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Accuphase E408, E407 or E530 ?

Hi, my system consist of Sonus Faber Concerto speaker, Marantz SA15-S1 SACD player & I am using a old vintage Accuphase E206 integrated amp.

I would like to upgrade my E206 to a higher model integrated amplifer. I am thinking about the above models.
Any advise ?

I thought of going from integrated to pre-power but I think an integrated should work as well as a pre-power amp.

I am using Elco HPC-10SP power cord & Crystal Clear Audio Studio Reference RCA interconnect for my SACD player .

I thought of getting the E408 ( S$6250 in Singapore here ) but comparing it to the E407, I can't really see a difference. Is it worth while ?

E530 is a class A 30 Watts amp. As compared to E408, the sound should be much warmer but is 30 Watts too little.

I am intending to upgrade to a floorstanding speaker down the road ( eyeing on the JM Lab Utopia Be model ). No intention to upgrade to electrostatic speaker & will keep to box speaker.

I like all kind of music/song but not into heavy metal rock.

Thanks in advance.
jeremy
jeffjarvis
257 posts
 

I re-read your post and see you are in Singapore.
Talk with Maurice at Atlas Hi Fi.

I'm in Bangkok, if you care to hear my system sometime.
jeremy OP
44 posts
 
Thanks for your advice. I will go down & listen between the E408 & E530 one of these day.

I heard that the E530 sound is not so bassy ( no bass ? )as compared to the E408.

Now I had a second hand offer of E408 at S$5200 from Maurice's recommendation.

Thanks again.
jeremy OP
44 posts
 
The only question is "is it worthwhile spending S$6500 on just an integrated amp ?"

With S$6500, I could easily get a 2nd hand pre-power. The sound should be better ( I presumed ) than an integrated.

What do u think ?
jeremy OP
44 posts
 
At last, I got the E530.

I audit the E408 & E530, the E530 sound is much cleaner & refined. The smooth, warm & extended soundstage is much better than the E408.

I heard the E408 & E530 driving the BMW 802D with ease.

Amp will only arrive at this Friday.
jeremy OP
44 posts
 
At last, it's here the Accuphase E530 integrated amp.

Wow, the packaging is first class. Accuphase really treat this baby well. The amp was covered with a cloth. Surprise that all the RCA connectors are provided with caps which I don't see it in any other equipment.

The remote is metallic. The weight of the machine is 28 Kg.
Really take me a while to setup.

Now is the listening test. As compared to my E206, cannot compared. Its totally a different class. The E530 after 15 minutes of warm-up had everything. The sound is so sweet, soundstage is really opened & lifeful. Its like the singer is singing infront of u. Bass is smooth. Its not rough. Its very pleasing. The detail is fanastic. U can really hear everything clearly as whatever that is record in the disc ( what I mean that the small detail is clearer ).

The machine feel warm. U can feel the warmness above 20 cm on top the cover but its not hot & u can still touch the cover.

Anyway, its really very good. A very great improvement in my sound. In term of detail, dynamic, bass, clarity, focus. Its had everything. The build quality is fanastic. This is what I mean hi-end. This amp can easily beat any of the pre-power outside easily.

Now, maybe I should think about upgrading my cable. Any recommendation ?

Thanks for reading.
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