The Accuphase C-202 line-level class-A preamplifier is an extraordinary piece of hi-fi gear. Come along as I service and review this great preamp.
The Accuphase C-202 is a line-level, class-A, fully balanced preamplifier. It also features a dedicated CD buffer circuit, with very little in the signal path. By any measure, it is a superb piece of gear.
It’s not one of Accuphase’s best-known pieces which is good news if you decide to buy one. Prices for this 11kg Japanese-made beauty remain very reasonable.
Design
Key design features include fully balanced circuitry from input to output, JFETs at every stage, completely symmetrical layout, class-A operation and zero ICs or capacitors in the signal path.
Make no mistake, there are lots of capacitors in the C-202. These are part of the local power supplies for each circuit block. Every circuit block has its own dedicated capacitor bank, lowering the source impedance of each power supply. Let’s take a look…
The C-202 draws 40 watts all the time, courtesy of class-A operation. That’s more than most modern power amplifiers dissipate at idle. She gets warm, but not hot, the thermal design is excellent and the chassis is well ventilated.
Features
The C-202 has some useful features for those who like their preamps to actually have functionality. For example, there are three switchable outputs, two unbalanced, one balanced.
This is useful because you can feed high-end balanced amps, I use it to provide two separate feeds to my B&W subwoofer. In this way, I have two separate subwoofer set-ups, one for hi-fi, one for home cinema. I just switch the output selector according to what I’m doing.
There’s also a built-in headphone amplifier, capable of driving phones of up to 100 Ohms impedance. The C-202 will drive my HD580s, which are rated at 300 Ohms, but it isn’t totally happy doing so. Still, this is better than having no headphone amp at all.
One of the most interesting features is the dedicated CD circuit, separate from the other line-level inputs. The CD circuit features dedicated volume control and bypasses the additional controls and switches under the flap, providing the most direct signal path possible. You can also select balanced or unbalanced inputs for this dedicated CD buffer.
There is full tape monitoring and switching provided, great if you are getting into cassette tape again, as I am right now. There’s even an attenuator button, which drops the volume by 20dB, useful if you get a phone call, have an overly hot source, or what to change something and return to precisely the same volume setting.
I could go on, but let’s just say the C-202 is not short on features. About the only thing it doesn’t have is a built-in phono preamp.
Specifications, Courtesy of Audio Database
| Form | Stereo preamplifier |
| CD Inputs | |
| Frequency response | 1.0Hz-400,000Hz+0 -3.0 dB 20Hz-20,000Hz+0 -0.2 dB |
| THD | 0.005% |
| Input sensitivity/impedance | Balanced input: 1.0V/40kohm Unbalanced input: 1.0V/20kohm |
| Output power/impedance | Balanced output: 4.0V/50 ohm Unbalanced output: 2.0V/1 ohm |
| Headphone jack | Impedance: 4ohms – 100ohms |
| Gain | Bal-in -> bal out: 12dB Bal-in -> unbal out: 6dB Unbal-in -> bal out: 12dB Unbal-in -> unbal out: 6dB |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | A-weighting: 108dB |
| Maximum output level | Balanced output: 10V Unbalanced output: 5V |
| Maximum input level | Balanced input: 10V Unbalanced input: 8V |
| Minimum load impedance | Balanced output: 600ohms Unbalanced output: 1kohm Tape Rec: 10kohm |
| Attenuator | -20dB |
| Line Inputs | |
| Frequency response | 1.0Hz-500,000Hz+0 -3.0 dB 20Hz-20,000Hz+0 -0.2 dB |
| THD | 0.0055% |
| Input sensitivity/impedance | 200mV/20kohm |
| Output power/impedance | Balanced output: 4.0V/50 ohm Unbalanced output: 2.0V/1 ohm |
| Headphone jack | Impedance: 4ohms – 100ohms |
| Profit | Balanced output: 26dB unbalanced output: 20dB |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | A-weighting: 110dB |
| Maximum output level | Balanced output: 10V Unbalanced output: 5V |
| Minimum load impedance | Balanced output: 600ohms Unbalanced output: 1kohm Tape Rec: 10kohm |
| Attenuator | -20dB |
| Loudness Compensation (Volume control-30dB) | 1:+3dB(100Hz) 2: +8dB (100Hz), +6dB (20kHz) |
| Subsonic Filter | 10Hz, -12 dB/oct |
| General | |
| Semiconductors | Transistor: 110 pieces FET: 54 pieces IC: 12 pieces Diode: 79 pieces |
| Power source | AC100V/117V/220V/240V, 50Hz/60Hz |
| Power consumption | 40W |
| Dimensions | Width 475x height 135x depth 373mm |
| Weight | 11kg |
Service
The C-202 is a reliable and superbly constructed preamp as one would expect of Accuphase. The inputs are electronically switched via relays, so there isn’t much to go wrong there. There are some mechanical switches under the front panel flap though, these might need standard service, over time.
