New Accuphase Flagship Preamplifier
raker -- Mon, 06/07/2010 - 00:51
Accuphase will launch their new flagship preamplifier, the C-3800, in July in Japan. As compared to their previous top model, the C-2810, the C-3800 is fully balanced from input to output, and will sell for 1.5 times the C-2810. For reference, see the Japanese web site's page http://www.accuphase.co.jp/cat/c-3800.pdf. The English web site for this new model is not yet available.
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While the rest of the hi fi world awaits the ARC Ref 40!
Like the Audio Research Reference Anniversary, the Accuphase C-3800 is being produced to celebrate Accuphase's 40th anniversary. Also like the Audio Research, the Accuphase C-3800 looks like it has a seriously upgraded power supply (almost sufficient for a power amplifier).
I bought one, just listened to it for the first time today. Much better than the previous top model, the C-2810.
Compared to the VAC Signature Mark II, which I also own, seems to be at a comparable level.
Very good on voices.
All this is preliminary, still breaking in.
For interest, the speakers are the Sonus Faber Stradivari Homage.
Have you tried the REF 40?
I've inquired about the Audio Research 40th Anniversary Reference preamplifier, but no dealer that I'm in touch with has it yet. Lucky those who have one.
Skeptical though about the "limited edition" status, seems like a licence to print money for something artificially limited in supply (like diamonds or Sonus Faber's new Fenice speaker, only thirty pairs will be built @ 140,000+ Euros per pair).
Skeptical also about the output capacitors, even though they're one kilo each! Seems to me that output transformers are the way to go for tubes to get a low output impedance (like the VAC Signature).