● AAVA volume control ● Power ampliﬁcation stage with power MOS-FETs in triple parallelpush-pull conﬁguration ● Rated output 180 watts into 8 ohms ● Damping factor 600● Instrumentation ampliﬁer principle in power ampliﬁcation stage allows fully balanced signaltransmission ● MCS+ topology and current feedback in power ampliﬁcation stage● Logic-control relays for shortest signal paths ● Strong power supply with massive high-eﬃciency
transformer and large ﬁltering capacitors ● Protection circuitry using MOS-FET switchesAmple Output Power and Drive Capability
Approaching the Functional Excellence and Performance Level of Separate
Type Amplifiers
Preamplifier section features the latest implementation of AAVA volume control for further enhanced
clarity. Instrumentation amplifier principle in power amplification stage allows fully balanced signaltransmission and realizes top-notch S/N ratio. Balanced Remote Sensing enables low impedance ofoutput circuitry, resulting in a damping factor of 600. Power amplification stage uses power MOS-FETs
in triple parallel push-pull configuration, delivering 180 watts into 8 ohms for dynamic music enjoyment.

Innovation ‒ At the leading edge of technology■ AAVA type volume control
AAVA is a revolutionary type of volume control that completely doesaway with any variable resistors in the signal path, using instead a
combination of 16 V-I converter amplifiers with different gain. Because
the music signal is not being attenuated by a rotary resistor, optimum
S/N ratio and low distortion can be maintained over the entire volumerange. The signal degradation and impedance changes of conventional
designs are a thing of the past. In the E-480, the V-I converter
amplifiers for the highest gain stage use four parallel circuits, providing
ample operation leeway and ensuring high reliability and stability.

■ How AAVA works

OutputOutput of 16 V-I converter
amplifiers is combined forvolume control action

0.5

0.4

0.3

Current ratio
0.2

0.1

■ AAVA volume control assembly minimizes noise

AAVA features0

16 types of V-I
converter amplifiers

V-I converter amplifiers enablefinely graded control
1－
1－
1－
1－
1－
1－
1－
1－
1－
1－
1－
1－
1－
1－
1－
1－

● Purely analog principle avoids the inherent noise of digitalcircuitry● Excellent S/N ratio at any volume level position● No change in sound quality over the entire range● Finely graded volume adjustment steps● No volume differences between left and right channel● High channel separation● Left/right balance adjustment and attenuation also realizedwith AAVA

2122

223

324

4

Music signal isconverted into 16 types
of weighted currents

Input

25

526

627

728

829

9210 112 12102 13112 14122 15
13
2 16
14
215

Minimum value for control current:
1/65,536

16Sound quality ‒ Simply aiming for the best
■ Power amplification stage with power MOS-FETs
Triple parallel push-pull output stage with power MOS-FETs
renowned for high sound quality.
■ 20% improved damping factor
Balanced Remote Sensing and MOS-FET switches result in adamping factor of 600, representing a 20% improvement overearlier models.
■ Power supply designed for optimum stability
Large toroidal transformer and massive 40,000 μF filtering capacitors provide rock-stable high-quality power.
■ Impressive output capability of 180 watts into 8 ohms or260 watts into 4 ohms
Two power amplifier units for left and right mounted directly tolarge heat sinks deliver impeccable 180 watts into 8 ohms or260 watts into 4 ohms.
290W

260W

Toroidal power transformer

Output power (W)

200W

180W

Power MOS-FETs

300

250

200

150

10050Max.
output power
Rated
output power8Ω
4Ω
Impedance (Ohms)

Output power characteristics

Filtering capacitors

Power amplifier assemblyAdvanced features■ Logic-control signal switching relays for shortest signalpaths■ Five line level and two balanced inputs■ Line input and output connectors for a recorder■ Individual phase setting for each input■ Stereo signal can be switched to monophonic operation■ Left/right balance control also realized with AAVA

■ Convenient attenuator is useful for example when operating an analog record player■ Loudness compensator enhances low end presenceLine and balanced input/output connectors■ Tone controls using summing active filters

MOS-FET switches

❹

❺

❽

❾❻

Protection circuitry❼■ Power amplification stage employs instrumentation
amplifier principle for fully balanced signal transmission■ Two sets of large speaker terminals also accept spade lugs

■ Preamplifier and power amplifier sections can be used
separately■ Preamplifier outputs also support bi-amping connection■ Choice of line level and balanced connectors for preamplifier output and power amplifier input■ Dedicated headphone amplifier designed for optimum
sound quality■ Two option board installation slots■ DAC input selector button for use when digital input board(DAC-50 or DAC-40) is installed❶❷●❶ Speaker output selector for two pairs of speakers❷ Bass tone control knob●

❸ Treble tone control knob●

● Tone control on/off button❹● Phase selector button for input signal❺● Mono/stereo selector button for combining left/right❻
channel signals● Loudness compensator on/off button for enhancing❼
low end presence
18
16
14
1210
8
6
4
20－2－4－610■ Numeric indication of digital signal sampling frequency(when DAC-50 or DAC-40 is installed)

Response in dB■ High-sensitivity analog peak power meters

Large speaker terminals■ Supplied Remote Commander
RC-230Allows volumeadjustment, input
source switchingetc.

❸● DAC input selector button for use when digital input❽board (DAC-50 or DAC-40) is installed❾● MC/MM selector button for selecting phono cartridge
type when AD-50, AD-30 or AD-20 is installed● Display mode button for power meter on/off andlevel/frequency display switching● Left/right balance control knob
● Preamplifier and power amplifier separator selector● Recorder mode selector for recording or playback withconnected recorder
1612BoostResponse in dB■ Protection circuitry using MOS-FET switches

LOUDNESS COMPENSATOR：ONLow frequency
rangeHigh frequency
range

840－4Cut■ Amplification circuitry features MCS+ topology and current
feedback principle to assure excellent phase characteristics in high range

─8BASS

─121001kFrequency in Hz

10k

100k

Loudness compensator characteristics

─1610Adjustment range
100TREBLE

Adjustment range

1k
10k
Frequency in Hz

Tone control characteristics

100k

Bi-amping for further enhanced sound

Option Boards

In a bi-amped setup, the speaker units for the LOW frequency
range and the HIGH frequency range are driven by separate
amplifiers with equal gain, which enables playback with evenhigher sound quality.

The E-480 has two option board
installation slots on the rear panel.
These are designed for use withthree types of options boards, depending on requirements:
DAC-50, AD-50, and LINE-10.

Left speaker＊ The speakers must havea built-in crossover network and separate inputs
for the LOW and HIGH
range.

Features a high-performancephono equalizer for playback ofanalog records.
● Supports MC and MM cartridges■ The following option boards canalso be used.

＊ The example shows asetup with an additional
power amplifier for thelow frequency range.

⊖ ⊕⊖ ⊕
HIGH

RIGHT

E-480

Right speaker

Analog Disc Input Board AD-50

LOW

LOW

LEFT

Coaxial digital cable
From PRE OUT
LEFT

Optical fiber cable

RIGHT

USB cable

To INPUTPC

DAC-50Power amplifier

Input
impedance

AD-50

DAC-50Digitalcomponent

CD player

Cartridge
Gain

Digital Input Board
Connection
exampleAnalogoutputs● Subsonic filter

Digital Input Board
DAC-10/DAC-20/DAC-30/DAC-40
Analog Disc Input Board
AD-9/AD-10/AD-20/AD-30
DAC-50AD-50Line Input BoardLINE-9
Photo shows an option board installation example.

⊖ ⊕⊖ ⊕HIGH● MC load impedance selector button

MC66 dB
30 ohms
100 ohms
300 ohms

MM40 dB
47kilohms

Line Input Board LINE-10

High-performance DAC with two
AK4490EQ chips from Asahi Kasei
Microdevices driven in parallel.
Input

Signal Sampling frequencies Number of bits
2.8224 MHz
5.6448 MHz
11.2896
MHzDSD
1-bit
USB
11.2896 MHz:ASIO only
PCM 32 to 384 kHz
32-bitOPTICAL PCM 32 to 96 kHz
24-bitCOAXIAL PCM 32 to 192 kHz
24-bitProvides anadditional set ofunbalanced line
level inputs.

