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Accuphase amplifier choice

Hello All,

I have decided to upgrade my Parasound A21 amplifier looking for a more refined sound. The following are the amplifiers that I have in my mind:

Accuphase A-48s
Accuphase P-4600
Coda No. 8 (meterless)
Coda 16.0 (meterless)

Currently I am leaning largely to Accuphase. My dealer says that the Class A 48s will sound better with my ProAc D48R. But I am worried that I will lose dynamics since the Accuphase is only 50W into 8 Ohms. But it doubles all the way into 1 ohm.

The P-4600 is a higher wattage amp and I think it should be able to drive the D48R with ease because it doubles down to 2 ohm load. So I am not concerned with it's ability to drive the ProAcs.

I do have some feedback on the P-4600 from another thread here and appreciate it. But now looking for some comparisons.

Has anyone compared/experienced the Accuphase Vs Coda amplifiers? Any feedback is appreciated.

milpai
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
6,174 posts
 

@milpai 

Just noticed A48S in your rack..I would suggest a clearance of at least 4 inches. If you are unable to adjust the shelf height, look into AC Infinity fans. I am using a pair of these for my Accuphase, they are very quiet and works well. 

https://a.co/d/3A23iUY

dpac996's avatar
dpac996
760 posts
 

@milpai congrats on a very fine choice! 

milpai's avatar
milpai OP
2,664 posts
 

@lalitk Thanks for the valid concern.

I updated the setup last night and have posted a new picture on the profile. 

@dpac996 ,

Thank You!

milpai's avatar
milpai OP
2,664 posts
 

@jfrmusic 

You had posed this question sometimes back or on another forum - that is the gain that Accuphase owners use in their system. Per my preliminary experience, I find that setting the gain to -12db on the amplifiers provides me a well balanced sound. This is based on the face that I can now set my DAC as a LINE source instead of using it as a VARIABLE volume control. This way I get the desired levels with the volume on the preamp between 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock position. I reach between 1 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions for SACDs or HDCDs. I believe the DR on these must be high? But on CDs and Spotify, I am good by 11:30 position.

What did you end up with?

mclinnguy's avatar
mclinnguy
1,077 posts
 

Eventually I found that a Accuphase Class A integrated with just 30Watts, could drive a ProAc K10. And then I came upon the A-48S driving a big Magico. That cemented my decision that all these guys cannot be wrong.

So, yes we do own quite some pieces of gear that are similar. But I see that you already have 2 Coda Class A amplifiers. 

Yes, but I am currently more excited with my 2a3 amp. It brings a smile to my face when my walls are shaking from 2 watts, like a squad of F-16’s just flew over my roof. There are watts, and then there are watts. After knowing what my 4wpc amp can do 30 watts sounds huge!

 

As far as the "variable" out on the DAC is concerned, I would like to stay between 11 o’clock and 1 o’clock position on the volume control on the Rhumba. I have yet to play with the Accuphase gains, before I settle down permanently.

Andy has assured me the position of the volume of the Backert pre amps has zero affect on the quality of the signal, in his experience. I have not experimented myself, but would be easy to confirm. Is this something you have observed, or just going off of historical potentiometer-bearing pre amp religion? 

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