Am I crazy to consider buying a 100v Accuphase off EBay?

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Katoomer

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I’m simplifying my main system. Parting with the Shindo and considering an Accuphase E-650. Local dealer tells me it’s discontinued. Nothing for sale in US versions but a good selection from Japan on Ebay. And the pricing is fantastic in comparison.
Is using a voltage transformer a big negative? I know Accuphase is dead reliable but would I have difficulties getting it serviced somewhere in North America?
Thanks in advance!
 
Accuphase is notorious for offering ZERO support and will refuse to send any parts for any unit not bought in your home country. There are plenty of people who have written about having this happen to them in the audio forums.

So proceed with caution.

My understanding is that Accuphase is actually lower priced in Canada than the US and the US distributor has taken a lot of heat on the forums for their pricing.
 
What voltage do you have in Canada? I thought it was same as US - 110V should be OK, I'd have thought.

But I wouldn't buy from Japan myself. I did buy an Accuphase A36 from a Danish Accuphase dealer who sent it to me in the UK. I'd have pondered longer if it was a private sale.
 
MichaelsMinute said:
Accuphase is notorious for offering ZERO support and will refuse to send any parts for any unit not bought in your home country. There are plenty of people who have written about having this happen to them in the audio forums.

So proceed with caution.

My understanding is that Accuphase is actually lower priced in Canada than the US and the US distributor has taken a lot of heat on the forums for their pricing.
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Your reply is enough to convince me it’s a bad idea. I was just very tempted by the great pricing. In Canada we basically pay the same dollar amount for retail but our dollar is worth almost 30% less. Go figure.
I see a Luxman in you avatar. That’s the only other brand I’m considering. Can I get your thoughts on the Luxman and what speakers you use?
Cheers!
 
Hear Here said:
What voltage do you have in Canada? I thought it was same as US - 110V should be OK, I'd have thought.

But I wouldn't buy from Japan myself. I did buy an Accuphase A36 from a Danish Accuphase dealer who sent it to me in the UK. I'd have pondered longer if it was a private sale.
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Yes, we have 110v just like the US.
Thank You
 
Katoomer said:
Your reply is enough to convince me it’s a bad idea. I was just very tempted by the great pricing. In Canada we basically pay the same dollar amount for retail but our dollar is worth almost 30% less. Go figure.
I see a Luxman in you avatar. That’s the only other brand I’m considering. Can I get your thoughts on the Luxman and what speakers you use?
Cheers!
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I am currently using the La Scala's by Klipsch. I have tried and owned many, many amps and I love the Luxman more than any of the others I've ever owned over the last 30 years. It has both the braun (like many amps) but also has the delicacy that many don't along with a very pleasing sound balance.
 
MichaelsMinute said:
I am currently using the La Scala's by Klipsch. I have tried and owned many, many amps and I love the Luxman more than any of the others I've ever owned over the last 30 years. It has both the braun (like many amps) but also has the delicacy that many don't along with a very pleasing sound balance.
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Nice! I had LaScala II before I switched to my current DeVore 0’96s. Is that the 509X? My local Luxman dealer has a great deal on used but never turned on 509X. 10k cad vs 14k plus tax for a brand new one. He didn’t have it available for listening. Just a 505uXII in a terrible listening room so it was hard to get a good impression.
 
If you are simplifying, you might want to look at the whole picture. I am in the process of simplifying myself and I am considering all options.
That includes active speakers (which eliminates the need for separate amps).
 
Katoomer said:
Nice! I had LaScala II before I switched to my current DeVore 0’96s. Is that the 509X? My local Luxman dealer has a great deal on used but never turned on 509X. 10k cad vs 14k plus tax for a brand new one. He didn’t have it available for listening. Just a 505uXII in a terrible listening room so it was hard to get a good impression.
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Yup - 509X. And the La Scala's (latest AL5 version) sound so smooth and sweet with it. No harshness at all.

I will say the several Luxman amps I've used ALL required at least 300 hours of burn in. the 509x really sounded best after 350 hours.
 
MichaelsMinute said:
Yup - 509X. And the La Scala's (latest AL5 version) sound so smooth and sweet with it. No harshness at all.

I will say the several Luxman amps I've used ALL required at least 300 hours of burn in. the 509x really sounded best after 350 hours.
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Thank You Michael, you’ve been very helpful. Much appreciated!
 
All Accuphase components that I have opened used multivoltage transformers. Changing the AC input voltage was just a question of moving a few cables. Not as easy as having 100/115/230V switch inside, but a piece of cake for any tech.
 
I don't know about Canada, but US AC line voltage has been well above 110 Volts since World War II. In many cities it's drifting towards 125 Volts.
At my house, it's almost always over 120V.
While I also don't know anything about Accuphase equipment, much legacy and boutique equipment gets unhappy with high line AC voltage.
 
Speedskater said:
I don't know about Canada, but US AC line voltage has been well above 110 Volts since World War II. In many cities it's drifting towards 125 Volts.
At my house, it's almost always over 120V.
While I also don't know anything about Accuphase equipment, much legacy and boutique equipment gets unhappy with high line AC voltage.
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My voltage is reading 242 today so only 2 V from nominal 240. We rarely experience anything more than very small changes from default. My Accuphas (bought from 230 V EU) was always very happy on UK 240 V
 
Update:
I just made a deal on a 110v Canadian model E-600 on Canuck Audio Mart for $9000 cad. Less money than I was expecting to spend. Mint unit from a top seller. Pretty excited to hear it in my system with my DeVores. Thank You everyone for all your help.
 
Katoomer said:
Update:
I just made a deal on a 110v Canadian model E-600 on Canuck Audio Mart for $9000 cad. Less money than I was expecting to spend. Mint unit from a top seller. Pretty excited to hear it in my system with my DeVores. Thank You everyone for all your help.
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Great! Let us know how you like it when you receive it.
 
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