Фонокорректоры — Accuphase C-57

The C-57 is a reference phono preamplifier from Accuphase, built as a meticulously reengineered successor to the well-regarded C-47, itself replacing the brand's very first phono stage, the C-27, launched back in 2008. Accuphase describes the C-57 as the apotheosis of its phono equaliser amplifiers, extracting the full richness and character from a diverse range of cartridges through a comprehensive dual-mono, fully balanced design.

Key specs that matter

MC head amplifier gain is 50dB (with the-ear.net citing switchable 64dB and 70dB settings depending on measurement source), and MM head amplifier gain is 20dB (alternatively cited as 34dB/40dB). MC load impedance is switchable across 10, 30, 60, 100, 200, 300 and 1k ohms - the 60-ohm option being new to this generation specifically for fine-tuning with low-impedance MC cartridges - while MM impedance covers 1k, 47k and 100k ohms. Equivalent input noise voltage at MC is an exceptionally low -156dBV, a full 1dB improvement over the outgoing C-47. RIAA deviation is guaranteed within plus-or-minus 0.3dB across the full 10Hz-20kHz range, tighter than the plus-or-minus 0.5dB many rival phono stages at this level achieve, thanks to hand-selected high-precision resistors and capacitors. The Accuphase Noise and distortion Cancelling Circuit (ANCC), applied to the MC head amplifier for the first time in the brand's phono lineup, uses a secondary balanced low-noise amplifier specifically to cancel distortion and noise from the main amplifier stage. The disc equaliser PCB uses glass-fibre-cloth fluorocarbon resin - the same substrate found in Accuphase's flagship preamplifiers - offering lower dielectric constant and loss than standard FR4 fibreglass for better high-frequency signal integrity and thermal stability of the RIAA-determining component values. Dedicated balanced MC phono inputs allow a balanced connection where a compatible turntable and tonearm support it. Fully dual-mono construction extends to the toroidal transformer, smoothing capacitors and regulated power supply. At 465 x 114 x 407mm and 14.8kg, elegant natural wood side panels, including a rosewood option, complement the champagne-coloured aluminium front panel.

Sound and use context

Expect gorgeous build quality married to precise, accurate phono reproduction, extensive adjustability and the rarely-surpassed clean MC playback Accuphase's ANCC circuit is designed to achieve.

Pairing

The comprehensive impedance and gain options across both MM and MC modes cover a wide range of cartridges directly, and the dedicated balanced MC input rewards a turntable and tonearm combination already wired for balanced connection.

Alternatives

Accuphase's broader amplifier catalogue, including matching preamplifiers designed for this same signal-chain philosophy, forms a natural partner for a system built around this phono stage, worth pairing together for a coherently voiced, Japanese-engineered analogue front end.