Judgments? Nah. Observations based on my experience. It is, after all, a US$10k amplifier and deserves some scrutiny. It's an adequate, nicely designed Accuphase power stage. But telling us how good relays are, when they are the source of most distortion, degradation and failure in high powered amplifiers is a joke. Use Mosfets like Accuphase- they are inexpensive and way better. But sure, I love Accuphase and have a few pieces myself (vintage ones).
You want me to get in my time machine De-Lorean to give you "proof" something will fail? I stated the volume control is a likely point of failure "down the track". Electronic volume controls of any type or topology, along with electronic (soft) input switching/selection are susceptible to failure due to spikes, transients and simple component failure. I've dealt with them for decades. Consider that board is a solution looking for a problem- something the Japanese are very good at. They have always loved to create incredibly complicated ways of doing things, just because they can. Rube Goldbergesque.
I mean, look at the PCB. It's just a precision 4 gang volume control (balanced, 2 channels). A motorized four gang, tight tolerance Alps blue could have done the same thing and is also immune to voltage limitations that electronic volume controls are (ie they are easy to overload) And, we know conventional pots last for many decades without trouble. I have plenty that are over 30 years old working perfectly. And, they won't cost you an absolute fortune to replace like an entire PCB will.
Sure, a really nice amplifier and very nicely constructed in order to press all the right audiophile buttons.
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