[TommyC]

Anyone prefers Accuphase Class AB to Class A?

On my Guarneri Memento, I owned the C3850 / A200 (Class A) / DG58, but preferred the Nagra Classic Preamp / Classic Amp (Class AB) / Classic DAC. Cables were Crystal Cables.

I auditioned the Amati Tradition with the Audio Note Cobra, AVM A5.2, Gryphon Diablo 120, McIntosh MA12000, and Accuphase E800. Cables were Transparent Cables. The E800 was the most expensive, but sounded the worst.

To me, at least on Sonus faber speakers, the Accuphase Class A sounds a bit too soft on the top, bass not as forceful and a bit loose, not as dynamic, and a little bit boring compared to the rest. It doesn't draw me into the music. However, their built quality is flawless, even better than the German gears.

Any chance the E480 could outperform the E800? No way for me to audition the E480. I did audition the E280, but that was worse than the Naim Supernait 3.