ACCUPHASE C-57

Accuphase presents the C-57, the latest evolution in its range of phono amplifiers, designed to fully express the musical richness of vinyl records. Since the launch of the C-27 in 2008, Accuphase has demonstrated how analog amplifier technology continues to advance, even in an era dominated by digital sources. With the C-37 in 2014 and the C-47 in 2020, the Japanese company solidified its reputation for phono preamplifiers with exceptional musicality, while the C-57 takes this concept to a new level, integrating the most advanced preamplification and amplification technologies to achieve fully balanced signal transmission from input to output.

When paired with current Accuphase power amplifiers, the C-57 enables a fully balanced transmission system. The MC head amplifier features ANCC technology, which significantly improves distortion and noise performance, enhancing signal purity and allowing listeners to perceive every detail of analog playback. The unit is also distinguished by its refined aesthetics: the aluminum top plate with a “hair-line” finish harmonizes with the natural wood side panels, creating an elegant and sophisticated presence.

The newly developed rotary switches for input selection and load impedance combine carefully chosen components, providing a precise and satisfying operational feel. For MC connections, the C-57 introduces a 60Ω setting, while load impedance can be selected from seven options for MC and three for MM, with the chosen value always displayed. It offers a dedicated balanced input for MC cartridges and three line inputs, with the ability to memorize the individual settings for each input.

The C-57’s design completely separates the power supply from the amplification circuits to eliminate the effects of external and internal noise, arranging each circuit independently and minimizing signal paths. The unit incorporates high-capacity, low-flux leakage toroidal transformers and ultra-low noise power supply circuits with eight 15,000 μF filtering capacitors, ensuring powerful, stable, and silent operation. Technologies used in flagship models such as the C-3900 and E-800S are adapted for the C-57, providing ultra-low noise performance and a fully balanced construction.

The head amplifiers are optimized for the type of stylus, further enhancing ultra-low noise performance. The MC section uses eight parallel low-noise bipolar transistors with current feedback and ANCC, while the MM section employs three parallel low-noise FET transistors, also with current feedback. Signal paths are kept to a minimum, and all amplifiers are mounted on the same printed circuit board, made from glass fluorocarbon substrate, which is excellent for high-frequency performance and heat resistance.

The C-57 achieves exceptionally low noise and total harmonic distortion (THD), with input-referred noise guaranteed to be 1 dB lower than the C-47, reaching world-class quality. RIAA accuracy is maintained within ±0.3 dB thanks to high-precision capacitors and resistors. For balanced MM cartridges, the connection may be more sensitive to noise than a line connection due to the internal distribution of positive and negative signals and the static shield present in most cartridges.

The C-57 thus represents a perfect combination of advanced technology, aesthetic elegance, and reference-level sound quality, offering vinyl enthusiasts an extremely detailed and immersive listening experience.

Technical Specifications:

• Hi-End solid-state balanced MM/MC phono preamplifier;
• Fully monoaural layout with amplification, equalization, filter, control, and power supply circuits (two toroidal transformers) separate and perfectly symmetrical for right and left channels;
• Two-stage amplification circuit, first stage with high gain and infinitesimal distortion for MM and MC, second stage with highly precise, ultra-low noise RIAA equalization;
• Fully balanced configuration from input to output, amplifies only signal differences, eliminating deviations and distortions;
• MC amplification circuit with ANCC (Accuphase Noise and distortion Cancelling Circuit) to eliminate intrinsic noise and distortion;
• Power supply stage with eight 15,000 μF / 25 V capacitors (4 per channel), high-precision voltage regulators, two ultra-low noise toroidal transformers, auxiliary power dedicated to ANCC;
• PCB assembly with glass fluorocarbon substrate for low dielectric constant and minimal loss;
• Memory for individual input settings;
• Subsonic filter (-12 dB/octave, 10 Hz) switchable;
• Configurable load impedance: 7 MC (10 Ω, 30 Ω, 60 Ω, 100 Ω, 200 Ω, 300 Ω, 1 kΩ), 3 MM (1 kΩ, 47 kΩ, 100 kΩ);
• High Gain setting for low-output cartridges;
• Gain levels: MC 70 dB, MM 40 dB (High); MC 64 dB, MM 34 dB (Normal);
• RIAA equalization ±0.3 dB (MM/MC, 10 Hz – 20 kHz);
• Total harmonic distortion (THD, 1 kHz, nominal output) 0.005%;
• Signal-to-noise ratio (S/N): 108 dB MM Normal, 102 dB MM High, 98 dB MC Normal, 92 dB MC High;
• Crosstalk (10 kHz) -90 dB or lower;
• Phono inputs L/R: 1 balanced XLR, 3 unbalanced RCA;
• Line outputs L/R: 1 balanced XLR (polarity switchable), 1 unbalanced RCA;
• High Carbon isolation feet with superior damping properties;
• Natural wood side panels and brushed aluminum top plate;
• Included RCA signal cable Accuphase ASL-10B, 1 m;
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 465 mm x 114 mm x 407 mm;
• Weight: 14.8 kg.