16/08/2026
𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐄-𝟕𝟎𝟎: 𝐈𝐭𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫
I remember enjoying the Accuphase C-200X preamplifier and C-280 power amplifier from the 1980s. They had that unmistakable Accuphase house sound. It’s smooth, refined, slightly warm and easy on the ears. Vocals sounded bold, full bodied.
Fast-forward roughly 40 years of ‘evolution’, and here I am with the latest Accuphase E-700 integrated amplifier wondering … how much has Accuphase evolved?
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸
https://www.accuphase.com/model/e-700.html
𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
The first thing that struck me about the E-700 was how ageless it looks. In 40 years, the appearance has just slightly evolved. There’s no radical change.
The ch*****ne gold finish pairs beautifully with the black digital ‘VU meters’ and turquoise Accuphase logo. There is something about the combination that makes you think it will still look perfectly at home in a hi-fi system 20 or even 40 years from now.
The chassis isn't milled from one enormous billet of aluminium. The top, bottom and sides are sheet metal. But don't mistake that for cheapness. Everything exudes quality and durability, whilst the milled aluminium front panel gives the E-700 the sense of trust you'd expect from Accuphase.
The user experience with the amplifier is superb. Every button, switch and k**b feels positive. Nothing makes an unnecessarily loud click. Everything simply does what it is supposed to do, with a sense of confidence.
You will say, “It’s money well spent.”
𝗦𝗺𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿
The E-700 has that unmistakable Class A smoothness. It is an amplifier you can simply kick back with and enjoy. There is no extra zing in the upper mids, no artificial sparkle at the tippy-top and no attempt to impress you with hi-res fireworks.
There is just a dash of warmth through the midrange, which makes vocals particularly pleasant to listen to. Male or female, they sound smooth, ‘natural’ and inviting.
The treble is equally well behaved, detailed enough to keep things interesting, but without ever becoming edgy. It is forgiving to a certain extent, but never dull.
The bass is also interesting. It has a smidge of that tube-like warmth and body, but without the looseness you might associate with tubes.
It sounds large and bold, with sufficient weight. Perhaps the E-700's very high damping factor of 1,000 has something to do with the grip, but the slight warmth means the bass isn't necessarily the most punchy presentation I've heard.
There is also very good bass texture, although some of that texture is slightly softened by the amplifier's warmth.
𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘁 𝗢𝗻 𝗔 𝗛𝗶-𝗙𝗶 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁
Separation is very good, layering, whilst well above average, can’t be said to be spectacular. Imaging isn't laser-etched into some impossibly precise three-dimensional hologram either. Instead, the E-700 reminds me of a photograph taken with a very slight soft-focus filter.
But you know what? I rather like it.
Think of Monet. The impressionists understood that you don't always need to paint every tiny detail for a picture to be beautiful. Sometimes you just enjoy the overall image.
The E-700 works in much the same way.
On 𝑇𝑖𝑛 𝑃𝑎𝑛 𝐴𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑦, the drum rolls sound wonderfully full and large, with the resonance of the drum skins coming through clearly. On 𝐾𝑒𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝐷𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝐺𝑜, the opening guitar isn't overly twangy. Instead, it sounds clear, rich and beautifully rounded.
𝗧𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗨𝘀𝗲
The tone controls are another pleasant surprise.
Rather than feeling like something chucked in as an afterthought, they actually work well with the amplifier's tonal character. The frequency centres seem to suit the E-700 nicely, making them genuinely useful rather than merely decorative.
And yes, I actually enjoyed using them.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗔𝗖 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲: 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗕𝘂𝘆 𝗜𝘁
The optional DAC module is another pleasant surprise. At an MSRP of around RM5,000, it is genuinely enjoyable. Stick it in and you need not bother about inter-connect & power cables and power supply.
No, it doesn't have the same level of detail, texture or rich harmonics as my MSB Discrete DAC. But then again, look at the price difference.
For most users, I'd simply say … get the DAC module and be done with it.
I suspect Accuphase has voiced it deliberately to complement the amplifier's house sound, and it works great.
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲
Compared with something like the Audia Flight FLS10, the E-700 is a completely different creature. The FLS10 has a more modern presentation, with good dose of detail whilst still avoiding fatigue. It has that sparkle with rich harmonics.
The E-700, on the other hand, makes you feel comfortable. No, there is no loss of detail. You get just the right amount.
My Silbatone JI-107 sits somewhere between these two personalities. But interestingly, I think the E-700 has the better bass presentation and texture of the three.
𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲: 𝗔 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗔𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗼 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗻 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Accuphase E-700.
It is a lovely piece of kit that occupies an interesting middle ground between today's modern, Hi-Res presentation and the warmth and easy-going nature of a tube amplifier.
It doesn't scream about detail. It doesn't chase clinical precision. It simply gets on with making music sound enjoyable.
And perhaps that's the biggest compliment I can give it.
The E-700 is the sort of amplifier that makes you want to put on another album rather than another test track.
So, pour yourself a hot chocolate, sink into your favourite chair and let the E-700 do its thing.
Accuphase E-700 comes in at RM45,000. It is available at Hifi Creations Reference Systems who are located at N-9-07 Gamuda Biz Suite, Kota Kemuning, 40460 Shah Alam, Malaysia. Give Mr Victor Pheh a call and make an appointment.
𝑪𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒂𝒕
These impressions are drawn purely from my own listening experience rather than a formal review. They reflect how this component interacts with my particular system, room, and preferences. Take this as a personal snapshot, one listener’s experience rather than a final word.
Naturally, I’ve considered its performance in light of its price and what it sets out to achieve.
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀
Speaker: Graham Chartwell LS 3/5a & Graham Audio LS 8/1
Sub: REL T7x
DAC: MSB Discrete + Pro USB & Pro ISL modules + x2 PSU
Source: Lumin U1X
Speaker cable: MP Source Teana & VdH Magnum Hybrid
USB Cable: AA Audio SiG XT
Interconnect: AA Audio SiG XT XLR
Power Cables: MP Source Pangu
Power: Frank Ultra Bank UB-15000Ws & FUSION Regen RPS-501
Courtesy of Wilson BC Teoh, MY
Accuphase E-700 35W Class A Integrated ready for listening sess Biz Suite Kota Kemuning Shah Alam
•please call ahead before dropping by
