Accuphase E-700

The Accuphase E-700: Audiophile Excellence in Class A

The Accuphase E-700 is a high-end integrated stereo amplifier that embodies the evolution of cutting-edge audio technologies. As a direct successor to the flagship E-800 model created for the brand’s 50th anniversary, the E-700 incorporates numerous innovations, making it a benchmark device for the most demanding audiophiles. Its pure Class A design, combined with a fully symmetrical configuration from input to output, allows it to achieve exceptional performance levels in terms of sound quality and reproduction fidelity.

A Functional and Elegant Design

The E-700’s design combines classic aesthetics with functionality. Its front panel features two large analog VU meters that allow real-time visualization of the output level in decibels. The large volume knob, crafted from a solid block of aluminum, offers exceptional adjustment precision while reducing mechanical noise. The device also includes a front headphone jack for high-quality personal listening.

A Sophisticated Audio Architecture

At the heart of the E-700 is a preamplification stage using the balanced AAVA (Accuphase Analog Vari-gain Amplifier) volume control. This proprietary technology allows volume adjustment without degrading the audio signal. The amplifier also integrates the ANCC (Accuphase Noise and Distortion Cancelling Circuit), which significantly reduces noise and distortion, providing exceptional sound clarity.

The power stage adopts a symmetrical and dual-mono configuration, with separate amplification boards for each channel. This arrangement, combined with the use of four pairs of MOSFET transistors in a parallel push-pull configuration per channel, achieves high output power while maintaining great sound purity.

Top-Notch Audio Performance

The E-700 delivers 35 W per channel at 8 ohms, 70 W at 4 ohms, and can reach up to 160 W at 1 ohm. This ability to deliver significant current allows it to efficiently drive a wide range of speakers, even the most demanding ones. The high damping factor of 1000 ensures perfect control of the speakers, especially in the low frequencies.

The amplifier’s bandwidth extends from 20 Hz to 20 kHz with a variation of only ± 0.2 dB at nominal power, ensuring faithful reproduction across the entire audible spectrum. The signal-to-noise ratio reaches an impressive 117 dB, ensuring a perfectly silent background.

Comprehensive and Expandable Connectivity

The E-700 offers generous connectivity with 5 RCA line inputs, 2 XLR line inputs, a recording input and output, as well as Pre-Out and Main-In inputs and outputs in RCA and XLR. The A and B speaker terminals accept all types of connectors.

An interesting feature of the E-700 is the presence of two expansion slots on the rear panel. These slots allow the addition of optional modules such as the DAC-60 digital-to-analog converter or the AD-60 phono preamplifier, providing the possibility to expand the device’s functionalities according to the user’s needs.

A Robust Power Supply for Stable Performance

The power supply of the E-700 is based on a large toroidal transformer designed by Accuphase, coupled with two high-capacity filtering capacitors, totaling 112,000 µF. This configuration ensures a significant energy reserve, capable of meeting the most demanding requirements in terms of dynamics and instantaneous current.

Uncompromising Construction

The build quality of the E-700 is exemplary. Each component is carefully selected and optimized for its audio performance. The device features a robust construction with a rigid chassis and oversized heat sinks, ensuring optimal thermal stability even during prolonged use at high volume.

Technical Specifications

Main Features

• Integrated amplifier with fully symmetrical configuration from input to output
• Balanced volume control of AAVA type
• High-precision, high-rigidity volume sensor construction
• Power amplification stage configured as an instrumentation amplifier
• Quadruple parallel push-pull configuration using Class A-driven power MOS-FET transistors
• High damping factor of 1,000
• Powerful power supply with high-efficiency toroidal transformer and large filtering capacitors
• Protection circuits using MOS-FET switches

Rated Output Power (20 to 20,000 Hz)

• Load 1 Ω: 160 W / channel
• Load 2 Ω: 140 W / channel
• Load 4 Ω: 70 W / channel
• Load 8 Ω: 35 W / channel

Distortion

• Total harmonic (20 to 20,000 Hz, rated power)
  • Load 2 to 4 Ω: 0.05%
  • Load 8 to 16 Ω: 0.03%
• Intermodulation: 0.01%

Frequency Response

• At rated power
  • Input (balanced, line): 20 to 20,000 Hz (0, -0.5 dB)
  • Main input (balanced, line): 20 to 20,000 Hz (0, -0.2 dB)
• At 1 W Main input (balanced, line): 3 to 150,000 Hz (0, -3.0 dB)
• Damping factor: 1,000

Input Sensitivity

• At rated power
  • Input (balanced, line): 83.9 mV
  • Main input (balanced, line): 666 mV
• EIA (at 1 W)
  • Input (balanced, line): 14.2 mV
  • Main input (balanced, line): 113 mV

Input Impedance

• Input (balanced): 40 kΩ
• Input (line): 20 kΩ
• Main input (balanced): 40 kΩ
• Main input (line): 20 kΩ

Voltage and Impedance

• Maximum input voltage Input (balanced, line): 5.0 V
• Output voltage at rated power Preamp output (balanced, line): 0.666 V
• Preamp output impedance (balanced, line): 50 Ω

Gain

• Input (balanced, line) → Preamp output (balanced, line): 18 dB
• Main input (balanced, line) → Speaker output: 28 dB

Audio Controls

• Tone controls
  • Bass: 300 Hz ± 10 dB
  • Treble: 3 kHz ± 10 dB
• Loudness compensator: +6 dB (100 Hz)
• Attenuator: -20 dB

Signal-to-Noise Ratio

• At rated power (Input short-circuited, A-weighted)
  • Input (balanced): 103 dB
  • Input (line): 103 dB
  • Main input (balanced, line): 117 dB
• EIA
  • Input (balanced, line): 97 dB
  • Main input (balanced, line): 101 dB

General Features

• VU meters: Bar indicators, output voltage (dB) over 26 points, with on/off switch
• Headphone jack: Compatible impedance 8 Ω or higher
• Power supply: 120 V, 220 V, 230 V AC, 50 / 60 Hz
• Power consumption
  • At rest: 178 W
  • According to IEC 62368-1 standard: 220 W
  • In standby: 0.3 W
• Maximum dimensions (W × H × D): 465 × 191 × 428 mm
• Weight
  • Net: 24.9 kg
  • With packaging: 32 kg