With the new integrated amplifier Power III, Accustic Arts offers an integral solution comprising a high-grade digital-to-analogue converter, as well as an optional phono preamplifier. Noble appeal and discreet appearance correspond to the self-image of Accustic Arts. Here great value is attached to sonic performance and craftmanship. There is no place left for frills.

It is rare that a music producing company with its own music label, namely Accustic Arts Audiophile Recordings, emerges alongside the development and handcrafted manufacturing of sophisticated audio components. However, twelve years have passed since the presentation of the first Accustic Arts components in 1997 and the creation of the CD label Accustic Arts Audiophile Recordings, but it will not be continued under the current management, as the company has set its focus exclusively on the development and production of high-quality audio components. The company name Accustic Arts was formed from Accurate Acoustic Arts, as explained on the website of the company located in the city of Lauffen in the Federal State of Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. Last year the current head of the company Hans-Joachim Voss and his team celebrated the company’s 25th anniversary. Or, more explicitly: For 25 years now customers can buy Accustic Arts components worldwide. However, five years before that, the original team and external audio specialists had already developed ideas, tested them in terms of measurement and musical performance, and took their decision on the synthesis of audiophile standards and the typical design of the brand. In 2016, Hans-Joachim Voss took over the management. A short time later, Sebastian Ruhland joined the company, who is now responsible for technical innovation and hardware development. The complete model portfolio, Top series as well as Reference series, have been redeveloped since 2016. Our test object, the Power III is the most powerful integrated amplifier of the Top line. If you look at the many awards Accustic Arts has received for their devices, it is worth noting that this German manufacturer seems to be far more renowned internationally than in their own country. Perhaps this has somewhat to do with the fact that a visual proximity to German-born noble brands such as Burmester makes demarcation more difficult in their home country. Here, a second look would definitely be advisable. Although the hi-fi components from Lauffen are by no means low-priced, the value-for-money ratio surprises in one or the other case again and again. This comprises, in addition to the sonic performance, the excellent workmanship and the valuable appearance of each Accustic Arts device. This of course also applies to the company’s most recent representative, the Power III integrated amplifier, which was launched in the company’s anniversary year. A key feature of its technical architecture is the versatility of its use. In addition to its characteristic as an integrated amplifier load-stable up to two ohms with two times 230 watts at eight ohms, it allows for the optional internal addition of a customizable MC and MM phono stage. The digital-to-analogue converter is part of the standard equipment and offers the nowadays common connectivity of USB 2.0, two S/PDIF RCA and also two optical Toslink inputs, which is especially useful when a galvanic decoupling is required to prevent hum interference as it quite often creeps in with TV receivers.

Immediately after unpacking the amp, you beam with joy because you managed to heave the stately 23 kilos out of the solid packaging to the designated place, but especially because you can now savour the excellent workmanship and the extremely noble design. The massive cover plate with the large-format company logo - in a darkened environment, this is illuminated from the inside by red LEDs through the protective grille - is fixed with shiny stainless-steel Allen screws and must be removed in our case, allowing to set the two DIP switches on the phono board to match the cartridge, namely a Denon DL-103R. The optional phono board retails for 1,800 euros and can also be retrofitted. Without the phono preamplifier, the associated RCA input functions as the third line input. The corresponding, mechanically exemplary executed ground terminal can also be used for grounding components such as the Synergistic Research Ground Block or the Huesman Earth Conductor. In total, the spanking new integrated amplifier offers three pairs of RCA inputs, one of which, as said, is optionally the phono input, two balanced XLR inputs, and five digital inputs. A pair of RCA outputs named Pre/Rec-Out serves as either a preamp output with variable level or a record output with fixed level. This alternative is selected in the menu when setting up the amplifier, but more on this later on. The variable pre-out allows, for example, the parallel operation of any other power amplifier for bi-amping purposes. The high-quality WBT speaker terminals are only available in single pairs per channel, symmetrically arranged on the left and right. Bi-wiring lovers may be displeased at first glance, but this solution testifies true wisdom. Normally, when using two pairs of speaker outputs per channel, there is often a selector switch in the signal path or otherwise a first-order and a second-order terminal, since the wiring is usually done internally in serial fashion. Here, the task of bi-wiring is solved quite simply by using banana plugs for one path and spades for the second path. Thus both sections are treated on an equal basis. It's nice to see that thought has been put into this and not splurged. This can also be noticed by the fact that the small wooden accessory box also contains two power fuses as replacements, in addition to the operating instructions, final inspection certificate, white cloth gloves and the noble metal remote control. A thoughtful gesture, because things can always go wrong. Nowadays, such fuses are hard to come by. The fuse compartment is located next to the power socket. Of course, the supplied spare fuses can also serve as an indication to deal with the topic and try out an audiophile fuse type, for example from AHP or Synergistic-Research. However, I didn't follow up with this during the test process. And, not to be forgotten, the wooden box also contains a power cord. At this point, however, I would strive for improvement. In the test, I will try an Audioquest Hurricane HC in addition to a Mudra power cord.