Accuphase preamps.

[spurv]

Hello. Im considering upgrading my excellent C2120 preamp in higher range from Accuphase.

C2450 is on its way, but im aiming higher... i think...

C2850.
C3850.

I have never addition C3850, but my dealer went from C2120 to C3850, and could not say anything else, than the C3850 seemed more forward in the sound?! But its was almost new, and needed some burn-in.

C2850, now im entering a Fully Balanced preamp. But can anyone tell me how they perceived the sound?

Same on C3850, that seems so AWSOME!!! :P.

[imprezap2]

Not sure the C2850 is fully balanced, the C3850 is.

[frisqo]

Originally Posted by imprezap2

Not sure the C2850 is fully balanced, the C3850 is.

Sorry, but what does that mean when its fully balanced???

[meltemi]

Originally Posted by frisqo

Sorry, but what does that mean when its fully balanced???

A fully balanced preamp or power amp consists of two identical amplifier units (and for the preamp also volume control units) per channel.
Normally the units are floating as well, i.e. independent of the ground potential.

In a top of the line Accuphase system, the fully balanced output of the source (DA / Phono pre) is connected via XLR to the fully balanced C-3850 and then via XLR to the fully balanced monoblocks
(A-200, A-250, M-6200). At the output of the power amps the phase of one complete amplifier chain per channel (preamp, connections and power amp) is turned 180°.

This eliminates all potentially induced noise and also the common residual noise and distortion of the amplifier and volume control units themselves leading to a cleaner music signal.

[frisqo]

Originally Posted by meltemi

A fully balanced preamp or power amp consists of two identical amplifier units (and for the preamp also volume control units) per channel.
Normally the units are floating as well, i.e. independent of the ground potential.

In a top of the line Accuphase system, the fully balanced output of the source (DA / Phono pre) is connected via XLR to the fully balanced C-3850 and then via XLR to the fully balanced monoblocks
(A-200, A-250, M-6200). At the output of the power amps the phase of one complete amplifier chain per channel (preamp, connections and power amp) is turned 180°.

This eliminates all potentially induced noise and also the common residual noise and distortion of the amplifier and volume control units themselves leading to a cleaner music signal.

thanks :th umbsup:

[stargazerang]

Originally Posted by meltemi

A fully balanced preamp or power amp consists of two identical amplifier units (and for the preamp also volume control units) per channel.
Normally the units are floating as well, i.e. independent of the ground potential.

In a top of the line Accuphase system, the fully balanced output of the source (DA / Phono pre) is connected via XLR to the fully balanced C-3850 and then via XLR to the fully balanced monoblocks
(A-200, A-250, M-6200). At the output of the power amps the phase of one complete amplifier chain per channel (preamp, connections and power amp) is turned 180°.

This eliminates all potentially induced noise and also the common residual noise and distortion of the amplifier and volume control units themselves leading to a cleaner music signal.

Hi, Can you advise, if my preamp a C2450 is connected to the A70 power amp via RCA interconnects, and if my DAC, a Simaudio is connected to my C2450 via XLR interconnects and since the Simaudio component's balanced XLR output is equipped with Pin 2 (+) as opposed to the XLR configuration of the C2450 which is Pin 2 (-), must I still use the phase switch on the preamp to ensure the entire chain is in phase?

Thank you

[audio bill]

Originally Posted by stargazerang

Hi, Can you advise, if my preamp a C2450 is connected to the A70 power amp via RCA interconnects, and if my DAC, a Simaudio is connected to my C2450 via XLR interconnects and since the Simaudio component's balanced XLR output is equipped with Pin 2 (+) as opposed to the XLR configuration of the C2450 which is Pin 2 (-), must I still use the phase switch on the preamp to ensure the entire chain is in phase?

Thank you

Yes, to maintain absolute phase with your DAC as the source you would invert the phase on the preamp. As long as the DAC is your only source that's fine, but if you have other sources with non-inverted outputs you'd have to switch the preamp back to non-inverted. Not sure if the C2450 allows you to select phase based on input, but if it does that would allow you to select proper phase specifically for each source you have connected. Another alternative would be if your DAC has a phase inversion switch you could invert its output and then keep the preamp set to non-inverting.

[ozy]

Originally Posted by meltemi

A fully balanced preamp or power amp consists of two identical amplifier units (and for the preamp also volume control units) per channel.
Normally the units are floating as well, i.e. independent of the ground potential.

In a top of the line Accuphase system, the fully balanced output of the source (DA / Phono pre) is connected via XLR to the fully balanced C-3850 and then via XLR to the fully balanced monoblocks
(A-200, A-250, M-6200). At the output of the power amps the phase of one complete amplifier chain per channel (preamp, connections and power amp) is turned 180°.

This eliminates all potentially induced noise and also the common residual noise and distortion of the amplifier and volume control units themselves leading to a cleaner music signal.

Does this mean that the fully balanced config would tend to sound better with xlr cables, rather then single ended?

[audio bill]

Originally Posted by ozy

Does this mean that the fully balanced config would tend to sound better with xlr cables, rather then single ended?

That is generally believed to be true when connecting fully balanced gear (not single ended circuitry with balanced conversion for XLR jacks) and the reason that a manufacturer would go to the additional expense required. There are also those that believe a simpler signal path of single ended designs will sound best and that the additional expense of balanced circuitry is not beneficial or justified. Like with most things in high end audio there are often as many opinions as there are audiophiles.

[meltemi]

Originally Posted by ozy

Does this mean that the fully balanced config would tend to sound better with xlr cables, rather then single ended?

Yep.

Martin