Rafael Todes of Hi-Fi+ likes to test a capable power amplifier on a pair of Quad 63 electrostatic speakers, because they are notoriously hard to drive. With an Accustic Arts AMP IV in charge, the double bass on an Oscar Peterson Trio record came through so firmly that the Quads sounded "better than I’ve heard them before." Some speakers ask an amplifier for a surge of current on certain notes, and the German company's answer is simple. It builds its amplifiers with oversized parts, big transformers and output transistors that the company says never work near their limits. Gary Lea of Positive Feedback heard no "strident highs" from the Amp II and no "fuzzy bloating masquerading as warmth." Terry London of Stereo Times heard "an overall silky smoothness and effortless liquidity" from the Power III, even at high volume. Accustic Arts suits owners of demanding speakers who want solid-state power without a clinical sound.

The Power III integrated is a sensible place to start. It is the most powerful integrated in the Top series, it has a DAC built in, and a phono board can be added later when you want to play records. If you want to build up separates, the Tube Preamp V is a good partner for a transistor power amp. Todes finds tubes in more than one part of a system "too rich and gooey," so he likes having this one tube stage ahead of solid-state power, and the tubes can be switched off when you aren't listening to save them. The step up is the Reference series, whose big amplifiers have a damping control that changes how tightly they hold the woofers. Todes heard more bass grip with it on, and Jason Victor Serinus of Stereophile preferred it off with his Wilsons, so try both settings in your own room before deciding.

Accustic Arts builds its electronics in Lauffen am Neckar, near Stuttgart. The brand was introduced in 1997 after five years of development, with roots in recording studios and PA systems. Its building, put up in 1998, holds a recording studio next to the production line and test center, and the company says a single product's testing can last up to two weeks. In 2009 it launched a record label, Accustic Arts Audiophile Recordings, and sound engineer Milan Sajé produced its five Uncompressed World albums. Dirk Sommer of HiFi Statement remembers the 18-kilogram Drive II transport and the Tube DAC II, whose 32-bit processing and tubed output section were unusual at the time. The AMP VI followed with a redesigned power supply. In Stereophile, Serinus called its predecessor, the AMP V, "one of the finest and most musically satisfying amplifiers to ever enter my system."