We test, fix and upgrade all equipment including McIntosh. However, we sell very few lines including Accuphase and Benchmark Media Systems in electronics. Both of these measure and perform well but they present the client with a very different identity. We look for equipment that sounds ’great’ and doesn’t break, and manufacturers who are well-funded. We also shy away from a line with a new update every week even though that probably looses us plenty of sales.
I would class Accuphase in the category of flexible, sonically and visually impeccable ’luxury’ goods from an extremely successful and well-funded company that have been in the same private hands for decades. However, they have recently brought in a new younger engineering designer who has made some exciting new models so they do not rest on their hands.
We test samples and listen to every line before we sell it. Neither current McIntosh nor current Luxman met our criteria. Current McIntosh equipment is designed to a price and is a bear to repair because of their circuit designs, layouts and fabrication.
Conversely, for example, the current and previous generation of separate Accuphase phono preamp is the closest piece of equipment that measures as a ’straight wire with gain.’ Their sonics are exquisite. The AD-50 Phono cards that plug into the integrated and some preamps are derived from them. The latest DAC card is also very good.
We would definitely recommend the E-x80 series if you are looking for a class a/b integrated that has much flexibility.
BTW, I am still using a T-100 FM tuner that I bought decades ago.
I would class Accuphase in the category of flexible, sonically and visually impeccable ’luxury’ goods from an extremely successful and well-funded company that have been in the same private hands for decades. However, they have recently brought in a new younger engineering designer who has made some exciting new models so they do not rest on their hands.
We test samples and listen to every line before we sell it. Neither current McIntosh nor current Luxman met our criteria. Current McIntosh equipment is designed to a price and is a bear to repair because of their circuit designs, layouts and fabrication.
Conversely, for example, the current and previous generation of separate Accuphase phono preamp is the closest piece of equipment that measures as a ’straight wire with gain.’ Their sonics are exquisite. The AD-50 Phono cards that plug into the integrated and some preamps are derived from them. The latest DAC card is also very good.
We would definitely recommend the E-x80 series if you are looking for a class a/b integrated that has much flexibility.
BTW, I am still using a T-100 FM tuner that I bought decades ago.