Accuphase E4000 VS E5000, Which Is Better?

Let's compare the Accuphase E4000 and Accuphase E5000 integrated amplifiers! Are you wondering which one is better? Is the Accuphase E5000 worth the $5000 price jump over the E4000? In this video, we dive deep into the features, sound quality, and performance of these two high-end integrated amplifiers.
Watch Our Other Videos:
Unboxing Accuphase E4000 Integrated Stereo Amplifier: • Unboxing Accuphase E40...
The Battle of Top Integrated Amps: Accuphase E5000 vs McIntosh MA12000|What's Better: • The Battle of Top Inte...
Reviewing Accuphase E-5000- A Tale of Two Amplifiers: • Reviewing Accuphase E-...
Accuphase E-5000 Integrated Amplifier: A No Unboxing...Unboxing Video: • Accuphase E-5000 Integ...
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Audio Excellence Inc. is a high end audio/video store in Markham, Ontario, Canada, a suburb of Toronto. We've been in business since 1991.
Check out our interviews with designers and audio luminaries like Daryl Wilson of Wilson Audio, Paul McGowan of PS Audio, Paolo Tezzon of Sonus faber, Wendell Diller of Magnepan, John Atkinson of Stereophile, Dan D'Agostino of D'Agostino Master Audio Systems, Nelson Pass of Pass Labs and others.
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[@matta9316]

Loved the honesty in the review! Well done sir!

[@adrianlow2114]

Many thanks

[@johns.]

Adrian, great and informative review. I’m hoping that you’ll review the E-800 too.

[@adrianlow2114]

Thanks!

[@lewledyard8924]

I hope that you guys will post a review/comparison of the Acciphase E-5000 vs the E-800. That would be very interesting to some of us. Thanks for such great videos, advice and humor!

[@thomasperina2990]

Hello Fellow Audiophiles And Friends: Adrian thank you for this comparison video. Adrian what you are speaking about on the 5000 vs the 4000 is increased definition & presence. That is only accomplished with much larger filtering & increased power. IMHO the Mac 1.25k monoblocks has the market cornered with beautiful clarity, presence, & a rounder highs without being razor sharp / raspyness. Thank you again Adrian. GOD BLESS you, your family, and your crew. TMP from N.J.

[@adrianlow2114]

Same to you and yours

[@kingtubbyleeperry]

Did you ever consider that some “raspyness” is in the recording?

[@tausha46]

Another great review

[@mrg1911]

Interesting review of a great brand, thank you….. I hope sometime you review the Accuphase built in DAC and Phono cards available. I can’t imagine buying an Accuphase without those…..having buttons/knobs inactive on such a fine Amp.

[@hennievangalen3789]

Another great review and entertaining talk. What comes up in my mind is playtime for both ? Sometimes only few days of extra houŕs can suddenly open up the amp significantly.. no judging, just a thought. I vote many more happy customers for Adrian!

[@vladimirjovanovic2803]

Hi Adrian, thanks for a very good review. You've compared the e4000 with a McIntosh frequently during the review, but what about a comparison with a Luxman? What do you think of such a competition? Thanks

[@aussie8114]

I auditioned the 5000 last week on Audiovector R3 Arette speakers. I found a nice subtle vocal clarity improvement if the treble control was increased 1dB. The treble on Accuphase amps is at 3000Hz so in reality it’s not really high treble control but more like upper mids or lower highs. Most amps that have a treble control are more like 10,000Hz.

[@iudbus1]

Thanks for the very nice and useful review! So far I wonder if that special word "precision" is the main point to explain the improvement even if honestly i do not know what is the main difference in the HW between an integrated or a pre-amp with and without the "precision" attribute. In case someone knows it i am curious to learn. Thanks

[@Ck24-pc1ye]

Hi Adrian and all. Greetings from Singapore! Adrian, thank you for this video and the frank observation. I did an upgrade from E380 to E800 and noticed the same thing. The E380 mids and highs a tad bit crisp. But with higher power and current, as you mentioned, everything is bigger, wider and most important more weight and sounded more real. And with orchestra tracks, higher power of E800 (maybe class A) are more effortless in dynamic and dont have the amp straining feeling. I think my E380 with lower power is a bit "thin" so it sounded a tad bit crisp in comparing with E800? 😊

[@igaldins]

Very interesting Did you use same power cord? Same power socket? Same brake in period? It’s quite confusing that you could hear a clarity difference in favor of the 4000. Thank you for this review

[@adrianlow2114]

yes everything was the same

[@Hart_NYC]

Hello Adrian, if you listened to the Luxman 509Z, how would you compare it to the 4000? thanks

[@adrianlow2114]

Hi, I have not heard the Luxman 509Z

[@dandebaca5221]

Adrian, what speaker do you think might improve the deficiency you found with the 5000?

