Accuphase E-800

What is there that's so different about the design of the E800 that made some early purchasers react in such a lukewarm way?
Could Accuphase have thought that this integrated amp was anything less than one of the best they've built?

Very valid comment. I expected much more in terms of performance as compared to the 470 and 600 I previously owned. I think Jay's main issue with the amp was the bloated price. With an MSRP of more than $21,000 US there are so many other and better choices.
 
I heard a few YouTube segments ( 😳 yea I know) with Accuphase A75 and though it sounded wonderful...
Hopefully someone will do a shootout against the Gryphon Essence...
Come to think of it member Alex Aka techincalpie has them both, I’m gonna send him a pm to see if he’ll treat us to that...
 
Very valid comment. I expected much more in terms of performance as compared to the 470 and 600 I previously owned. I think Jay's main issue with the amp was the bloated price. With an MSRP of more than $21,000 US there are so many other and better choices.
E800 is a made in celebration of their 50th anniversary (and as limited edition?). In Norway the list price is just below $18k including VAT. Even if it can drive most speakers well Its also a 50w class A in 8 ohms and really not that powerful compared to other amplifiers you can get for the same price. To me its seems like Accuphase primarily has made this for their fans (as a collector item?) more than anything else.
 
I am sure that if the E-800 is paired with the right speakers, it’ll be awesome.

Every brand and even piece within that brand has its own sound. Matching amps and speakers is critical for enjoying the ultimate sound that a combo produces. I’d love to hear it but have become a Luxman fanboy as of late.
 
I am sure that if the E-800 is paired with the right speakers, it’ll be awesome.

Every brand and even piece within that brand has its own sound. Matching amps and speakers is critical for enjoying the ultimate sound that a combo produces. I’d love to hear it but have become a Luxman fanboy as of late.
Yes, I agree. Here is another review for those interested
ACCUPHASE E-800
 
Hi,
My name is Rick, and I am an Accuphase fan. I've been influenced by a dealer here in the Denver area who sells and promotes it. I've heard some fantastic sounds come from Accuphase rooms at RMAF.
My preferences are a weighty but resolved lower midrange, wide and deep imaging, along with a touch of rolled off sweetness on the top. I love rock and dynamic music, but that is for my car and headphones. Hard bop jazz and classical dominate my ourve at home.
I don't know Jay, but he almost validates my Accuphase purchases. Based on his speaker choices (which contrast to mine), he is a detail and dynamics guy. I will likely be purchasing an E-800 soon.
 
Welcome to the forum Ricky.

I have no doubt that the E-800 with the right speakers will be outstanding.

What speakers do you have or are thinking about getting?
 
Hi,
My name is Rick, and I am an Accuphase fan. I've been influenced by a dealer here in the Denver area who sells and promotes it. I've heard some fantastic sounds come from Accuphase rooms at RMAF.
My preferences are a weighty but resolved lower midrange, wide and deep imaging, along with a touch of rolled off sweetness on the top. I love rock and dynamic music, but that is for my car and headphones. Hard bop jazz and classical dominate my ourve at home.
I don't know Jay, but he almost validates my Accuphase purchases. Based on his speaker choices (which contrast to mine), he is a detail and dynamics guy. I will likely be purchasing an E-800 soon.

Rick,
Welcome to the Shark.

As for that particular model (E-800), Jay didn’t like it a bit.
And that’s putting it mildly...
 
Welcome to the forum Ricky.

I have no doubt that the E-800 with the right speakers will be outstanding.

What speakers do you have or are thinking about getting?
Hi;
I currently have a Tambaqui running through an Accuphase E 550 and Focal Utopia L&R’s ((fairly obscure 85# three way monitors. Great speakers, but getting older, and looking to replace). Short list is Rockport, Kharma, Fyne... but open to others.
Last week heard an E 800 through Rockport Aviors. Sounded spot on. Great imaging, with weighty but resolved midrange.
 
Excellent choices. Please keep us posted. I thoroughly enjoyed the E-650 when I had it. Having the extra power of the E-800 will be great. It’s a beautiful piece too!
 
I'm not familiar with your speakers or the E-800 for that matter, but I did own the Accuphase A-36 for a year or so powering my Avantgarde horn speakers.

