Product Description
— Product Description
Introduction
The C-2900 is Accuphase’s flagship digital preamplifier and line stage, designed to bring supreme resolution and musicality to both analogue and digital sources. Featuring a fully balanced AAVA™ volume-control architecture and state-of-the-art DAC stage, it delivers effortless dynamics, ultra-low noise, and a seamless integration of all your components.
Design
Built on a robust, low-resonance aluminum chassis, the C-2900 separates its analogue and digital power supplies to prevent crosstalk and interference. Its dual-mono signal paths ensure perfect channel separation. Volume adjustment is handled by Accuphase’s patented AAVA™ (Accuphase Analog Vari-gain Amplifier) system, which varies gain without inserting passive attenuators into the audio path—preserving every nuance even at low listening levels.
Application
As the centerpiece of a modern high-end system, the C-2900 accepts up to seven digital and three analogue inputs, lets you switch effortlessly between them, and feeds any power amplifier or active speaker with pristine, balanced output. Its flexible architecture also supports direct connection to recording devices or DAWs, making it equally at home in mastering and critical-listening environments.
Technology Overview
- AAVA™ Volume Control
A revolutionary analogue vari-gain circuit that maintains a pure, capacitor-free signal path and perfect channel matching at all volume settings. - High-Performance DAC Section
Four parallel DAC channels per channel deliver high linearity and ultra-low distortion. A choice of digital-filter characteristics allows you to tailor time-domain or frequency-response behavior to your preference. - Separate Power Supplies
Independent, toroidal-transformer supplies for digital processing and analogue output stages eliminate ground-loop noise and ensure rock-steady operation. - Fully Balanced Signal Path
XLR-only analogue outputs and inputs minimize common-mode noise, while digital inputs are galvanically isolated for perfect integrity.
Key Features
- AAVA™ analogue vari-gain volume control
- Four parallel DAC channels per output for ultra-low distortion
- Selectable digital filters (Linear Phase, Minimum Phase, Slow Roll-off, Sharp Roll-off)
- Digital inputs: USB-B, AES/EBU (XLR), Coaxial S/PDIF, Optical TOSLink
- Analogue inputs
Specifications
Mechanical Specifications
Unit Dimensions (W × H × D): 465 mm × 114 mm × 407 mm
Net Weight: 14.8 kg
Power Supply
Input Voltage: Factory-set for 100 VAC, 120 VAC, or 230 VAC, 50 / 60 Hz
Power Consumption: 60 W typical
Toroidal Power Transformers: Separate units for left and right channels, each feeding 10 000 µF × 2 filter capacitors per channel
Audio Inputs
Line Level:
- Balanced (XLR) × 2; Unbalanced (RCA) × 5
- Input Sensitivity (rated output / 0.5 V out): 252 mV / 63 mV
- Input Impedance: 40 kΩ (balanced) / 20 kΩ (unbalanced)
Phono Section (with optional AD-2900 EQ unit):
- MM Gain: 34 dB / 40 dB; Input Impedance: 47 kΩ, 100 pF
- MC Gain: 64 dB / 70 dB; Input Impedance: 10 Ω, 30 Ω, 100 Ω, 200 Ω, 300 Ω
- Subsonic Filter: 17 Hz, –6 dB/octave
Audio Outputs
Line Level:
- Balanced (XLR) × 2; Unbalanced (RCA) × 2
- Output Level: 2 V RMS
- Output Impedance: 50 Ω
Recorder (R → Rec):
- Unbalanced (RCA) × 1
- Level: 252 mV
- Impedance: 50 Ω
Headphone Amplifier:
- Parallel push-pull discrete design with gain control
Control & Switching Features
- Balanced AAVA volume control with relay-based switching for ultra-low noise and long life
- Switchable overall gain settings: 12 dB / 18 dB / 24 dB
- Input phase selector per input; Mono/Stereo switching; –20 dB mute
- Loudness compensator; Input and volume displays with on/off switching
- Remote-commander control; Silent, precise volume adjustment sensor
Performance Specifications
Frequency Response:
- Line Input: 3 Hz–200 kHz (+0/–3 dB); 20 Hz–20 kHz (+0/–0.2 dB)
- Phono MM/MC: 20 Hz–20 kHz (±0.3 dB MM; ±0.2 dB MC)
Total Harmonic Distortion (20 Hz–20 kHz, all inputs at rated output): 0.005%
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-weighted, input shorted):
- Line/Balanced: 113 dB (EIA standard)
- Phono MM (34 dB gain): 91 dB
- Phono MC (64 dB gain): 79 dB
Channel Separation: > 100 dB (1 kHz)
Crosstalk: –80 dB (10 kHz)
Additional Features
- High-quality headphone amplifier built in
- Natural-grain wood case with mirror finish; high-carbon cast-iron insulator feet
- Expandable with AD-2900 phono equalizer unit (front-panel switching, MC/MM switching, MC load and gain controls)
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