C-3800

[TommyC]

I'm very interested in the C-3800. However, I've received conflicting info regarding its possible replacement.

Here are some release dates for their flagship preamps:

290V - 1998
2800 - 2002
2810 - 2006
2820 - 2011 (not really a flagship as the 3800 was released in 2010)
3800 - 2010

Looks like the 3800 is due for an update? I emailed Mr. Suzuki a few days ago, hopefully he'll get back to me.

Ivan, any input?

[Masterlu]

No update planned that I'm aware of.

[TommyC]

Mr. Suzuki wasn't able to tell me whether there will be a successor in 2015. Not surprising.

He did say their product cycle is ~5 years (between 4-6 years).

[Dave_72]

Sorry to hear that. I told you what could happen in the PMs. Anyway, are you gonna hold off, or just get the C-2820?

[bvdiman]

Originally Posted by TommyC

Mr. Suzuki wasn't able to tell me whether there will be a successor in 2015. Not surprising.

He did say their product cycle is ~5 years (between 4-6 years).

Good enough a hint for me to hold off for the new.. OR, perhaps a great time haggling the current into superb deal.

[TommyC]

I will wait.

[Dave_72]

Originally Posted by TommyC

I will wait.

Good idea.

[nvp]

9 months ago or so when I ordered my C-3800, Dave (aka Dave_72) also contacted Mr. Suzuki for me with this same question. I have received more or less the same answer.

I decided not to wait for two main reasons:

1) My dealer offered me a full refund for my C-2810, and was interested to do that then not 1-2 years afterwards.

2) The C-3800 is an aniversary version, that from a technological point of view is still very far ahead of the C-2820. First, the AAVA circuit in C-2820 is not fully balanced like the one in C-3800. Second, the C-2820 does not have anywhere near the power reserves the C-3800 has. Third, the C-2820 does not appear to be fully biased in class A like C-3800 is. Consequently, I felt the C-3800 will not be updated after 5 years, especially since "lesser" products like the DP-700 had life cycles of almost 6 years.

I have friends who argue that the C-3800 pre will never be updated as it is an anniversary edition. I do not believe that. My theory is that the evolution of C-3800 will be significantly more expensive. One one hand, the price increase will justify the further technological advances which are not really needed at the moment. On the other hand, an increase in price will "align" the evolution of C-3800 with the rest of the Accuphase 40 years anniversary components which are all significantly more expensive than the C-3800 pre.

[imprezap2]

either way, when a replacement comes for the C-3800, you will be tempted to get the replacement, that's the nature of the "beast"

Luckily with Accuphase you get a reasonable amount back for your old gear.

[meltemi]

You can always wait for the next generation or
you can decide to listen to music on an extremely high level right now

AFAIK I will not replace my C-3800 within the next 20 years or so, because I enjoy listening to music with it day after day, I don't have anything to critisize about it, and I will not have the financial means to change my system another time.