● AAVA volume control for high performance and outstanding sound● Separate power transformers for left and right channels ● Selectablepreamp gain ● Fully modular construction with individual left/right
amplifier units on motherboard ● Logic-controlled relays for shortest
signal paths ● Independent phase selection for each input position ● Tone
controls designed for optimum sound quality ● Option board slots provide
additional versatility for digital input handling or analog record playback

SoundSound quality
quality andand expandability
expandability taken
taken toto thethe next
next level
level

AAVA
AAVA volume
volume control
control forfor impeccaimpecca-ble
ble sonic
sonic performance.
performance. Modular
Modular design
design ofof AAVAAAVA andand otherother amplifier
amplifier sections
sections realized
realized inin aa dual
dual
mono
mono construction
construction with
with separate
separate power
power supplies.
supplies. Preamplifier
Preamplifier overall
overall gain
gain selection
selection setting
setting and
and
phase
phase selection
selection settingssettings forfor eacheach input
input position
position stored
stored inin memory.
memory. Numeric
Numeric indication
indication ofof volume
volumelevel.
level. Slots
Slots forfor optional
optional digital
digital input
input boards
boards with
with input
input selector
selector andand sampling
sampling frequency
frequency indicaindication.
tion. Phono
Phono equalizer
equalizer board
board allows
allows playback
playback ofof analog
analog records
records with
with highhigh soundsound quality.
quality.
features.
features. The
The phase
phase setting
setting cancan bebe mademade forfor eacheach input
input
position
position separately,
separately, andand EXTEXT PREPRE connectors
connectors offer
offer
furtherfurther enhanced
enhanced flexibility.
flexibility.
AA range
range ofof sophisticatedsophisticated option
option boards
boards opens
opens up
up eveneven
more
more possibilities.
possibilities. The
The newly
newly developed
developed Digital
Digital Input
Input
Board
Board DAC-40
DAC-40 featuresfeatures aa USB
USB port
port andand support
support forforhigh-bit,high-bit, high-samplinghigh-sampling frequency
frequency signals
signals up
up to
to 192
192
kHz/24
kHz/24 bits.
bits. This
This allows
allows reproduction
reproduction forfor example
example ofofhigh-quality
high-quality music
music librarylibrary data
data residing
residing on
on aa computer.
computer.
The
The DACDAC input
input selector
selector button
button makes
makes itit easy
easy toto switch
switchbetweenbetween thethe optical,
optical, coaxial,
coaxial, andand USB
USB input.
input. For
For thethe first
first
time
time inin aa preamplifier,preamplifier, thethe sampling
sampling frequency
frequency ofof aa digital
digitalsignalsignal onto
onto which
which thethe amplifier
amplifier has
has locked
locked cancan bebe shownshownasas aa numericnumeric readout.
readout. The
The newly
newly developed
developed Analog
Analog Disc
Disc
Input
Input Board
Board AD-30
AD-30 isis also
also available,
available, ideal
ideal forfor high-grade
high-grade
reproduction
reproduction ofof analog
analog records
records using
using either
either MC
MC or
or MM
MM
phono
phono cartridges.
cartridges.

itit eliminates
eliminates all
all potentiometers
potentiometers fromfrom thethe signal
signal path.
path. ThisThis
has
has aa number
number ofof advantages,
advantages, such
such asas (1)(1) outstanding
outstanding S/N
S/N
ratio,
ratio, (2)(2) extremely
extremely low
low distortion,
distortion, (3)(3) virtually
virtually nono changechangeinin frequency
frequency response
response andand soundsound quality
quality atat anyany listening
listeninglevel,
level, (4)(4) minimal
minimal left/rightleft/right level
level differences
differences (tracking(trackingerrors),errors), andand (5)(5) minimal
minimal left/rightleft/right crosstalk.
crosstalk. The
The result
result isis aa
volumevolume control
control thatthat farfar surpasses
surpasses conventional
conventional concepts.
concepts.
The
The C-2120
C-2120 featuresfeatures separate
separate power
power supplies
supplies forfor leftleft andandright
right channel,
channel, each
each with
with aa dedicateddedicated power
power transformer,
transformer,
filteringfiltering capacitors
capacitors andand peripheral
peripheral circuitry.
circuitry. The
The various
variousunit
unit amplifiers
amplifiers areare also
also entirely
entirely separate
separate forfor thethe twotwochannels,channels, arranged
arranged on
on aa motherboard
motherboard inin fully
fully monauralmonauralconstruction.
construction. This
This prevents
prevents unwanted
unwanted crosstalkcrosstalk andandinteraction
interaction both
both onon thethe electricalelectrical andand thethe physicalphysical plane.
plane.
Preamplifier
Preamplifier functionality
functionality also
also has
has been
been given
given duedue
attention,
attention, with
with tone
tone controls,
controls, aa loudness
loudness compensator,
compensator,
recorderrecorder connection
connection support
support andand otherother convenientconvenient

Since
Since being
being founded
founded inin 1972,
1972, Accuphase
Accuphase has
has nevernever
waveredwavered fromfrom its
its philosophy
philosophy ofof creating
creating truly
truly high-classhigh-classaudio
audio components.
components. AA thoroughthorough dedication
dedication toto quality
quality inin
thethe interest
interest ofof optimal
optimal soundsound reproduction
reproduction has
has allowed
allowedthethe company
company toto introduce
introduce many
many legendary
legendary models,models, highly
highlyregardedregarded forfor their
their innovativeness,innovativeness, sonicsonic excellence,excellence, and
and
solid
solid reliability.
reliability. The
The Stereo
Stereo Control
Control Center
Center C-2120,
C-2120, while
while
inheriting
inheriting thethe outstanding
outstanding design
design approach
approach andand technoltechnology
ogy ofof modelsmodels such
such asas thethe C-3800,
C-3800, also
also represents
represents aa full
full
model
model changechange fromfrom its
its predecessor
predecessor C-2110,
C-2110, with
with further
furtherenhancedenhanced overall
overall circuitry.
circuitry. ItIt provides
provides thethe flexibility
flexibility totohandlehandle any
any kindkind ofof source
source while
while maximizing
maximizing its
its inherent
inherent
sound
sound quality
quality potential.
potential.
Accuphase’s
Accuphase’s ground-breaking
ground-breaking AAVAAAVA (Accuphase(Accuphase Analog
AnalogVari-gain
Vari-gain Amplifier)Amplifier) volume
volume control,
control, first
first introduced
introduced inin the
the
model
model C-2800,
C-2800, has
has been
been continuallycontinually further
further refinedrefined andandimproved.
improved. AAVAAAVA operates
operates fully
fully inin thethe analog
analog domain,
domain, but
but■■ShortShort andand straightstraight signal
signal paths,
paths, along
along with
with logic-controlled
logic-controlled relays
relays forfor
signalsignal switchingswitching assure
assure highhigh soundsound quality
quality andand long-termlong-term reliability.
reliability.
■■Versatile
Versatile arrangement
arrangement ofof lineline andand balanced
balanced input
input andand output
output connectors.
connectors.
■■EXT
EXT PREPRE function
function allows
allows use
use ofof external
external preamplifier.
preamplifier.
■Selectable preamplifier
preamplifier gain
gain with
with three
three settingssettings (12(12 dB,dB, 1818 dB,
dB, 2424 dB).
dB).
■Selectable■■Output
Output phase
phase selectableselectable individuallyindividually forfor eacheach input.
input. When
When INVINV LEDLED
isis lit,lit, output
output phase
phase isis inverted.
inverted. When
When LED
LED isis out,out, phase
phase isis normal.
normal.

Logic-controlled
Logic-controlled relays
relays andand balanced
balanced input
input and
and
outputoutput connectors
connectors

Logic-controlled
Logic-controlled relays
relays andand lineline input
input and
and
outputoutput connectors
connectors■■Two
Two rear-panel
rear-panel slots
slots forfor separately
separately available
available option
option boards,
boards, withwithsupportsupport forfor digital
digital input
input selection
selection andand sampling
sampling
frequency
frequency indication.
indication.
■■Dedicated
Dedicated headphoneheadphone amplifier
amplifier optimized
optimized for
for
sound
sound quality.
quality.

Phase
Phaseselector
selectorbutton
buttonandandLED
LEDindicator
indicator

LED
LEDindicator
indicator
forfor“EXT“EXTPRE”
PRE”

16
16

■
■Tone
Tone controls
controls using
using summing
summing active
activefilters
filters forfor optimum
optimum soundsound quality.
quality.

18
18

■
■More
More versatile
versatile features:features:●● Provisions
Provisions forfor recording
recording andand playback
playback
withwith aa recorder.
recorder.
●● Loudness
Loudness compensatorcompensator enhancesenhances low
low
end
end presence
presence●● Attenuator
Attenuator (-20(-20 dB).
dB).

10
10

12
12

Boost
Boost

16
16
14
14

88
66
44
22
00

−2
−2
−6
−6
10
10

100
100

1k
1k
Frequency
FrequencyininHz
Hz

10k
10k

100k
100k

Loudness
LoudnessCompensator
CompensatorCharacteristics
Characteristics

BASS
BASS

High
Highfrequency
frequency
range
range

100Hz
100Hz
40Hz
40Hz

TREBLETREBLE
8kHz
8kHz
20kHz
20kHz

INPUT
INPUT

−A
−A11

−A
−A22

OUTPUTOUTPUT

44
00

FF11

−4
−4

HIGH-PASS
HIGH-PASSFILTERFILTERTONE CONTROLTREBLETREBLE TONE CONTROL

−8
−8
−12
−12

−4
−4

Low
Lowfrequency
frequency
range
range

88

Response in dB
Response in dB

LOUDNESSLOUDNESSCOMPENSATOR:COMPENSATOR:ON
ON

Cut
Cut

Response in dB
Response in dB

12
12

Gain
Gainselector
selector

OutputOutput selector
selector■■Numeric
Numeric indication
indication ofof volume
volume level.
level.

Selectable
Selectabletone
tone
control
controlturnoverturnoverBASS:
BASS: 40
40Hz/100
Hz/100HzHz
TREBLE:TREBLE:88kHz/20
kHz/20kHz
kHz

−16
−16
10
10

BASS
BASS
adjustment
adjustmentrange
range

TREBLETREBLE
adjustment
adjustmentrange
range

100
100

10k
10k

1k
1k
Frequency
FrequencyininHzHz

Tone
Tone Control
Control Characteristics
Characteristics

FF22

LOW-PASS
LOW-PASSFILTERFILTER
100k
100k

BASS
BASS

TONE
TONECONTROLCONTROL

Principle
Principleof
oftonetonecontrol
controlcircuitry
circuitry(summing(summingactive
activefilter)
filter)AAVA
AAVA (Accuphase(Accuphase Analog
Analog Vari-gain
Vari-gain Amplifier)Amplifier) Volume
Volume Control
Control■■ Total
Total ofof 18
18 V-IV-I converter
converter amplifiers,
amplifiers, paralleledparalleled for
for

upper
upper two
two units.
units. Input
Input stagestage ensures
ensures powerful
powerfuldrive
drive capability
capability with
with two
two buffer
buffer amplifiers.
amplifiers.
■
No
more
left/righttracking
differencesorcrosstalk.
■ No more left/right tracking differences or crosstalk.
■■ Amplifier
Amplifier display
display shows
shows accurate
accurate gain
gain asas numernumeric
ic indication.
indication.

■■ HighHigh S/N
S/N ratio,
ratio, low
low distortion,
distortion, andand uniform
uniform

frequency
frequency response
response andand soundsound quality
quality atatany
any volume.
volume.
■High-resolution
volumecontrol.
■ High-resolution volume control.
■■ Attenuator
Attenuator andand left/rightleft/right balancebalance control
controlalso
also implemented
implemented by
by AAVA.
AAVA.

16
16current
currentswitches
switches(65,536(65,536possible
possiblecombinations)combinations)

11
222 2

BUFFER
BUFFER

II-V-V Converter
Converter
Reconversion
Reconversion ofofcurrent
current into
into voltage
voltage

11
223 3

＋
＋ Current
Current

INPUT
INPUT
−
−

I I- -VVvaluesvaluesare
are
added
added

BUFFER
BUFFERMusic
Musicsignal
signalOUTPUTOUTPUT
GAIN
GAIN

LEVEL
LEVELDISPLAYDISPLAY

1122151511221616

VV-IIConverter
Converter

Conversion
Conversion into
into current
current
with
with1616weighting
weightingstages
stages16(1/2(1/2--1/2
1/216))

CPUCPU

formance
formance andand soundsound quality.
quality.

■■ AAVAAAVA means
means processing
processing implemented
implemented ininanaloganalog domain.
domain.

■■ SameSame operation
operation feel
feel asas aa conventional
conventional

high-quality
high-quality volume
volume control.
control.

AAVA
AAVA operation
operation principle
principle
AAVA
AAVAconfiguration
configurationininC-2120
C-2120

11
22

＋
＋

■
■ Long-termLong-term reliability
reliability forfor unchanged
unchanged perper-

VolumeVolumeBalance
Balance
Attenuator
AttenuatorCPU
CPU detects
detects position
position ofof volume
volumeknob
knob andand operates
operates current
current on/off
on/offswitches
switchesaccording
accordingtotoknob
knobposition
position

VolumeVolumeknob
knobisisturned
turnedandandposition
positionisisdetected
detected

The
The music
music signal
signal is
is converted
converted into
into 16
16 types
types ofof weighted
weighted current
current
bycurrent) converting
converting amplifiers
amplifiers [1/2,[1/2, 1/2
1/222,, ...
...
by V-I
V-I (voltage(voltage -- current)
15,, 1/2
16].
1/2
1/216
]. TheThe 1616 currents
currents areare turned
turned on
on oror offoff byby 16
16 current
current
1/215
switches,
switches, andand thethe combination
combination ofof switch
switch settingssettings determines
determinesthethe overall
overall volume.
volume. The
The switchingswitching operation
operation isis controlledcontrolled by
by aa
CPU
CPU according
according toto thethe position
position ofof thethe volume
volume control
control knob.
knob. The
The
combined
combined signal
signal current
current forms
forms aa variablevariable gain
gain circuit
circuit that
that
adjusts
adjusts thethe volume.
volume. Finally,
Finally, thethe combined
combined current
current is
is converted
convertedbackback into
into aa voltage
voltage byby an
an I-VI-V (current(current -- voltage)
voltage) converter.
converter.
AAVA
AAVA uses
uses aa unit
unit amplifier
amplifier configuraconfiguration
tion comprising
comprising thethe input
input buffer,buffer, 18
18 V-I
V-I
amplifiers
amplifiers andand current
current switches,
switches,
current
current summing
summing circuit,
circuit, I-V
I-V
converter
converter amplifier,amplifier, etc.
etc. Left
Left
andand right
right channel
channel circuitry
circuitry
isis kept
kept separate
separate ononeacheachboard.
board.

C-2120 Block Diagram
OPTION 1
OPTION 2

AAVA(Accuphase Analog Vari-gain Amplifier)

CD
TUNER

1
2

LINE 1INPUT
SELECTOR

LINE 2

1
22

LINE 3
RECORDERLEFT
CHANNELINPUTS

Balanced
OutputAmplifier

COMPENSATOR

PHASE

BUFFER

CD-BAL

1
23

I-V Converter

TONE

BALANCEDLINELEFT
CHANNEL
EXT PREINPUTSOUTPUT1−2

TONE

EXT PRE

LINE-BALBALANCED−1

BUFFERFEEDBACKOUTPUT
ADDER
BALANCEDAMPLIFIER

−

ADDER

EXT PRE

1
215

UNBALANCED

LINE 1LEFT
CHANNELOUTPUTS

RECORDEROUTPUT

1
216

REC

TONE CONTROL

V- I Converter

PLAY

LINE 2

HIGH-PASSFILTER

RECORDER

CPU

VolumeBalance
Attenuator

HEADPHONE
OUTPUT

TREBLE

LOW-PASSFILTERHEADPHONEAMPLIFIER

TONE CONTROLBASSOUTPUT

from RIGHT channel
RECORDER

INPUT
SELECTOR

MODE

RIGHT
CHANNELPHASE

REMOTESENSORLEVELFREQDISPLAYCOMPENSATORTONEOUTPUT

EXT PRE

Same as LEFT CHANNEL■ Supplied
Remotecommander RC-220
Allows volume adjustment, input source
switching, and otheroperations.

■ Unit amplifier assemblySignal transmission circuitry
consists of five unit amplifiers
arranged separately for left
and right channels on amotherboard, together with a control
board.

Option Boards

Digital Input Board

Three types of option boards are available for the C-2120: Digital Input Board DAC-40, Analog Disc Input Board AD-30, and Line Input Board
LINE-10. These boards can be installed in the rear-panel slots as required. (It is also possible to install two identical boards.)■ The Digital Input Boards DAC-30/DAC-20/DAC-10,
Analog Disc Input Boards AD-20/AD10/AD-9, andLine Input Board LINE-9 can also be used.
■ With the AD-30/AD-20,
switching between MC
MC/MM selecand MM is possible using
tor button andthe selector on the front
LED indicatorpanel of the C-2120. ＊1＊1 When using the AD-10/AD-9, MC/MM switching mustbe performed on the board.

