Accuphase C-200X Review (Vintage Preampifier)

[DSJR]

Thank you for the review, @NTTY,
I would have given it a HappyPanther vote....

I detect you got a serious love-affair going on here!

View attachment 510864
I maybe having a senior moment: What is a "DI"?
BTW: Have you done the latest C-200 firmware upgrade yet?


Other eejits [luv that word] elsewhere could only afford Adcom hardware and hated those who could afford such nice gear!

I don't think the Adcom amps came here (maybe to pro only stockists?) and by ther late 70s, it was the compromised Rappaport preamp and envious mentions of the Apt Holman, which I believe was more than highly competent

 

[TimF]

So, it's prime character is that it barely exists. Less than a whisp of presence and that achieved by engineering, parts selection, and careful assembly.

 

[dguillor]

80W power consumption for a preamp is insane.

 

[Hart]

Super clean architrecture

 

[EXIF68]

What is a "DI"?

This are Diodes.

 

[Waxx]

The known Accuphase quality. It was always very expensive but you got a top level quality from it, back in the days and even today not many devices got this kind of measured specs. I already knew that before they were measured, but i'm happy that the measurments confirm my impression of them. And their build quality is also extreme good, seen the state of this already antique device.

 

[BeeKay]

40+ yrs and electrolytic capacitors. Even if those are ELNA - how long can they last?

 

[Birdy]

40+ yrs and electrolytic capacitors. Even if those are ELNA - how long can they last?

Very good question. I had a great sounding under rated Toshiba SB620 from 1976 that went bad. I could not find a workshop to fix it and tried several non professional guy's who failed to repair it. Spend a lot of money and travel time and ended up with a dead amp. For me a reason not to go with vintage anymore in spite i like the build quality, used materials and sound. Even my $ 50 Douk A5 sounds better, more power and if it goes bad i replace it without breaking the bank.

 

[SSS]

Very good question. I had a great sounding under rated Toshiba SB620 from 1976 that went bad. I could not find a workshop to fix it and tried several non professional guy's who failed to repair it. Spend a lot of money and travel time and ended up with a dead amp. For me a reason not to go with vintage anymore in spite i like the build quality, used materials and sound. Even my $ 50 Douk A5 sounds better, more power and if it goes bad i replace it without breaking the bank.

Sometimes it is not feasible to repair an transistor amplifier like the SB620. Doing repair and restoration on pre- and poweramps I had the case that original power transistors were not available anymore and hard to identify a replacement type which anyway did not match all technical data values. So the repaired amp had not the original performance which showed up when compared the repaired channel with the original other one. And probably repair is not worth when the original amp had not superb audio qualtity measurements. Often the old amps had transistors which resulted in distortion levels around 0.5 % or slightly better. At the old days even 1 % was great and good enough I remember.

 

[French Meloman]

Very nice work, once again!
It's really interesting to see how well the Accuphase units from the 70s/80s were designed and built. A preamplifier to cherish for vinyl record enthusiasts. Measuring a current preamplifier from them would allow us to see if their level of engineering has been maintained. The integrated amplifier (E-270) tested by Amir showed some flaws that do not live up to the brand's reputation, at least for this type of device.

 

[Tovarich007]

80W power consumption for a preamp is insane.

At that time, power consumption was less an issue than now, nobody felt concerned with this for audio gear ; looking back, it's a pity of course.
It's an area in which great progress has been made since the 80ies.
Performance wise, analog audio electronics were as good as it can be, with built quality and easy maintenance second to none.
But it's for efficiency, weight and miniaturization that everything has changed for the better since.

Anyway, i admit that these old very good and beautiful audio gear have a huge appeal on me until now.
It's their long lasting qualities, and the nostalgia of my first years of passion for music and audio, FOR SURE (as our french President should say )

 

[FTB]

It's amazing a forty years device measures that well...

 

[diddley]

Thanks Flo, very interesting review again, where you can see that you put a lot of time and love in it. Have a good weekend.

 

[Birdy]

And probably repair is not worth when the original amp had not superb audio qualtity measurements. Often the old amps had transistors which resulted in distortion levels around 0.5 % or slightly better. At the old days even 1 % was great and good enough I remember.

Agree, the Toshiba SB620 has at 8 Ohm: 2x 62 W RMS 0.2 % distortion, quit good for the time but for the price of repairs i could buy two new class D amps with better specs. In the end it is a lot about nostalgia, looks, weight, materials and to some degree, sounds quality. They are great when it works but at the moment you need a rebuild or repair it can be a black hole.

 

[Bland_username42069]

Another beauty from Accuphase.

Every time I see an Accuphase review I want one…

 

[NDRQ]

One of the few high-end audiophile brand that actually performs very well.
As expected, a Japanese brand.

I have always wanted an Accuphase setup and fortunatley i dont have to skip it. Or maybe this is a misfortune to my wallet..

 

[Nopiano]

As well as your superb reviews, I especially admire your beautiful photography, and I enjoy your evident enthusiasm too. Marvellous, thank you!

 

[Hipocrates]

What a beauty, thanks for the review

 

[martin900]

PSU boards look to he screaming for a recap.
I'd bet these small electrolytics next to the heatsinks are bone dry

 

[NTTY]

Thanks everyone for your nice comments.
I must say that every time I get an Accuphase in my hands, it is quite something to look at, listen to and measure!
This one has probably never been touched, so I’m tempted by a full service. Would it perform better?