At the time I was looking for a solid state amp to replace tube amps that I'd been using for the previous 15 years. I tried many amps at home and certainly the A-36 was amongst the best and definitely the nicest design. For a power amp to have adjustable gain settings, 2 independent speaker outlets and VU meters is rare indeed. I loved the way it worked but I found it a little soft and maybe a little too civilised with the sort of music where you don't want soft and civilised!

I wonder if you'd find the Accuphase sound ideal for the jazz you say you like. I'd suggest you get a demo unit in your home for a week or two - or buy a used unit at a price you could resell it at if it didn't excite quite as much as you hope for. However the E-800 is a most costly amp and may offer an even better sound than the A-36. Good luck in your search.
 
I'm not familiar with your speakers or the E-800 for that matter, but I did own the Accuphase A-36 for a year or so powering my Avantgarde horn speakers.

At the time I was looking for a solid state amp to replace tube amps that I'd been using for the previous 15 years. I tried many amps at home and certainly the A-36 was amongst the best and definitely the nicest design. For a power amp to have adjustable gain settings, 2 independent speaker outlets and VU meters is rare indeed. I loved the way it worked but I found it a little soft and maybe a little too civilised with the sort of music where you don't want soft and civilised!

I wonder if you'd find the Accuphase sound ideal for the jazz you say you like. I'd suggest you get a demo unit in your home for a week or two - or buy a used unit at a price you could resell it at if it didn't excite quite as much as you hope for. However the E-800 is a most costly amp and may offer an even better sound than the A-36. Good luck in your search.

Good points. I currently have an older Accuphase Class A in my system. Moved to it from Ayre and have been pleased with it. Newer models are more dynamic and detailed than the old. I will be looking forward to hearing more electronics. I plan to travel to Sarasota in the next several weeks and look forward to interacting with Mike (he clearly has some reservations about Accuphase...whether it was with the product or with US distribution I am not sure).
My current system has excellent lower midrange for jazz, with density and depth for tenor sax, piano, vocals, etc. Interesting that Accuphase has chosen Fyne F1's for their reference system. Hypodynamic electronics for hyperdynamic speakers?
 
Good points. I currently have an older Accuphase Class A in my system. Moved to it from Ayre and have been pleased with it. Newer models are more dynamic and detailed than the old. I will be looking forward to hearing more electronics. I plan to travel to Sarasota in the next several weeks and look forward to interacting with Mike (he clearly has some reservations about Accuphase...whether it was with the product or with US distribution I am not sure).
My current system has excellent lower midrange for jazz, with density and depth for tenor sax, piano, vocals, etc. Interesting that Accuphase has chosen Fyne F1's for their reference system. Hypodynamic electronics for hyperdynamic speakers?


Now for a schizophrenic turn... Just got a good deal on a Gryphon Essence amplifier, and bit on it. I am going to AB with my current setup, and with an e800. There has been enough interesting commentary here for me to put Accuphase to the acid test...
 
Can’t wait to read your thoughts on the Essence amp. Looks like it will be great.
 
I prefer the cosmetics of that Luxman 595 you have on order...

I loved the Luxman 590. I’m hoping the 595a is a little better all around with its improvements. Sometimes better isn’t always better but I trust Luxman in this case. I can’t wait, hopefully next month it’ll be here.
 
Very valid comment. I expected much more in terms of performance as compared to the 470 and 600 I previously owned. I think Jay's main issue with the amp was the bloated price. With an MSRP of more than $21,000 US there are so many other and better choices.

Did the price of the E-800 increase to $25K US, as indicated on another site? Given it is offered in Canada at $20K Canadian, MSRP, the pricing simply makes no sense.Too bad, but then many industries have those who overprice product with the hope that it develops an allure as a special brand. And it often works.Guess the choice is up to the buyer.
 
Did the price of the E-800 increase to $25K US, as indicated on another site? Given it is offered in Canada at $20K Canadian, MSRP, the pricing simply makes no sense.Too bad, but then many industries have those who overprice product with the hope that it develops an allure as a special brand. And it often works.Guess the choice is up to the buyer.

Considering youve owned one, do you believe Accupahse to have a special allure?
 
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