Accuphase C-2150 Precision Stereo Preamplifier

SOUND QUALITY AND EXPANDABILITY TAKEN TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Since being founded in 1972, Accuphase has never wavered from its philosophy of creating truly high-class audio components. A thorough dedication to quality in the interest of optimal sound reproduction has allowed the company to introduce many legendary models, highly regarded for their innovativeness, sonic excellence, and solid reliability. The Stereo Control Center C-2150, while inheriting the outstanding design approach and technology of models such as the C-3900, also represents a full model change from the older C-2110, with further enhanced overall circuitry. It provides the flexibility to handle any kind of source while maximizing its inherent sound quality potential.

Accuphase’s ground-breaking AAVA (Accuphase Analog Vari-gain Amplifier) volume control, first introduced in the model C-2800, has been continually further refined and improved. AAVA operates fully in the analog domain, but it eliminates all potentiometers from the signal path. This has a number of advantages, such as (1) outstanding S/N ratio, (2) extremely low distortion, (3) virtually no change in frequency response and sound quality at any listening level, (4) minimal left/right level differences (tracking errors), and (5) minimal left/right crosstalk. The result is a volume control that far surpasses conventional concepts.

The C-2150 features separate power supplies for left and right channel, each with a dedicated power transformer, filtering capacitors and peripheral circuitry. The various unit amplifiers are also entirely separate for the two channels, arranged on a motherboard in fully monaural construction. This prevents unwanted crosstalk and interaction both on the electrical and the physical plane. Preamplifier functionality also has been given due attention, with tone controls, a loudness compensator, recorder connection support and other convenient features. The phase setting can be made for each input position separately, and EXT PRE connectors offer further enhanced flexibility.

A range of sophisticated option boards opens up even more possibilities. The newly developed Digital Input Board DAC-40 features a USB port and support for high-bit, high-sampling frequency signals up to 192 kHz/24 bits. This allows reproduction for example of high-quality music library data residing on a computer. The DAC input selector button makes it easy to switch between the optical, coaxial, and USB input. For the first time in a preamplifier, the sampling frequency of a digital signal onto which the amplifier has locked can be shown as a numeric readout. The newly developed Analog Disc Input Board AD-50 is also available, ideal for high-grade reproduction of analog records using either MC or MM phono cartridges.

Specifications

Frequency Response: BALANCED/LINE INPUT, 3 - 200,000Hz +0 -3.0 dB, 20 - 20,000Hz +0 -0.2 dB

Total Harmonic Distortion (for all inputs): 0.005%

Input Sensitivity: BALANCED 252mV, 0.5V Output 63mV. LINE 252mV, 05.V Output 63mV

Input Impedance: BALANCED 40 kilohms. LINE 20 kilohms

Rated Output Voltage, Output Impedance: BALANCED/LINE OUTPUT 2 V 50 ohms, RECORDER REC (with AD input) 252 mV 200 ohms

S/N Ratio, Input-converted Noise: (gain selector: 18 dB): BALANCED 110 dB, S/N ratio (EIA) 108 dB. LINE 110 dB, S/N ratio (EIA) 108 dB

Maximum Output Level: (0.005% THD, 20 - 20,000 Hz): BALANCED/LINE OUTPUT: 7.0 V, RECORDER REC (with AD input): 6.0 V LINE

Maximum Input Level: BALANCED/LINE INPUT: 6.0 V

Minimum Load Impedance: BALANCED/LINE OUTPUT: 600 ohms, RECORDER REC: 10 kilohms

Gain: (gain selector: 18 dB)＊Gain switchable to 12/18/24 dB: BALANCED INPUT → BALANCED OUTPUT: 18 dB, BALANCED INPUT → LINE OUTPUT: 18 dB, LINE INPUT → BALANCED OUTPUT: 18 dB, LINE INPUT → LINE OUTPUT: 18 dB

Tone Controls: Bass/Treble controls with selectable turnover frequencies. BASS: 40/100 Hz ±10 dB. TREBLE: 8/20 kHz ±10 dB

Loudness Compensation: +6 dB (100 Hz)

Attenuator: -20 dB

Headphone Jack: Suitable impedance: 8 ohms or higher, Output level: 2 V (40 ohms)

Power Requirements: 120 V/220 V/230 V AC, 50/60 Hz (Voltage as indicated on rear panel)

Power Consumption: 34 W

Maximum Dimensions: Width 465 mm, Height 150 mm, Depth 405 mm

Mass: 16.9 kg, 25.0 kg in shipping carton