Accuphase E-211 (1998)
The record conflicts on when the Accuphase E-211 was built. The most authoritative sources - the Accuphase product database and Radiomuseum - both place it at 1998, with a release date of October 1998 and an original price of ¥190,000. Some secondary listings have given a 1991-1994 window, but that range doesn't square with the 1998 date and appears to be an error. This page goes with 1998.
The E-211 is an integrated stereo amplifier, a refinement of the E-210, and it sits in Accuphase's long line of current-feedback designs. Contemporary coverage in Audio (October 1999, p.56) listed the E-211 among the amplifiers of the period. The power amp section uses a parallel push-pull output stage built around high-output audio transistors, driven by power MOS-FETs in the driver stage. The negative thermal characteristic of the MOS-FETs cancels the positive thermal drift of the bipolar output devices. That is Accuphase's standard trick for thermal stability. Rated output is 90 W/ch into 8 Ω, 115 W/ch into 4 Ω, and 105 W/ch into 6 Ω. The current-feedback topology is the main technical story. Because it feeds back current rather than voltage, the feedback input impedance stays low, phase rotation is minimal, and the amp needs very little phase compensation. Accuphase claims this gives better transient behavior and a more natural response. The signal path is switched by logic-controlled sealed relays, chosen for short signal runs and long-term contact reliability.
Around the back you get five inputs including one balanced pair, plus a slot for an optional AAB-standard board. That board is either a line input (Line-9 or Line-10) or a phono board (AD-9 or AD-10) for MM/MC cartridges. Two pairs of speaker terminals allow either a second set of speakers or bi-wiring. The supplied remote commander is the RC-23, an infrared unit running on two AAA batteries. Tone controls are an addition-type active filter design: bass ±10 dB at 50 Hz (300 Hz turnover) and treble ±10 dB at 20 kHz (3 kHz turnover). A switchable loudness compensator adds +6 dB at 200 Hz when the volume is at -30 dB. A logarithmic-compression peak power meter gives direct dB readings into an 8 Ω load. Power consumption is 30 W at idle and 336 W at rated 8 Ω output. Dimensions are 475 × 150 × 422 mm, weight 18.5 kg.
Some sources describe the E-211 as "dual-mono," but the design documentation points to a single large power transformer (around 400 VA) with two 22,000 µF filter capacitors. The output stage is parallel push-pull, not truly separate per-channel supplies. "Dual-mono" is a loose description, not a literal architecture claim.
Current used listings sit in the $1,600 - $2,000 range, with European dealers asking €1,800 - €1,900. As with most Accuphase gear, values hold up well.
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