Accuphase C-200 Preamplifiers

Accuphase C-200 Preamplifiers 

DESCRIPTION

  • Maximum Input For Disc Input
  • Output Level And Impedance
  • 10 Step Rotary Switch
  • Power Consumption: 36Watts

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-9 of 9  
[Feb 06, 2023]
yvettem


Strength:

Audiolab 8000A and his exposure left it for dead I'm not just talking loudness here because they have a really dynamic sound that thrills you at any volume setting. My super 20 is smooth and detailed, it has pace and rhythm with excellent timing. Some componants are criticised for sounding dry in the bass, Eugene Onsite Truck Repair

Weakness:

None . .

Purchased:
New  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Nov 03, 2022]
ampva301


Strength:

Vintage audio equipment of exceptional quality, a true gem in a magnificent building I have a fantastic system with a P300 and T109 preamps with Tannoy monitor gold speakers. | Pearland Concrete Contractors

Weakness:

none so far

Purchased:
New  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Oct 28, 2022]
stussy


Strength:

saving them countless times, days, and even months of construction and design inconvenience. kitchen remodel ontario

Weakness:

none so far

Purchased:
New  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Oct 27, 2022]
togolese273


Strength:

With great customizability, all my songs are optimized for these speakers. And they all absolutely sound great. These speakers are absolutely amazing, but you have to tweak it significantly to bring the best out in them. For note, all my mp3 files are encoded at 256kb. I would never use cheap 128kb mp3's with these. Opelika Lockout Service

Weakness:

None . .

Purchased:
New  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Sep 30, 2013]
dleandre
AudioPhile

The Accuphase C 200 is a pure jewel : transparent phono stage, superb architecture and design, a lot of gain ... ( So much gain in fact, that I had to buy a pair of 20 db attenuators to match the preamp and my Leak Stereo 20 ).

You can find one in Europe ( Germany is the country of the Accuphase Officionados ) for 600 Euros. Ask your technician to change the main capacitors and you will get a dream of a preamp without any kind of maintenance problem for the next 30 years !

I read here and there that this preamp works at its best with its matching Accuphase amp, the P 300. My own experience - "marrying" the C 200 with a vintage tube amp ( Leak Stereo 20 ) tells me that this a splendid way to go : fluidity, splendid mids ..

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jul 05, 2011]
Tom Weber
AudioPhile

Extraordinary audio equipment vintage, a realy gem with a fabulous building
I have macht witt a preamp P300 ant T109 and Tannoy monitor gold speakers,
Tremendous system i love it.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 15, 2010]
bba5757
AudioPhile

The Accuphase C-200 preamp was Accuphase’s first pre-amp offered in America and began the uncompromising standard of excellence that still exists today. The C-200 was manufactured from 1975 – 1977 if I recall correctly. Cosmetically, this unit is at least an 8 out of 10. There are 4-5 small and shallow scratches in the top edge of the champagne facing – all less than 0.5 inches long. The black paint is almost new condition and has been waxed with a Teflon-based car wax. All lettering on the front and back is perfect, complete and readable. All lamps function. Timeless, classic looks. In looking at the pictures in this listing, they make it appear that the black top has spots and that there are long scratches and spots on the face. I assure you this is junk on the lens or possibly floating in the air when I snapped the pics. These imperfections are NOT present on the unit.

I bought this based on my research specifically about its phono stage. The phono stage has several unique things – gain pots to help adjust for different cartridge outputs; variable cartridge loading from 33k – 100k ohms to help get the absolute most out of your cartridge; and a low frequency boost from 0 to +1dB specifically for phono.

Given its age, I did a few things to it:

- ALL electrolytic capacitors have been replaced with new Nichicon Fine Gold, Nichicon Muse and even some Blackgates. I stayed with the original capacitance values but in some cases increased the voltage ratings for the new caps. New phenolic mounting boards were made for the replacement power/filter caps since they are significantly different physical dimensions than the original Elnas. Further, the boards are isolated from the chassis by rubber grommets to reduce vibrations to the caps. The original design has the capacitor supports physically coupled to the chassis so all vibrations would be communicated to the capacitors.

- Other capacitors that were originally electrolytics were replaced with film caps in accordance with the Service Manual as of July 1976. Key signal capacitors were also replaced with upgraded audiophile caps.

- I replaced the original two blade power jack with a current IEC jack and connected the chassis to the ground lug so you can use your own updated power cord.

- All pots/switches were cleaned with Caig

- A generous amount of Dynamat has been added to the chassis for vibrational damping.


I have been using this pre since I completed the work earlier this summer and everything works perfectly on this. I am using Disc 1 for my turntable and Aux for my CD player. Everything is dead quiet. There are probably 50-60 hours on the rebuild- not even broken in yet.

If you are looking at this or other vintage pre-amps, please consider that these units contain a number of electrolytic capacitors. Electrolytics are generally considered to have a lifespan of 15- 20 years, after which they frequently fail and leak acid. This is not urban myth as I have had a few devices destroyed from such leakage. In considering the purchase of any electronic device that is more than 15 years old, you should either (a) realize that all electrolytic capacitors must be replaced soon in order to preserve the performance, integrity and electrical safety of the device, OR (b) ensure this has been done within a reasonable time prior to your purchase of the device.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 17, 2010]
jeb3@frontiernet.net
AudioPhile

This is the very best preamp ever built. no problems at all for the past 35yrs. If you get the chance to buy one of these bad boy's you best buy it.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 24, 2005]
prisoners
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Build quality. Open this up and you'll see that ever circuit card is isolated from each other. this also means that replacement of any card will be easy-just plug and play. The sound is silky smooth, and it looks beautiful just sitting there. My search for pre-amp/amp combo has now ended with Accuphase.

Weakness:

Awkward proprietary power cord. Really that's it!

Please see my review of the P-300. This is a spectacular sounding pre-amp. The flexibility is first rate,there are two sets of outputs on back and one one the front,making amp comparisions easy. Plenty of inputs-I use 4 line levels and a turntable and there is more available. It's a perfect match cosmetically and more important,sonically to the accuphase power amps.

Similar Products Used:

Every other preamp I've owned is dissapointing in comparision, and I've had many of the usual solid-state names. Never had a McIntosh though. The Accuphase sounds just as good as any tube pre that I've heard, but admittedly they have been store auditions instead of in-home.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
Showing 1-9 of 9  

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