Accuphase preamps.

[LarsT]

Is it possible to unsee this post? [emoji23]
I had just convinced myself that the C-2450 would be “enough” for me. Oh boy

[Weirdcuba]

Nope- now you’ve seen the post. Then, you just have to hear the unit

I have the lowly 3800 (fully balanced/AAVA and it is just unbelievable. Just waiting on whatever replaces the 3850 to move up.

[LarsT]

Originally Posted by Weirdcuba

Nope- now you’ve seen the post. Then, you just have to hear the unit

I have the lowly 3800 (fully balanced/AAVA and it is just unbelievable. Just waiting on whatever replaces the 3850 to move up.

Just go for the 3850 and sell me the 3800. Everyone’s happy [emoji2]

[xv21]

Originally Posted by meltemi

C-3850, C-2850 and the announced C-2450 all have 4th generation AAVA.
Only C-3850 is fully balanced.
C-3850 is not more forward in sound. It's just more natural and relaxed than even its predecessor C-3800.
As mentioned elsewhere in this forum, there is a test report of the C-3850 in German available on accuphase.de, which well describes its sonic properties.
Only C-2850 and C-2450 allow adding of phono module AD-2850.
IMHO there were always clearly audible differencies between the preamps climbing up the ladder (provided the rest of the system would not mask them).

How it goes with Accuphase preamplifiers? How big the difference in sound is from the different models?
C-2150 vs C-2450
C-2450 vs C-2850
C-2850 vs C-3850

[jesuisunutopiste]

Originally Posted by xv21

How it goes with Accuphase preamplifiers? How big the difference in sound is from the different models?
C-2150 vs C-2450
C-2450 vs C-2850
C-2850 vs C-3850

This is a good question.
Can somebody rank the machines in a scale of percentages.
I mean, if the 3850 (nirvana) gets 100 %, how close get the others?

Something like this:
3850: 100%
2850: 90%
2450: 70%
2150: 60%

Or something like this:
3850: 100%
2850: 80%
2450: 50%
2150: 40%

Or only this:
3850: 100%
2850: 95%
2450: 90%
2150: 85%

I know, all depends with the system used.
But how big are the differences really?

And is there a big jump between the 21xx/24xx and 28xx/38xx series.
This is what I understand so far.

Thanks for your rankings!

[jororupp]

TMO it is almost impossible to answer that question. How should a set-up lool like to compare the the different pre-amps directly?

What I can estimate from my personal experience in the past:

C-2120 -> C 2420: < 5% advantage for the C-2420

C-2120 -> C-3800: hard to say. TMO C-3800 is a different, superior league.

C-3800 -> C-3850: 5%-10% advantage for C-3850

I've never have tried a C-28xx, so no experience on that.

When I had the chance to compare, my set-up was on a lower quality level as it is today. As said, a comparison or rating is difficult TMO.

Jörg

[jesuisunutopiste]

Hi Jörg,
thanks !!
This is a kind of answer I was looking for.
I have now a 2120, and if I want to get into another league, I should jump over the 2420 or other 21xx and 24xx to get directly to the 28xx or 38xx.
Anybody who can confirm this?

[xv21]

Originally Posted by jororupp

TMO it is almost impossible to answer that question. How should a set-up lool like to compare the the different pre-amps directly?

What I can estimate from my personal experience in the past:

C-2120 -> C 2420: < 5% advantage for the C-2420

What are the advantages of C-2450 over C-2150? Better phono equalizer unit?

What, if you have a little bit better turntable and you want to use with Accuphase.

Is the difference bigger if you add AD-2850 to C-2450 compared to C-2150 with AD-50?

What about C-2150 + C-37 compared to C-2450 with AD-2850? C-2150 + C37 is more expensive, but not necessarily that much. Difference in price is 1500€.

Is there a significant difference between AD-50 and AD-2850? AD-2850 is like 3.5 times more expensive than AD-50. Is there a significant difference between AD-2850 and C-37? How good is the price / performance ratio of AD-2850?

What are the good reasons to choose C-2450 instead of C-2150? Is there any? If you add AD-2850 to C-2450, price is quite close to C-2120 + C-37. C-2450 with AD-2850 is 1500€ cheaper than C-2120 + C37.

[jesuisunutopiste]

Originally Posted by xv21

What are the advantages of C-2450 over C-2150? Better phono equalizer unit?

What, if you have a little bit better turntable and you want to use with Accuphase.

Is the difference bigger if you add AD-2850 to C-2450 compared to C-2150 with AD-50?

What about C-2150 + C-37 compared to C-2450 with AD-2850? C-2150 + C37 is more expensive, but not necessarily that much. Difference in price is 1500€.

Is there a significant difference between AD-50 and AD-2850? AD-2850 is like 3.5 times more expensive than AD-50. Is there a significant difference between AD-2850 and C-37? How good is the price / performance ratio of AD-2850?

What are the good reasons to choose C-2450 instead of C-2150? Is there any? If you add AD-2850 to C-2450, price is quite close to C-2120 + C-37. C-2450 with AD-2850 is 1500€ cheaper than C-2120 + C37.

Very good questions!
Who can answer?
(not me)

[jororupp]

Some considerations and answers from my experience:

What are the advantages of C-2450 over C-2150? Better phono equalizer unit?

What, if you have a little bit better turntable and you want to use with Accuphase.

In principal, yes. I don't know C-2150/2450, however the deltas might be similar as what I've observed between C-2120/2420. A C-2420 with an AD-28xx should clearly be better than an C-2120 with an AD-30/50 board. In addition, AD-28xx supports two turntables.

What about C-2150 + C-37 compared to C-2450 with AD-2850? C-2150 + C37 is more expensive, but not necessarily that much. Difference in price is 1500€.

TMO C-2150 + C-37 is no reasonable combination, except you want to support three turntables in parallel. I assume that a C-2150 is not able to demonstrate the quality of a C-37.

Is there a significant difference between AD-50 and AD-2850? AD-2850 is like 3.5 times more expensive than AD-50. Is there a significant difference between AD-2850 and C-37? How good is the price / performance ratio of AD-2850?

I've no experience on that to give a qualified answer. I don't know any Accuphase dealer in Germany who can demonstrate all Accuphase phono equipment and pre-amps in parallel to find it out. For the technical deltas you should look at the Accuphase homepage.

What are the good reasons to choose C-2450 instead of C-2150? Is there any? If you add AD-2850 to C-2450, price is quite close to C-2120 + C-37. C-2450 with AD-2850 is 1500€ cheaper than C-2120 + C37.

Don't forget that a C-37 deserves a set of top interconnects and a top power cable in addition...

From my point of view a C-2150 + AD-50 is good combination to start with vinyl.

An ambitious vinyl lover will probably prefer a C-2450 + AD 2850, especially to support two turntables in parallel.

If you own a C-2850 or C-38xx plus top notch turntable(s) the C-37 is a 'must have' TMO...