Acurus 200X3 / A200 Review

[CarnahanBB]

I've been asked to share my thoughts on my newly acquired Acurus 200X3. For those interested in brevity, I can sum it up with one word: Fabulous. For those interested in more detail read on.

Per Acurus the 200X3 is basically an A200 with another channel. All three channels are identical in design and output. First of all, I've read a lot of individual reviews stating that this amp is 'bright'. Let me address that. It isn't. I would attribute this feedback from people using the amp with a less than a great front end. Like many good pieces of gear the Acurus puts out what you put in. The signal is not smoothed over or warmed up.

The amp has tons of current. I ran it with my Infinity Kappa 8s and while the amp did warm up as volume level increased it cools down almost immediately as the volume is reduced. That being said, this is not an amp I'd run on Kappa 9s or QLS. Acurus states as much as they recommend to not use the amp with 2 ohm loads. The amp if very thermally efficient. It runs cool unless really pushed and has a remarkably powerful and punchy bottom end. I haven't been able to find the spec but this amp must have a very high damping factor. The bass is punchy and taught with almost no overhang or bloat at all. More so than my Adcom 565s and much more so than my B&K M200s. The midrange is also remarkably musical, lifelike and very smooth. Treble has a very nice sense of air and realism as well. Like I said, the amp is not bright but the treble region is not rolled off or warm.

This is an amp that I could be happy with permanently. Excellent sound quality, excellent and robust build quality. I've been absolutely thrilled with it and will certainly pursue more Acurus designs in the future as they represent a stellar bang for the buck.

One interesting fact: The 200X3 weighs 6lbs more (45lbs vs 39lbs) than the A200X3 which I found interesting because according to Acurus the later 'A' version produces more power. I'm happy with my first generation version to say they least.

 

[Isotonic]

Thanks for the review. My Arcam Home Theater receiver broke down this year and I have been looking to go to separates. I miss the enveloping sound (for movies and concerts) and I love headroom. These seem like of of the better affordable options.

 

[CarnahanBB]

I know what you mean. I'm running an Arcam AVP 700 HT Pre/Pro and I'm just waiting for the day when it stops working. I bought it because it makes a great 2 channel preamp as well. That being said, the next phase of the review will be mating it with the Arcam and my new NHTs to give it a whirl.

 

[uplander]

I've been running a 200x3 for about a year now. I've been very happy, and agree with all that you said. It displaced a B&K ST202, and I felt it was a huge improvement in the bass, and more detailed in the upper mid / low treble. It seemed to exhibit absolute control of the 8" sealed woofers in my ADS L1290's. Bass was more detailed, precise and authoritative. It's now working quite well with Snell Type D's.

For me, it'll be a while before I feel the need to change amplification. And I don't think I will be making any changes without being able to audition with my system, because I feel the Acurus has gotten me to the level that synergy will be as important as quality in any further upgrades. I do want to try a Nelson Pass stasis design in my system at some point. I used to have a Nakamichi PA-7 that I really liked, and want to revisit that sound to see how it stacks up.

 

[Knucklehead]

I've had the A200 and A200x3 for a while now. I bought them as a set from a seller on A-gon who was the original owner. From everything I've read they are essentially the same as the 200 and 200x3 from everything I've read. Six pounds isn't that big a difference unless its for a larger transformer or capacitor bank.

I bought a pair of Emotiva UPA-1 mono amps and removed the A200 to try out the mono block amps to see if the A200 would 'get the boot'. I think there will be a pair of UPA-1s for sale early next year.

On paper the UPA-1's make 50wpc more power into my 4ohm speakers. They are rated 200/350wpc - the A200 is rated 200/300wpc - same as the A200x3. In real life testing (by me) there is very little real differences in the two brands although I've lost some of the low bass I was getting with the A200. I haven't taken the time to measure it. I have an SPL meter so I could do that but just don't feel like sticking the UPA-1's back into the rack to do the comparison. They'd just have to come back out anyway.

The only way the A200 would be displaced is if I buy another Harman Kardon HK 990 integrated. I owned one for about 6 months but was persuaded by a friend to sell it to him. Since he refuses to sell it back (who could blame him?) I may have to up and buy one. My reasoning is it will replace an amp (the A200) a preamp and an external DAC. The HK 990 is an awesome integrated amp - has good internal DACs and contains room correction and EQ's two subs too. Something I don't often use for 2 channel but I often watch movies in 2.2 unless the soundtrack is exceptional.

I agree with you about the Acurus amps not being bright. I'd say they are just right. Plenty of power. I've not heard any clipping from my ERT's.

Here's a website with lots of info on legacy Acurus products.

 

[uplander]

Thanks for the link, I hadn't seen that before.