New Accuphase P-300 / C-200 combo

[Epic]

Now I like my stereo!

Bought an Accuphase P-300 last month, all recapped, it made me search the matching preamp. I finally got it yesterday, the sound is refined and fabulous,sound a lot better than my Mcintosh MX112 the high frequency is really natural and superb midrange...I however feel that something is missing, it lacks dynamics. The tone control is rather slightly effective, but not that much. The seller told me his tech had checked everything on it and all parts are supposed to be within specs... he changed a lightbulb on it and nothing else.

Does somebody has experience with this preamp, like a before and after recap experience? Any advice will be appreciated.

 

[slimecity]

Yes - nice combo. They will benefit from a recap - there arent many electros in there - they are mostly film caps.

The thing that goes wrong is the analog chip fails in the P300 protect circuit. If yours is still working OK then you will be fine in the meantime.These just sit in protect mode and the VU lights flash and the relay doesnt click in when they go wrong. There are also some failure prone large transistors in the pre-stage of the output amps in the P300 that can go south and cause the DC offset to go all over the place (causing the protect circuit to also click in) - but again - you will know when this happens. I had to repair both these things with EchoWars extensive help - in my P300.

I am also not overjoyed with the sound from the P300 tho - I havent replaced the main power caps as its a major job. I do vastly prefer the C200 - its a very neutral sounding preamp with an incredible phono stage. They have plenty of gain too.

 

[SVI2004A]

Their P600 was streets ahead

 

[Epic]

Their P600 was streets ahead

Surely helps with 10 years moore in evolution, looks awsome and must sound excellent...but for the subject concerned, I'm pretty impressed with their initial offering. I may stick to theses for a long time and may purchase some other Accuphase products in the following years. I think I got the bug!

 

[nj pheonix]

The c200 had tantalum caps on the bass (?) IIRC tone control.
You'd be well served to replace with films.
There's a nice tone bypass in that.

 

[Epic]

Yes - nice combo. They will benefit from a recap - there arent many electros in there - they are mostly film caps.

The thing that goes wrong is the analog chip fails in the P300 protect circuit. If yours is still working OK then you will be fine in the meantime.These just sit in protect mode and the VU lights flash and the relay doesnt click in when they go wrong. There are also some failure prone large transistors in the pre-stage of the output amps in the P300 that can go south and cause the DC offset to go all over the place (causing the protect circuit to also click in) - but again - you will know when this happens. I had to repair both these things with EchoWars extensive help - in my P300.

I am also not overjoyed with the sound from the P300 tho - I havent replaced the main power caps as its a major job. I do vastly prefer the C200 - its a very neutral sounding preamp with an incredible phono stage. They have plenty of gain too.

The C-200 has the best phono section I owned so far. My P-300 is totally restored and sound awsome paired with my Dahlquist DQ10. The only complaint I have with my P-300 is that the previous owner put some hidious blueuish leds in the vu meters.

 

[slimecity]

The C-200 has the best phono section I owned so far. My P-300 is totally restored and sound awsome paired with my Dahlquist DQ10. The only complaint I have with my P-300 is that the previous owner put some hidious blueuish leds in the vu meters.

Yea the phono is outstanding in the C200 aye - I can even run my LOMC cart straight into it for decent gain!

Thats funny - I redid mt P300 VU meter lights with bright white LEDs - and yes you can practically light up the whole room with it.