ACCUPHASE A-80

The A-80 builds on usual Accuphase’s standards, so there is nothing radically different from its predecessor. The small improvements are many, however, and all add up to a better sounding amplifier. This time, the engineers focused especially on the values of harmonic and intermodulation distortion. This is where Accuphase uses global negative feedback, that actively monitors signal on the output. As Accuphase puts it, “Remote sensing is the technique to lower the amplifier's output impedance by the negative feedback with the signal sensing from nearby the speaker terminals. Balanced remote sensing is also the technique to lower the output impedance by both the signal sensing and the GND sensing, that is, the negative feedback of the GND level.” One of the positive side effects: the damping factor has grown into 1000 (declared), 2000 (real). Interestingly, the A-80 has the installed capacity of 120,000 uF, which even exceeds the one of A-300 flagship monoblocks. Alike its predecessors, the A-80 keeps using MOS-FETs, fluorocarbon resin print boards, gold-plated signal paths and the bus bar, and rectangular wire coils. The output stage delivers the stereo power of 65W into 8 ohms, 130W into 4 ohms, and 260W into 2 ohms. In Class A. The 28dB gain is switchable (MAX/-3dB/-6dB/-12dB) and signal-to-noise ratio scores amazing 129dB in its lowest setting.

The rear panel is ´as we know it´. I love oversized speaker binding nuts, the possibility to choose polarity of XLR input, or the possibility to switch to mono/bridged operation via a knob. The A-80’s front panel is unmistakably Accuphase too, yet the design team introduced some subtle changes to make the A-80 fit for new generation. Thus, handles and power button have grown up, the trim of the display has been changed, and the display has been rearranged. Please check the picture in the gallery to see for yourself. The metal flap below the display hides controls for display modes and input and gain options.