AUDIO ORIGAMI BLOG
The Accuphase C-47
Solid-state phono stage mastery.
Three months ago, we made a significant upgrade to our audio system, replacing our Luxman EQ-500 phono stage with the exceptional Accuphase C-47. This move was part of a broader goal: to transition away from tube-based components.
While we have no inherent dislike for tube technology, we've grown tired of tubes themselves. Over recent years and generally speaking, tube prices have skyrocketed, and their quality has become increasingly inconsistent. Furthermore, we don't subscribe to the notion that tubes are the only path to achieving a "holographic soundstage."
We want to emphasise that our Luxman EQ-500 was an excellent phono stage that served us incredibly well for five years. It met our needs perfectly, offering connectivity for up to three cartridges simultaneously. Sonically, it truly shined, especially for those willing to invest the time in tube rolling to achieve the ideal tonal balance.
However, while launching our PU8 at one of our dealers, we had the opportunity to hear the Accuphase C-47. The difference was immediately apparent; we were listening to a different beast entirely. Although a true evaluation of any hi-fi component requires long-term integration into one's own system, what we heard that day was compelling enough to convince us to make the upgrade.
The Accuphase C-47 is by no means an inexpensive phono stage. Retailing at £9,000, it sits at the higher end of the spectrum, pushing the budget for all but the most affluent audiophiles. Nevertheless, for those with multiple turntables or a turntable capable of mounting multiple tonearms, this phono stage could very well be the ultimate grail component.
The Specs
The Accuphase C-47 is a lesson in build quality. Encased in Accuphase's signature Champagne coloured, heavy machined aluminum, and accented by lacquered solid wood end blocks, it's as beautiful to behold as it is robust. This unit is designed for easy integration and daily enjoyment.
Connectivity is versatile, with the C-47 accommodating three cartridges via single-ended RCA connections and one via balanced XLR and giving you the option of single-ended or balanced output to your preamp.
What's particularly convenient is how the unit automatically saves the loading and gain settings for each input, making it a breeze to switch between cartridges with a simple turn of the large knob on the front panel.
The C-47 supports both MM and MC cartridges, and offers a wide MC gain range from 40 dB to 64 dB. This extended gain is incredibly useful, especially if you, like us, use a passive preamplifier and require that extra boost. We're currently running two MC cartridges through it, and even at the full 64 dB gain, the unit remains deathly quiet. There's not a hint of buzz or hum, even at maximum volume. This is rare!
Accuphase achieves this exceptional silence through its dedicated MC/MM head amp. Also rare! The head amp provides the initial gain stage before the signal is sent to the equaliser amplifier. The C-47 employs a fully balanced configuration throughout, including the head amp, which effectively minimises noise and external interference. The result is an almost non-existent noise floor, allowing even the most subtle details on your records to emerge with stunning clarity.
Our Listening Experience with the Accuphase C-47
Our initial listen to the Accuphase C-47 was via a single-ended RCA cable, as we didn't have a balanced XLR tonearm cable readily available. We tested it with both our Dynavector XV-1t and Analogue Relax EX1000 cartridges – two cartridges we're intimately familiar with across various phono stages. (Our thoughts on these cartridges can be found here.)
What immediately struck us was a noticeable increase in density. Everything sounded fuller and bigger. This genuinely surprised us; we had perhaps expected more detail or a more developed soundstage, and while we certainly got those, the overall presentation had a density we hadn't experienced from our system before. And just to be clear, this is a significant positive.
Midrange Magic
The C-47 truly works its magic in the midrange. Some might describe this as "warm," but we prefer to call it "realistic." The midrange holds most of a song's information, and it's where hi-fi manufacturers should focus first, though sadly, many don't. Accuphase, however, defies the current hi-fi trend of artificially boosting high-frequency details. The midrange on this phono stage is so convincing, deep, and dark that vocals become hauntingly present, making the music unbelievably believable.
Full-Spectrum Performance
Don't misunderstand us; the C-47 delivers across the entire frequency spectrum. Everything up to 300Hz was more pronounced, cleaner, and more textured, with some of the lower registers truly surprising us. We use speakers with 15-inch drivers and subwoofers, and it became clear we hadn't been feeding them properly before. We simply hadn't realised they could be so responsive and textured.
The upper frequencies also received a significant gain, exhibiting more detail, speed, and accuracy. This, in turn, enhanced spatial imaging and gave vocals an edge, separating the singer from the instruments so well that with closed eyes, you could imagine them standing right in front of a mic in your room.
The Sound
The C-47 presents a well-developed, wide, and deep soundstage that the "tube army" might label "holographic" or "3D." It loses nothing by being a solid-state unit; in fact, we'd argue the "density" we're hearing might even be a characteristic of its solid-state design.
Regardless of the topology, the C-47 makes music beautiful. In our opinion, it balances all the frequency regions so impeccably and fills the room with so much audible beauty that we never found ourselves pondering bass, midrange, or treble. We were just wholly immersed in the music – and that's the ultimate goal for any hi-fi component. Is it worth the money? Damn tootin' it is... every penny!
For the record, after about a week of listening with single-ended tonearm cables, we purchased a balanced XLR cable to see if it made a difference. It did, albeit a slight one. The balanced cable lowered the noise floor a little further, but not significantly. Both the RCA and XLR cables we used were the Gold Rush by Zavfino.
We are late to the party writing a review on the Accuphase C-47, as Accuphase have just introduced the new C-57. However, it has made such a massive difference to our analogue experience in the main listening room that we just had to write about it. We trust that the C-57 will be even better. However, if we have convinced you on the C-47, there are bargains to be had on the used market now as people upgrade to it's newer sibling.