Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Accuphase E-407 Integrated Amplifier (SS) by redkar

Model:	E-407
Category:	Integrated Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price:	$7000
Description:	180W/ch @ 8 ohm, 220W/ch @ 6ohm, 260W/ch @ 4 ohm
Manufacturer URL:	Accuphase
Model Picture:	View

Review by redkar ( A ) on September 29, 2005 at 14:08:26
IP Address: 4.231.179.242

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for the E-407

This is a review of the E-307, a 100W/ch integrated that is quite similar in sound with the E-407. It lists at $5500. I've been using it for over a year now. After years of using separates, both tube and solid state, I got tired of all the equipment clutter and decided to downsize my system. Prior to the Accuphase I had a Pass X350/X1. Initially, I didn't think an integrated could sound better than separates, but I was willing to sacrifice a bit of sonic refinement for a less cluttered listening room. When I brought home the E-307 and compared it with my Pass combo I was quite surprised at the results. The Accuphase integrated sounded much more natural and dimensional than the Pass gears. I made the comparison using Quad 988 esl. I actually preferred the bass of the integrated to the 350 watt behemoth. Accuphase gears, in general, are warmer sounding similar to certain tube gears (in between Conrad-Johnson and VAC), but they offer greater extension at both ends. If you like things hyper-detailed you will probably not like their gears. My listening biases leans a little toward the mellow side. The bass of this integrated is quite startling when used with appropriate speakers. I have also used it to drive Meadowlark Ospreys. It is quick, defined, and goes quite low. The soundstage of the Accuphase walked all over the Pass gears. The X350 images well laterally but the soundstage is quite shallow; one cannot hear into the hall. The Accuphase opens up the soundstage in all directions. My only gripe with this integrated is the speaker output terminals on the back. They only accept bananas and they are spaced too close together. One has to be carefully with the connections to avoid a short. There is a built in protection circuitry that works quite nicely when this happens. I know this from first hand experience. After owning quite a number of gears from different manufacturers the Accuphase stuff are one of the most reliable products out there. I've never had any problem with them (I've also had one of their D/A processors for about 6 years now). I'd advise against using the optional phono card because it only offers adjustable impedence to 100 ohms. With the Benz cartridge I used, it took all the life out of it. Perhaps your set-up will be different. It does have sufficient gain to handle most low-output cartridges.

Product Weakness: speaker terminals
Product Strengths: warm and natural sounding. A lot of source inputs. Solid built. Very reliable.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Accuphase E-307 100 watt integrated
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Ensemble Fonovivo phono preamp
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Accuphase dc-61 processor, Genesis Digitial Lense, Sony transport, VPI Aries/JMW 10/Benz Ref 2 Silver
Speakers:	Meadowlark Osprey
Cables/Interconnects:	Cardas Golden Cross
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz, Vocals, classic Rock
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	PS Audio PS600
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	speaker terminals
Product Strengths:	warm and natural sounding. A lot of source inputs. Solid built. Very reliable.