Accuphase E-560 Review

Accuphase E-560 Review
By Mike Bovaird – Audioshark.org

Over the last little while, I’ve had the pleasure of using the Accuphase E-560 integrated amplifier. My friend, and Accuphase dealer, David Baskin of Design Audio Video was very eager for me to hear this little gem on my Raidho D3’s. I had always heard about Accuphase and admired their looks, but I had never had one in my system.

The E-560 is Class A integrated amplifier from Japan and rated at a conservative 30 watts per channel into 8 ohms, 60 into 4 and 120 into 2 and 150 watts into 1 ohm. Accuphase amplifiers are notorious for being able to handle tough 1 ohm loads. The arrival of this amplifier is perfect timing for my new speakers arriving Wednesday which can present a little bit of a tricky load (details to follow).

The 560 contains some interesting technologies from Accuphase, including the AAVA (Accuphase Analog Vari-gain Amplifier Volume Control), a technology developed by Accuphase to eliminate all variable resistors from the signal path. Uniquely, the AAVA converts the music signal from a voltage into a current, then switches the gain by means of current switches and then reconverts the current back into a voltage. The entire process is carried out in the analog domain.

By offering an optional DAC card and Phono card, Accuphase clearly understands the meaning of integrated. The new DAC-40 and AD-30 cards from Accuphase also represent improvements over their predecessors. The DAC-40 card accepts 24/192 signal (but no DSD) and the AD-30 card can handle both MC and MM phono cartridges with respectable gains for each.

After unpacking the Accuphase E-560, the first thing you notice is the sheer weight of this integrated. Weighing just shy of 53 pounds, this integrated is not your typical Japanese receiver. This is an integrated at the top of its sector in the high end audio world. One look through the gorgeous finished top of the 560 shows the mass and size of the transformers.

The next thing you notice is the impeccable build quality. It’s perfect. There are no flaws anywhere. No tiny paint bubbles. No screws slightly off center. Not button, knob, input, anything out of perfect alignment precision. Perfect. From a user ability standpoint, the input selector, volume knob and buttons all produce a wonderful tactile feel. Pressing the button on the front to open the sub panel door results in a quiet, soft, slow opening. Something that I admit, I tried several times.

Unlike other integrated amps I’ve owned or tried, the rear panel of the E-560 is easily accessible, well laid out and most importantly, contains speaker wire terminals which are of the highest quality, accepting both spade and banana. The quality of these terminals is usually something you only see on the finest monoblocks. Connecting my TaraLabs Omega Gold cables (never an easy task) was made much easier with these high quality terminals.

I powered up the 560, left the room and went about my business. I returned an hour later for some serious listening. What immediately struck me about the 560 was how wide and deep it cast the soundstage. Some integrated amps can compress the soundstage as they are, after all, trade offs in some form or fashion. Not so with the 560.

The 560 produces a very musicality pleasing, slightly sweet and airy sound. Unlike other Class A topology amps I have owned or demoed, this does not sound at all like Class A. It sounds more like a really good Class AB amp with some of the tube nuances we know and love. There is a slight bloom in the midrange coupled with sweet highs and wonderful spacing around the vocals. The 560 also does not suffer from any PRAT issues typically associated with Class A amps. I found it had excellent PRAT, keeping pace with some of the best Class AB amps around.

I began my listening with the Diana Krall, Live in Paris CD (ripped to FLAC and played via my Meitner MA-1 with JRiver). I found the 560 very balanced from top to bottom, with a nice midrange presentation. On the track, “‘Deed I Do”, the 560 handled the bass lines well, but not as well as some Class AB amps I have previously demoed. None the less, I didn’t feel like I was missing anything.

I then switched over to James Taylor’s One Man Band CD (ripped to FLAC and played via my Meitner MA-1 with JRiver). The reproduction of the hall ambience and James’ guitar playing and smooth voice was where the Accuphase shone through. The reproduction of acoustic guitar was as good as I’ve heard it.

