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Further improved AAVA volume control provides ultra-smooth action -
Adjust the listening level without any losses in sound quality or perform-
ance. Complete dual mono construction features separate power supplies,
plus separate AAVA unit ampliļ¬ er modules on a motherboard. Individual
control of phase for each input position. Option boards enable reproduc-
tion of digital input signals and high-grade playback of analog records.
Ever since being introduced in the model C-2800,
Accuphases ground-breaking AAVA (Accuphase
Analog Vari-gain Amplifier) volume control has
undergone further reļ¬ nements, reļ¬ ecting accumulated
technical know-how. The result has made an excellent
idea even better, and it has helped Accuphase
preampliļ¬ ers maintain their position as undisputed
leaders and reference products both in terms of sound
quality and performance.
The C-2110 is a successor to the model C-2000. It
inherits advanced design technology from the C-2810
and C-2410 and features AAVA volume control with
the same outstanding speciļ¬ cations and conļ¬ guration
but further augmented circuitry. AAVA is a new
kind of volume control that assures excellent sonic
Operation principle of AAVA in C-2110
performance by integrating the amplification and
volume control tasks and eliminating all mechanical
contact points from the signal path. The fact that
the music signal no longer has to pass through any
variable resistors brings a number of distinct design
advantages and enhances sonic purity. Another
beneļ¬ t of AAVA is that only highly reliable electronic
components are used, ensuring that the outstanding
performance and sound quality of the ampliļ¬ er will
remain undiminished for many years to come. In actual
operation, the volume knob on the front panel which
is only used for position detection has the same feel
as on a conventional ampliļ¬ er.
The power supply section of the C-2110 employs
separate transformers, while ļ¬ ltering capacitors and other parts of the power supply are also duplicated for
left and right. Whats more, the AAVA circuitry, balanced
output circuits, and other unit ampliļ¬ ers are also entirely
separate for the two channels, arranged on a high-
quality motherboard. This fully monaural construction
prevents unwanted crosstalk and interaction both on
the electrical and the physical plane.
Most of the internal circuitry of the C-2110 is devoted
to AAVA, but there are also tone controls, a loudness
compensator, recorder connection support and other
convenient features. The PHASE button lets the user
specify the phase setting for each input position
separately, and EXT PRE connectors offer further
enhanced ļ¬ exibility. The overall result is a versatile
analog preampliļ¬ er of immense appeal.
Further Improved AAVA (Accuphase Analog Vari-gain Ampliļ¬ er) Volume Control
AAVA is a radically different volume control principle that eliminates all variable resistors from the signal path and provides top-notch performance
and sound quality. Because the music signal is not affected by changes in impedance, high signal-to-noise ratio and low distortion are maintained
at any volume control setting.
- Volume control resolution AAVA adjusts the listening volume by means of 16 weighted
V-I converter ampliļ¬ ers which are controlled by current
switches. The number of possible volume steps set by the
combination of these converter ampliļ¬ ers is 2 to the power
of 16 = 65,536.
- Input buffer amps use 5-MCS topology One of the factors that have a bearing on possible noise in
an AAVA arrangement is the input buffer. By connecting ļ¬ ve
high-performance amps in parallel, drive capability under
low-load conditions has been improved, and excellent S/N
ratio is assured.
- AAVA ensures high S/N ratio and uniform
frequency response
Unlike conventional volume controls, AAVA does not
introduce a change in impedance at any volume setting.
Consequently, there is no deterioration of S/N ratio and
frequency response remains totally uniform. The beneļ¬ ts
are especially apparent at settings that correspond to
normal listening levels, because the sound remains perfectly
transparent and the tonal quality is not altered in any way.
- No more left/right tracking differences or
crosstalk
Because AAVA is an electronic circuit employing ļ¬ xed-value
resistors, there is virtually no left/right tracking error also at
low volume levels. Since channels can be kept separate,
crosstalk also does not present a problem.
- AAVA means analog processing The AAVA circuit converts the music signal from a
voltage into a current, switches gain by means of
current switches, and then reconverts the current
into a voltage. The entire process is carried out in
the analog domain.
- Same operation feel as a conventional
high-quality volume control
The volume control knob position is detected
by a dedicated CPU which in turn selects the
current switches for AAVA operation. Operating
the knob therefore feels exactly the same as with
a conventional control, and as before, operation
via the remote commander is also possible.
- Attenuator and balance control also
implemented by AAVA
The functions of the attenuator and the left/right
balance control are covered by the AAVA circuit
as well, eliminating the need for additional circuit
stages. Keeping the conļ¬ guration simple helps to
maintain high performance and sonic purity.
Input music signal
The music signal is converted into 16 types of weighted current by V-I (voltage - current)
converting ampliļ¬ ers [1/2, 1/2 2, ... 1/2 15, 1/2 16]. The 16 currents are turned on or off by 16 current
switches, and the combination of switch settings determines the overall volume. The switching
operation is controlled by a CPU according to the position of the volume control knob. The
combined signal current forms a variable gain circuit that adjusts the volume. Finally, the combined
current is converted back into a voltage by an I-V (current - voltage) converter.
AAVA operation principle
AAVA assembly includes boards with
separate modules for left and right
input buffers, 16 V-I converters + cur-
rent switches, current adding
circuitry, and I-V converters,
as well as the CPU board
for AAVA control.
- Simple circuit conļ¬ guration AAVA uniļ¬ es the ampliļ¬ er and volume control functions,
resulting in a circuit that is electrically very simple. Long-term
reliability is excellent, with performance and sound quality
that will remain unchanged also after prolonged use.
+
Conversion into current with 16
weighting stages (1/2 - 1/2 16) CPU detects position of volume
knob and operates current on/off
switches according to knob position Volume knob is turned and
position is detected
Current
values are
added
Reconversion of
current into voltage
16 current switches (65,536 possible combinations)
INPUT
OUTPUT
GAIN
I-V Converter
CPU Volume
Balance
Attenuator
BUFFER
BUFFER
V-I Converter
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OFF/EXT INV
OUTPUT PHASE
LOUDNESS COMPENSATOR: ON
10 100 1k 10k 100k 18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
-2
-4
-6
Balanced input and output connectors Unbalanced input and output connectors
Loudness compensator
characteristics
EXT PRE function and phase se-
lector button, with LED indicators
Gain selector
- Dual mono construction with separate left and right transformers and
separate circuit modules mounted on a board.
- Logic-controlled relays assure high sound quality and long-term reliability.
Strategically placed relays ensure optimum signal ļ¬ ow and prevent degradation that could
occur if the signal has to travel a long way for input and output connection and function
switching.
- Individual phase control for each input position The setting of the PHASE button is memorized for each input separately, and the LED indicator
shows the respective status: lit (phase inverted) or out (normal phase).
- Selectable preamp gain The overall gain of the preampliļ¬ er can be set to 12 dB, 18 dB, or 24 dB.
- Dedicated headphone ampliļ¬ er optimized for sound quality
- EXT PRE function allows use of external preampliļ¬ er
- Versatile arrangement of balanced and unbalanced input and output
connectors
- Two option board slots on rear panel for system expansion
- More versatile features:
- Provisions for recording and playback with a recorder
- Loudness compensator augments bass impact
at low listening volume
- Attenuator (-20 dB)
- Supplied remote commander
RC-200
Allows volume adjustment,
input source switching,
and other operations.
Frequency in Hz
Response in dB
LOUDNESS COMPENSATOR: ON