Accuphase E-600 review

[the professor]

Man, sure sounds like quite the product.

Wow!

High Fidelity

[MDP]

Just finished reading the review.

Wow is right !!

[joeinid]

It's a beautiful integrated. I am sure it's wonderful.

[Rusty48]

Mmmm, yummy.

[annapolis Raider]

almost pulled the trigger on a 560, these are very nice amps

[Rusty48]

Talking about pulling triggers, my almost new Accuphase E-560 is regenerating into a brand new E-600.
Arrives Tuesday.
Could have brought it home today, but need it delivered as I've managed to fracture an ankle and tear some tendons.
More future bliss expected.
Don't think for a moment that I've found any fault with my E-560.
Nah.
It's been brilliant from day one and continues to be so.
Rusty

[Mike]

Congrats Rusty! I'll be interested to hear what you say about the differences between the 560 and 600.

Take care of the ankle.

[the professor]

Congrats

I read that the 600 is terrific

[MDP]

Congrats on a world class amp, that's built like a tank !!

[socfan12]

Congrats, Rusty! Please post impressions when you can!

[sharkmouth]

So what are the impressions Rusty? Expect a call next week, might pop down for a listen to it with the Summit X's.

[Rusty48]

Hey hey Kev,
It's still early days, about 70hrs so far.
The method has been to play it (usually at normal volumes - haven't stretched its legs yet) for about 10-12hrs daily, then turn off overnight as our house is small, and 24hrs a day isn't possible.
It sounded great straight out of the box, hasn't noticeably deteriorated at any time that I've noticed, but I've not been listening all the time.
Midrange is stronger and a bit _more_ musical, bass has better resolution and retains its musicality, but I feel there is greater depth yet to develop.
Strong mature sound (apologies for the w**ker words), noticeably deeper front to back.
Pretty much parallels comments made by Ivan (from the Netherlands) on AudioAficionado.org
I loved the E-560 and this is noticeably better.
Mate, you're welcome any time.
Reckon I'll be laid up here with this ankle for another 5-9 weeks yet.
Russ

[olleck]

Hey hey Kev,
It's still early days, about 70hrs so far.
The method has been to play it (usually at normal volumes - haven't stretched its legs yet) for about 10-12hrs daily, then turn off overnight as our house is small, and 24hrs a day isn't possible.
It sounded great straight out of the box, hasn't noticeably deteriorated at any time that I've noticed, but I've not been listening all the time.
Midrange is stronger and a bit _more_ musical, bass has better resolution and retains its musicality, but I feel there is greater depth yet to develop.
Strong mature sound (apologies for the w**ker words), noticeably deeper front to back.
Pretty much parallels comments made by Ivan (from the Netherlands) on AudioAficionado.org
I loved the E-560 and this is noticeably better.
Mate, you're welcome any time.
Reckon I'll be laid up here with this ankle for another 5-9 weeks yet.
Russ

Hello Rusty,

how is it going with your ankle?
Rusty, as it looks like that there are not so many others who wants to share impressions about the new Accuphase E-600, how did it develop the last weeks? Being really interested about your expierence and impressions!
I have my E-600 now since 3 weeks and it runs every day at least 4 hours. I actually can confirm your impressions in the beginning but I believe that my amp is now full leveled which means clear voices supported by a great depth. Listened yesterday to Tori Amos Rattlesnake (Strange Little Girls, coversong original from Lloyd Cole) and I never heard this song so warm and the imagination that Tori sings in front of me. I listened to it 4 times in a row because of that "live" feeling.
Anyway, my further impressions with the E-600: I used a Brinkmann "Der Vollverstärker" before the Accuphase, and the Brinkmann was nice and warm, but missing some full-body power and it was also not able to keep voices and instruments separate from each other at higher than very moderate loudness (it was actually unpleasent to my ears). E-600 is able to deliver this and much more, even so much more that I am now working on my room accoustic. I guess I have a kind of "live room" and I already had to move my speakers away from side and back walls (now at 70cm/27inch) but will play now with some absorber solutions to reach an even higher fidelity

The E-600 shows the highest level of clearness and also souring soundscape (hope that is the right impression) I have ever had at my system (Astin Trew 3500+ CD and Canton Reference 1.2DC LS) and I tested several amps (Devialet 240, T+A PA3000HV, Dartzeel CTH-8550, Brinkmann).
I am in the lucky situation to compare my system with Ayon CD, B&W 800 Diamond LS, powered by 2 MCIntosh MC501 and Pre-amp (don't know the brand and type out of mind) at my neighbour and I can not say that one of the systems sounds "better" but they are both at the same level, which makes me quite happy, taking into account the difference in investment.

P.S: I am really interested in more reviews, so please E-600 owners share your listening experience with the audience!

