Accuphase E-280: new integrated amplifier with analog arrows

The Japanese company Accuphase takes a conservative view of the design and equipment of its amplifiers. So the new device with the index E-280 looks exactly the way we like it – arrow indicators plus a lot of knobs and regulators on a massive golden front panel.

The Accuphase E-280 is rated at 90 watts per channel at 8 ohms, the power supply boasts a massive power transformer, reliably shielded from low-current circuits, and two filter capacitors with a capacity of 30,000 microfarads each. The output stage is based on pairs of bipolar transistors in a parallel push-pull configuration. Volume control is carried out using the proprietary AAVA attenuator, built on 16 V-I converters.

The rear panel has a full set of analog line level inputs on RCA, balanced input on XLR, as well as a pre-amp output and direct input to a power amp. Those who want to add a DAC or phono amplifier to the amplifier configuration will have to do it themselves by purchasing the optional DAC-50 or AD-50 boards. There are special slots for their installation.

The Accuphase E-280 Integrated Amplifier will go on sale in Europe in January 2021 with an expected retail price of around €5,000.