C-2820 vs C-3800: How do they sound different?

[nvp]

Originally Posted by raidho

Hi Dave72,

a question (maybe stupid)... is true that the Accuphase (for europa) have the XLR (phase) inverting vs. the other products? (in this case with the MC power amplifier?)


-> Use Accuphase with Acchuphase or event. a gear with 180inveting phase selector)



Thank you.

Raidho, Accuphase pre-amp have a phase button that should take care of that. However, you bring up a good point. One has to be aware of this.

[aurumer]

I am not sure if I have missed something. I think the only direct comparison mentioned here was C-2810 vs. C-3800.
Does anybody have experiences in the direct comparison of C-2820 vs. 3800? Here in germany the last C-3800 are for sale and I just pulled the trigger to get one. Now I am just wondering if it is still the better choice in comparison to the new C-2820 and how they compare sonically.

Cheers
Sven

[Accumac]

On page 1 of this thread Raker made a statement regarding c2820 vs C3800. He found the C3800 far superior

[aurumer]

Thanks, missed that - äh, very short - comment. Anybody who is able to discribe the experiences and audible differences in more depth?

[robhifi]

I only have 2420 so I have no say in this.
But I were to upgrade my preamp, it would be the 3800 or whatever it is called by then.
I just want to kill the "upgrade bug" in my head once and for all.

[aurumer]

Good point. That's also a big part in my motivation. I am not in the mood for small upgrades and ever wondering what might come next, anymore.
Better buy once and for a long time, then ever in doubt and upgrading.
I had my personal piece of changing components and upgrading on and on and right now I want to listen to music in the first preference and not to work on my HiFi.

I have just been questioning the differences between 2820 and 3800, because I heard that the 2820, released after the 3800, shall inherit a lot of the 3800 technology and shall be really very good.

I personally am also of the opinion that the 3800 will be superior because it has the complete balanced design with balanced AAVA, much larger power supply and in generell the superior design, as it was the 40 years anniversary preamp.

I think coming from the C-2110 the risk is very low to be disappointed of the C-3800 ;-).

[imprezap2]

even if you buy the new 3850, in 4 years time there will be a new one, which you will want to have. To get the the best out of 3800/3850, the rest of your equipment/room acoustics need to be top notch also.

[robhifi]

True,the room is always the first thing and the last thing.
And the rest of the system needs to be of similar caliber.

[aurumer]

It is ;-). Right now the C-2110 is the weakest link and will be replaced.

I am now of an age and experienced enough that I don't have any problem with new devices in first or second generation. If my device is outdated in the 3rd generation - we will see ;-).

Especially the Accuphase gear get's better with every evolution, but the steps are not so big. We have compared the A-50V with my A-70 and the sonic character of both was very similar. The A-70 has more resolution and control, but the A-50V is still a very good poweramp. What I found astonishing was that obviously the electronic parts of this nearly 20 year old gear were still in good state, because it still sounded very good.

[Dave_72]

Originally Posted by aurumer

It is ;-). Right now the C-2110 is the weakest link and will be replaced.

I am now of an age and experienced enough that I don't have any problem with new devices in first or second generation. If my device is outdated in the 3rd generation - we will see ;-).

Especially the Accuphase gear get's better with every evolution, but the steps are not so big. We have compared the A-50V with my A-70 and the sonic character of both was very similar. The A-70 has more resolution and control, but the A-50V is still a very good poweramp. What I found astonishing was that obviously the electronic parts of this nearly 20 year old gear were still in good state, because it still sounded very good.

That's good to know. Thank you.