Accuphase E-3000 Integrated Amplifier Review

Accuphase Laboratory has never treated the integrated amplifier as a second-class citizen. Prior to the launch of the E-3000, the company had more such products in its line-up than separate pre-power types. The integrated platform has advantages beyond saving on the cost of an interconnect cable or avoiding impedance mismatches. According to Takaya Inokuma, Senior Managing Director of Accuphase, “keeping the wiring short in an integrated design eliminates the effects of external noise. It also makes it easier to fine-tune the sound.”

Accuphase manufactures both Class A and Class AB amplifiers. The next-gen E-3000 replaces two long-standing entry-level Class AB models, the E-280 and the E-380. Inokuma-san says that through ongoing refinement of the circuit, the E-3000 surpasses both at a keener price. ‘Entry-level’ is, of course, a relative term, as Accuphase makes heirloom products. This uncompromising and still fiercely independent company eschews mass production techniques and limits production volume in order to “create products that are durable and easy to repair over their lifetime without expanding the size of our company”.

The E-3000 is made entirely in-house in Yokohama, with the same reverence and attention to detail as its more expensive counterparts – Accuphase even warrants its amps against earthquake damage. So it might live forever, but will it live up to the manufacturer’s claim that the E-3000 is an “entry-level flagship standard” product? Let’s see…

Up Close

To my eyes, this amplifier is a thing of beauty. Physically, it splits the difference between the front panel dimensions of the outgoing E-280 and E-380. It also boasts larger analogue output power (VU) meters than either of its predecessors for improved across-room visibility. Build quality is exquisite, as you would expect from this brand. However, the refresh is not all puppy-dog eyes cosmetic. Under the signature gold-plated skin are substantial revisions, meaning the E-3000 weighs in at a heavier 23.1kg.

Central to this new design is a reworked proprietary Accuphase volume control. Compared to the E-380, it results in a claimed twenty per cent improvement in signal-to-noise levels, irrespective of volume. Inokuma-san argues that the largest source of noise in a preamplifier circuit is when volume is controlled by a traditional variable resistor-based potentiometer. Instead, the company has developed its own volume system called the Accuphase Analogue Vari-gain Amplifier circuit (AAVA), which does not use resistors and which has undergone continual refinement.

“This time,” he tells me, “we have equipped the latest AAVA system with an Accuphase Noise and Distortion Cancelling Circuit (ANCC). This is a patented circuit that cancels out the minute noise generated by the semiconductor amplifier in the AAVA, using feed-forward technology. By incorporating this technology into the E-3000, we have achieved greatly improved noise reduction.”

Component placement has also been comprehensively reviewed, and the overall wiring layout of the amplifier optimised. For example, the AAVA circuit is now located at the front of the unit, whereas its five paralleled buffer amplifiers (one for each RCA input) are placed close to the input jacks at the rear to minimise induction noise between the input jacks and the critical AAVA circuit. The balance control also benefits from AAVA ingenuity.

The E-3000 operates in Class AB and is of monoblock construction. Each channel’s power amplification module is kept separate by a robust power supply section in the middle. Unlike the preamplifier stage, the output stage is fully balanced and is based on instrumentation amplifier principles. The output devices are newly selected bipolar transistors, which have been upgraded from a two-fold parallel push-pull configuration to a three-fold configuration. This works to lower the output impedance of the amplifier, resulting in faster response times and increased speaker-driving power and control, it’s claimed. The power supply circuit has a newly developed EI-type power transformer and massive, custom-made 33,000 μF filter capacitors for optimal current delivery. The E-3000 is said to deliver 100 watts into 8 ohms and 150 watts into 4.

An accurate phase is as important as electricity itself. The company, having named itself after the concept, continues to probe its sonic potential. Inokuma-san sagely notes: “The human ear is sensitive to phase and can sensitively perceive phase shifts as differences in sound quality. If audio equipment creates information that is not included in the sound source, it is impossible to hear the true music.”

In the E-3000, phase accuracy is advanced by raising the stated damping factor to 600. It is said that the higher the damping factor, the higher an amplifier’s speaker driving ability. Balanced remote sensing techniques monitoring the output impedance at the speaker terminals is one way that Accuphase strives to achieve this. Choosing high-performance MOSFET switches for speaker protection instead of conventional mechanical relays, which raise unwanted contact resistance, is another.

The E-3000 is a delight to use with one exception – 230V models ship with an ‘ECO Mode’ installed, which shuts the power off after 2.5 hours of use. The unit has a newly developed input selector knob, which, like the perfectly weighted volume knob, has a premium feel. Even the two sets of loudspeaker connectors feel great. There are five RCA inputs and a balanced input designated 'Balanced CD’ reflecting the company’s ongoing commitment to the format. All functions are mirrored on the classy gold aluminium remote. As is customary with most Japanese manufacturers, the E-3000 comes with defeatable tone controls and can serve as a separate preamp or power amplifier as well as a headphone amplifier. It has two expansion ports that accommodate a DAC card and a phono card. My review sample came in pure integrated form and was used to drive Shun Mook Bella Voce loudspeakers.

The Listening

This amplifier is a compelling listen, with a level of sophistication and refinement that totally belies its price point. Music is presented with a pellucid clarity and tonal richness that excites the senses. It brings a sense of heightened performance to every listening session and is highly emotionally engaging. Soundstaging is expansive and fully realised in all directions. Timing and detail retrieval are impeccable. Every fresh iteration from Accuphase brings improvements in tonal weight and outright clout. There are more hard-hitting amplifiers with greater slam in the bass, but few approach the finely nuanced delivery of this new Accuphase.

The E-3000 has fine linearity, with superb extension at the frequency extremes. This neutral tonal balance makes for realistic timbral perspectives. The all-important midrange is pure and liquid. The piano and acoustic-based White Chalk marked a change of direction for PJ Harvey. Her riveting vocals range from spectral whispers to falsetto harmonies. Over her broad range, Polly’s “church voice” is accorded full body and air. It chills to the bone with remarkable bloom and projection. The supporting instrumentation, including the clanking piano itself, has notable separation and textural accuracy. Subtle harmonic detail and ambient cues are just as finely resolved, breathing palpable life into this intimate performance.

Quicksilver transient response has always been an Accuphase strong suit. Allied to a sweet and detailed treble range, the E-3000 manifests lifelike staging with composure and ease. Images are well-developed and stable, with natural outlines. They have perfect tone and pitch. My speakers completely disappeared with this amp in the driver’s seat. Cue up Philly Joe Jones’ energetic drumming on Bud Powell’s Time Waits, and each drum had a highly distinctive tone and place in space. I was stopped in my tracks more than once when moving off-axis.

The Osees are one of the most intense live acts going, and on Intercepted Message, this ceaselessly inventive outfit directs its aural assault to skronky synth-punk electronica. The sound leaps from the speakers with lightning-flash alacrity, and dynamic scaling is breathtaking. The unflappable E-3000 always has power in reserve, and rhythmically it swings like a demon.

Orchestral music such as Verdi Overtures (Wiener Philharmoniker directed by Giuseppe Sinopoli) sounds warm and relaxed with a strong foundation in the bass registers. Frequency integration is outstanding, with only the slightest emphasis in the upper bass and lower midrange. Even at low volumes, the E-3000 affords great insight into the recording. It is transparent to the source but is never forensic. Intonation and articulation are first-rate.

Reggae music is most enjoyable through the E-3000. On U-Roy’s Natty Rebel, the bass has excellent weight and grip. At this price point and beyond, its bottom end has superior differentiation and inner harmonic detailing. It also has wonderfully fluid musical propulsion, as heard on The Ruts' Jah War – could this be the redemptive power of rock ‘n’ roll? And the E-3000 revelled in the new Japanese band Angel Face’s debut album, carrying the raucous tunes with memorable vigour.

The Verdict

The new Accuphase E-3000 is a sublime music-maker that’s endlessly listenable. Although by no means inexpensive, the company’s entry-level Class AB integrated still represents fine value given the performance on offer. It has ample power to drive most real-world loudspeakers, plus a degree of subtlety and sophistication rarely experienced at the price. Visually, too, it’s a stunner – fit and finish are beyond reproach, and this amp will likely outlive its owner. Born of years of ongoing refinement, it is surely the best introduction yet to the Accuphase house sound. With more companies than ever before offering integrated solutions, this iconic brand’s traditional speciality du chez faces stiff competition. Yet this is clearly an essential audition, and thus comes highly recommended.

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