Accuphase C245 by BRZHIFI reviewed - there's a good reason why patents are expiring!

And another "clone" review!
This time preamplifer produced by BRZHIFI - these are the same guys that are manufacturing Musical Fidelity A1 Clone that I have reviewed recently (and I am strongly recommending that one).
Why C245?
Because its a preamp and you asked for some preamps,
Because it has XLRs and my whole setup is balanced,
Because I was so curious about Accuphase clones that I also have E405 coming my way.
I got it safe and sound via eBay from this store:
www.ebay.com/itm/325632742868
But you can also get it from Aliexpress (same seller) here:
www.aliexpress.com/item/10050...

[@rontoolsie]

Without knowing the price, this preamp could easily pass for a $3000+ unit. I had a Chord preamp once that was built with the cheapest of cheap parts and sounded pretty dire, yet cost many multiples of what this unit does. The dual transformer design for instance is typically found in only the most esoteric preamps. I have owned several 5-figure preamps for instance that just used a common power transformer. What would be interesting would be some comparison between the cheaper JC2 preamp and the C245. Yes, they both sound great, but does the C245 sound greater, and if so, is that sufficient to justify the additional expense. The C245 also looks like a modders dream...Im sure that putting another $100-200 in higher quality parts and a couple hours installing them would give a performance that would be difficult to match at many times the cost.

[@k4syx]

@@rontoolsie yes exactly, that was one of the points I was making in D5PRO or A1 clones review. You can replace anything you want and it still doesn't significantly raise the price. As for comparison this one is simply better in everything but the price. Is it worth it? Yes it is, but if your power amp is also good enough. So simple and cheap JC2 is good pairing for mF1a clone, and this one goes to D5PRO. Having said that, I have E405 clone coming my way, yesterday it was at customs so just a few days more (and long burn in ;) )

[@Reyfox1]

I like these reviews. I've always wondered about these audio products, including cables, whether they were worth the risk.

[@CalCobra]

Nice review, and I completely concur with your findings. I recently purchased the same preamp (notice they spelled selector incorrectly?). It's very well made, the remote is some cheap repurposed remote, but it's a remote (bummer it doesn't change input though). I like that it has XLR in/out, and it has TWO XLR inputs which seems to be a rarity in preamps at this price level. I agree that the power button is clever, initially I thought WTF, but after using it, I agree, very well placed. Sonically, it's reference quality. Vocals, strings, piano, guitars, drums, wonderful. I'm evaluating these preamps with the Transaudio D5 Pro, which is a great pairing. I'll test them with the Fosi V3 mono's via XLR when they arrive (any day). I purchased the same BRZHiFi Accuphase C245 based preamp AND this E300 preamp at the same time. I prefer the E300, in addition to bass, mid and treble tone controls, it offers a more spacious sound stage, that's more airy, with better presence. Don't get me wrong, I actually LOVE both preamps, but if I could only have one, it would be the E300 that I got here: www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805726969948.html I ordered the silver, no BT (it's optional, but you loose an RCA input) and I ordered the optional slimline remote control that controls BOTH VOLUME AND INPUTS :) I think you would REALLY LOVE this preamp. It's also based on a classic design I believe, but I cannot recall who? I believe these newer renditions of the classics can actually sound better as the parts quality has improved.

[@goodsound4756]

How am I supposed to have faith in their electrical/engineer expertise when there are not able to even spell selector correct?

[@marlonharewood8366]

Expertise in the English language is a completely different skillset to electrical engineering expertise

[@k4syx]

@@CalCobra Thanks, I've put that on my bucket list!

[@k4syx]

@@goodsound4756 because they are electric engineers, not English teachers ;) Seriously though, spelling on the faceplate is the least important thing in audio equipment

[@k4syx]

@@CalCobra (I have an itch to make it SKELETOR)

[@pablodepeche]

Great review and great advice!!

[@k4syx]

@@pablodepeche thanks!

[@carlitomelon4610]

SUBSCRIBED! Glad to finally see *reviews* of these classic clones. Thank you!😊 I "needed" a balanced Preamp between Denafrips Ares12th & my Bryston amp. Was toying with the idea of getting the Brz clone of the Bryston P26....But no reviews:-/ Steered away after reading the original has too much gain. I ended up buying the Denafrips Hestia12th. It complements the MUSICAL PARADISE MP 701mk2 tube Preamp well, depending on my mood for precision & expression or 3D romantic tonal saturation. I would have considered this Accuphase clone too....😊 🎵🎶🤫🎶🎵

[@k4syx]

@@carlitomelon4610 Musical Paradise MP701 had already been recommended under my videos a few times, will have to look at acquiring it for testing

[@carlitomelon4610]

@@k4syx Great idea! The v-cap option sounds best. Currently running with a Sylvania 6sn7, two Jan Phillips 6922s and 5u4g rectifier tube. Mundorf SGO evo supreme caps are also worth a listen. Thomas&stereo finally completed his review after a couple of years delay. Its 100s of preamps in one! Just found out this week its in mk3 version....

[@moussaobeid]

We should always remember that when we evaluate such items, it is important to keep the p rice in our evaluation set. Great work on your videos, keep it up!

[@k4syx]

@@moussaobeid Thank you! Yes, these have outstanding value!

[@g-mail4743]

@@moussaobeid MSRP values make more sense on Darko Audio reviews. The item he is reviewing is 1/4 to like 1/10 of MSRP value so its an unbalanced equation evaluating these items by price because they will always be a great deal/value, unless its poorly built or designed and you have to go into the item your self to measure and solder components, then the value can be questionable or just ok.

[@thinkIndependent2024]

Excellent Review!!

[@k4syx]

@@thinkIndependent2024 thanks!

[@thinkIndependent2024]

​@@k4syxDuring the pandemic I used that PreAmp circuit design for a DAC it sounds better than Vinyl Accuphase did it right!!!

[@sonhouse9636]

Hi and thanks for the review! Did you noticed any differences in the sound when using balanced / unbalanced inputs ?

[@k4syx]

@@sonhouse9636 balanced is always louder, more dynamic. I have all of my equipment fully balanced whenever possible. but this comparison is not fair: you go with RCA if you need to connect something that has RCAs, and you go for XLRs when possible.

[@benvanbaaren7483]

I know I recommended to also take a look at the MBL6010D preamp if possible but since you now have reviewed an Accuphase preamp it would be nice to know how this sounds together with a class A poweramp like the A60 or A75 of the same brand. It is said that class A is the most musical amplifier type that you can listen to.

[@k4syx]

I have E405 on the way here :)

[@D1N02]

The pricing is coming near that of the Ladder Bach especially when those go on sale, that begs for a comparison.

[@carlitomelon4610]

@@D1N02 The Ladder is $950 with remote and 1yr warranty. I was considering it. Decided to stick with DENAFRIPS . Hestia12th;-) Got mine from Vinshine for $960 on sale. 3yr warranty. Remote works with wit Phillips / Marantz CD players too. THANKS ALVIN!

[@benvanbaaren7483]

It seems the MBL6010D preamp clone is also quite popular. If you have the opportunity to review this one as well I would be curious as to your findings,

[@k4syx]

@@benvanbaaren7483 yes this one is also on my list, it seems that circuit for that is also popular in hybrids like MBL+DartZeel all-in-one

[@jericlee1509]

wow, compare to class d ( fosi za3) is it big diff?

[@k4syx]

@@jericlee1509 well that's a preamp, and ZA3 is small integrated, so there's not much to compare. You will not be able to connect speakers directly to this clone :)

[@michaelche2800]

did you listen through the RCA -inputs?

[@k4syx]

@@michaelche2800 yes both of them - as usual XLR have slight edge coming from better dynamics (+/-2V vs +/-4V)

[@michaelche2800]

@@k4syx Thank you. But in general the quality is not much worse at RCA? