Accession (+ Enigma) Review (2 Weeks In)

Hello,

I received my brand new Accession (+ PSU1 Enigma) just over two weeks ago and would like to share my initial thoughts in an effort to help guide/support anyone currently scouring the internet,  researching phono stages, or indeed this specific product.

I’ll start at the end: I am overjoyed with the impact the Accession has had on the sound my system produces. This is one of those upgrades that you don’t really need (do we need any of this stuff!?), but once you take the plunge and experience the difference, you can probably never go back. I was very happy pre-Accession, but am now overjoyed.

To add a little context; my music tastes are pretty eclectic, I would say that 80% of my listening - certainly since returning to analogue around 18 months ago - lands in the 70’s and 80’s. More specifically I’m now all-in with Japanese synth/electronic music (think YMO and their respective individual works, Akiko Yano, Plastics, P-Model, Hikashu, Ippu-Do). I have also recently begun to explore Jazz Fusion from both east and west (Casiopea, T-Square, Rio Kawasaki, and early 80’s Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Weather Report. My set-up is; Denon-DP3000NE - Accession - Yamaha A-S1200 - B&W 606’s.

I will attempt to circumnavigate much of the clichés and terminology used by reviewers - which I am certainly not qualified to attempt - and simply offer an honest, perhaps simplified explanation of why I’m so impressed with the Accession. Without just saying it just ‘sounds better’ - though it does!    

The Accession has undoubtedly brought more life to the music; the sound is bigger and hits you more cleanly. The precision and detail of individual instruments, electronic sounds and voices are more defined and separated - just enough, not too much - leading to a more impactful, nuanced and enriched sound. I am noticing so much more from the vinyl, which has been hugely enjoyable, enlightening and rather remarkable. 

Set-up was very easy and took only 10-15 minutes (my Denon DL-110 HOMC cartridge does not demand any dip-switchery, though I may experiment in time. The unit is light and diminutive, much belying it’s power and impact. It is beautifully and humbly built, too; it has everything it needs in terms of functionality and material, and nothing it does not.  

A quick note on the mono/stereo switch which is - to my ears at least - a revelation. My mono pressings have never sounded so good; smoother, more clear and with more punch. This has put off my research / planning for a separate mono turntable/cartridge set-up on hold for a little while longer and maybe never. Who am I kidding!? 

If you are in the market for a new phono stage, I would urge you to look into the Accession, it is - albeit to my relatively ill-informed ears - an absolute gem.

Thanks,

Adam