[@adrianlow2114]

Not really a deficiency per se. Speakers with excellent clarity like Martin Logan’s Electrostatic Hybrids would be amazing

[@geofftucker3846]

My wife had a Laguna Seca Blue E46 M3, she loved it. What colour was yours?

[@Mirogram]

I have e480, experienced the same more clarity effect vs bigger soundstage when comparing to Accuphase power amp p-4500 I demoed at the time of purchase. Better base control gives bigger effortless soundstage, less base control relatively boosts detail. But I’m curious if you tried comparing the power amp sections only of both amp? It could be that the preamp in e5000 dimms the detail and the power amp has everything. I’m using my e480 as power amp fed by Chord Hugo TT2 in preamp mode - this betters (cleaner more dynamic and natural) the e480 integrated.

[@adrianlow2114]

No I didn’t. I was simply comparing the two as they were shipped

[@Mirogram]

@@adrianlow2114 thanks, would be interesting to know your thoughts if you ever do compare. I've settled for the e480 as a power amp over the P-4500 because of that beautiful transparency in the mids and highs, trading off a fraction of the effortlessness of the more powerful p-4500. Both amps cost roughly the same here in the UK, which would imply the in-built preamps in Accuphase's integrated amps could be a bit of a "compromise" sound quality-wise, like a convenience feature, compared the their power sections. Maybe someone looking for an AB power amp in Accuphase range above the new p4600 might find the e5000 the right choice for their speakers without paying double the price of p-7500.

[@aussie8114]

The amps have tone control, would be good to know how that effects the audio. Still waiting to find out how the DAC board performs. Would also like to know if a very extended warm up time is required as previously suggested. If it needs a couple of hours (possibly due to only having 2 very large capacitors rather than multiples of smaller ones) or If it sounds ok after 20 minutes.

[@adrianlow2114]

I didn’t check re warm up. Something to follow up perhaps

[@ThomasL]

It doesn't as you can (true) bypass them. I own a 1988 Accuphase E-305 and you can already bypass tone controls.

[@aussie8114]

@@ThomasLI meant with them in the signal chain. Dealer told me today they are implemented very well so have very little impact on sound staging. I could hear no adverse impact with my ears.

[@mahasidha9]

Where does the McIntosh MA 9500 Integrated fall between these two sound wise? 12,000 USD/16,515 Canadian including a phono stage with great specs and their top DAC. I am guessing the prices you quoted for the E4000 and E5000 are without the phono stage which is an additional option charge. Is that accurate? Thanks!

[@alvarocoutinho3103]

Behind the Sonus Faber, was it a Nordost Red Dawn speaker cable??

[@adrianlow2114]

Yes. We were testing something

[@alvarocoutinho3103]

@@adrianlow2114thanks for the reply.

[@adrianlow2114]

@@alvarocoutinho3103 pleasure

[@rota3781]

You can easily solve the E-4000 problem using a subwoofer. I discovered that using a laser tape measure {Bosch glm 50 or fishing line} and using the same distance from the center of the "woofer of the speaker" to the "woofer of the SubWoofer" for the listening position, preferably at ear level; get a better sound stage

[@Kukkema]

Are you going to review the Accuphase p7500? 🙏🏻

[@MasterofPlay7]

you can always get more details/transparency by switching cables, but would prefer the greater soundstage/scale

[@mitchellburns92]

If the amplifier doesn’t have the ability to begin with cables won’t make much if any difference

[@MasterofPlay7]

@@mitchellburns92 it will make a big difference, if the amp is too bright/sharp I can tune it down with cables, or if you have tube preamp

[@mitchellburns92]

@@MasterofPlay7 I disagree, if you have a thick gauge and appropriately shielded cable or interconnects than swapping them out will give the same result, minimal at best. Anyway your system of course would be unbelievably high resolving where you smell the artist’s breath and surely you’ve conducted many blind AB tests to hear this. You enjoy your silver cables with connected batteries soaked in milk chocolate 🍫.

[@MasterofPlay7]

@@mitchellburns92 Yes silver is generally what i would go to if you want more details or brightness (rhodium plated power cable would have the same result as well), and thicker copper would tune down the sharpness/brightness

[@StanThePigeon]

Wonder if the 5000 would pair better depending on speaker sensitivity

[@timothylindsay3244]

So, can you spec the E4000 with a 6 spd manual and limited slip differential?.

