Accuphase E-800S Class-A Integrated Amplifier at Vinyl Sound Buffalo, NY USA

The Accuphase E-800S is the flagship Class-A integrated amplifier from Accuphase (Yokohama, Japan), available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY USA. The successor to the celebrated E-800, the E-800S represents the full breadth of Accuphase's accumulated knowledge in integrated amplifier design, featuring a fully balanced circuit architecture from input to output, the proprietary Balanced AAVA (Accuphase Analog Vari-gain Amplifier) volume control derived from the flagship C-3900 preamplifier, and a power amplification stage configured as an instrumentation amplifier with six-fold parallel push-pull power MOS-FETs operating in pure Class A delivering 50 watts into 8 ohms, 100 watts into 4 ohms, and 200 watts into 2 ohms. The Absolute Sound awarded the E-800S an Editors' Choice Award, with the reviewer noting that if you love a liquid, organic sound that is easy to listen to for hours on end, this integrated amplifier could easily be your endgame, with build quality that guarantees it will likely outlive us all.

Balanced AAVA Volume Control and Fully Balanced Architecture

The E-800S advances over the E-800 through the adoption of Balanced AAVA volume control, the same technology used in the Accuphase C-3900 reference preamplifier. Conventional integrated amplifiers use variable resistors for volume adjustment, which degrade over time, vary in tracking accuracy between channels, and introduce noise that increases with control age. Accuphase's AAVA system eliminates the variable resistor entirely, instead converting the input signal into multiple weighted current signals of varying amplitudes, then summing the appropriate combination to achieve the desired output level. The entire volume operation takes place in the current domain without any resistive elements in the signal path, resulting in a noise floor of 105dB — 1dB quieter than the E-800 — with perfect channel tracking at all volume positions and no mechanical noise during remote-controlled volume adjustment. The E-800S maintains fully balanced signal path from its three balanced XLR inputs through the AAVA stage, power amplification instrumentation amplifier, and balanced output stage, ensuring maximum common-mode noise rejection at every stage of the signal chain. The power amplification stage is configured as an instrumentation amplifier, a topology borrowed from precision measurement equipment where the differential input stage, gain stage, and output stage are fully isolated for maximum common-mode rejection and minimum distortion at all output power levels.

Class-A MOS-FET Power Stage and Power Supply

The E-800S's output stage uses six pairs of parallel power MOS-FETs per channel in a push-pull configuration operating in pure Class A at all output power levels from idle through maximum output. Class-A operation eliminates the crossover distortion that occurs in Class AB amplifiers at the switching point between positive and negative output devices, producing a distortion characteristic that is dominated by low-order harmonics that are far more musically benign than the higher-order crossover artifacts of Class AB designs. The six-fold parallel MOS-FET configuration distributes the bias current across twelve output devices per channel, reducing the thermal and electrical stress on each individual transistor and improving the statistical consistency of the combined output characteristic compared to a smaller parallel count. Linear power doubling into lower impedances — 50W at 8 ohms, 100W at 4 ohms, 200W at 2 ohms, and 300W into 1-ohm music signals — confirms that the output stage has sufficient current capacity to drive any loudspeaker load encountered in high-performance systems. The damping factor of 1,000 reflects the exceptionally low output impedance that the instrumentation amplifier topology and high-gain feedback loop achieve, providing tight control over woofer cone motion for precise bass definition with difficult loudspeakers from Dynaudio, Spendor, Klipsch, and Wilson Audio. A custom toroidal transformer and two 63,000μF/63V filter capacitors in the power supply section provide the sustained current reservoir that pure Class-A operation at 50 watts continuous demands.

Key Features

• Balanced AAVA Volume Control: Accuphase Analog Vari-gain Amplifier system eliminates variable resistors from the volume control path, achieving 105dB noise floor with perfect channel tracking derived from the C-3900 reference preamplifier.
• Fully Balanced Configuration Input to Output: Three balanced XLR inputs and fully balanced signal path throughout the preamplifier and power amplifier stages for maximum common-mode noise rejection.
• Six-Fold Parallel Push-Pull Class-A MOS-FETs: Twelve power MOS-FETs per channel in pure Class-A operation eliminating crossover distortion, with 50W/8Ω, 100W/4Ω, 200W/2Ω linear power progression.
• Instrumentation Amplifier Power Stage: Power amplification configured as a precision instrumentation amplifier for maximum common-mode rejection and minimum distortion across the full output range.
• Damping Factor 1,000: Exceptionally low output impedance for precise control over loudspeaker drivers across the full audio bandwidth.
• ANCC (Accuphase Noise and Distortion Cancelling Circuit): Active noise and distortion suppression in the IV conversion amplifier stage for reduced distortion floor.
• Power Supply with 126,000μF Filtration: Massive high-efficiency toroidal transformer with two 63,000μF/63V filter capacitors for sustained Class-A current delivery.
• MOS-FET Protection Circuitry: Solid-state protection switching using MOS-FETs rather than relays for faster, more reliable speaker protection without sonic side effects.
• High Carbon Cast Iron Chassis: Chassis constructed from high-carbon cast iron for exceptional vibration absorption and mechanical resonance control.
• Discrete Headphone Amplifier: Dedicated 6.3mm headphone output with discrete amplifier circuitry for high-performance headphone listening.
• Bi-Amp Capable: Two sets of speaker terminals support bi-amplification with a compatible second Accuphase power amplifier.

Technical Specifications

Awards and Critical Recognition

• The Absolute Sound Editors' Choice Award — "If you love a liquid, organic sound that is easy to listen to for hours on end, this integrated amplifier could easily be your endgame."

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Accuphase E-800S?

The Accuphase E-800S is the flagship Class-A integrated amplifier from Accuphase of Japan, available at Vinyl Sound Buffalo. It delivers 50 watts per channel in pure Class A through six-fold parallel push-pull power MOS-FETs, with a fully balanced circuit from input to output, Balanced AAVA volume control derived from the C-3900 preamplifier, an instrumentation amplifier power stage, damping factor of 1,000, and a 126,000μF power supply. The Absolute Sound awarded it an Editors' Choice Award as one of the best integrated amplifiers available.

How does the E-800S compare to the E-800 and E-5000?

The Accuphase E-800S advances over the E-800 through the adoption of Balanced AAVA volume control from the C-3900 reference preamplifier, improving the noise floor by 1dB to 105dB and eliminating variable resistors from the volume path entirely. The E-5000 is Accuphase's Class AB flagship integrated rated at 120W per channel, offering greater output power for demanding loudspeakers at the cost of Class AB topology. The E-800S operates in pure Class A at all output levels, producing the lower harmonic distortion character and organic tonal quality that define the Accuphase Class-A sound, making it the choice for listeners who prioritize sonic purity over maximum output power with efficient speakers.

What is Balanced AAVA and why is it better than a conventional volume control?

Balanced AAVA (Accuphase Analog Vari-gain Amplifier) is Accuphase's proprietary resistorless volume control technology that converts the input signal into multiple weighted current signals and sums the appropriate combination to achieve the desired output level, without any variable resistor in the signal path. Conventional potentiometers and stepped attenuators introduce channel tracking errors, particularly at low volumes, and their resistive elements degrade over time. AAVA achieves perfect channel matching at all volume positions, operates entirely in the analog current domain without any digital processing, and produces a noise floor of 105dB that conventional volume controls cannot match. The Balanced version in the E-800S applies this principle symmetrically to both the positive and negative phases of the balanced signal path, extending the common-mode rejection advantage of the balanced architecture through the volume control stage.

Can the E-800S drive difficult loudspeakers?

Yes, the Accuphase E-800S is specifically designed for difficult loudspeaker loads. Its linear power doubling — 50W at 8 ohms, 100W at 4 ohms, 200W at 2 ohms, 300W into 1-ohm music signals — confirms that the output stage has sufficient current capacity for low-impedance and demanding reactive loads. The damping factor of 1,000 provides exceptional control over woofer cone motion for precise bass definition. Loudspeakers from Dynaudio, Spendor, Wilson Audio, Magico, and Klipsch that present challenging loads to lesser amplifiers are well served by the E-800S's current delivery capability and output impedance.

What is Class-A operation and why does it matter?

Class-A operation means the output transistors conduct current continuously throughout the full audio waveform cycle, never switching off during the negative half of the waveform as Class AB transistors do. This eliminates crossover distortion — the switching artifact that occurs at the zero-crossing point in Class AB designs — producing a distortion characteristic dominated by benign low-order harmonics rather than the higher-order artifacts associated with transistor switching. The audible result is the liquid, organic midrange and natural harmonic structure that Class-A amplifiers including the E-800S are known for. The trade-off is high idle current consumption and significant heat output, which is why the E-800S requires substantial heatsinks on both sides of the chassis.

Where can I buy the Accuphase E-800S in Buffalo, NY?

The Accuphase E-800S Class-A Integrated Amplifier is available at Vinyl Sound USA Inc. in Buffalo, NY, your authorised Accuphase dealer serving Western New York and the United States. Vinyl Sound carries the complete Accuphase amplifier lineup. Visit vinylsound.com or contact the Buffalo store for current availability and expert system matching guidance for Accuphase amplification paired with your speakers and digital sources.