Second Spin Audio

Buying a used Accuphase E-202

A 1974 integrated amplifier with power meters, two phono inputs and a damping factor switch. Here's how to check a used Accuphase E-202 and get to know its controls before you buy.

Updated

At a glance

Released
May 1974 (Japan)
Type
Stereo integrated amplifier
Rated power
100 W per channel into 8 Ω, 140 W into 4 Ω, 50 W into 16 Ω (both channels, 20 Hz–20 kHz)
Total harmonic distortion
0.1% at rated output
Phono inputs
Two (DISC 1 with selectable 30k/47k/100k Ω load and 6 dB attenuator; DISC 2 at 47k Ω)
Meters
Left and right power meters, switchable range
Damping factor switch
Normal (50), Medium (5), Soft (1)
Headphone output
For 4–32 Ω headphones
Weight
19.5 kg

What to check before you pay

  1. Voltage. Check the rating label on the back and make sure it matches your mains, or budget for a suitable transformer.
  2. Power-on and protection relay. The E-202 has a protection relay that connects the speakers. After switching on, listen for it to click in, then check that sound comes through both channels.
  3. Meters. Play some music and watch both power meters. They should move, light up and respond on both range settings. They're half the charm of this amp, so you want them working.
  4. Hum and noise. With nothing playing and the volume at zero, listen close to each speaker. Loud hum or crackle points to a fault.
  5. Controls and switches. Turn every knob and try every switch, including the damping factor and tone switches, while music plays. Crackle or dropouts usually mean dirty controls, which should be reflected in the price.
  6. Phono and line inputs. Test each input you need. If you play records, try DISC 1 at the impedance setting your cartridge calls for.
  7. Service history. Ask whether the unit has been serviced and what was replaced. If the history is unknown, plan for a technician's check.

A seventies amp with a lot to play with

Released in Japan in May 1974, the E-202 is rated at 100 watts per channel into 8 Ω, 140 watts into 4 Ω and 50 watts into 16 Ω, so it’s comfortable with a wide range of speakers. The front panel is where it gets fun: left and right power meters with a switchable range, tone controls you can switch in or out, two phono inputs and a headphone output. At 19.5 kg, it’s no lightweight either.

The damping factor switch, explained

One control you won’t find on most amplifiers is the three-position damping factor switch: Normal, Medium and Soft. In simple terms, it changes how tightly the amplifier holds the speaker cones in check. Different settings will suit different speakers and tastes. The practical tip for buyers: if the sound seems loose or thin when you test it, check where this switch is set before assuming something is wrong.

Two phono inputs for vinyl fans

DISC 1 lets you choose the cartridge load (30k, 47k or 100k Ω) and has a 6 dB attenuator, while DISC 2 is fixed at 47k Ω. That flexibility is genuinely useful if you run more than one cartridge or like to experiment.

What to ask the seller

  • Has it been serviced, and is there a record of what was done?
  • Where has it been used? Japan runs on 100 V mains, so a unit from there may need a transformer.
  • Is the original manual included?

Manuals

Links open external manual archives or the manufacturer's site. We don't host these files.

Sources