PRECISION STEREO PREAMPLIFIER● Dual Balanced AAVA volume control ● High-gain discrete current feedback
type input amplifier ● ANCC technology minimizes noise and distortion ● Newly
developed volume sensor construction ● Separate toroidal power transformers forleft and right ● Newly developed filtering capacitors ● Separate unit amplifiers
for left and right ● Printed circuit boards using glass cloth fluorocarbon resin● Wood cabinet with natural grain finish ● High-performance headphone amplifier

The culmination of half a century of Accuphase preamplifiers
The Dual Balanced AAVA design with two balanced AAVA circuits delivers sonic excellence
that is transparence itself. Volume adjustment is realized while retaining all the vibrantenergy and richness of detail that is the life breath of an artistic performance. The supple
elegance of music as reproduced by the top-of-the-line C-3900 is a moving experience thatreflects the impressive depth of Accuphase know-how.

Innovation ‒ The leading edge of technology
The progress of AAVA

■ Developing a new preamplifier
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Accuphase's
founding, the development of a new flagship model
to incorporate the entire wealth of the company'sexperience was begun. Now, after five years, the work
is complete. The C-3900 represents an uncompromising harmony of technology and sensibility, boasting
ultimate performance and sound quality that ushers ina new era of the preamplifier.

BalancedAAVA＋Dual
Balanced
AAVA＋

Noise level−＋■ Revolutionary AAVA volume control
Conventional preamplifiers attenuate the input signal
by means of resistors and then amplify the result,which invariably leads to an increase in noise. AAVAon the other hand eliminates the entire step ofresistor-based input signal attenuation. With thisbreakthrough principle, direct volume adjustment isperformed through a combination of V-I (voltage-current) conversion circuits of different gain. As aconsequence, there are no changes in impedance or
frequency response and sound quality remains
impeccable. Any changes in noise level dependingon the selected volume position are kept to an absolute
minimum, thereby realizing outstanding S/N ratio also at
commonly used listening levels.

−30 %＋−＋−
Balanced
input＋−

AAVA

AAVA＋

Balanced AAVA−−

Balanced
input

Balancedoutput＋−AAVA

AAVA

Balanced
output＋−＋−AAVA

AAVA
Balanced AAVA

Balanced AAVA (2010)

Left-channel
Dual Balanced AAVA

Left-channel
filtering capacitors

Dual Balanced AAVA (2020)

Right-channel
filtering capacitors

Right-channel
Dual Balanced AAVA

■ Dual Balanced AAVA takes AAVA to new heights
In the C-3900, the Balanced AAVA principle which
involves two balanced-connection AAVA circuits is further
elevated by driving two such units in parallel, resulting
in the Dual Balanced AAVA topology with significantly
improved electrical characteristics. Compared to previousmodels, the already excellent noise level is reduced bya further 30 percent.

■ High-accuracy, high-rigidity volume sensor

construction

The volume sensor mechanism performs the task ofdetecting the angular position of the volume knob.
Accuphase has developed the volume sensor in-house,using a massive aluminum block extruded and finishedwith utmost precision. The knob provides an utterly
solid and smooth operation feel and achieves extremely
accurate position detection. When using the RemoteCommander, a motor drives the volume knob via a setof gears. Generally, gears produce a meshing soundwhen rotating, but this position sensor is designed sothat the gears mesh with each other while always
maintaining a constant pressure, which enables
super quiet and comfortable volume adjustment.

Left-channel
headphone amplifier

Right-channel
headphone amplifier■ Dual Balanced AAVA with separate configuration for left and right channels■ Dual Balanced AAVA printed circuit boards using glass cloth fluorocarbon resin substrate

Going to the Limit—and Beyond

Precision Stereo Preamplifier with Dual Balanced AAVA
Featuring Dual Balanced AAVA topology with two Balanced AAVA
circuits driven in parallel, the C-3900 boldly challenges the limitsof performance and leaves conventional notions far behind. Stepup to a new sound stage such as never experienced before.

Advanced features■ Newly developed Dual Balanced AAVA volume control■ High-gain discrete-configuration current feedback type
input amplifier■ ANCC (Accuphase Noise and Distortion CancellingCircuit) technology minimizes noise and distortion■ Dedicated headphone amplifier uses power transistors
in the parallel push-pull output stage to ensure
optimal sound quality for private listening■ Logic-controlled relays for signal switching assure highsound quality and long-term reliability■ Printed circuit boards for signal transmission are madefrom glass cloth fluorocarbon resin with low dielectric
constant and minimum loss
■ Separate left and right power supply units with toroidal
power transformers and a total of twelve 10,000 µF
filtering capacitors■ Newly developed volume sensor construction for utterlysmooth and quiet operation feel
■ Versatile arrangement of inputs and outputs (seven line
level inputs, four balanced inputs, and two sets of line
level and balanced outputs)■ Line input and output connectors for a recorder■ Line level and balanced EXT PRE inputs for connectionof an external preamplifier■ Individual phase setting for each input■ Switchable overall gain (12 dB / 18 dB / 24 dB)■ Left / right balance control also realized with Dual
Balanced AAVA
■ Stereo signal can be switched to monophonic operation■ -20 dB volume attenuator■ Loudness compensator for correcting the perceived
spectral balance■ Informative and easy to read input and volume levelindication with on / off switching■ Elegant champagne gold front panel and massive woodcabinet with natural grain finish■ "High Carbon" cast iron insulator feet with superior
damping characteristics■ Supplied RemoteCommander RC-250
Allows volume
adjustment, input
source switching etc.

❷❶
❻❸
❼

❹

❽❺
❾

❶ Output selector for using an external preamplifier and controlling output operation❷ Gain selector for overall system gain
❸ Left / right balance control knob

❹ Loudness compensator for correcting the perceived spectral balance❺ Headphone level selector for switching headphone amplifier gain
❻ Display button to switch on / off the input and volume indication❼ Phase selector button for input signal❽ Button for switching stereo signals to a monophonic signal❾ Recorder selector for function switching when a recorder is connected

Headphone amplifierLine and balanced input and output connectors

Filtering capacitors
Toroidal power transformers

Recommended productC-47■ By connecting the Stereo Phono Amplifier C-47,

high-quality reproduction of analog records
becomes possible.

From LINE
Line level cable(supplied with C-47)

Balancedphono cable●Low-noise fully balanced configuration●One dedicated balanced MC phono input
and three sets of regular phono inputs●Balanced and line level output connectors●Separate settings memory for each input
position

Phono Input impedance
cartridge(ohms)

Ground Phono
leadcable

Power switchMC

10/30/100/
200/300/1k

64/70

MM

1k/47k/100k

34/40

Analog record player

C-3900

Rear Panel

Input display RemotesectionsensorLevel display
sectionVolumecontrol knob

Line input connectors
LINE AD / TUNER
CD / LINE 1, 2, 3

* For information on controls
in the sub panel area, please
see the preceding page.

OPEN button

ATTENUATORbuttonBalanced input connectors
BAL AD / BAL CD / BAL 1, 2Headphone jack

Guaranteed Specifications
Frequency
response

BALANCED /LINE INPUT

Total HarmonicDistortion

All inputconnectors
Input connector

Input sensitivity,
Input impedance

For rated output For 0.5 V output

S/N ratio, Inputconverted noise

252 mV

63 mV

40 kilohms(20 / 20 kilohms)

LINE

252 mV

63 mV

20 kilohms

BALANCED
LINE

Max. output level(20 – 20,000 Hz)Max.
input voltage

Inputimpedance

BALANCED

2 V 50 ohms

Input connector

Input shorted (A weighting)
S/N ratio at rated Input-converted S/N ratio (EIA)
outputnoise-130 dBV
118 dB
118 dB-130 dBVBALANCED / LINE OUTPUT
RECORDER REC
BALANCED INPUT
LINE INPUT

Line
output connectors
LINE 1 / LINE 2Balanced
output connectors
BAL 1 / BAL 2External preampliﬁer
input connectors
BAL
External preampliﬁer
AC power
input connectors
supply connector★
LINE

BALANCED / LINE OUTPUT
RECORDER REC-90 dB / 10 kHz
Crosstalk
BALANCED INPUT → BALANCED OUTPUTGain(GAIN selector
BALANCED INPUT → LINE OUTPUT
at 18 dB)
LINE INPUT → BALANCED OUTPUT＊Except for REC
LINE INPUT → LINE OUTPUToutput, ±6 dB
switching is possible BALANCED / LINE INPUT → RECORDER REC
Minimum load
impedance

0.005%
Input sensitivity

RECORDERconnectors
PLAY / REC[Guaranteed specifications are measured according to EIA standard RS-490.]

௅+]G%
௅+]G%Rated output voltage, BALANCED /Output impedance LINE OUTPUT

To BAL AD

GroundleadGain(dB)

Front Panel

Display

Balanced cableTo LINE AD

Stereo Phono Amplifier C-47

Inputselector

From BALANCEDUseeither

112 dB112 dB
7.0 V
6.0 V
6.0 V
6.0 V

Loudness
compensator button

Headphone jack

600 ohms
10 kilohms
18 dB
18 dB
18 dB
18 dB0 dB

1: +2 dB (100 Hz), 2: +4 dB (100 Hz), 3: +6.5 dB (100 Hz)
Suitable impedance
Output level

8 ohms or higher
2 V (40 ohms)

Gain (LOW, MID, HIGH)

MID reference±10 dB

Attenuator-20 dB
Power requirements 120 V, 220 V, 230 V AC (voltage as indicated on rear panel), 50 / 60 Hz
Power consumption
47 W
Maximum dimensions Width 477 mm (18.78") x Height 156 mm (6.14") x Depth 412 mm (16.22")
Net
24.6 kg (54.2lbs)
Mass
In shipping carton
32 kg (71 lbs)

Remarks★ This product is available in versions for 120/220/230 V AC. Make sure that the voltage shown on the rear panel matches the AC line voltage in your area.
★ 230 V version has an Eco Mode that switches power off after 120 minutes of inactivity.
★ The shape of the plug of the supplied AC power cord depends on the voltage rating and destination country.

Supplied accessories● AC power cord
● Audio cable with plugs ASL-10B● Remote Commander RC-250● Cleaning cloth●The specifications and appearance of this product are subject to change without notice.
G2004Y PRINTED IN JAPAN 850-2220-00（B1）