[@adrianlow2114]

No. It comes with SMG

[@timothylindsay3244]

Haha…love your videos. You and your team have helped my critical listening skills and have brought more enjoyment to my audio hobby. Thanks 🙏

[@Skye_the_toller]

Still hope to ear you about sound comparaison between C2700 & the C2800😜

[@musikfreund1822]

Thanks for this great comparison....but makes it not easier to choose one...Best would be an E-5000 with more clear sound. Always the same with Accuphase😒

[@CarlVanDoren61]

Interesting, thx for sharing 👍 E5000 should power 3.7is 😮

[@woody168]

Ok Adrian, I accepted your challenge last week, so I will try my best. But it is getting harder, because from a distance, it is hard to make out the watch. But you can tell me how close or how far my guess is. And also, I’m not even paying attention to what you’re saying about the Accuphase. Perhaps that’s bad. But, through the somewhat blurry wrist shot, it looks like the Rolex has drilled lugs, as well as a flat acrylic crystal. If I am not mistaken, I also see a cyclops on the crystal. With all of those criteria, I am leaning towards a vintage. But my best guess, with limited clarity, that this is maybe a Rolex 1680 sub? And if I was close on the guess, no, I would not know if yours is a red sub or not. 😂 Edit: one thing I am not sure of, is that it’s hard to see the bracelet. And the center link of the bracelet, at times, looks polished. And if it is polished, then I’d not go with a vintage guess. See? It’s too hard!

[@adrianlow2114]

You’re amazing , that you can see and surmise do much! It’s a YG 70s GMT Master with brownish dial.My friend says collectors call it Root Beer. Center Link is wider and polished, all factory standard. Out of curiosity how old does a watch have to be to be deemed vintage

[@woody168]

@@adrianlow2114 it’s YG? My eyes suck! 😂 yeah come to think of it, another thing that’s rather unique, if I am not mistaken, that your dial is a nipple dial. So that’s very common too. Whenever I think of any vintage 1675, I always thought of it would come on a jubilee bracelet. So it threw me off a bit. I promise to do better! And I think because of the golden age of 60s and 70s with their iconic watches, that era would always be called vintage. But the funny thing, how can you not called anything 80s or 90s vintage? That’s at least 30 years ago!!

[@adrianlow2114]

@@woody168 Still amazes me that you can tell so much from the video and it's not even focused! Let's see if you can guess the next one ...I'll have to remember to wear something different

[@alternativemusicandbeyond6519]

My guess you don't sell Rotel. I bought into Rotel because of their cost and excellent build quality. I find Rotel sound is like the 197s and 1980s Sherwood and Fisher (Sanyo by Panasonic). So what's the Accuphase vs Rotel sound like.

[@aussie8114]

I would like to know his listening impressions of the Michi at half the price of Accuphase. I will listen to the Michi soon but that store doesn’t sell Accuphase or Luxman to compare it with.

[@ganck1147]

@@aussie8114i know of a friend who sold his Accuphase 470 for a Rotel Michi integrated. He has been a long term Accuphase user.

[@connorduke4619]

Rotel Michi especially P5/S5 but even X3 makes a lot of more expensive brands redundant. As do certain Dynaudio bookshelf speakers (Contour 2oi, Evoke 10) and Teac Dacs and CD transports.

[@net_news]

Your initial interpretation of No Woman No Cry is bizarre!! Never realized that possible interpretation haha... It turns a beautiful song into a machist anthem 😂

[@adrianlow2114]

lol. And it turns out I was wrong about my second interpretation too! Darn internet

[@MegaGronis]

My listening room or TV room is 77 cubic meters. 2700 cubic feet. Not a small room. Yamaha HTR -2071 is good enough to fill the room with great sound.

[@ptg01]

Luxman is probably more comparable to Accuphase... Well done...

[@MegaGronis]

At the age of 26 i was capable to hear 17500 Hz. We tested it. Now im 68 and can hear maybe 8000 Hz. I dont know. So why buy an amplifier for tens of thousands of Dollars.

[@CarlVanDoren61]

Good point 👉 Hi resolution 🔊 Best friend 👉

[@THOMAS89450]

I bought the E-4000..so i saved 5000$...just to buy the new E-700 Class A...nice..!

[@adrianlow2114]

Congrats!!

