English Translation Test Accuphase DP-450 / Stereo 10/2023

Highlights on all Sides
With tenacity, consistency and know-how, Accuphase has improved many
aspects of its entry-level CD player. This makes listening trips with the DP-450
a real pleasure - whether by disc or file.

In the meanwhile rather sparsely populated field of high-quality thoroughbred discplayers, you're lucky if there are any offers at all in the desired price range. Therefore
one could easily do without the thrill of the new. Especially when it's a technicallyseemingly exhausted, virtually timeless player like the DP-430 from Accuphase, which
STEREO also gave an impeccable test verdict in issue 11/17.
And yet the Japanese high-end manufacturer - known for its tenacious persistence in
exploiting improvement potentials - replaced its entry-level player by standard rotationsome time ago. For in the meantime, the busy development engineers had alreadycome up with plenty of things which they could address for further optimization.
Optimized in many ways
And, of course, the revision did not stop at the tiny cosmetic changes such as a play
button which is now a little bit larger in size, or the nameplate which is now printed in
the center instead of the right side of the finely brushed front panel. First of all, there is
the drive block, which has been redesigned in many places, significantly increased in
depth and elaborately dampened both internally and on the outside (see box). With
this measure, Accuphase claims to have once again considerably improved the discscanning precision where, as compared to the proven predecessor, material
modifications also play a part, as the manufacturer states.
In general, the chassis of the DP-450 is said to be more rigid by comparison andtherefore less sensitive to resonances and vibrations. The reason for this is that it
consists of fewer components and is therefore more solid.
A glance at the mainboard, which is still subdivided into functional groups, instantlyreveals the new features: although the breakdown into D/A conversion with output
stage, signal processing and management of the three digital inputs including a USB
interface for PC/Mac (from left to right) is still the same - the transformer supplies theanalog and digital circuits from separate windings -, the actual components havechanged.
For instance, the Japanese switched from the AK4490EQ DAC chip made by Asahi
Kasai Micro Electronics, which is been installed in the DP-430, to the eight-channel“32-bit Hyper Stream II DAC ES9026PRO” from ESS Technology. The latter offers an
integrated solution for the “MDS+” converter topology (which Accuphase has always1preferred) with four parallel, phase-correct and 180-degree inverted signal paths perchannel which, owing to their summation, minimize non-linearities in the form ofdistortions and noise. What works with fully balanced circuits in the analog world, alsoworks in the digital domain.
And thanks to the low-pass “direct balanced filters” applied to both the RCA and XLR
outputs, interference between them and unwanted interactions with the connected preor integrated amplifiers are supposed to be eliminated. In summary, the Japanesepromise a 20 percent reduction of interferences and a 40 percent increase in dynamics
which, however, in practical use remains of purely academic significance, as
Accuphase players, like other devices from Yokohama, are not only far beyond goodand evil in terms of metrology, but always show dream specs in the laboratory.
DSD only via USB
There have been no changes to the digital inputs. In addition to the CD drive, DP-450
owners have three of them at their disposal, allowing the player to be used as anupgrade for simpler bit suppliers or as a high-quality DAC for a streaming bridge. If thisis connected via the coaxial input, the transmitted sampling rate can reach up to 192
kilohertz which should cover all types of high-bit streams.
Via the fiber optic connection, 96 kHz are still possible, whereby the digital word size
can be 32 bits in both cases. Of course, the whole gamut is also available via USB.
And on top of that, DSD compatibility up to a maximum of quadruple DSD with abandwidth of 11.2 megahertz. That should more than do the trick. The respective
parameters can be conveniently shown on the informative, multi-switchable display on
the remote control. But those who want to route out the CD data stream will find a
coaxial and also a fiber optic digital output.
A special feature of the Accuphase players is their level control which can also becontrolled via the IR remote within a wide range of 60 decibels. It works digitally, but
has no negative impact on the original resolution of the CD signal. It allows toconveniently match the level to other source devices or basically control the volume if
the connected amp has no remote control.
In purely technical terms, the DP-450, which is programmable as to the track sequence,
can even drive power amplifiers or active speakers directly that way, which also seems
to be appropriate due to the rather low 80 ohms of internal resistance of its stable
output stage. In practice, this leads to very acceptable results, but the Nippon player
was actually not designed for this. Those who want to get the very last grain of soundquality out of it, should better run it on a level matched preamp or integrated amplifier,such as the Accuphase E-4000 reviewed in STEREO 7/23.
Precisely the latter was emplosed at the beginning of our listening excursions with theDP-450, whereby it didn't matter if it was wired up through its RCA or the balanced
XLR connectors with identical cables. Soon it became apparent - no surprise? - thatboth follow the same audiophile premises. Immediately the delicately articulated,naturally three-dimensional as well as lean and homogeneous sound image emerged
which the brand is famous for and which it has been shaping and cultivating step bystep over the device generations as part of their technical advancements andcapabilities.
With “LST” by the John Abercrombie Quartet the Japanese delivered a taste of its art.
This piece is also a gossamer fabric in which the musicians lay themselves together
like subtly woven threads and unite to form a fascinatingly dense, yet floatingly light2and always transparent fabric. At the same time, the performance has a foundationthat prevents the listener from slipping away.
The recording comes from the Munich jazz label ECM which has released many
albums in recent years with such a naturally nimble, universally well-nuanced andgently breathing sound that you'd be ready to bet these are high-bit files. Yet CDs areplaying, which always reminds me how much potential there is hidden in our good oldsilver disk. And the DP-450 is exactly the right partner to discover and explore it.
More an esthete than a rocker
Particularly so in Jane Duboc's wonderfully vibrant, sublimely colored “Lady Jane” fromthe CD sampler “Best Audiophile Voices Vol. IV” that is abound with magnificent soundpearls. Breathing calmly from the depths of the room, the orchestra caresses theclearly contoured voice, cloaking it in a cloud, while the seamlessly played bass
provides weight and subtle thrust. A coherent sound image made of velvet and silk,which the Accuphase understands and presents in exactly the same way.
Of course, you can also treat yourself to heavy metal with the DP-450. But even then,it looks for nuances and a hidden audiophile message in places where things are
simply meant to be rough. In the style of its origins, it always encourages a “fine wayof listening”, being more of a fan of attentiveness than a rocker and probably feels
more at home with a cultivated concert audience than with the mud-slingers fromWacken.
With the indeed “polished” high-bit files of our STEREO productions the Accuphaseshowed off its full grandezza. Monty Alexander's “Almost Like Being In Love” from theListening Test Edition III, shimmering with details and rhythmically complex, came asrelaxed, sure-footed and right to the point as Chesky Records had recorded it at 24
bit/192 kHz. Cristoph Bouet's groovy “Suzanne” from the first Phono Festival, takenfrom vinyl in the same format, had intensity and crept under your skin.
Are you convinced by the brilliant Accuphase DP-450? That's right! Then you just haveto get hold of a unit. In the aftermath of the pandemic, component shortages and ahigh international demand, there are unfortunately still supply bottlenecks. Good things
often take time here. But it's worth the wait! And isn't anticipation said to be half thepleasure ...?
Matthias Böde3