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Accuphase C-47 Stereo Phono Amplifier – The new reference phono preamplifier

The Japanese high-end hi-fi manufacturer Accuphase Laboratory Inc. now presents the new Accuphase C-47 Stereo Phono Amplifier, a phono preamplifier designed completely in dual-mono configuration and thus completely balanced.


When transmitting signals from component to component in a hi-fi chain, a rough distinction is made between unbalanced and balanced versions. Many people therefore swear by balanced transmission, as this is a very effective way of preventing external influences that can have a detrimental effect on sound quality. It is interesting to note that balanced signal transmissions are very common, especially in the high-end segment, but in the end there is only one truly balanced source, namely the record player. It is therefore worthwhile, above all, to use a fully balanced chain, such as the Japanese high-end hi-fi manufacturer Accuphase Laboratory Inc. has now made possible with its latest phono preamp solution, the Accuphase C-47 Stereo Phono Amplifier.

The new phono preamplifier Accuphase C-47 Stereo Phono Amplifier is the first in its product line to be designed as a fully balanced solution from input to output, according to the promise of Accuphase Laboratory Inc. This phono preamplifier is therefore consistently designed in a dual-mono configuration, be it in the input stage, equalization, output stage or even the power supply. Not least because of this, an absolutely exact signal processing is guaranteed, which allows an enormous variety of details and dynamics, free from sound damaging influences.

The efforts to ensure the best possible channel separation really go a long way with the new phono preamplifier from Accuphase Laboratory Inc., because ultimately this means that all amplifier stages, equalization and even the power supply were actually built completely separately for each channel and are therefore available twice and always implemented using separate boards. Since these are particularly high-quality designed circuit boards, which are designed as so-called Gold-plated Printed Circuit Boards and rely on a carrier material made of GRP with fluorocarbon resin for a low dielectric constant and a low loss factor, one can roughly estimate the immense effort that is involved here.

The new Accuphase C-47 Stereo Phono Amplifier has a number of inputs on its rear panel, most notably a balanced phono input in the form of XLR sockets for MC pick-up systems and three regular phono inputs in the form of RCA sockets.

A two-stage circuit architecture is used here with a low-noise preamplifier designed for both MC and MM cartridges in conjunction with a particularly precise equalization according to the RIAA characteristic curve, the deviation of which should not exceed +/- 0.3 dB.

The phono preamplifier Accuphase C-47 Stereo Phono Amplifier relies on a particularly low-noise power supply, which has four special 25 V 15,000 µF aluminum electrolytic capacitors per channel designed for the highest sound quality to ensure optimum current smoothing. In addition, toroidal transformers are used, which also contribute significantly to the high power reserve.

Of course, balanced XLR sockets are also available as outputs in addition to unbalanced RCA sockets.

Individual adjustments can be made for each of the four inputs, with the logic of the Accuphase C-47 stereo phono amplifier storing the settings. Adjustment is made easy by the display on the front panel, which, together with rotary encoders and keys, makes configuration a breeze.

The Accuphase C-47 Stereo Phono Amplifier offers six load impedances forMC pickup systems, two load impedances for MM pickup systems, a gain selector switch for pickups with low output voltage, and of course a subsonic filter.

The high standards of the new Accuphase C-47 Stereo Phono Amplifier are also underlined by the designers in the housing, which is extremely solid and at the same time elegantly designed in the proven manner, and of course has a flawless finish.

The new Accuphase C-47 Stereo Phono Amplifier is expected to be available in specialist shops shortly. The recommended retail price for this new reference-class phono preamplifier is € 9,990. The scope of delivery includes not only the obligatory power cable, but also a matching audio cable, the Accuphase ASL-10, and a practical cleaning cloth.

Getting to the point

The new phono preamplifier Accuphase C-47 Stereo Phono Amplifier is the first in its product line to be designed as a fully balanced solution from input to output, according to the promise of Accuphase Laboratory Inc. This phono preamplifier is therefore consistently designed in a dual-mono configuration, be it in the input stage, equalization, output stage or even the power supply. Not least because of this, an absolutely exact signal processing is guaranteed, which allows an enormous variety of details and dynamics, free from sound damaging influences.

Manufacturer:Accuphase Laboratory Inc.
Distribution:R.M.S. State of the Art Audiovisual Products
Price:€ 9.990,-
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Michael Holzinger

Michael Holzinger, founder and editor-in-chief of HiFi BLOG and sempre-audio.at, has been working for years as a journalist in the fields of IT, photography, telecommunications and consumer electronics.

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