Accuphase Experiences

Yes the ABH2 is very nice amp. Very neutral and detailed. Great amp for evaluating all components in the system. But it just lacks that last bit of midrange body and  while it basically delivers whatever is connected before it with no coloration I find it just slightly missing something. I can’t really put my finger on it. Don’t get me wrong it really sounds very nice, clean , quiet and smooth. But when you compare it to an amp like the Accuphase it becomes apparent what I find missing. I also recently heard the Hegel H30A also with my DAC, Streamer and Speakers and that amp was amazingly good. Beautifully smooth, warm and with a soundstage that while not as wide as the Accuphase had tremendous depth. It clearly surpassed the Benchmark. However it $18k and over 100lbs. Beyond my budget and weight class. So I guess my point is that while the ABH2 is an amp with great performance characteristics and a very nice neutral sound especially for the money there are other amps that offer clearly better sound and of course for a lot more money. 

Congrats on your purchase and please post your impressions after living with the gear after a month or so.

@steve59 

Did not get my Accuphase P4600 until June 3 as it missed the April shipment. Although It sounded really nice out of the box it took a couple months to settle in and open up. I’d guess 300 hours. Now it’s just wonderful. Open, clear with a very deep and wide soundstage. Imagining in particular is excellent. Each instrument is clearly defined in space and voices are lifelike. Speakers disappear and the image is set back just behind the speaker plane. I do not notice any frequency anomalies. Everything is smooth and even. Bass is very good. Something I thought might be an issue. Don’t even use my sub. As a Classical music listener strings are silken and brass is never sharp or piercing. I’d describe it as just slightly on the warm side of neutral. I can and have listened for hours sometimes up to 8 without any fatigue. I also listen to Jazz and Pop with the same result. Now it does let me know when a recording is not good but never in a way that makes them unlistenable. 
 

I seem to have more than enough power (150W per channel@8Ohms) as the meters never register more than 1 watt. I typically listen at around 65-70db. 

It’s beautifully made, a pleasure to look at and listen to. A noticeable upgrade over my Benchmark. So I’m very satisfied with this amp. 

Thanks for checking back in. Accuphase build quality, fit and finish draws my attention even when I'm satisfied with what I already have.

The Accuphase A-300 monoblocks were named Amplification Component of the Year for 2024 by Stereophile - and short-listed for Component of the Year.  

That is no small feat for a small Japanese company that meticulously hand builds in small batches and makes only 5,000 - 6,000 or so components a year.

Bravo!