Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
There is little I can add to so many reviews but since I have been using one of these for at least 4 years or more I thought I'll add my bit.

I've paid about $400 for it and it was money well spent. Great amp, built like a tank and it sounds great. I am sure that to surpass the sound quality of this one I would have to spend two to three times my $400. I believe it was built in 1976 most amps of that time tend to have a noisy phono stage, this one is as quiet as it can be and the sound is top quality. Hasn't got MC input but if you don't need to listen very loud there is suficient power for what I consider a reasonable level with MC. I have recently bought a black cube phono stage (cost me more than double the whole amp) and is better than the one included in this amp but despite that the phono stage of the accuphase has nothing to be ashamed of.

It seems the most common problems are very noisy/crackling volume pots, mine is perfect but I often read about it on the descriptions of the ones for sale.

To wrap it up: a 1970's amp that will squash a lot of new amps (and at a fraction of their cost).
If you find one in good condition is unlikely to disapoint you.

pinchechris

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
just thought I would add to the already impressive 5 star rating with almost 20 reviews (almost unheard of in these forums). I'm waiting to hear from someone who doesn't like this amplifier. This is truly an amazing piece, especially considering it was built 30 years ago. The thing I can't get over is the build quality. All the electronics are wired onto removable pc boards making them extremely easy to work on/repair. The volume knob has such a pleasing weight to it and it feels as though it's gliding when adjusted. I've noticed (as other people have already stated) that opposed to sounding "warm" it's very clear and transparent. The sound it produces is extremely accurate, not over complimentary like my dear and beloved Marantz pieces.

When I originally brought this thing home (found on craigslist for $50.......yes I finally have my own fairy tale barn-find story!) I wasn't sure how much I I liked it. I had it paired with B&W DM602 speakers and it was a bit bright and tinny. When I brought down the NHT superzeros from the office I was much happier. Add a velodyne sub and I was thoroughly blown away. *read the reviews on those superzero's. Absolutely incredible speakers when paired with a quality sub* Those B&W's sound great with the Mcintosh and Marantz vintage amps that tend to be warmer. They have a boosted high that sounds great with some amps, too much with others.

Anyway, I'm ranting so I'll quit. Really fun amp to own, I will never get rid of this piece. For the price these go for on ebay (rarely over $500) they are a steal. It would cost thousands to get this kind of sound and quality in a modern amplifier.

MorePower7701

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $250.00 from auction

Summary:
This is a really great peice of audio equipment. I bought mine for a some what low price, because it needed work. These are very easy to rebuild, the circuit board unplug, so replacing componates are much easier. I replaced about 80% of the electronic componates, and yes parts have gotten better. If you are about to get one of these of a decent price, electronic parts, capacitors, transistors , resistors and so on have gotten much better than what was used 30+ years ago. One of these with a quality rebuild is something great, I have not seen anything $$$ for $$$ that can match the performance.

Strengths:
Crystal clear sound, very full midrange and decent bass.

There is plenty of power to drive most speakers with these.

Phono stage is very good, no improvements needed IMO.

Weaknesses:
Speaker Terminals

Similar Products Used:
Rotel
Pioneer
Marantz
Techics
Luxman
Yamaha
Sansui

All intergrated amps, the Accuphase blow them all out of the water

william_blair

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.17 of 5, 6.00 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I bought this amp after a great deal of consideration in 1974. My previous system had been stolen so I was starting from new.
I first looked at a McIntosh integrated transistor amp which put out 70 watts per channel ( I can't remember the model) and a pair of KEF 104 speakers. I then went to another store where the owner showed me the E-202 which he highly recommended. It was cheaper then the McIntosh and also had a considerably better power output rating. However, I still had not decided on speakers.
While the KEFs were not bad, I was not entirely satisfied with their performance given their relatively high price. So I listened to a number of other speakers and narrowed it down to 2 models: the AR LST and the Dynaco A-50. I found the LSTs to be similar to the Dynacos except for the bass respense which was a little lower. However, LSTs needed more power than the E-202 could produce to really drive them properly.
After further consideration I went with the Accuphase and the Dynacos. The Dynacos are great speakers and are perfectly matched to the E-202s, being rated at 100 watts at 8 ohms. Their only drawback is the mediocre finish and perhaps a lack of prestige associated with the Dynaco name.
It has now been 33 years and I'm still using the same combination. The Accuphase has been bulletproof except for the relay going about 15 years ago. The Dynacos still sound as good as when I bought them but have been banged around a bit resulting in a few scratches - something that would be a little more upsetting with a better finished set of speakers. In any case the E-202 has been entirely satisfactory. It has lots of guts and allows me to play my classical music as loudly as I want without a problem - especially when the neighbours have a loud party next door. Shostakovich never sounded better!

Strengths:
Excellent construction, nearly perfect reliability.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Marantz receiver c. 1972

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Price Paid:  $370.00 from Ebay

Summary:
HAVE BEEN COLLECTING UNITS ON eBAY FOR 5 YRS. HAVE OWNED THE BEST FROM PIONEER , SANSUI , MCINTOSH , LUXMAN AND MARANTZ. I NOW SEARCH NO MORE THE E-202 IS SIMPLY BAR NONE THE BEST AMP I HAVE EVER HEARD PAID 370 US AND WONDER WHY THE GUY EVER SOLD IT. RETRO SILVER NICE METERS AND THE SOUND IS FAN FRIGGEN TASTIC. MATCHED IT UP WITH A T-101 AND I AM IN HEAVEN. YOU CAN SPEND THOUSANDS MORE TO EMPTY YOUR POCKET BOOK AND IMPRESS YOUR FRIENS ---BUT WHY? DRIVING A PAIR OF 300 WATT SANSUI SPL800 SPEAKERS AND AT TIMES A PAIR KLIPSCH LA SCALLA'S YEOW

Strengths:
POWER , FINESE , STYLE AND SOUND. IMPRESSIVE MUSICALITY

Weaknesses:
WITH A BIT OF ADAPTING EVEN THE SPEAKER BARRIERS ARE NO ISSUE

Similar Products Used:
MC INTOSH 4100 - MARANTZ 18 AND 2325 - FISHER 400 TUBE - PIONEER SX 1980 AND 1050 - SANSUI 9090DB AND MANY MORE