[Rusty48]

Hi Olleck,
Two weeks after removing the cast, I can only walk a step or two without crutches, but it's a little better each day.
Sorry, 'souring soundscape'? I don't understand.
I haven't posted recently about my E600 because although bass resolution was clearly better, the bass didn't seem to go down as low as the E560. More about that soon.
(Yes, I agree with all your comments re the sound quality. These are beautiful amps.
I too had considered the Devialet and Dartzeel, as well as many others).
Re the bass, I suspected my speakers (Martin Logan Summit X) needed relocation and adjustment of their tone controls.
As you can imagine, the broken ankle has totally stopped me.
Last week my recently married son and I managed to find some time to do some measurements and adjustments, but there was only time to quickly adjust the 25Hz and 50Hz controls.
Even so, images did that snap into place thing, and became fuller, with more body.
Stay tuned, I should be mobile and able to fine tune the speakers in a couple of weeks.
Long live physiotherapists!

[olleck]

Hi Rusty,

hope you will be able to manage your loudspeakers (read some reviews about the Summit X, seems to be fantastic ones). My loudspeakers conjure a bass with the E-600.........yesterday I played a "bass test CD" from Stereoplay and my big terasse window vibrates (I forgot to drag down my heavy curtains)! I am working currently with carpet and wall absorbers to reach my personal sound summit.
By the way: The E-600 still improved since I wrote last comment. It is such a great amplifier

P.S: I got the "Sourcing soundscape" from an internet dictionary forum. "do not believe anything you did not fake yourself". I tried to explain that I close my eyes and I can see the band 3D in front of me.

Best
olleck

[Audioseduction]

I suspected my speakers (Martin Logan Summit X) needed relocation and adjustment of their tone controls.
As you can imagine, the broken ankle has totally stopped me.
Last week my recently married son and I managed to find some time to do some measurements and adjustments, but there was only time to quickly adjust the 25Hz and 50Hz controls.
Even so, images did that snap into place thing, and became fuller, with more body.
Stay tuned, I should be mobile and able to fine tune the speakers in a couple of weeks.
Long live physiotherapists!

Position of the Summit X speakers is the most important aspect in setting them up properly! I too have a pair of Summit Xs. When setup properly they are incredibly glorious! Room acoustics is very important also.

[renabot77]

Hello everybody,

I'm owner of an Accuphase E-560 and I'm ver happy with it. I didn't have the opportunity to listen to the E-600, but I saw many posts saying that it's much better than the E-560. What are the main differences? Devialet integrated amplifiers with SAM would be a good option if I decide to change?

[joeinid]

Hi renabot! Welcome to the forum.

What speakers do you have?

[renabot77]

Joe,

Thank you for the reply...I use Wilson Audio Sasha speakers...what do you think?

Best regards,

Renato

[joeinid]

Very nice. We have a few members here who have heard the E-600. I think it will be a great match!

Joe,

Thank you for the reply...I use Wilson Audio Sasha speakers...what do you think?

Best regards,

Renato

[Mike]

Joe,

Thank you for the reply...I use Wilson Audio Sasha speakers...what do you think?

Best regards,

Renato

The e600, like its predecessor, the e560, are wonderful class A integrated amps which despite their conservative 30 watt/channel rating, have no problem driving most speakers to rather high levels, with glorious, rich, musical results.

[renabot77]

Thank you for your reply, Mike. I can say I´m very satisfied with e560´s performance. However, I´m always thinking about how would sound my Sashas if I were using e-600, a Devialet or other hi-end integrated amplifier. I don´t have space for separates in my system. Therefore I'm always looking for the best integrated amplifiers on the market for future upgrades. It will be difficult to consider an upgrade in a near future, but everything is possible if the investment worth...


Best regards,


Renato

[Rusty48]

Hi Renato,
Both the E-560 and E-600 will drive your Sashas.
The quoted Accuphase power ratings are very conservative.
Though they're both rated at 30 watts into 8 ohms, they don't start to clip until almost double that power rating, and they both double their power into 4ohms. ie you'll have approx. 110wpc into 4ohms.
Look in your owner's manual for the graphs, or read Audio magazine (German) for their test ratings.
The Sashas and Summit X have impedance dips that can make them difficult to drive properly - Sashas at the bass, Summits at the treble.

Update: set up the Summit X's last week with my daughter's help, but the final settings, while excellent on my test track, meant bloated bass on a Jennifer Warnes track, and no drum 'thwack' on Take Five. Aargh.
Haven't previously experienced this when setting them up.
This hobby!
Back to the drawing board.

[pingpong]

Hi All,

I am also interested in getting the E600 to pair with my Wilson Audio Sabrina. Any updates or sharing from existing users of the E600?

Thank you.

Cheers