[@THOMAS89450]

Adrian, i did associate the E-4000 with a pair of Klipsch Cornwall IV, and the fantastic cd reader SMSL PL 200 ( using xlr Mogami 2549 audio cables )...what a sound..! You should test this smsl pl 200 one day..i never bought a better cd player during all my life.. Thanks from France for your videos... .

[@wiratornr.3510]

E4000 has new ANCC that E5000 doesn’t have. Cn this explain the better clarity of 4000?

[@adrianlow2114]

Not sure if the circuits are any different

[@wiratornr.3510]

@@adrianlow2114 yes, it’s different, the newer E4000 and E700 has lower noise ANCC circuit which E800 and E5000 do not have.

[@barrybrennan2135]

Dealer asks? I'll bet the more expensive one!

[@adrianlow2114]

If you watched til the end the answer is not that simple

[@chebrubin]

I wish Accuphase made a $$$ processor to compete with McIntosh MX180 A/V Processor. I think they are missing the mark here on what people want.

[@MsCorbacho]

accuphase and LFD , problably the only two brands i would buy if i had to buy solid state , this is of course from my experience ! give me tubes all the way ,...tubes...tubes..tubes....tubes....tuuuuuuuuuuubeeeeeeessssssssssss ! :)

[@mitchellburns92]

I’m gonna guess the Luxman 509x as the clients previous integrated amplifier

[@joeythedime1838]

I would love to know for sure as I have a Luxman L-509x and have been looking at the Accuphase E-4000.

[@mitchellburns92]

@@joeythedime1838 I’m gonna say something controversial because even to me I hadn’t really considered it. I was recently demoing a few high end integrated Amplifiers to pair with my Spendor D7.2s. I was looking at Pass Labs 250, Luxman 509z, Accuphase E5000 and the Hegel H600. Then a dealer who I had previously done a bit of business with in the past got chatting with me and had suggested I take a serious look into the Krell K-300i. I was open to an audition and honestly so glad I went. It’s an absolute sleeper of an amp, for musicality, absolute grip and for overall enjoyment it hands down beat the others I was auditioning for the past few months. Comes in cheaper too. There’s been a new circuit design added to the K-300i recently, its end game.

[@amazme1398]

Why are you not playing music?

[@MegaGronis]

Your ears cant hear the difference. Im sure. Maybe an owl.

[@lukedermott1589]

NO SIR! NO SIR!!! NO SIR!!! He is NOT saying you don’t need a man. He is consoling her as they reminisce about simpler times with friends they’ve lost, talking about the importance of remembering those times/people as a source of strength and telling her not to cry while he’s away. The song has absolutely nothing to do with telling her that she is strong and doesn’t need a man.

[@erics9754]

Agree not needing a man does not make a woman strong it makes her sad and alone and less of a woman with less femininity. Something which is a gift something that should be admired something that is lacking in todays woman something that makes men and woman special and unique and complements both of them and is completely lacking in todays society. Without this qualities we would never have thrived as a species. The differences should be celebrated and encouraged not denied or changed.

[@adrianlow2114]

Ah! Thank you. Darn internet lol

[@rbyington22]

Way overpriced in the USA Luxman a much better value

[@adrianlow2114]

Don't have that issue in Canada

[@nirodha35]

Adrian, is the conclusion that we are forced to buy Chinese assembled / made products if we want to buy “budget” components? Have Europe and the USA lost the battle?

[@oiygfdxssfgg]

Too expensive

[@Harrisongrey19]

Fortunately not for me and many others looking for an endgame piece

[@oiygfdxssfgg]

@@Harrisongrey19 Good luck with it

[@Harrisongrey19]

@@oiygfdxssfgg I’m not buying it I already have my end game integrated amps… for now haha

[@erics9754]

@@Harrisongrey19 Their is no endgame piece lol it does not exist find what you like and get off the merry-go-round its a sickness. There will always be something better but as we age our hearing changes and all gear is a compromise no matter how expensive. Another issue is some gear sounds good with other gear some does not. Its like a recipe too many variables to worry about. Its fun to try different gear but i found after all the upgrades that i rather just enjoy the music instead of analyzing gear some find out sooner than later some never stop. I have many regrets owning gear that was great but i always thought the more expensive stuff would be better and i have learned this is rarely the case and still regret selling a phono amp that was pricey but not crazy expensive that i have yet to top spending 30 grand on when my 7 grand unit used never has been topped sadly i have never seen this piece for sale since and the one time i did it went up double in value and sold immediately my loss so i do not gamble on gear anymore unless i can do a side by side comparison.