This unit was previously owned by a smoker. I removed the main circuit board to address some dry joints and clean the tobacco residue which was causing issues with some of the mechanical switches. I use a washing process, based on how test and measurement equipment is cleaned. This process effectively removes just about every last trace of residue and contamination from the board and other parts.
After drying and reinstalling the main board, I left the C-202 to warm up for a couple of hours. Referring to the service manual, I adjusted all eight DC offset adjustments for each of the two balanced amplifier stages per channel and replaced a blown fuse.
The service manual is critically important here. I was finally able to locate a hard copy of my own and it’s now one of the most treasured manuals in my collection!
Why Aren’t All Preamps Made Like This?
Simple, it costs too much to build regular consumer equipment this way. Sure, zero capacitors in the signal path is the best way to go. But this requires DC servo circuitry for every stage, expensive to design and implement. It also requires eight adjustments per preamp on the production line, and this adds to the unit cost.
FETs are expensive and there are lots of them in this preamplifier. Add in the heat sinks for class-A operation, and other closely matched components needed for balanced operation, and the costs keep rising.
This is old-school design and build is what Accuphase is famous for and it makes a preamp like this such a pleasure to own and service. This unit remains the main preamplifier in my reference system to this day (2022)
Sound Quality and Use case
How does the Accuphase C-202 sound? In a word, sublime. You would expect this, given the design, premium parts and beautiful layout. Deep, clean bass, sparking, airy highs, grain-free, fluid mids. This preamp has all that you’d expect in a premium preamp and more. She is dead quiet and of course, produces her very best when fed with a balanced signal into the dedicated CD buffer.
I use my C-202 as part of a hi-fi stereo system fed by Redbook CD and vinyl. I run my turntable into a Fidelity Research XF-1 step-up transformer, that feeds a Cayin Phono 1 phono preamplifier and that feeds the minimalist line-level buffer of the C-202.
The Bottom Line
You get what you pay for with audio gear and this preamp is a good example of that. Having said that, the Accuphase C-202 is still one of the best-kept secrets in audio. Not many people know about them or how amazing they are, so prices are still sensible. If you need a line-level preamp, I can hardly imagine anything better.
Accuphase C-202 Stereo Preamplifier
$2000 - $3000AUD
Pros
- Superb construction
- Superb sound quality
- Input & output flexibility
- Dedicated CD input
- Subsonic filter, loudness, tape facilities
Cons
- No phono preamp
- RCA sockets not Accuphase's best
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Hi, Im planing to buy this pre amp but is 100v, in my country we use 120V. Is the transformer multivoltage?. Can i change it by rewiring?
Thanks
Hi, this depends on the individual example and you would need to check the one you are purchasing. Mine was configurable, but I’d suggest checking your unit to be certain as the same model can vary depending on original country of sale. If not, you can always use a small step down transformer, 100 watts would be enough.
Hi,
I have a C 222, and I am planning on buying this C202. In your opinion, sonically, would that be astep up or down?
Please share your thoughts. I would really appreciate that.
