Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Audio-Gd C-3 Preamplifier (SS) by jonbee

Model:	C-3
Category:	Preamplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price:	$1460
Description:	Two box line level preamp
Manufacturer URL:	Audio-Gd
Model Picture:	View

Review by jonbee on November 08, 2012 at 10:17:43
IP Address: 67.139.104.162 Add Your Review
for the C-3

Audio-GD is a Chinese company that makes a variety of very well designed and constructed hi-fi electronics. Well known in Japan in particular, they
are not well known in the States. Head-fi has a lot of posts on their gear, however. The person behind the company (Kingwa is his Anglo-cized moniker) is an original thinker who is after true quality in his products. The C-3 is no longer available- one of the complaints on Audio-GD is that their product life cycles are very short.
The prices for the quality offered is quite modest. The subject C-3 two box, 50+ lb. preamp sold for $1460 US direct, plus shipping.
I won't go into all the features, but it offers true balanced design with total isolation for each of the main circuit elements. One box contains
a separate massive power supply for each channel, a separate one for the control circuits, and the switching and display. There is a separate umbilical for each of the 3 circuits to the other box, which has the amplifier circuits and connectors.
The actual gain circuits are in 4 swappable modules, each containing discrete amplifier components. There are a number of different modules available, with different circuit topologies and thus sonic "flavors". These can be swapped to fine tune the sound. Mine has the stock M7 modules, supposed the most neutral, but I obtained another set based on the Accuphase A100 amp, supposedly a sweeter sound.
I have yet to try that, so the comments on the sound are on the stock module.
The preamp also has the ACSS connection scheme, a version of what Krell called the CAST system a number of years ago. It is only for use with other A-GD components, and I have not used it, only using conventional balanced and single ended connections.
I won't go into all the other features, but it is a very flexible line level control unit, with an aluminum remote that controls volume and inputs.
The circuitry is massive and complex, leading some to call it over-engineered, but to me, the sonic outcome is what counts.
I recently changed my power amp to a Hypex NCore NC400, and love the speed, dynamics, bass control and clarity that the amp offers. It is also more upfront than many other amps, but I don't have a problem with that.
Some have extolled the use of tube preamps with the NCores, but I decided I wanted to find a preamp that built on the strengths of the NCore. I had used a Bel Canto PRE3 balanced pre, which was very neutral and enjoyable, but when a used C-3 became available I thought I'd try it out.
Well- in short, the C-3 is the fastest, most dynamic, detailed and transparent preamp I've ever owned, with very deep and solidly focused bass. Its strengths are the same as the Ncore- so much so that the upfront and dynamic presenation of the two in combination is a little startling.
It is also dead neutral, as I hear it- I can't find any "distortions" in the sonic fabric. In a sense it is a perfect "solid state" sound. Hall ambience is clearly presented, but not embellished. I feel I'm hearing the recording as they were mixed in the studio.
I had my listener group over to hear the combination, and all came to the same conclusion as I have.
Having said this - there are some, perhaps many, for whom this squeaky clean view would be too much of a good thing- too much of a studio view, not enough like live music. Some have traded their C-3s for tube preamps.
The other gain modules I have supposedly have a more tubey quality, and I'll try them out.
All in all, a fine preamp- just what I was looking for, but as always, matchups and tastes rule!

Product Weakness:	Large and heavy. ACSS connection scheme not too useful. No local (US) support.
Product Strengths:	Fast, dynamic, transparent to an exceptional degree.

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: see review
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): review
Sources (CDP/Turntable): PC msic server/EE minidac plus dac w/Dexa opamps
Speakers: Selah Audio Tempestas
Cables/Interconnects: AQ Coffee SB, Discovery Cables Essence and Essential
Music Used (Genre/Selections): lots
Room Size (LxWxH): 17 x 19 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments: lots of glass- room eats bass
Time Period/Length of Audition: 1 week
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): PS Audio Power Plant Premier
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	see review
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	review
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	PC msic server/EE minidac plus dac w/Dexa opamps
Speakers:	Selah Audio Tempestas
Cables/Interconnects:	AQ Coffee SB, Discovery Cables Essence and Essential
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	lots
Room Size (LxWxH):	17 x 19 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	lots of glass- room eats bass
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1 week
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	PS Audio Power Plant Premier
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner