SONIC PRECISION | Accuphase E-280 Amplifier Review

I'm not playing £5K for an amp that is even a tiny bit "lean." In fact, as I've gradually moved up through the price bands, I've been consistently disappointed by how "lean" and "forward" and "analytical" modern integrated amps are. I really don't like them. I've reached the point now where I've had enough of hearing the last word in "detail" and really just want something warm and cozy and relaxing. So, I'm going to start experimenting with downgrading to a less revealing but more musically enjoyable cheaper amp. The search commences!

How about the Buchardt S400 MK2 with this Accuphase? S400 may help with the lean Bass of the E-280.

T'would be nice to see Accuphase and Luxman produce amps in black. Silver, to me, is very 1970's.

Great review by the way.

I used to own an Accuphase E-408 20 years ago, I still miss that amplifier and often do a quick search on eBay for a more current model at a reasonable price.

Great review. Any larger Accuphase amp reviews coming sometime?

It seems to me that most of the sound quality comes from the pre amp.
I noticed this with brands like accuphase and Restek a German brand.
Seperation of highs, midrange and low frequency are easier to hear. However the sound can come across as leaner due to this in comparison to the intergrateds. Its also a hassle having more boxes and cables and more space being used and I believe this is why people like intergrated amplifiers.
Regarding Accuphase I think its strengths could be undermined by its weaknesses, in as much as balancing the frequency of a systems overall presentation.

Just moved from Yamaha A-S1200 to Accuphase e280. Man, what a jump. This is a piece of jewellery. Better tighter bass, fuller sound, sweeter tone, more clarity, significantly better low volume performance, and better build. Yamaha is great and I thought I was done until I got e280. My fav is loudness compensation- makes it sing even at 45db.

Still waiting for that review on Fyne Classic 8 with the e280 :)

hello, does this "fancy":) technical stuff inside, namely volume control, also guarante better l/r channel match, than standard alps? Nice review indeed, thank you.

Perhaps we could eventually come to the agreement that the e380 could fill the role of "Marvelous" Marvin Hagler 😁

I struggle to understand the logic of using plastic knobs. That’s a $10,000 amp in my country. Plastic vs metal would be about $10 at the most.

Love Accuphase but those speaker binding posts. Look cheap. Yamaha could teach them a thing or two about a speaker binding post. The only way I can not hate Accuphase for doing this is to remember they are the same posts that are on their top of the line and most expensive components.

I have an E-260 attacking Diapason Astera and ATC SCM19 and I love it. I also have a Mcintosh 275 mk4 + c48 preamplifier set and the one that is always playing at home is the E-260, also with the ATCs that are more complicated. But I have everything, there is a "prat" factor, bass, dynamics, speed, beautiful timbre....it has a lot of power, you have to listen not just read technical data!

Some say Accuphase sounds boring. Well, they don't add any effects to catch the listener's ears in a ten minute hearing demo at your local dealer. I say, Accuphase simply sounds CORRECT. If you want to hear what is on your records, add some DYNAUDIO speakers and you are done. Thank you, Tarun! Greetings from Germany. 😉

Last year I tested E-280 in my audio system and it sounded amazing - very relaxing and three dimensional. However, Luxman L-505uxII is also very tempting choice. How would you compare these two amps?

Hi everyone,
a little bit late, but I hope someone can answer my question.
All reviews about this amplifier I've seen are pretty much the same in the sense that the comparison is done to more expensive or equally priced devices. But what if I'm planing to upgrading, for example, from an IOTAVX SA3 or an Atoll IN 200 SIG?
Sure, the E-280 is better in all aspects I guess but it is worse the price? Is the difference that big? Its is worse to look for a dealer where I can compare my amps with the E-280?
Thanks.

Simply put I prefer pre power sets ups over integrated because I like a piece of kit to perform a singular function

I love their products but, due to their outrageous price gouging in North America I'll be giving them a pass and a lot of people here are talking about it. Bad business practice.

what was your audio source for this review?

I have an Accuphasse E280 and the volume display is the silliest thing in hifi. You see the minus sign before the volume number? The numerals are reversed. A high number denotes low volume and a low number denotes high volume. I have never got used to it.

Thx Tarun, do you think the accuphase E-280 is better in detail then the Hegel H390?

Excellent review. How would you compare the E-280 sound to the Atoll IN300?

I use a modified Accuphase with large horns and 18 inch woofers. The discussion about the bass is well known, but paired with a really good source other amps often are 'overpunchy; and not so precise, mostly felt by the subsonic bass and texture and control, which easily gets not noticable when the amp is to rich in bass. And I use only a poweramp and no pre-amp at all, just a very nice volume control after an Audionote DAC. I feel that in the basis Accuphase has really nice designs and clever solutions, but they might 'over do' it for achieving 'sweetness' to their sound. Removing some of that stuff and getting it more basic leaves an amp I like more. But if that is what they like, good for them.

Thank you Tarun for this review, which I would say is spot on. I recently replaced a Luxman 550axii with the E280. I found that the Accuphase needed at least 250 hours of break-in time before it started to sound its best. While the Luxman is certainly a fine piece with its own special charms, overall I prefer the E280. A primary reason is that I can listen to many genres of music for hours on end and not feel fatigued. Not so, unfortunately with the Luxman. But of course in my room, with my speakers (Guarneri Homage) and my tender ears. :)

And the e-280 is their entry level amp lol

Great review, thank you. I'm a big fan of Accuphase, love their design, engineering, and build quality. One day I hope to own a full 2-channel setup comprised entirely of Accuphase components. Thanks again.

what about the E-380?

I had watched several other reviews of this product before this one, you are the only one to have mentioned the remote let alone actually shown it, so thank you for that and this excellent review!

i m currently considering one of accuphase's offerings as mcintosh prices are way too overpriced in singapore (accuphase's are also quite overpriced, but at least it seems slightly better). What really attracted to me to consider (is not just the VU meters), but the optional cards (which i really need a phono + dac as well).

its really an amazing piece of gear and i have never seen/heard of anyone online bashing/critic-ing an accuphase amp (that really says something about the brand and their amps)

Due to their pricey nature. i m also considering older ones like E-460, E270 etc as they provide such good value. (E270 only has 1 option card, though)

thanks for the review!

Great review, thanks. So would this match well with speakers that are a bit forward in the mid range. Thanks

I own a c200x, p400, dp57 combination with b&w cdm7 nt's. It's what my budget could pay in accuphase and couldn't be more happy with them. I got that real reference sound that i was looking for. For me personally one of the best audio brands on the market today.

Smooth Class-D by Hypex, and ICEPower, easily outperform this antiquated design at a fraction of the cost, and purify outclass Hypex , (though now Hypex and ICEPower have a new unreleased designed to match Purify.) Class-D is the new class-A.

could not care less about fancy EXPENSIVE aluminum & VU meters,
are you going to gawk at the meters as you are listening to music?? what are you actually measuring with them meters?
The meters show, the amount of snobbery per db?
The only thing to worry about is clipping, just get a kilowatt smooth class-d at a fraction of the cost, and never worry about clipping

Watts all the fuss about 😊

A very novel approach, with optional features available, but not initially required. I also like the Preamplifier bypass to improve system integration with AVR setups. Thank you so much for this great review and intro to this manufacturer and equipment. A little out if my price range, but definitely something to aspire to. Take care and all the very best, Sir.

Hi Tarun, i have a question regarding the following, how will the Accuphase E 280/ E 380 combination with Wharfedale Linton be, or do i need higher¬ level speakers, congratulations on your program.

Great video!! What are the difference characteristic between Accuphase vs Luxman brands?

Fantastic review, Tarun! Accuphase sound is truly exceptional especially their pre power combinations. Floorstanders do far better justice to Accuphase amplifiers in my experience.

Love your review, Tarun. May I know if E280 is good match with ATC SCM 11 speaker , appreciate your thought.

Hi Tarun, Do you think that an Accuphase E-280 can drive a pair of Sonus Faber Sonetto V speakers comfortably? Thanks in advance.

This is audio right, why doesn’t he play the unit?

Sweet lord thats sooo japanese !! Love it i remember my first amp was a Sansui Loved it !

Still looks almost exactly like my Accuphase E211, love it to bits, best amplifier i ever bought. Interesting review, although these subjective conclusions about placement doesn't tell me much. Why not get an Audioprecision device and start measuring the quality, nothing more objective then plain measurement data, quality can be measured. Anyway its interesting to see a channel about more high quality audio, thanks for the review

Hello Tarun, thanks for another insightful, great review.
I follow the most of your videos and reviewing amps you often compare to the Exposure 2510.
Do you cut out that comparison because of the difference in price?
Is it possible to mention some points about the sound that come to your mind about the E280 vs. the 2510?
Thank you very much indeed!

You don't know enough tbh!!!

Thanks

Another enjoyable and interesting review, thanks Tarun! There seems to be a bit of resurgence in popularity and exposure for Accuphase in the UK recently, nice to see. One of the interesting features you mentioned was the ability to add option boards. I wonder if you might have the opportunity to do a mini review of the the latest DAC option board and maybe compare this to your favourite stand alone DAC in the same price range and maybe the range above? Haven't seen anybody do a comparison like this anywhere, yet. Keep up the great content!!

Sounds good just by looking at it. Wonder if it can drive the Revival Audio Atalante 3 4Ω well.

Anybody had experience of using the balanced input and is there a marked improvement over the RCA? Tx

I had a dream last night that I owned an Accuphase amp... then I woke up. 😢

I have the E-480. Can’t see it going anywhere for a long time.