DAC-40Features a high sound quality, high-performance MDS++ D/A converter. The USB port
allows connection to a computer via USB cable,
for reproduction of high-resolution music library data with superior sound quality.

■ The C-2120 has a DAC input selector button that allows
input selection when using the Digital Input Board DAC-40
With USB Port. Display of the sampling frequency of thelocked digital signal is also possible. ＊2● COAXIAL: For 75-ohm coaxial cable

Supported sampling frequency range:
32 kHz to 192 kHz, 24-bit● OPTICAL: For optical fiber

DAC input selector button and LED indicators

Supported sampling frequency range:
32 kHz to 96 kHz, 24-bit
For USB cable (Type B connector)
Supported sampling frequency range:
32 kHz to 192 kHz, 24-bit● USB:

Sampling frequency display example＊2 Not supported when using DAC-30/DAC-20/DAC-10.

Analog Disc Input Board(32 kHz to 192 kHz/24 bit)● MC/MM switching is possible on the front panel

Digital componentof the C-2120.
DIP switches control MC input impedance and subsonic filter on/off.

Digital (S/PDIF) output● Internal

Optical fiber cable(32 kHz to 96 kHz/24 bit)

66 dB

Gain:

40 dB

MM Input Impedance: 47 kilohms
Computer

DAC-40
DAC-40Gain:

MC Input Impedance: 30/100/300 ohms (selectable)

USB cable
Type B Connector
32 kHz to 192 kHz/24bit

AD-30

Features a high-performance, high-gain phono equalizer for
playback of analog records with outstanding sound quality.

Coaxial digital cableLine Input Board LINE-10

DAC-40 connection example

AD-30

LINE-10

Provides a set of line level inputs.

Photo shows option board installation example.

■ Front Panel

C-2120 GUARANTEED SPECIFICATIONSq

Pressing this button
opens the sub panel.

we[Guaranteed specifications are measured according to EIA standard RS-490.]● 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, Input ImpedanceSensitivity
Input impedance
For rated output For 0.5 V output
252 mV
63 mV
40 kilohms (20/20 kilohms)
BALANCED
20 kilohms
252 mV
63 mV
LINE
Input

r

t

y

u

i o !0■ Rear Panel
Option Board
installation slots!1 !2 !3Sub panel

!4

!8

!5

!6

!9

Input shorted, A-weighting
S/N ratio at rated output
109 dBBALANCED
109 dB
LINE
Input

!7

@0

● Rated Output Voltage, Output Impedance
BALANCED/LINE OUTPUT
2V
RECORDER REC (with AD input) 252 mV● S/N Ratio, Input-converted Noise (gain selector: 18 dB)★

@1

q Input selector!4 Line inputs TUNER / CD / LINE1, 2, 3
w Function LED indicators!5 Recorder outputs/inputs
e Volume control!6 Line outputs (2 sets)r Power switch!7 “EXT PRE” inputs
t Output selector!8 Balanced inputs (2 sets)
EXT PRE / ALL / BAL / LINE / OFF!9 Balanced outputs
y BASS/TREBLE controls
When using line input: Pin w (-), Pin e (+)
u Function selector buttons
When using balanced inputs: Same as input
Phase / Stereo/Mono / DAC input /source component
MC/MM / Tone control On/Off /(Can be changed with phase selector button u)
Tone control turnover 40/100 Hz, 8/20 kHz / @0 “EXT PRE” inputs (balanced)
Display mode
@1 AC power connector ★
i Balance control
o Gain selector 12dB / 18dB / 24dB
!0 Recorder selector OFF / ON / PLAY
Supplied accessories!1 Loudness compensator button● AC power cord
!2 Attenuator button● Audio cable with plugs (1 meter)!3 Headphone jack

50 ohms
200 ohms

S/N ratio (EIA)
107 dB
107 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● Tone Controls
Bass/Treble controls with selectable turnover frequencies
BASS:
40/100 Hz ±10 dB
TREBLE: 8/20 kHz ±10 dB● Loudness Compensation +6 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
30 W● Maximum Dimensions
Width 465 mm (18-5/16")
Height 150 mm (5-7/8")
Depth 405 mm (15-15/16")● Mass
16.8 kg (42.3 lbs)
25.0 kg (55.1 lbs) in shipping carton● Remote Commander RC-220

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 AC inlet and plug of the supplied power cord depends on the voltage rating and destination country.

●

Specifications and design subject to change without notice for improvements.

http://www.accuphase.com

G1305Y PRINTED IN JAPAN

850-2181-00（B1）