Accuphase Class A or A/B speaker match Dynaudio C1

I have experience with the E-550 (also 30 watts into 8 ohms) and the C1s mk1. The E-550 had absolutely no problem to drive the C1s (see also my previous comments about the E-550 amp). The E-560 has more drive than the E-550, i.e. it sounds louder for a given volume settings.

The E-550 and the C1s made a wonderful combo that bested my current combo ( E-550 & Focal MicroBes) in almost all areas.

Roy, you should not think at future changes before actually having bought the whole system, viz. "the E-550 may? Limit the range/scope of future speakers". Since you plan to buy top of the line integrated and speakers (it is not clear to me whether you already have the C1s) make sure you are happy with both units as a whole but also separately. The E-550 is very powerful (much more than its 30 watts would suggest) and should have no problem to drive almost all monitors. I have seen this amp driving speakers like Wilson Sophia 2 and B&W 802D without a sweet. Though, if you listen to music that has large dynamic variation, e.g. big bands, than probably E-450 is a better choice whatever the speaker.

If you have already listen and liked the Dynaudio & Accuphase combination then choosing between the E-550 and E-450 integrated should not be difficult. The power meters should give you the answer. If you can not audition both amps in your room (for a few days) take your speakers to the dealer. Get the E-550 if it is not clipping when driving the C1s at levels you consider as being loud, otherwise buy the E-450. Sound-wise the two amps are very similar. Although, the E-550 is more musical and fluid than E-450, you can't possibly be happy with it if it can not deliver the SPL you want.

Okocza, price-wise the ASR Emitter II integrated is in the same class with the Accuphase separates, e.g. P7100 power amp & C-2410 pre amp. That is 3-4 times more expensive that the Accuphase integrated considered by Royearnest.

It seems I was mistaken in my previous post. Here in Europe the Emitter 2 retails at around 13 thousands euros. That is a bit less than the retail price of the entry level Accuphase separates, i.e. P-4100 and C-2110, which retail at 13900 euros. When new, the E-550 was 8500 euro. Thus, it may be possible that the 2nd hand prices for the two units (E-550 and Emitter 2) are not that different. Sorry Okocza.

Hi Kalibur,

First, regarding my previous post, I should add that I listen to rather low listen levels, i.e. 70-80 dBs. At these levels my E-550 still had at least 20 dBs of headroom before clipping. Whether or not this will be enough for you it will depends on the type of music you are listening. That is, it will most probably not be enough to reproduce the dynamics of large orchestras and big bands music, but it will be plenty for most other stiles (including rock and metal). Of course, I am assuming that you do not attempt to fill a large rooms with monitors and an integrated amp that delivers 30 watt into 8 ohms.

Secondly, the E-560 is very underrated. As the nominal impedance of the C1s is 4 ohms the E-550/E-560 will provide 60 watts which in reality will probably be something like 80 watts (maybe even 90 watts). When I bought my Accuphase combo, the E-550 literally kneeled a Bryston 4Bsst (300 watts into 8 ohms) and a Musical Fidelity A5 (250 Watts into 8 ohms) when driving the B&W 802D speakers.

I have listen only briefly to the new E-460 driving the B&W 805 diamonds and I did not compare it directly with its pure class A siblings. However, the 400 serie Accuphase integrated amps are very powerful (much more powerful the ones in the 500 serie).

As I have wrote in my first post in this thread (not to you though), in order to decide whether or not you need the more powerful A/B design you really need to listen both amps driving the C1s.

Good luck and let us know your findings!
Paul