As I moved to Mark Knopfler’s Privateering CD (ripped to FLAC and played via the Meitner MA-1 with JRiver), I found myself not wanting to turn it off or take a break. Quite the opposite. I found myself wanting to listen longer and louder! When you find yourself turning it down, something is usually sticking out. Nothing was sticking out. The Accuphase was fully warmed up and sounding oh so musical. Once again, listening to the title track, the acoustic guitar and Mark’s humming at the beginning was smooth and melodical. The light high hat and delicate symbols on “Miss You Blues” was both accurate and smooth blending perfectly.

There is no doubt that the E-560 produces a wonderful holographic and three dimensional soundstage. It is never heavy handed or too weighty feeling like other Class A amps. It is light, fast and transparent sounding.

I have heard for years that Accuphase Integrated amps are some of the best in that category. I am glad David convinced me to give this one a listen. I’m not sure he will be getting it back. If it wasn’t for the soon to be released Accuphase E-600 (replacing the E-560) – he wouldn’t be!

If you are looking to simplify your system or just looking for a step up, I cannot recommend this integrated highly enough. If your speakers require a little more juice, the Class AB sibling (Accuphase e-460) is worth auditioning.

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What a beautiful piece and great write-up. Thanks Mike!

Nice review

Thanks for sharing.

Did you have the chance to listen to the internal DAC or Phono options?

Accuphase makes some great looking gear and as you note they can drive some pretty stressful loads. Thanks for the review.

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Originally Posted by still-one

Accuphase makes some great looking gear and as you note they can drive some pretty stressful loads. Thanks for the review.

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Thanks Jim.

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Originally Posted by joeinid

What a beautiful piece and great write-up. Thanks Mike!

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Thanks Joe. You've pined after Accuphase as long as I've known you. Now I know why!

Nice writeup and she's a beauty. Never owned an Accuphase but it sure looks a lot prettier than my old Luxman 590AX.

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Originally Posted by the professor

Did you have the chance to listen to the internal DAC or Phono options?

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This particular unit does not have either of the optional boards. That being said, they are easily added. Their are two expansion slots on the back.

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Originally Posted by johnthomas

Nice writeup and she's a beauty. Never owned an Accuphase but it sure looks a lot prettier than my old Luxman 590AX.

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Thanks john. The build quality must be seen in person to be truly appreciated. Late at night, with the lights dimmed, the amp is magnificent to look at. Ok, I admit it, I love meters.

Mike, What a wonderful write up thank you, I was talking to David last week and he mention Accupahse I will have to check it our when I visited him.

Great write-up, Mike, thanks for sharing! I love how you hit all the important hot buttons for me: soundstage, tonality, and PRAT. Always worried about class A not having the same same dynamics as Class AB. Great to hear Accuphase got it right.

Thanks again, Mike!

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Originally Posted by MacFly

Mike, What a wonderful write up thank you, I was talking to David last week and he mention Accupahse I will have to check it our when I visited him.

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Thank you. Definitely. David has an amazing Accuphase system. It must be heard. Wow.

Hi Mike,

Thanks very much for the review. I am considering this amplifier for my holiday home audio system.

How did the amplifier get on driving the Raidho D-3's? What kind of listening levels (in dB SPL terms) could the amp drive the speakers before losing control? You've noted that the amp did not offer the best choice you've heard in terms of bass control - hardly surprising for the power output - but could you give some examples of what you noticed?

Thanks

With the volume control on "6" (out of 10), I'm getting peaks of 97db at 1 meter. It's clean and clear. I didn't push the speakers beyond that.

Bass is not overdone or overemphasized like you get with some big amps. It is a really good pairing with the D3's. Bass is typical Class A, not as quick and as controlled as Class AB or D - but much better than Tube amps I've owned and some other class A amps. I am reviewing the Devialet 170 right now as well. The Devialet can sort through complex standup bass notes with ease (Diana Krall 'Deed I Do opening for example).

