Accuphase C-57 Phono Preamplifier

Accuphase C-57 Phono Preamplifier with Balanced Connections

The C-57’s configuration provides a fully balanced phono equalizer from input to output. The combination of a high precision equalizer amplifier and a dedicated MC/MM head amplifier fully optimized for the cartridge characteristics creates a highly accurate phono equalizer. As a first, the MC head amplifier uses ANCC to further improve noise performance. Dedicated MC phono balanced inputs allow for balanced connections with record players. The C-57 combines only the best technological advances to extract the full potential of analogue discs.

ANCC Significantly Reduces Distortion and Noise

The Accuphase Noise and distortion Cancelling Circuit uses a secondary amplifier to cancel out distortion and noise from the main amplifier. Complementing the main amplifier, the MC head amplifier is equipped with ANCC to cancel out noise and distortion within the constituent components. The secondary amplifier’s balanced low-noise amplifier further heightens performance.

Monaural Construction

Not only the head amp and equalizer amp, but also the toroidal transformer, smoothing aluminium electrolytic capacitors, and regulated power supply circuitry are all separated, preventing interference between channels. This monaural construction enhances channel separation.

Extremely Low Noise and Highly Accurate Equalizer Characteristics

The amplification circuitry features a two-stage design with a low-noise MC/MM head amplifier and a high-precision equalizer amplifier. By designing the low-noise head amp for high gain (MC: 50 dB, MM: 20 dB), the influence of any noise components in the subsequent equalizer amplifier is kept to a minimum, resulting in excellent low-noise performance combined with extremely accurate equalization characteristics.

Fully Balanced Configuration

The C-57 employs a fully balanced configuration which reliably shuts out external noise. A fully balanced configuration is achieved by subjecting the output signal from the cartridge to balanced amplification (amplifying only the difference between two signal inputs) in both the head amplifier and equalizer amplifier.

Low-Noise Regulated Power Supply

The C-57 features a newly developed low-noise regulated power supply circuitry unaffected by load fluctuations. In a phono equalizer amplifier that handles extremely weak signals, the quality of the power supply plays a critical role. The smoothing circuitry employs four 25 V/15,000 μF high-capacitance filter capacitors per channel, specially selected for their sonic properties. It also includes a dedicated low-noise power supply for the ANCC.

Dedicated Balanced MC Phono Input

A dedicated balanced MC phono input enables connections with analogue players via a balanced phono cable.

Our Review

The Accuphase C-57 Phono Preamplifier feels like one of those rare pieces of gear that instantly elevates the whole vinyl experience, not just with its lush, quietly confident presentation but with the depth of engineering humming away beneath the surface. Its fully balanced signal path and meticulous monaural construction give you that wonderfully clean, open soundstage, while the combination of a high-precision equalizer amp and dedicated MC/MM head amp - now enhanced with ANCC noise-cancelling magic - lets your cartridge shine with uncanny clarity. You can tell Accuphase has obsessed over every detail: from the low-noise regulated power supply and beautifully selected filter capacitors to the flexible loading options and dedicated balanced MC input, it all comes together in a design that feels both technically uncompromising and effortlessly musical. It’s the kind of phono stage that reminds you why analogue can be so captivating.