There's a hole in my rack waiting on a C3800

[Weirdcuba]

Well, I've had it up and running for nearly a week and, in a word, it is incredible.

- The background is that I have a pair of MC2301s that I absolutely love and really liked the McIntosh C2500, with built in DAC and phono pre. I did hate having the DAC lock up on me periodically, which I found could be managed with a few easy steps, but one simply should not have to "manage" a component of that price to do its job without a reset. I also broke down and bought a pair of TAD CR-1s late last year that took the system to levels I had only dreamed of previously. They sounded awesome (check the TAD forum for my write up, if interested), but they also made me realize that there was more out there . . . lots more.

- When I reflected on it, I felt as if the DAC and phono pre in the 2500 were holding the whole thing back. I could have just gone external and seen what happened with the C2500, but then a certain someone put the C3800 up for an incredible price. It was just what I wanted - world class performance in a one box solution (well, one box for the pre), at a good price (well, relative to retail, it was a good price, but it's still a lot of dough). I also felt it would be a good fit with my 2301s, and I think I was right. I looked hard at the BAT Rex and the McIntosh offerings, but they were two box solutions. Great offerings, but I really wanted one box for the pre.

- Then, it arrived. I filled it out with nice WW power cables and interconnects and all was well. The thing is just an absolute physical specimen. It's hard to appreciate the build quality of the piece until you actually lay hands on it. Even the power button elicits a visceral reaction when touched. Of course, there are those (my wife included) who don't give a flip about these things, but if you do care about such, I am sure you won't be disappointed by the fit, finish and overall quality of an Accuphase component. The wood case is magnificent (as it should be at this price point). It is an overall somewhat retro look, but I think it's better phrased as classic or timeless. Come back in 15 years and this thing will look as current and wonderful as it does today.

- My only slight complaint is that the display is rather small, so it can't be easily seen from across the room - it's lovely, but if that read out is important to you, you'll have to get up to read it. Of course, there's the remote which is like a big hunk of beautifully honed (golden) aluminum, so there's not a lot of reason one would have to get up. I also saw some write ups that said that the 3800 ran hot, but I haven't noticed that at all. It's certainly not like the sterno flame rising from my 2301s, but to tell the truth, I haven't noticed the heat whatsoever.

- Then, there's the sound . . . From the very first moment out of the box, it was magnificent. It is important to note that I added the DAC and the pre at the same time. So my a/b comparison isn't isolated to the C3800. There is lots and lots and lots more detail in the signal from my Bryston BDP (using the same cables), and I attribute that to the DAC. The PSAudio DirectStream DAC also plays DSD files just fine from the Bryston, which I could never get the C2500 to play (and admit I just got tired of messing with it, and just gave up). I'm waiting on a cable so haven't yet heard the Esoteric E03, so there's more in store.

- The changes in SQ that I attribute to the C3800 are depth of soundstage, precision and overall "control" of the sound. My TADs (which are likely not fully broken in yet) were initially a bit "forward" in their sound signature - they weren't harsh or overly detailed in their presentation, but they did sound a bit forward (as best I can describe it). Well, that is now completely eliminated and the word forward doesn't even come to mind. The sound stage has widened even further (and it was plenty wide before), but it sounds as if someone added on to the stage and spread whatever ensemble was playing from front to back. I experience this both with the FM signal and the DAC, so I attribute this trait to the C3800 rather than the DAC. Yes, the Magnum Dynalab 108T (for those of you that still pursue quality FM) sounds absolutely wonderful in this setup. I'll admit to eyeing Mr. Messer's T1100, but I think I'm going to stick with the pure analog output of the 108T. I just love FM.

- It's the "control" though that is just amazing. The sound is just effortless and under control - like the difference in my skiing and my daughter's. I get down the slope and execute more or less the same turns that she does, but she's under control and looks great. I'm fighting it the whole way and a bit on the edge - well, any tension is now gone from the sound of this system and the music is presented in a way that lets you focus on just the music, not the limitations of the system. While I have discussed the additional depth in the soundstage (and it added width, but it's the depth that I really noticed), I've continued the path that I started with the CR-1s of not even really focusing on separation and staging, etc., but focusing on just the overall sound. Just like the CR1s, the C3800 brought me much closer to what I think was intended in the studio. There is also additional precision in the presentation - not quite the tubey sound afforded by the C2500, but I don't feel as if this is an overly detailed presentation at all, none whatsoever. I certainly don't think I need to add more tubes somewhere to get that luscious tube feel - it's plenty luscious, without tubes.

My biggest fear is that this is my only Accuphase component. It actually looks much better with my other (black) components than I thought it would, but it sure is tempting to fill the whole rack up with golden works of art . . . I'll let all of this settle for a good long time and explore some amazing music for the next year or so, and then we'll see.

[chessman]

Jim, CONGRATS on an epic rig!

[Masterlu]

Jim... Excellent review, the Accuphase gear is truly something special. If you can keep from adding any additional pieces; you are stronger than me!

[j3brow]

Congrats Jim. How about a photo here of your updated system with the lovely accuphase. It is next to turntable on top?

[Weirdcuba]

I'm having custom made amp stands built and want to wait to do the great cord sort until I get those in place. Thus, it's got too many ugly cords now for public display. End of February for the great unveiling.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Weirdcuba

I'm having custom made amp stands built and want to wait to do the great cord sort until I get those in place. Thus, it's got too many ugly cords now for public display. End of February for the great unveiling.

Looking forward to it!

[j3brow]

Originally Posted by Weirdcuba

I'm having custom made amp stands built and want to wait to do the great cord sort until I get those in place. Thus, it's got too many ugly cords now for public display. End of February for the great unveiling.

Something to look forward to. World class system you have put together!!

[jororupp]

Congratulation Jim. I've made the same experience in December, when I've received a C-3800.

My only slight complaint is that the display is rather small, so it can't be easily seen from across the room

If you need a 'reason' for an upgrade to the C-3850, here it is. The 3850 display for the volume level is larger now. The letters for the input source are still the same size.

[Weirdcuba]

Ummm, I can definitely live with the smaller read out (and keep the $$ required for the upgrade). I can't imagine the 3850 sounds better, but based on Accuphase historical upgrade cycles, I'm sure it does.

I'll just try to suffer along with the 3800 for a good many more years . . .

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Weirdcuba

I'll just try to suffer along with the 3800 for a good many more years . . .