Accuphase C-3900S Precision Stereo Pre-Amplifier

Name: Accuphase C-3900S Precision Stereo Pre-Amplifier
Brand: Accuphase
Availability: OutOfStock

Product variants

The Accuphase C-3900S represents the highest expression of Accuphase’s preamplifier engineering—an exquisite fusion of cutting-edge circuit design, meticulous craftsmanship, and absolute musical purity. Building on the celebrated C-3900, the new C-3900S elevates performance even further, introducing enhanced ultra-low-noise technologies, refined mechanical engineering, and newly developed usability features that make premium audio more immersive than ever.

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 118 dB, S/N ratio (EIA) 113 dB. LINE 113 dB, S/N ratio (EIA) 118 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

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: 230 V AC, 50 Hz (Voltage as indicated on rear panel)

Power Consumption: 60 Watts

Maximum Dimensions: Width 477 mm, Height 156 mm, Depth 412 mm

Mass: 25.3 kg, 33.0 kg in shipping carton

A premium preamplifier for breathing life into deeply emotional performances and songs.

Accuphase

Flagship Engineering, Refined to Perfection

At the heart of the C-3900S lies Accuphase’s most advanced implementation of its renowned AAVA technology: Dual Balanced AAVA. By running two fully balanced AAVA modules in parallel, the C-3900S achieves extraordinary linearity, vanishingly low distortion, and a level of quietness never before reached in an Accuphase preamplifier.

Noise performance is simply unparalleled—15% lower than the already world-leading C-3900, setting a new benchmark in Accuphase’s 53-year history.

A Chassis Built for Pure Sound

Inside the beautifully crafted aluminum enclosure is an obsessively symmetrical, fully modular layout. A massive toroidal transformer, housed in its own aluminum block, anchors the power supply, supported by twelve custom Accuphase 10,000 μF capacitors. Every circuit module is mounted on gold-plated boards designed for maximum stability, heat dissipation, and serviceability. This is precision audio architecture, executed without compromise.

Mechanical Excellence You Can Feel

Audio enthusiasts will appreciate the new custom-engineered volume sensor—an 8mm, CNC-machined shaft that glides with exceptional smoothness. Although the audio signal never passes through the mechanism, its tactile precision reflects the C-3900S ethos: every detail matters.

Advanced Noise-Cancelling Technologies

The C-3900S integrates several proprietary innovations that push achievable noise levels to the extreme low end:

High-gain input stage for improved noise characteristics from the very first amplification stage.
ANCC (Accuphase Noise and Distortion Canceling Circuit) to detect and neutralize unwanted artifacts at the I-V conversion stage.
Eight-parallel summing amplifiers that dramatically reduce theoretical noise, delivering pristine output across both line and balanced connections.

The result? A breathtaking black background that allows music to emerge with purity, depth, and holographic realism.

The input selector is also bespoke, designed for flawless, noise-free switching and outstanding user feel.

A More Capable, More Expressive Headphone Experience

Accuphase has redesigned the headphone amplifier from the ground up. The new fully discrete, parallel push-pull stage offers selectable gain (Low, Mid, High) and support for headphones from 8Ω upward. A five-step bass compensator enriches low-level listening, while the improved 115-step left/right balance control enables precise personal tuning.

Timeless Design, Future-Ready Performance

Maintaining the same elegant dimensions as the C-3900—but now slightly heavier due to its more robust internal structure—the C-3900S is a true reference preamplifier for those seeking the ultimate listening experience. It is a masterwork of analog engineering, built to reveal the full emotional and sonic beauty of every recording.