Accuphase A-65 (2009)

Name: Accuphase A-65
Brand: Accuphase

Stereo power amplifier released in April 2009 with pure Class A operation and fully balanced signal transmission.

Overview

The Accuphase A-65 is a stereo power amplifier manufactured by Accuphase Laboratory, Inc., released in April 2009 as the successor to the A-60. It features pure Class A operation and a fully balanced signal path from input to output stage. The amplifier supports both stereo and monaural modes, with bridge connection enabling high-power monaural use. Control buttons are concealed under a cover on the front panel, a design change from the earlier A-60.

Specifications

Rated Output (Stereo, 8 Ω)	60W + 60W
Rated Output (Monaural, Bridge, 8 Ω)	240W
Total Harmonic Distortion (Stereo, 4–16 Ω)	0.05%
Frequency Response (1W Output)	0.5 Hz – 160 kHz (±3.0 dB)
Damping Factor	400
Input Impedance (Balanced)	40k Ω
Input Impedance (Unbalanced)	20k Ω
Gain	28.0 dB (switchable: Max, -3dB, -6dB, -12dB)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-weighted, Gain Max)	115 dB
Power Supply	1kVA toroidal transformer, 82,000 μFx2 smoothing capacitors
Power Consumption (No Input)	280W
Power Consumption (8 Ω Rated Output)	380W
Dimensions (W×H×D)	465 × 238 × 515 mm
Weight	43.0 kg
Output Devices	Power MOS-FET, 10 parallel push-pull per channel

Design

The A-65 uses a pure Class A amplifier design with full balance transmission throughout the signal path. It employs an instrumentation amplifier input stage and a current feedback amplifier circuit. The MCS+ circuit reduces noise by expanding parallel operation into the Class A drive stage. Output current is detected via Hall element for the digital and bar graph meters, which feature 5-digit and 25-point displays with range and hold settings. The power supply uses a 1kVA toroidal transformer sealed in a non-resonant aluminum housing, and electronics are mounted directly onto large side-mounted heat sinks. Balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) inputs are provided, along with speaker terminals compatible with banana plugs and Y lugs. A rear toggle switch allows selection of DUAL MONO (bi-amp) or bridged monaural mode.

Context

The Accuphase A-65 succeeds the A-60, featuring a redesigned input stage and updated front-panel layout with hidden controls. It was developed by Accuphase Laboratory, Inc., originally founded as Kensonic Laboratory, Inc. in 1972 by former Kenwood engineer Jiro Kasuga.

Market

The A-65 had an original price of ¥1,000,000 in April 2009. A 2024 listing noted an asking price of 15,000 euros. One European review cited a price of 460,000 Czech Koruna at time of review.

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