HPA A281 by Accurate {Unboxing and first impressions}

[@billlodhia5640]

Thank you so much for the first impressions on this! I've been trying to find impressions on this, especially as I'm in line to receive my ModHouse Tungstens in a couple of months (maybe).

[@bongofury3176]

just received the V550 version...wow...makes my A90 sound like a wind-up childs toy...and enough power to fully run my 1266 with ease...fully recommended

[@rbsorg]

Nice review. Are you still using and loving this amp?

[@Djimbe]

My Modhouse Tungstens are Plugged into it RIGHT NOW, as we speak. I have been listening to this and a Heavily preamped (I preamp both with 60v from my SPL Phonitor that I route all my Amps through) SMSL SP400 which gives me the R2R experience and IMO is a both superior and cheaper alternative to the Benchmark HPA4 and they are both Phenomenal tech that will not break the bank. I have been listening to a lot of Chesky Records Binaural Recording stuff that I dug up on an old HD this week, and they have different intangible takes on the music, This one I prefer for older music, Acoustic, folk, Motown, and older Jazz, rock, and psychedelia , the SP400 more for Rap/Pop/EDM/Nujazz Movies/Anime and Gaming. That being said they are both quite powerful and have no obvious gaps in any of the technicalities with incredible range and either choice could be a stand alone one and done solution, but for most the slight edge goes to this amp because of the more powerful Gain Stages hidden in those Dip Switches. Additionally if I get froggy I will probably use this amp as a Modding Platform long before I get rid of it, Swapping Out, Blending and Matching OpAmps/caps/resistors and seeing how much I could tune it up with how little $$$ in an effort to gain further understanding.

[@rbsorg]

@Djimbe does the Accurate HPA A281 have that thicker tube like sound that the V281 is loved for? Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@Djimbe]

@@rbsorg It is definitely part of why I prefer it for the Genre that I do - I would say that its like 90% of the Original in that aspect - but also that that is why I feel like it had slightly better dynamics so your kick has a TOUCH more authority - but yeah, its definitely my most Ethereal listen Warm, Airy - like being wrapped Up in an Alpaca Blanket that is also a Jazz Club - less of that Discotheque/Rave feeling. If my ramblings are making any sense? Sound is hard to define...