Best Regards
Kal
Hi Kal
The C-202 is a line level only, fully balanced class-A preamp, quite different from the C-222, which is single-ended only. The Class A, push-pull, fully balanced layout, plus the dedicated, balanced CD only input make this preamp quite unique. Truly an awesome line level only preamp, but you need a very good phono stage to match!
Hi,
Many Thanks for your reply,
You are absolutely right, this C202, sounds amazing, warm, detailed yet smooth without sounding boring,
I still have two questions, hope you won’t mind. Is it ok to leave C 202 on all the time?
Second, would it accommodate those Accuphase cards in the back for analog playback, or would you suggest a separate phono stage, which would go perfectly with this preamp?
Many Thanks for your educational and informative response Mike.
Best Regards
Kal
OK to leave on all the time, though bear in mind it constantly dissipates around 40 watts due to class A operation and I would still turn it off when not in use. It does not accommodate cards, it’s a line level only preamp. You would need to choose a phono pre or pre and transformer to suit your requirements and budget, though any phono pre will interface with the line level inputs of the C-202.
Hi Mike,
I currently have the Accuphase e-470 and was wondering how the c-202 pre would go up against the inbuilt e-470 pre. If I was to introduce a c-202 into the mix do you have an opinion on how this mix of old and new may sound?
Given my setup incorporates a 5.1 surround config is it possible to configure something similar to HT bypass/ext pre in the C-202?
Many thanks in advance.
Cheers
Paul
Hi Paul, the main thing to consider here is that the E-470 is an integrated, so it contains more compromises. The C-202 is a dedicated, fully balanced, FET input, class-A line level preamp. It’s an extraordinary sounding piece of gear and I would be staggered if it didn’t sound better than the E-470 pre and most others for that matter. In terms of old and new, one has to be careful in applying any significance to that. We are chasing accurate sound, the age of the gear is largely irrelevant. Ultimately, a combination of the C-202 and a seperate Accuphase power amp would be a better way to go, but expensive of course! I use my C-202 as part of a home cinema / 2 channel system and it works well, it’s very configurable with lots of inputs and outputs.
Thanks Mike,
I have an opportunity to pick one of these up at the moment. Being a fan of your site and its reviews of vintage gear I am tempted. Its age is a bit of a concern to me as would be determining the condition of its internals. It looks pretty clean externally.
Cheers
Paul
No problem. There’s not much to worry about age-wise, Accuphase used premium capacitors, mechanical and other parts parts and it’s likely they will all be perfect. There are quite a few internal adjustments, so you should have her serviced by someone with the necessary skills and access to the service manual, which is extraordinarily hard to come by. I’ve serviced mine a couple of times but all capacitors are original. Other than the service consideration which applies to any piece of electronics more than 10 years old, there’s nothing to worry about.
I am planning to buy C200L for my P 300L . Is this compatible and how would be the sound quality
Hi Jude and thanks for your question. Yes, they are compatible and will sound great, assuming the other system elements are well-matched, in good condition, well-maintained and set-up correctly. In terms of system building, in-depth comparisons, performance, etc, we offer an advisory service for these sorts of questions, accessible via the contact page. Follow up there if you need to.
Hi
I own an Accuphase C-202 who sudently blown the fuse slo 250mA replaced blown again
any idea what component can cause this ?
I’d like to service it but unable to find a service manual and/or schematics
Please advise
Fred
Hi Frederic,
Any number of faults could potentially cause the fuse to open. These are very reliable units and there is no particular part to look for, I wish it were that simple but it rarely is! The path forward is straightforward though. The fault with your particular unit must be traced and resolved and for that I recommend you engage a specialist repairer with access to the service data, parts that might be needed, preferably an Accuphase specialist. There are many rare FETs in this model and a multi-step DC symmetry adjustment procedure. These are rare and collectible preamps and the last thing you want is to cause further problems/damage. I have all the factory service data and if you are located within Australia I’d be happy to repair her for you, but it seems from your email address you are not.
Regards
Mike