Old Accuphase preamp and A36

[Mattia]

Hi all,
first of all, excuse me for my English, I'll try to do my best to be understandable
I am glad to have found this forum with a good amount of passionate Accuphase owner and fans!

Right now in my music room I am using an old 303x integrated amplifier (mine was built in 1984). It is completely refreshed even if the specialized lab I brought it said that basically there was nothing wrong with it. A good testament about Accuphase build quality!

I am contemplating the idea of purchasing a C-275 preamplifier and an A36 power amplifier, thus my doubts.

In your experience, an "old" preamplifier like the 1995 C-275 is stil good regarding sonic quality? I have read any kind of opinions, and sadly I cannot try it directly in my room, since the seller is very far away.

The other doubt.

I use B&W 801 Matrix S3. They are generally regarded as "difficult" speakers to drive, even if impedence never drops below 5 Ohms. Plus my room is kinda small, albeit completely acoustically treated.
From the Vu Meter of my 303x I see that at my preferred sound pressure level (75-80dB), I *never* use more than 30W (and only in short peaks) and I stay manly in 1-10W range. I prefer to have a very good sound at small sound pressure, a situation in wich the Class A should excel.

So do you think that an A36 should be adequate in my situation?

If not, maybe I can continue to use the power section of the 303x and drive it with the C-275 or similar preamplifier, and in the meantime spare money to get an A46

Thank you and keep loving Accuphase gear

[Masterlu]

Mattia... Welcome to AA!

[Mattia]

Thank you Masterlu!

And congratulations for your passion and impressive equipment! Very inspiring!

[wawa_chan]

Welcome Mattia:

I have no experience with the C-275 however, all Accuphase products (new or old) are excellent. I think the AAVA volume control didn't come in until C-2000 or something like that. The C-275 has the older style volume circuit (still excellent). The A-36 would ok with the B&W speakers.

I auditioned the 802 D2 with my old A-20V (many generations back version of the A-36) and it had no problems driving them. Just depends how much power you'd need for room size, etc. Current demand for speaker loading would not be an issue.

Good luck!

Edit: just to add, the A-20V was only 20W vice 30W.

[Dave_72]

Let's see; good speakers, great amp, and that preamp for all intense purposes should be ok. But, when you upgrade to the A-46, I would get a more recent preamp.

[Mattia]

Brian and Dave, thank you for your inputs!

But in the low Watt range, let's say <20W, are there tangible differences between the A-36 and the A-46? Or the latter advantage is mainly the capability to go higher in sound pressure if needed?

Edit:
The AAVA volume is a feature that theoretically (e.g. even if I don't hear differences) would please me and "reassure" me. So maybe I'll try to get a newer preamp, maybe a 28xx. You know, just to be sure and not having to buy twice

[meltemi]

Originally Posted by Mattia

So maybe I'll try to get a newer preamp, maybe a 28xx. You know, just to be sure and not having to buy twice

My listening experience with Accuphase gear over the past 25+ years repeatedly showed, that it never was a good idea to mix different generations of Accuphase equipment, because you always lost some coherence.

If you are serious about the A-36, I'd suggest you'd go for a preamp of the same generation (i.e. C-2120 / C-2420 or higher) or consider one of their current integrated amps (i.e. E-360 / E-460 or the 30W class A E-600).

[jdandy]

Mattia.......Welcome to Audio Aficionado.

To comment on your question about additional power being used primarily for higher sound pressure levels, yes that is one of the advantages of additional power reserves but not the only advantage. Even at lower listening levels, additional power will provide reserve current that often allows music to sound more robust and full, particularly in the lower frequency ranges. Dynamic range is always improved with additional power, even when listening at low volumes. Extra power is not always about more volume.

Something else to consider, the actual output difference of an amplifier that delivers double the output of a smaller amplifier will only provide an additional three decibels of volume. Going from 20 watts to 40 watts, or 40 watts to 80 watts is not considered a huge increase in power. Every three decibels of increased volume requires a doubling of output power. If you are not after additional volume, then the added power will still improve dynamics and low frequency range performance.

[Mattia]

@ Meltemi

Interesting observation. I'll try then to stay in the same generation for my upgrade.

But is it so even for example using a "just yesterday" product like the 2810 with a new power amp?

The E-600 is also very tempting, but (and I know that maybe I am being a bit fool) it doesn't have analog Vu Meter


@Dan

Thank you! I'll try then my best to have a demo in my room, because I need to ear the difference. High dynamic at low volume level is my nirvana

[bvdiman]

Hi Mattia welcome,
Plenty of good advices already up there so I guess you'll be fine..
For me, I'd usually go with less count, more quality- i.e.keep things simpler and obtain better quality pieces in order to attain better quality sound from a given budget.
You will first need to know how far you are willing to stretch. Try to think the whole as one system building rather than bits and pieces. *If you finally decide on their separates, make sure the right supports (good AC, cabling etc.) are there to maximize potential. I've witnessed far too many otherwise sota equipments being let down in end results because their owners simply fail to recognize these seemingly unimportant parameters. On the other hand, average components being put together nicely (w/passion and experience) producing superb sound.

By all means go for recent matching separates if budget allows*. Otherwise, the E-600 is probably one of the best Integrated around for the money, imo. Whilst freeing you off some budget to upgrade on other things (front-end, power conditioning, cabling) perhaps?