[English Translation Test Accuphase E-280/ Stereo 11/2021]

Top-notch Geek
Accuphase has grooved their small integrated amplifier. And the E-280 didn’t
just become really great – it’s got what it takes to be a class leader!

What is frowned at among pupils, is regarded as a virtue in the field of hi-fi components:
striving for higher goals. And there’s hardly a brand striving so consistently to push thetechnical and tonal limits e.g. of their integrated amplifiers ever further like Accuphasefrom Yokohama. With every new generation, counted upwards in steps of ten since
the debut of the entry-level model E-250 in 2010, things keep progressing little by little
due to better parts and sophisticated solutions. And STEREO has been watching thistough struggle already for much longer.
Whereas until the recently superseded E-270 the small amps of the Japanese reliedprimarily on a lively temperament which feeds on the effervescent off-the-cuff
dynamics plus that extraordinary subtle feeling for gradations and micro details, which
is characteristic of every Accuphase amp anyway, the new kid appears to be evenmore matured because more relaxed and more spacious. Such an opulently sketched
and also carefully arranged stage as the E-280 manages to depict is normally indeed
only available in the next higher (price) category. Whereby this integrated amplifier thatwas optimized in several criteria, went up in price only by a humble 120 euros to now
5,100 euros. Of course, this is a lot of money, but you also get a lot for it in return!
While the entry-level models in the Accuphase amp world have traditionally been
regarded as a rather cost-effective way to enjoy a fair amount of high-end flair, this has
never been more promising than with the E-280. Of course, this has also something to
do with the superior haptic quality. Accordingly, the input selector switch latches
through its multiple positions in such a confidence-inspiring manner, the volume knob
rotates as if it were moving an exquisite sliding potentiometer instead of the pulse
generator for the sophisticated AAVA level control, and the soft clicking of the relays
underscores the aura of precision which the Accuphase exudes.

1To distinguish the E-280 from its predecessor, one must take a very good look. At firstsight they are as alike as two peas in a pod. But the scales of the accurately calibrated
level meters go down to -60 decibels now – nevermind. What’s more important: inaddition to the volume level and – when using a suitable Accuphase DAC module –the sampling frequency values of PCM signals, the central numeric display now also
shows – in the case of DSD files – their bandwidth in megahertz. In the jungle ofmodern media it always comes in handy if you know what’s being played! TheJapanese are so optimistic that users of digital sources are going to buy an optional
DAC card for the E-280 that they placed the selector switch for its three inputs – fiber
optical, coax, USB – right onto the finely brushed front panel.
Versatile functions
On the other hand, this doesn’t mean that vinyl fans are locked out. For Accuphase’s
smallest amp – ta-taa!– has got two rear ports now instead of one so that one digitalplus one analog module can be assembled simultaneously and when in doubt, you nolonger have to decide which way to go. Switching between MM and MC is also done
via a pushbutton on the front.
We can only highly recommend the extra boards which, especially in view of the brandnew DAC-60 digi board (see box) deliver a very high sound quality and also save spaceand expensive cables to boot. Furthermore, electrically the flexible plug-ins are run on
the amp’s potential which avoids annoying balancing currents like between single
components – an advantage that’s often ignored.
Apart from that, the Accuphase traditionally offers some features people will look for invain elsewhere. Among these are the tape record loop with monitoring function whichenables to check a recording in progress, the defeatable tone and balance controls,
the option of slaving the amp into AV chains while bypassing the internal volumecontrol, the headphone socket which is anything but a matter of fact these days, orelse the sometimes useful phase and mono switches.
Inside the E-280 the list of its special features goes on: here the unique “Accuphase
Analog Varigain Amplifier“, briefly AAVA, provides a finely graded as well as precise,long-term stable volume control, whereby this control with its 16 interlinked andcombinable current switches is part of the amplification and does not have an impact
as a passive element. Thanks to optimized processes, the Japanese claim to have
reduced the noise of this stage by twelve per cent as compared to the very similar oneof the E-270, which in all honesty is equal to a mere good decibel. But the Asians who2

are obsessed with details are just fighting for every gram like the Olympians recently
did in nearby Tokyo.
For this very reason they also increased the damping factor of the power amps with
their discrete channel layout via “Balanced Remote Sensing“ by 25 per cent, as the themanufacturer states. This parameter, which is a measure of how precisely the amp
controls the speaker, and in particular its heavy woofer cone, is supposed to benefit
from a modified feedback. Beside the useful signal tapped near the fat connection
terminals, mass currents help lower the output impedance of the power stage which inturn benefits the damping factor. Of course, the meanwhile typical Accuphase speakerconnection using low-resistance, reliable FET transistors instead of, in the long run,failure-prone relays can be found here, and the newly developed protection circuit,separated electrically from the sensitive audio section by photocouplers, is also said tohave its share in the increased performance.
Playfulness with a serene note
The E-280 had arrived fully equipped at our place, i.e. including the digital and analog
modules DAC-60 and AD-50, and we gave it a good warm-up before first listening in.
At least at the onset this is just as important as the mains phase-correct connection of
the power cable (see scheme). Who doesn’t pay attention here is going to lose someof the finesse, the pleasure and zest with which the Japanese sets to work.
Here it amazed us with its obviously relaxed and effortless leadership skills. While theE-280 had a naturally easy game with readily motivated speakers such as DALI’s
brilliant Epicon 6, Dynaudio’s way more demanding Confidence 30 and 50 were notserved below value either, so they could also display their remarkable talents. Apartfrom the correct tone, the decisive factor was the unpretentious naturalness andserene noblesse with which the nippon amp was leading the speakers in a gallant andunwavering manner. In every moment one had the impression of listening to an
offspring of the amplifier aristocracy which brings the little Accuphase closer to theheels of its big brothers than ever before.
However, this doesn’t mean that His Royal Highness was keeping a low profile. The
E-280 was rather brim-full of enthusiasm, making the vibraphone slaps on “SaturdayNight“ by the Red Norvo Quintet dance with dry clicks between the speakers, putting
the instrument in a sprawling, breathing spectrum that was filled both by theaccompanying band and the audience, staggered deeply into the background, and the3natural room reverberation of the live recording, thereby emphasizing its ambitious
aspirations.
Now after two afternoons which I spent exclusively with the E-280, thoroughly checking
out on its inputs and modules, I am thrilled by the proffered balance that combinesease with substance, transparency with sonority and boisterousness with that kind ofcontemplation which grants the listener access to any level of expression in the music.
Because as inspiringly this Accuphase may play, it will never content itself withsuperficiality.
Homework? Done.
Of course, I was fathoming the performance limits of the Accuphase e.g. with the fierce
impulses of Monty Alexander’s “Moanin’“, and it stayed relaxed until close to overload.
Also great was the conciseness and solidity in Brian Bromberg’s bass playing. Yet on
average the volume level was moderate to pretty low – in my experience anunmistakable indicator of high-class hi-fi that tears up a vividly sparkling, buoyant
auditory cosmos which propagates in a three-dimensional way and doesn’t need headysound levels to “make things go loose“.
After short excursions to other amps I always loved to plug back into the small
Accuphase with the big musical heart, especially since the optional modules required
no “periphery“. Two source devices was all I needed! Aurender’s N10 music server,
linked to the DAC-60 via a top-class digital cable, proved to become an audiophilesong of excellence. Basically this also applies to our MM and MC pickups on the AD50. Therefore this amp geek doesn’t only impress with its zealous eagerness – it has
simply done its homework. And this diligence deserves ungrudging appreciation.
Matthias Böde4