The new Precision Stereo Preamplifier C-3900 is the cummination of half a century of design and development from Accuphase. In construction as well as circuit design, it incorporates latest the technology with components selected through a thorough review process, including extended listening tests. The result is an audio instrument that admits no compromise in the pursuit of peerless performance for musical mastery.
The C-3900 features a further evolved version of this principle, called "Balanced AAVA", with two AAVA circuits driven in a parallel balanced configuration. AAVA does not "turn down" the volume in the ordinary sense. Rather, it switches a combination of V-I amplifiers as required in order to directly change the amplifier gain and thereby achieve the desired volume. This revolutionary approach eliminates impedance changes as well as adverse effects from noise and other factors.
The entire path for all signals from the input connectors to the outputs is fully balanced, and signal purity is further elevated by the use of ultimate-quality parts and materials, ensuring electrical characteristics and sonic excellence of the highest order. With its no-holds-barred use of resources, and its bold realization of latest circuit design, the C-3900 is an analog preamplifier that redefines the state of the art and points the way towards the future.
Turning the volume knob on the front panel causes the actual volume level position to be detected. The corresponding signal is sent to a CPU which in turn controls the current switches and thereby the gain of the AAVA circuitry. The oversize knob extruded from a solid aluminum block and mounted on large-diameter shaft has exactly the right amount of inertia. Together with the low-friction internal mechanism this provides a silky smooth operation feel and also allows extremely quiet motor-driven operation.
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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
S/N Ratio, Input-converted Noise (gain selector: 18 dB): BALANCED 118 dB, S/N ratio (EIA) 112 dB. LINE 118 dB, S/N ratio (EIA) 112 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 6.0 V, LINE 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
Loudness Compensation: 1: +2 dB (100 Hz), 2: +4 dB (100 Hz), 3: +6.5 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: 47 W
Maximum Dimensions: Width 477 mm, Height 156 mm, Depth 412 mm
Mass: 24.6 kg, 32.0 kg in shipping carton