Accuphase E-202 Integrated Amplifiers

Accuphase E-202 Integrated Amplifiers 

USER REVIEWS

Showing 21-26 of 26  
[Jul 21, 2001]
Dr. Frankie
Audiophile

Strength:

Everything

Weakness:

None

I never though that a true audiophile product could come from a Japanese company. How wrong I was!

Great Imaging, Impact, Detail. Really brought my stereo system to life.

Reveals new life in recordings (records and CD's) that I have been listening to for years.

If there is a better amplifier extant, I don't know what it would be. This one does it all.

Although their products are quite expensive, Accuphase is "serious."

VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 05, 1999]
Richard Nedbal
an Audio Enthusiast

Although this nice heavy piece was made more than 20 years ago, I have to say, there is no hesitation about it. I compared with Tandberg 3012 which I was realy big fan into, but... Accuphase won.Accuphase makes only high-end equipment and E-202 was definitely nice start with famous series of E-amps.
Produce clear, bright, "sound of accuracy" with enough of everything you want to obtain buying amplifier for that price.
Users-manual says: 135W into 8 and 560W into 2 Ohms, THX < 0.1% but when tested even better - THX less than 0.01 % !

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[Jul 05, 1999]
Phil Maman
an Audio Enthusiast

Picked up because "I ALWAYS WANTED TO OWN ONE." After moaning about a gash in the aluminum, I decided to plug it it, turn it on an listen......I had to crank it up ,but boy what a warm, present and powerful sound..Oh, I ended up fixing the gash..

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[Nov 12, 1999]
Fredrik Davis-Grefberg
Audiophile

Strength:

Very clear sound, extremely low distortion, one of the best integratet amps ever built (maybe the best). Recently i bought a used, but mint, Accuphase T-100 tuner, and hooked it on. Wow! Got that 3D sound feeling when listening to an FM broadcasted Wagner consort. It was an on-line broadcasting from The Berwald Consort studios, in Stockholm. I Inherited the amp from my uncle, an audiophile who went rock bottom in search for the best stuff back in 76-79 (i guess).

Weakness:

Used gear is very expensive, and seldom reach open market

Integrated amps Top of the line

Similar Products Used:

There are no similar products to this amp!

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 23, 1999]
RKT
Audiophile

I bought this piece new in the mid 70's and for ten years was the cornerstone of my system. It was also used for monitoring for many recording gigs and now resides in a second system. The trademark Accuphase clarity and linear performance is evident. Build quality and detail finish is exemplary. The power reserve is sufficient for nearly any application. Sound is clear rather than warm or liquid, but never analytical or irritating. Great with Stax electrostatic headphones. Only complaint: Speaker bus is too small for large speaker cables/spades.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 10, 2001]
John E.
Audiophile

Strength:

Outstanding Quality; Imaging, Sonic Detail, and Features.

Weakness:

Small Speaker Terminals, but absolutely no sonic or quality weaknesses!

Over the last thirty-five years of my stereo adventure, I only heard Accuphase products one time--at a small stereo show in Germany. They sounded great, but, of course, I was listening in the context of an unfamiliar system. I have been buying German Stereo Magazines for years. Although my German is not good enough to really read these magazines, I study the rating tables in the magazines. They rate components as Reference Klasse (THE BEST), Absolute Spitzenklasse (JUST BELOW THE BEST), Oberklasse 1, 2, 3, etc. Over the years, I've noticed that Accuphase Equipment is always rated Reference Klasse (THE ABSOLUTE BEST!)! Evidently, the German Audio Press is not prejudiced against Japanese Equipment, at least not against Accuphase.

So, I have been interested in Accuphase for years. However, with their current integrated amplifier offerings costing from $3,500.00 to $9,000.00 and Separates even more, it was almost (probably the almost is not needed) inconceivable that I would ever buy such equipment.

The idea of buying used Accuphase Gear finally occured to me, and so, about two months ago, I purchased this twenty-three year old Accuphase E-202 Integrated Amplifier for only $275.00 including shipping (Thank You, Yahoo Auctions!). It is in superb condition. Obviously, the previous owner took excellent care of the amplifier; even all the switches and controls are still like new--normally these things are the first to go on lesser equipment.

The Amplifier has the look, feel, weight (45 pounds!), and performance of First Rate Quality. The beautiful, thick, golden Front Panel, the "retro" Power Meters, the tight, accurate Switches and Controls, and the Sound are AWESOME!

I am using the following ancillary equipment:
- Celestion SL600 Loudspeakers with Celestion SL Stands.
- Radio Shack Speaker Cable (I can't make my Straight Wire MR-24 Speaker Cable fit the small terminals on this Amplifier.).
- AR ES-1 Turntable.
- Sumiko van der Hul Talisman B High Output Moving Coil Cartridge.
- Used $26.00 Sony CD Player that I purchased on Yahoo Auctions (I'm looking for a better player!).
- "El Cheapo" Interconnects.

Even with the flaws in my current system, it is ABSOLUTELY THE BEST I HAVE EVER HEARD! THOSE WHO SAY ALL AMPLIFIERS SOUND ALIKE ARE COMPLETELY FULL OF SHXX!

I play it through Celestion SL600 Loudspeakers that I have owned for fourteen years. I always loved these Loudspeakers for their fine sound and Imaging, although I must admit that the image was rather small. Not any more! With the Accuphase E-202, orchestral music has a "grand scale," even through my small loudspeakers.

For the last fourteen years, I used a Mission Cyrus One Minimalist British Amplifier. I never thought I would hear any more detail, but the slightly warm sounding Accuphase, with it's complicated circuitry, is much more detailed. I like to listen to solo classical guitar music. Now, in addition to the delicacy and sweetness of the classical guitar, I hear the abrupt, percussive plucking of the strings on decent recordings, and, of course, all the finger squeaking--the same kinds of sounds that I hear when I play the guitar. It's really almost like I'm right next to the guitarist.

Great Piano Recordings sound absolutely "explosive."

On good vocal recordings, the Intimacy and Imaging are not to be believed!

I have listened to so many of the renowned "BIG BUCK" amplifiers over the years, that I can confidently state that this is one of the best, if not the best, amplifiers of all time. I cannot believe that any of the so-called modern amplifiers can better this one!

About the only negative things one can say about it are that the Speaker Terminals are too small and that the Seventies Styling appears a little dated. BUT, OF COURSE, THE SOUND IS THE THING!

For those not as thrifty (cheap) as I, Accuphase equipment might even be a bargain at the astronomical, new prices.

Now, if only I could find a used, reasonably priced Accuphase CD Player in excellent condition.

Similar Products Used:

I have never used a similarly expensive product in my home, but I have listened to the most expensive systems available.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 21-26 of 26  

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