Component of the Week: Accuphase P-4200 amplifier

Accuphase says this superb amp incorporates the design technology of their flagship Class-A amp, the mighty A-200. It sits at the bottom of the Accuphase Class A/B lineup. It also is in reach of more audiophiles than the more expensive models, but the sound is incredible, and certainly doesn't sound like it sits at the bottom of the line. Is it destined to become a landmark product? Time will only tell...

LVAC President and Founder Dave says: "I just heard this amazing amp in the Accuphase room at the 2014 CES. To put it mildly, I was bowled over by it! It's got great power and finesse, it is refined and delivers the dynamics in the music. It also sounds very much "live" and colorful. I couldn't believe that this was a Class A/B amp. It sounded much more like Class A. It sits at the bottom of the Accuphase A/B lineup, but it doesn't sound that way. Accuphase has a true winner here, and just wait for the reviews to come in! I can't imagine they will be disappointed in the wonderful product!"

Links: http://accuphase.com/model/p-4200.html

http://accuphase.com/cat/p-4200_e.pdf

Price: $12500 USD

Component of the Week: Accuphase E-600

LVAC member Dave says: "A soon to be reference standard for integrated amps! Need I say more? It's not cheap, but the nothing of this caliber is!"

The integrated amplifiers from Accuphase operating in full class A enjoy an excellent reputation both in Japan and overseas for their outstanding musical qualities. The E-600 represents a model change from the popular E-560. While incorporating the sophisticated technological know-how gained by Accuphase over the years, it features a further refined AAVA volume control and uses the latest circuit topology and strictly selected parts of the utmost quality. The E-600 is destined to become the new reference model for high-class integrated amplifiers.

AAVA is a revolutionary principle designed for high performance and ultimate sound. It integrates the amplification and volume control tasks in a single electronic entity that uses analog processing and eliminates all variable resistors from the signal path. Its performance and sonic purity do not deteriorate over the years, providing excellent reliability. The AAVA version in the E-600 takes the principle to the next level, delivering the same peerless performance in a more compact form factor.

The power amplifier section is built as an advanced instrumentation amplifier, which enables fully balanced signal transmission throughout. Together with the further improved MCS+ circuit topology and the highly acclaimed current feedback principle, this makes for even better electrical characteristics. In the output stage, high-power MOS-FET devices renowned for their great sound and utter reliability are arranged in a triple parallel push-pull configuration per channel.

TECHNOLOGY

Revolutionary AAVA volume control
Output stage with triple parallel push-pull power MOS-FETs
Instrumentation amplifier principle for power amplifier input stage allows fully balanced signal transmission and enhances current feedback and MCS+ topology
Tone control circuits
Logic-control relays for straight and short signal paths
Option board slots provide capability for digital signal input (DAC-40) and analog record playback
Logic-control relays for straight and short signal paths
Robust power supply with large high-efficiency toroidal transformer and high filtering capacity
EXT PRE button allows separation of preamplifier and power amplifier stage
GUARANTEED SPECIFICATIONS (with AD-20 Phono board installed)
Continuous average output power: 120 W/ch (2 ohms), 60 W/ch (4 ohms), 30 W/ch (8 ohms)
Frequency response (1 W output): 2 Hz - 150 kHz +0 -3,0 dB
Damping factor: 500 (EIA 8 ohm, 50 Hz)
Input sensitivity: 0,05 mV (DISC MC), 0,98 mV (DISC MM), 77,7 mV (HIGH LEVEL), 0,617 V (POWER IN)

MAIN FEATURES

Recorder switch
Copy switch
Tone controls
Loudness compensator
Speaker selector
Meter operation/illumination switch
EXT PRE switch
Balanced inputs
Two sets of speaker outputs
Maximum dimensions: 465 (W) x 191 (H) x 426 (D) mm
Mass: 24,0 kg

Component of the Week: Accuphase C-27 phono preamp

This is LVAC member Dave's pick for Component of the Week.

Dave says: "One of the best phono preamps on the market today. It will literally make your records sing. There's lots of loading options and the ability to connect 3 turntables! And that fantastic Accuphase build quality. A true state of the art product!"

Links: http://www.accuphase.com/model/c-27.html

http://www.accuphase.com/model/c-27.html

Price: $12500 USD