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The C-3850 sits at the very top of Accuphase’s preamp line, and a real one is usually a serious money item rather than a bargain-bin piece. New, it launched at about £27,000, so a working used example at £90 is far below any believable market level and should be treated as either a typo, a scam, or a non-functional/incorrectly described listing.
As a product, it’s widely regarded for very low-noise, refined line-stage performance, excellent input flexibility, and the sort of build quality Accuphase is famous for. If the listing is genuine and complete, the upside is obvious: flagship-tier preamp performance for pocket change. The key checks here are simple but crucial — exact model, photos of the rear panel, serial number, remote, packaging, and proof it powers up cleanly.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Accuphase Laboratory, Inc., founded in 1972 in Tokyo by brothers Nakaichi and Jiro Kasuga, emerged from their departure from Trio-Kenwood, the company they had co-established decades earlier. Dissatisfied with mass-production compromises, the Kasugas formed Kensonic Laboratories—later renamed Accuphase Laboratory—and relocated to Yokohama in 1973. The brand name, blending "accurate" and "phase," reflected their commitment to precision audio reproduction amid the 1970s hi-fi boom. Their debut products, the P-300 power amplifier, C-200 preamplifier, and T-100 tuner, immediately earned acclaim, including Japan's Compo Grand Prix for the P-300.
Accuphase specializes in high-end electronics, renowned for integrated and power amplifiers, preamplifiers, tuners, CD players, and digital sources like DACs. While their core strength lies in meticulously engineered amplifiers celebrated for phase accuracy and reliability, the lineup extends to digital components, mains filters, and room correction units. Hand-assembled in Yokohama with top-tier parts and innovative circuits, these products prioritize sound purity over volume, eschewing speakers, turntables, headphones, or cables.
Positioned firmly in the ultra-premium high-end market, Accuphase commands reverence among audiophiles for its timeless build quality, engineering excellence, and enduring performance. Synonymous with Japanese hi-fi mastery, it stands as a reference benchmark, appealing to discerning buyers seeking components that deliver uncompromised musical fidelity and last for generations.
See all Accuphase listings on RADAR.
