As you may remember the C-2800 in 2002 was an epochmaking preamp, that was firstly equipped with the AAVA
volume control system, after the steady evolution with the C2810 in 2006, the C-2820 in 2011, and the C-2850 in 2016,
Accuphase proudly launch the C-2900 of the 5th generation
precision stereo preamp.
C-2900 firmly carries on the superb technologies of theflagship C-3900, the balanced AAVA system is firstly appliedin C-2800 series, and makes the C-2900 ideal preamp.
The balanced AAVA principle utilizes two balancedconnection AAVA circuits and reduces noise levels in the C2900 roughly 20% over conventional preamps.
The faithful reproduction of delicate musical performance by
the C-2900 makes it the perfect preamp for passionateaudiophiles.
1The dimensions of C-2900 are exactly same as theformer model C-2850.
The weight of C-2900 is almost same as the former
model as well.
**Weight of C-2850: 24.5kg

2C-2900 inherits C-2850’s internal construction as it is.
It has the complete symmetric layout centered on strong
power supply by large toroidal transformer with heatradiation fins and 4 pieces of special made 10000μFcapacitors.

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Circuit Assembly boards are housed in the rigid
aluminum frames and arranged in a neat layout.
Separate unit amplifiers for left and right helps tosuppress electrical interference and crosstalk.
Amplifier circuits are mounted on gold plated glass cloth
fluorocarbon resin PC-board by fully modular
construction which has beneficial effects on the heatdissipation performance and the ease of maintenance.

4The music signal does not pass volume mechanism in
AAVA and also balanced AAVA. It is just a position
sensor to set sound volume.
However, the feeling of the volume knob is very
important for audio enthusiasts.
In the C-2900, the motor and the set of gears aremounted with the floating mechanism, and with thecustom-made grease, the knob provides a smooth
operation feel and super-quiet volume adjustment.

The volume sensor mechanism float from the chassis
to block off the vibration with specially made siliconrubbers.

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The Balanced AAVA principle reduces noise level in theC-2900 21% over the former C-2850. it make thesignificant improvement in sonic performance.

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The AAVA(Accuphase Analog Vari-gain Amplifier) is aradically different volume control principle that eliminates all
variable resistors from the signal path.
C-2900 employs two AAVA modules in a fully balanced
configuration from input to output.
It’s called Balanced AAVA.
This breakthrough architecture minimizes the external noiseor internally-initiated noise by balancing the internal signaltransmissions.

7All AAVA Assembly boards have discrete and balanced
configurations to achieve the ultra low noise characteristics.
High-gained Balanced Input amp shows the great noise
performance at high volume level.
Discretely configured, high-quality headphone amplifier
drives every single headphone all over the world, with highoutput current provided from the dedicated power source.

8C-2900 consists of many custom-made parts.
In power supply section, to provide the stable power to othersections, C-2900 mounts the power transformer having thesame capacitance as the C-3900.
Luxury 40000uF of filtering capacitors are the exclusive
design for the C-2900, this special component is tuned
through the hundreds of auditions and trials pursuing thefascinating sound.
Elegant and high-quality remote commander is supplied with.

9The AD series Phono Equalizer unit has been newly
developed, every time the new pre amplifier series islaunched. They are not just a minor update but always
thoroughly pursuing the high-performance and sophisticatedsound quality that goes with the times.
The AD-2900 is no exception, it’s been dramatically improved
its sonic performance to perfectly fit with the epoch-making
C-2900 pre-amp.
The MC load setting value “200 ohm” is newly applied, highgained AD-2900 perfectly supports from the vintage
masterpiece to the state-of-the-art cartridges.
The AD-2900 fully reproduces the potential of Analog records,
and offers the wonderful experience of new discovery fromthe familiar discs.

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The gain values can be set to 64/70dB for MC (AD2850:60/70dB), and to 34/40dB (AD-2850:30/40dB) for MM,
It enhances the excellent usability in low gain setting ofgeneral cartridges.
The MC Input impedance can be selected from 5 values for
MC, “200 ohm” is newly added, they are easily switchable
from the C-2900’s front sub-panel. The MM input impedanceis fixed to 47k ohm.

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Optimizing the gain distribution for the Head amp and theRIAA Equalizer amp results in the exquisite noise
performance at MC input, AD-2900 achieves 29% lower
noise compared to the former AD-2850.

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AD-2900 has quite unique configurations, as it consists oftwo amplifiers, Head Amp and Differential RIAA EqualizerAmp.
The first stage of Head Amp features separate input
circuitry, it switches between bipolar-transistor for MC
type cartridges and junction-FET for MM type cartridges,
and realizes ultra low noise performance.
Differential RIAA Equalizer Amp is balanced input EQ
amplifier, it is designed to provide low RIAA equalization
errors when changing the AD GAIN value.

13AD-2900 is supported by not only C-2900 but following
models for backward compatibility.
- C-2850, C-2820, C-2810, C-2800- C-2450, C-2420, C-2410, C-2400- C-290V, C-290
Remarks;
1. MC LOAD impedance 300Ω and 200Ω is not available
for any models other than C-2900, C-2850, C-2820
and C-2420 due to no impedance selector button.
2. For any models other than C-2900, C-2850, C-2820and C-2420, AD GAIN value should be unified into
MC: 60/70dB & MM: 30dB/40dB different from theinscribed values on products.

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