But comparing the two, the Devialets advantages stop at bass quickness. The Accuphase is much more musical and so enjoyable to listen to. It's like a warm hug. Three dimensional. Holographic. Liquid and flowing. The Accuphase makes me want to listen longer and louder!

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Originally Posted by Mike

With the volume control on "6", I'm getting peaks of 97db at 1 meter. It's clean and clear. I didn't push the speakers beyond that.

Bass is not overdone or overemphasized like you get with some big amps. It is a really good pairing with the D3's. Bass is typical Class A, not as quick and as controlled as Class AB or D - but much better than Tube amps I've owned and some other class A amps. I am reviewing the Devialet 170 right now as well. The Devialet can sort through complex standup bass notes with ease (Diana Krall 'Deed I Do opening for example).

But comparing the two, the Devialets advantages stop at bass quickness. The Accuphase is much more musical and so enjoyable to listen to. It's like a warm hug. Three dimensional. Holographic. Liquid and flowing. The Accuphase makes me want to listen longer and louder!

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Wow, that was a great reply thanks Mike. I can see the Accuphase joining my inventory shortly!

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Originally Posted by kiwi_1282001

Wow, that was a great reply thanks Mike. I can see the Accuphase joining my inventory shortly!

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Thanks Ralph! Mine too. I'm eyeing the E600.

Mike,

A follow up question. Do you hold an opinion on the Accuphase E-560 vs. The VAC Sigma 160i driving Raidho?

Thanks
Ralph

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Originally Posted by kiwi_1282001

Mike,

A follow up question. Do you hold an opinion on the Accuphase E-560 vs. The VAC Sigma 160i driving Raidho?

Thanks
Ralph

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Oooh....tough question. I want to hear the VAC i160 on my system before I comment.

Here is a thought .... The Accuphase has a Pre-Out. If you feel you need more power, want to try tubes, whatever - you still have that option. That's what I'm thinking! E600 + VAC Phi200 or E600 + Goldmund T-280 IF I need more power or want a different sonic signature.

Flexibility is a wonderful thing. Especially for us tinkerers!

I believe the E-600 has RCA and Balanced per out and power in.

Great write up Mike !! David Baskin of Design Audio Video has the most extensive Accuphase system I've ever seen !! I'd be willing to bet nobody else in the USA has a better one. Accuphase has to be the most beautiful looking, and sounding, gear that I've ever seen and heard. You really can't see the quality in pictures, you need to see and touch this stuff to believe it.
Nest up for me in home demos will be the Accuphase P-7100 stereo amp, rated at 1000wpc @ 1ohm. David will be getting this sweet amp soon, I can't wait until I get to take it home for a demo on my Salon 2's !!!

:exciting:

very nice review. thanks much.

new to audioshark forum. :)

Welcome Jazzlover!

Thank you for joining.

Mike......a little late to the party but what a great review!!

Thank you!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by MDP

Great write up Mike !! David Baskin of Design Audio Video has the most extensive Accuphase system I've ever seen !! I'd be willing to bet nobody else in the USA has a better one. Accuphase has to be the most beautiful looking, and sounding, gear that I've ever seen and heard. You really can't see the quality in pictures, you need to see and touch this stuff to believe it.
Nest up for me in home demos will be the Accuphase P-7100 stereo amp, rated at 1000wpc @ 1ohm. David will be getting this sweet amp soon, I can't wait until I get to take it home for a demo on my Salon 2's !!!

:exciting:

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Mark did you demo the P-7100?

Hi, what is the difference in sound against 460?
Also, how hot 560 gets?

Regards

Hi, how hot does it gets?

What is the sound difference against 460?cheers

Welcome to the forum, thank you for joining

Thank you, sorry for double post, I haven,t seen it posted. Hope I find my answers. Thanks

No worries, I’m sure you will get some responses.