Accuphase E480 vs E650

Andik777

Andik777

Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2018
Messages
420
Location
Argentina
Hello everyone, I have a question, I currently have the integrated Accuphase E370 (2 years ago) and I would like to update my amplifier. I like the sound of Accuphase so I want to continue with this brand. But my big question is to go for the E650 or E480 (I have no chance to hear them) I ask the foreros who know these 2 models to give me their opinions please. I usually listen to jazz. Thank you very much.
 
If you can afford it, go with the e650 (or the new e800(?)) to avoid an upgrade in the future. It’s just money after all!


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Hounddog said:
If you can afford it, go with the e650 (or the new e800(?)) to avoid an upgrade in the future. It’s just money after all!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
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Thank you for your comment, I would love to have the E800, but it is more expensive, and at this moment it is almost impossible.
 
I currently have the E-650. Prior to that I had the E-470. They are both very good amps. If 30 wpc is sufficient for your needs, get the E-650. If not, the E-480 is very, very good.
 
Oly said:
I currently have the E-650. Prior to that I had the E-470. They are both very good amps. If 30 wpc is sufficient for your needs, get the E-650. If not, the E-480 is very, very good.
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Thanks Oly.
 
Again, power is not the primary determining factor in selecting one or the other. They sound distinctly different. Anyone who says "if 30 watts are enough then go Class A" either has no experience or is simply giving bad advice. Both Integrated's are engineered and built phenomenally well, but they do not sound the same. As an example for reference, I have owned the Canterbury GR... and powered them with Devialet, Bryston and Sugden (A). I would agree that Class A sounded the best/most natural there... but it was a boring sound for me.

I owned the Proac K6 for a very short period of time so I dont feel comfortable advising which one would work better with Proacs.
 
dznutz said:
Again, power is not the primary determining factor in selecting one or the other. They sound distinctly different. Anyone who says "if 30 watts are enough then go Class A" either has no experience or is simply giving bad advice. Both Integrated's are engineered and built phenomenally well, but they do not sound the same. As an example for reference, I have owned the Canterbury GR... and powered them with Devialet, Bryston and Sugden (A). I would agree that Class A sounded the best/most natural there... but it was a boring sound for me.

I owned the Proac K6 for a very short period of time so I dont feel comfortable advising which one would work better with Proacs.
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Hello dznutz, I am very grateful for your comment, it is not certain, but I think that in 2020 I will change all my equipment, I want a change. Very soon I tell you the news. Thank you once again, to the users for their messages.
 
I might depend of the efficiency of your speakers and how loud you listen etc but the E-650 is in different league (better) than the E-480.
 
GreginNH said:
I might depend of the efficiency of your speakers and how loud you listen etc but the E-650 is in different league (better) than the E-480.
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Disagreed. It is literally impossible to listen to a component on its own, we are always listening to a system as a whole. From what I recall, the E650 has a better pre-amp section, does that necessarily translate to better sound... NO. I had the e650 and the E480 in my home. With Dynaudio Contour 60's the E480 sounded much better. Perhaps, if at that time, I had some more revealing and unforgiving speakers then I would have sided with the 650. All Im saying here is that the sonic presentation of Class A and Class A/B cannot be compared and judged as easily as some people think.
 
dznutz said:
Disagreed. It is literally impossible to listen to a component on its own, we are always listening to a system as a whole. From what I recall, the E650 has a better pre-amp section, does that necessarily translate to better sound... NO. I had the e650 and the E480 in my home. With Dynaudio Contour 60's the E480 sounded much better. Perhaps, if at that time, I had some more revealing and unforgiving speakers then I would have sided with the 650. All Im saying here is that the sonic presentation of Class A and Class A/B cannot be compared and judged as easily as some people think.
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Thank you I understand your point of view perfectly
 
GSOphile said:
If it were me, I would do the speakers before (hopefully auditioning and) deciding on an integrated.
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Thanks GSOphile, you are absolutely right, I have in my mind the Harbeth and Tannoy, these days I will go listen to them
 
Andik777 said:
Hello everyone, I have a question, I currently have the integrated Accuphase E370 (2 years ago) and I would like to update my amplifier. I like the sound of Accuphase so I want to continue with this brand. But my big question is to go for the E650 or E480 (I have no chance to hear them) I ask the foreros who know these 2 models to give me their opinions please. I usually listen to jazz. Thank you very much.
Click to expand...
Im currently considering this myself. The dealer has offered to exhange my e370 with dac50 card for a brand new e650 with dac60 if I add about 4000. I have 99db effecient speakers, so 30 w should be fine. What did you end up doing?
 
Lieberung said:
Im currently considering this myself. The dealer has offered to exhange my e370 with dac50 card for a brand new e650 with dac60 if I add about 4000. I have 99db effecient speakers, so 30 w should be fine. What did you end up doing?
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Hi, sadly I didn't, I sold my Accuphase E370 and bought myself a tube amp. But I am sure that one day I will buy the E650 or E800.
 
Hi, currently I own E260 and E370 driving two separate systems in my space limited home. And plan to replace one of them with class A amp. Since I want to stick to Accuphase, I am considering 2nd hand A36 amp to get coupled to Pre-out of my E260. Or spend more and get E650 or even E800 instead selling one of the two I currently have. My Jamo and Thiel speakers are low impedance (max 4ohm) so I hope to squeeze more sound out of class A push pull configuration Accuphase offers among these three A36, E650, E800. What would you choose if you were in my position with my setup? Cheers.
 
Suavek said:
Hi, currently I own E260 and E370 driving two separate systems in my space limited home. And plan to replace one of them with class A amp. Since I want to stick to Accuphase, I am considering 2nd hand A36 amp to get coupled to Pre-out of my E260. Or spend more and get E650 or even E800 instead selling one of the two I currently have. My Jamo and Thiel speakers are low impedance (max 4ohm) so I hope to squeeze more sound out of class A push pull configuration Accuphase offers among these three A36, E650, E800. What would you choose if you were in my position with my setup? Cheers.
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Why two separate systems? I have the e370 and it works wonderful with my Klipsch Heresy IVs. I consider upgrading to e650 myself and I think that would work nicely since the speakers are so easy to drive. As I understand the pre section of the integrated gets better as you get higher up in the series, so I would try to sell both and get hold of a second hand e650 or e800, or check if a accuphase dealer is willing to take your amps in exchange. The e650 and e800 is considered class A and probably gets warmer than the amps you have today.
 
Lieberung said:
Why two separate systems? I have the e370 and it works wonderful with my Klipsch Heresy IVs. I consider upgrading to e650 myself and I think that would work nicely since the speakers are so easy to drive. As I understand the pre section of the integrated gets better as you get higher up in the series, so I would try to sell both and get hold of a second hand e650 or e800, or check if a accuphase dealer is willing to take your amps in exchange. The e650 and e800 is considered class A and probably gets warmer than the amps you have today.
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Well maybe because I want to have two systems, or even three or four. If that's an obstacles for you then your problem. Cheers.
 
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