LINE-10

Names of Parts
Input selector

Level/frequency
display
Peak power meters

Recorder input/output connectors

Function display
Volume control

Option board
installation slots

Preamplifier output connectors (Line)Power amplifier input connectors (Line)
Left/right speaker output terminals(A/B, 2 sets)

Line input connectors
TUNER / CD / LINE 1, 2, 3

Headphone jack
Attenuator on/off button
Preamplifier output
Button for opening sub panel
connectors (Balanced)
Recorder selector
Preamplifier/power amplifier
separator switch
Balanced input connectors
Balance control
Pin ② (‒), Pin ③ (+)
Loudness compensator on/off button＊ Can be changed with phase
Display mode selector button
selector button on front panel
Mono/stereo selector button

Power switch
Sub panel
Speaker output selector
Bass control
Treble control
Tone control on/off button
DAC input selector button
MC/MM selector button
Phase selector button

AC power supply connector ★
Power amplifier input connectors(Balanced)
Power amplifier balanced input
phase selector switch

Guaranteed Specifications [Guaranteed specifications are measured according to EIA standard RS-490.]
Rated Continuous Average Output Power (both channels operating simultaneously, 20 - 20,000 Hz)
260 watts per channel into 4 ohms
180 watts per channel into 8 ohms
Total Harmonic Distortion (both channels operating simultaneously, 20 - 20,000 Hz)
0.05% 4 to 16 ohm load
Intermodulation Distortion 0.01%
Frequency Response
HIGH LEVEL INPUTAt rated continuous average output: 20 - 20,000Hz +0, –0.5 dB
MAIN INAt rated continuous average output: 20 - 20,000Hz +0, –0.2 dB
At 1 watt output:
3 - 150,000Hz +0, –3.0 dB
Damping Factor
600 (with 8-ohm load, 50 Hz)
Input Sensitivity, Input Impedance

Input sensitivity
Input
For rated output For 1 W output (EIA) impedance
20 kilohms
HIGH LEVEL INPUT 190 mV
14.2 mV
40 kilohms
BALANCED INPUT
190 mV14.2 mV
20 kilohms
MAIN IN LINE
1.51 V113 mV
40 kilohms
MAIN IN BAL
1.51 V113 mV
Input

Tone Controls

Loudness Compensation
Attenuator
S/N Ratio

Input shorted (A weighting) S/N ratio
S/N ratio at rated output(EIA)
109 dB
97 d B
HIGH LEVEL INPUT
102 dB97 dB
BALANCED INPUT
125 dB
101 dB
MAIN IN
Input

Power meters
Output Load Impedance
Stereo Headphones
Power Requirements
Power Consumption

Output Voltage and Impedance
PRE OUTPUT 1.51 V 50 ohms
(at rated continuous average output)

Maximum Dimensions

Gain

Mass

HIGH LEVEL INPUT → PRE OUTPUT: 18 dB
MAIN IN→ OUTPUT:
28 dB

Turnover frequency and adjustment range
BASS:
300 Hz ±10 dB (50 Hz)
TREBLE: 3 kHz ±10 dB (20 kHz)
+6 dB (100 Hz)–20 dB

Logarithmic type peak level display of output in dB or percent＊With meter on/off switching function
4 - 16 ohms
Suitable impedance: 8 ohms or higher
120 V/220 V/230 V AC, 50/60 Hz(Voltage as indicated on rear panel)
93 watts
425 watts
WidthHeight
Depthidlein accordance with IEC 60065
465 mm (18.31”)
181 mm ( 7.13”)428 mm (16.85”)

24.6 kg (54.2 lbs) net
31.0 kg (68.3 lbs) in shipping carton

Remarks★ This product is available in versions for 120/220/230 V AC. Make sure that the voltage shown on the rear panel matches the AC line voltage in your area.
★ The 230 V version has an Eco Mode that switches power off after 120 minutes of inactivity.
★ The shape of the AC inlet and plug of the supplied power cord depends on the voltage rating and destination country.

Supplied accessories● AC power cord
● Remote Commander RC-230●The specifications and appearance of this product are subject to change without notice.
K1805Y PRINTED IN JAPAN 850-2212-00（B1）