accuphase C2300 preamplifier,  Accuphase DC-37 Processor,  Innuos Pulsar and Klipsch LaScala AL5 speakers. 

@fire_water ,

Thank You for posting your experience. You have one heck of a room and setup. Very warm and inviting. And if I had the 2 speakers that you mention in your post, then the A-48S would be the amp I would have instantly purchased. I am not sure why you would spring for the A-80 - but that is the nature of our hobby. Both of the speakers you mention are very high sensitive speakers. In fact the Klipsch's sensitivity is on a different level.

I have finally made up my mind after interacting with quite a few folks here and elsewhere, along with AI and have come to the conclusion that for the kind of sound I am looking for, I would go with an Accuphase Class AB amp rather than a Class A amp. Hypothetical situation - even if I could afford the A-80, I would have chosen the P-7500. I will be going with the P-4600 amplifier.

Anyone using banana lugs with the Accuphase OR does it only support spade. The technical literature shows only spades and not bananas. Some reviews did mention bananas, but used only spades in the videos.

You can use bananas no problem.  Accuphase spkr terminals are actually designed to avoid accidental shorting but you can use bananas instead of spades or raw wires. 

I don't need the A80, and yes, the P7500 is another dream amplifier, but I'll stick with Class A. 

Oh in case you don't know,  the horizontal strip that intersects the heat sinks on both sides of these amplifiers including the A48-S are actually handles.  Yes handles! The Japanese think of everything. 

@milpai +1 "I would go with an Accuphase Class AB amp rather than a Class A amp"

I see some fellow AP ppl confusion btw Accupahse A and AB class, here is my educated opinion: 

Accuphase class A amps are AB class amplifiers biased to the clipping point for 8+ Ohms load.. Accuphase class A amps are AB class amps if load is below 8 Ohms, e.g 6/4/2 Ohms. Thus there is not much difference between Accuphase AB and A class amps! Accuphase class A amps have a bit lower power supply voltage, which lowers peak dynamic range. Accuphase technical lead engineer when asked what amp he has at home, answered P7300, classic AB class! 

Pass Labs have real class A amps, very hot ones! LOL 

And what's your point? Have you owned Accuphase amplifiers? I did , 3 actually - E800S,  P4600 and A48-S.  I've also demo'd E5000, P7500 and A80 amplifiers. There are distinctive differences between Class A and Class AB. I've demo'd each and every one of these amplifiers with an array of speakers including Fyne Vintage 15, Fyne F1-12S, PS Aspen FR20, Klipsch LaScala AL5 and AL6,  Klipsch Cornwall to name a few. I've also compared Accuphase Class-A with other amplifiers (I used to own a McIntosh) and I can tell you that Accuphase Class-A amplifiers are in a league of their own and the majority of time and with appropriately matched speakers, Accuphase Class-A amplifiers operate as pure Class A. But if you favor distortion because you think you need a big powerful amp to drive your inefficient spkrs rather than an amplifier that delivers exceptional sonic clarity and true fidelity then sure stick to your Class-AB amifier.