Accuphase C-2900 Preamp

[audiopacer]

Hello.
Curious about the personal experiences Accuphase owners (former / current) have with the C-2900 preamp.

I have a P-7500 and run my DAC direct. It’s really nice, but at times I find myself thinking about the potential synergy of adding the C-2900 to my setup. I wonder if the preamp will allow the full beauty of the playback DAC to shine or will it dampen the performance…

C-2900 is at the absolute top of my budget for a preamp.
Thanks

 

[Devil Horns]

The Absolute Sound did a review of the C-2900 w/the A80 amp that you might find helpful:

They did note the C-2900 is a bit on the warmer, polite side of things.

I originally considered the C-2900 but in the end opted for the Esoteric Grandioso C1X Solo which is a fantastic, reference level preamp. Dynamic, detailed and bold but very natural and musical that simply gets out of the way and lets the music be the star. I personally find Accuphase to be very overpriced. For example, in Japan the C1X Solo retails for about the same as the C-3900, the bigger brother of the C-2900 yet it retails for the same price as the latter in the US and here in Australia. I wouldn't doubt that the C1X Solo is on the same playing field as the C-3900.

Something to consider.

 

[GSOphile]

The Absolute Sound did a review of the C-2900 w/the A80 amp that you might find helpful:

They did note the C-2900 is a bit on the warmer, polite side of things.

I originally considered the C-2900 but in the end opted for the Esoteric Grandioso C1X Solo which is a fantastic, reference level preamp. Dynamic, detailed and bold but very natural and musical that simply gets out of the way and lets the music be the star. I personally find Accuphase to be very overpriced. For example, in Japan the C1X Solo retails for about the same as the C-3900, the bigger brother of the C-2900 yet it retails for the same price as the latter in the US and here in Australia. I wouldn't doubt that the C1X Solo is on the same playing field as the C-3900.

Something to consider.

+1 for the Esoteric Grandioso C1X solo!

 

[audiopacer]

@Devil Horns thx. Yes I listened to the Absolute sound review. My take away was that the C-2900 has the potential to perform like what I am looking for - just a touch of midrange beauty and expression, with a rich overall sound. I tend to focus on midrange, presence, and tonality, and less so about hearing a gnat land on a musician's instrument. I had so many systems in the past that were super detail oriented and I get too fatigued these days with hyper rez.

To my ears, the ATC speakers take care of a-lot of presence and sparkle on their own merit (I’ve tested them with a wide range of gear from the $600 Wim Ultra AMP , and other gear) and not looking to really add or enhance more detail but just to kinda round out and add more weight and dimensionality vs MPD-8 dac direct.
The P-7500 class AB amp is a musical beast on its own but I have a feeling it would present a more complete rendering with a pre like the c-2900 in the mix. I am familar with the Esoteric and have a-lot of respect and admiration for the brand, but I need to keep it to one box solution.

Hoping to hear from owners of the c-2900 who can speak to its real world strengths and weaknesses.

 

[toronto416]

I moved up from an Accuphase C-2450 to a C-2900 driving an A-48 amp. The difference with just the preamp upgrade was both immediately apparent and with subtleties that took more time to reveal themselves - increased detail, delicacy, air, musicality, blacker backgrounds and more present room acoustics in recordings as the last note decayed. As a result I upgraded my amp to good effect. Accuphase is both revered and underrated, but built with refinement and the pride that goes with a legacy product.
The C-2900 is a meticulously built beast that will elevate your system. The P-7500 deserves a good preamp - and the C-2900 will not disappoint.
BTW I do not work in the audio industry - I am just an amateur audiophile and music lover.