Accuphase power amplifier with Wharfedale Linton Heritage speakers

[ohmrun]

Good morning everyone,
I'm seeking some advice on amplifiers to go with my new Wharfedale Lintons. I have an opportunity to purchase two Accuphase A20v power amps to run them, along with an Accuphase or other preamp. There's also an Accuphase E250 and E350 for sale which I'm also considering. Without opening up a huge fan of worms about seperates vs integrated (unless you want to which is done too), I just wanted some perspectives on whether the two A20v's would be suitable for the Lintons (I'm fully aware of the heat and class A issue and I don't mind). I really love the amps. But I'd they're just not suitable or for whatever reason, should I go the E250 or E350? Or look at a Luxman or something instead.

Thanks so much, and if more info is required let me know. Oh, I should also say that that just for my lounge room. These will never be pumped super loud. Just reasonable volumes. I also don't mind if it's overkill either.

 

[Doodski]

The Wharfedale Linton Heritage speakers don't present a overly difficult load to an amplifier. The A20V is only 20 W/ch and that limits the dynamic headroom available. You would do better with the E350 and the E250 will be a good model too. I have owned expensive pure class A power amps and frankly other than a colored model they all sounded the same as a class AB amplifier. So I encourage you to skip the A20V class A 20 Watt unit because it shorts you on power output and probably costs a arm and a leg too.

 

[ohmrun]

The Wharfedale Linton Heritage speakers don't present a overly difficult load to an amplifier. The A20V is only 20 W/ch and that limits the dynamic headroom available. You would do better with the E350 and the E250 will be a good model too. I have owned expensive pure class A power amps and frankly other than a colored model they all sounded the same as a class AB amplifier. So I encourage you to skip the A20V class A 20 Watt unit because it shorts you on power output and probably costs a arm and a leg too.

Thanks so much for the info. I'm very new to this and it's so hard to find info on this stuff. That all sounds completely reasonable. I think I'll skip the dual power amps and look at the integrated instead. I'm leaning towards the E350. I've always wanted a tube amp since I was a kid but the more I read about it and the less inclined I become to make the purchase. It's so expensive to get a good set of tube power amps or even a Macintosh tube integrated amp. I wonder the diminishing returns on something like that over an E350 are. I assume at that point I'm paying for the brand. There's still a part of me that just wants to get one but god it's hard to justify those prices. The older Accuphase amp seems to tick almost all of the boxes. Beautiful VU metres, amazing build and sound. I just don't know if there's anywhere much to go from there.

 

[ohmrun]

Sorry! Also I misspoke in my original post
It's the E280 and E380 that are available. Not the 50s.

 

[Anton D]

Wow!

Any of them is a no lose proposition!

I’m on you side regarding the e380!

Consider me the little devil on your shoulder.

I see great contentment in your future!

 

[ohmrun]

Wow!

Any of them is a no lose proposition!

I’m on you side regarding the e350!

Consider me the little devil on your shoulder.

I see great contentment in your future!

Hahahha. I've just realised it's the 280 and 380 series. Not the 50s. I assume that's better though?

 

[Doodski]

Thanks so much for the info. I'm very new to this and it's so hard to find info on this stuff. That all sounds completely reasonable. I think I'll skip the dual power amps and look at the integrated instead. I'm leaning towards the E350. I've always wanted a tube amp since I was a kid but the more I read about it and the less inclined I become to make the purchase. It's so expensive to get a good set of tube power amps or even a Macintosh tube integrated amp. I wonder the diminishing returns on something like that over an E350 are. I assume at that point I'm paying for the brand. There's still a part of me that just wants to get one but god it's hard to justify those prices. The older Accuphase amp seems to tick almost all of the boxes. Beautiful VU metres, amazing build and sound. I just don't know if there's anywhere much to go from there.

Tube amps can be transparent and not color the sound but some do color the sound and have frequency response aberrations. Also the power output of tube amps usually is not high but there are models that can put out some amazing Wattage figures but those cost a arm and a leg and one needs to learn about tube amps, their abilities and their faults to maintain and operate a tube amp. So I suggest run a class AB amp that is transparent and that will be the E250 or the E350.

 

[ohmrun]

Tune amps can be transparent and not color the sound but some do color the sound and have frequency response aberrations. Also the power output of tube amps usually is not high but there are models that can put out some amazing Wattage figures but those cost a arm and a leg and one needs to learn about tube amps, their abilities and their faults to maintain and operate a tube amp. So I suggest run a class AB amp that is transparent and that will be the E250 or the E350.

Yep, I think in really leaning towards what you say. Appreciate the information. Thank you so much.

 

[Doodski]

The E280 and E380 are a step up from the 50 series and so they are suitable.

 

[ohmrun]

Fantastic.

 

[dualazmak]

I have been using Accuphase E-460 since its launch in 2010 (ref. my project thread, ref. here for my present multi-amp setup, ref. here for the four amps I use now) and never disappointed; really amazing amp and superb maintenance and repair services (in case if you would need such services; ref. here).

I am happy to strongly recommend your planned Accuphase E-380!

 

[ohmrun]

Thanks everyone so much for the info. I guess before I drop a lot of money on the Accuphase E380, are there any comparable amps or any amp I should be considering around that price? I'm assuming getting something like a Luxman equivalent would almost come down to looks because they're both really good. The McIntosh equivalent is probably too expensive and quite frankly they're actually too big for my space. So maybe Yamaha? But I do love the old style amps and I think it suits the Wharfedales down to the ground.

 

[Doodski]

Thanks everyone so much for the info. I guess before I drop a lot of money on the Accuphase E380, are there any comparable amps or any amp I should be considering around that price? I'm assuming getting something like a Luxman equivalent would almost come down to looks because they're both really good. The McIntosh equivalent is probably too expensive and quite frankly they're actually too big for my space. So maybe Yamaha? But I do love the old style amps and I think it suits the Wharfedales down to the ground.

What price range is the E380 at so we can make some suggestions?

 

[ohmrun]

Oh of course. Sorry. So I'm in Australia and I've found one for $7500 (AUD).

 

[Doodski]

Oh of course. Sorry. So I'm in Australia and I've found one for $7500 (AUD).

Depending on your aesthetics requirements for the amp there are alternatives available that cost a lot less but they won't be the very high quality of an Accuphase or a Luxman and they won't be as pretty as the Accuphase or the Luxman. Can get you into a class D power amp and then use a pre-amp for control and switching for a lot less money with more power output and the efficiency of the class D amps is better than a class A/AB.

Home - March Audio - High End Purifi Audio Amplifiers and Speakers

Purifi Audio Amplifiers and Speakers

marchaudio.com

Home - March Audio - High End Purifi Audio Amplifiers and Speakers

Purifi Audio Amplifiers and Speakers

marchaudio.com

Amplifiers - March Audio

March Audio Amplifiers feature the stunning class D technology developed by Purifi and Bruno Putzeys. Exceptional technical performance and sublime sound quality.

marchaudio.com

 

[dualazmak]

YAMAHA A-S3200, A-S2200
LUXMAN L-509Z, L-507Z, L-505Z, (L-509X if still available)

 

[ohmrun]

Depending on your aesthetics requirements for the amp there are alternatives available that cost a lot less but they won't be the very high quality of an Accuphase or a Luxman and they won't be as pretty as the Accuphase or the Luxman. Can get you into a class D power amp and then use a pre-amp for control and switching for a lot less money with more power output and the efficiency of the class D amps is better than a class A/AB.

Home - March Audio - High End Purifi Audio Amplifiers and Speakers

Purifi Audio Amplifiers and Speakers

marchaudio.com

Home - March Audio - High End Purifi Audio Amplifiers and Speakers

Purifi Audio Amplifiers and Speakers

marchaudio.com

Amplifiers - March Audio

March Audio Amplifiers feature the stunning class D technology developed by Purifi and Bruno Putzeys. Exceptional technical performance and sublime sound quality.

marchaudio.com

So I've had a really good look at those class D amps and you're right. They're pretty unbeatable in terms of power and value for money. I think though if I'm completely honest, aesthetics is a big part of it for me. And those amps just don't do it for me.

I've had a closer look at this Accuphase C380 however and given that they're 13500 (AUD) and this one is selling for 7500 (AUD) "Brand new" it just seems too good to be true, and my instincts are telling me to leave it.

Is there anything inherently wrong with going with a tube amp like the Luxman MQ-88uC? Or a power tube amp in general? Even something like a pair of the Synthesis Roma 98DC's? I'm looking at the Eversolo A8 as my streamer and if I went the power amp route I'd use the A8 as the preamp. It tests so well and the AKM DACs seem pretty amazing. I'll also have a look at the Luxman integrated amps. I think the Accuphase amps may just be out of my price range at the RRP.

 

[ohmrun]

YAMAHA A-S3200, A-S2200
LUXMAN L-509Z, L-507Z, L-505Z, (L-509X if still available)

Thanks Dualazmak. I'll have a look at these this morning.

 

[Doodski]

Is there anything inherently wrong with going with a tube amp like the Luxman MQ-88uC? Or a power tube amp in general? Even something like a pair of the Synthesis Roma 98DC's? I'm looking at the Eversolo A8 as my streamer and if I went the power amp route I'd use the A8 as the preamp. It tests so well and the AKM DACs seem pretty amazing. I'll also have a look at the Luxman integrated amps. I think the Accuphase amps may just be out of my price range at the RRP.

I think when it comes to tube amps and especially at the caliber of amps you are considering I will hopefully be able to refer you to @SIY. I just don't have the experience and knowledge about tube amps to start considering expensive gear and mono blocks.

 

[RayDunzl]

These will never be pumped super loud. Just reasonable volumes.

Just a note on power and loudness.

Power demand goes up rapidly when you get toward the "loud" range.

A crude calculator:

Using 90dB sensitivity and 6 ohm as in the speaker spec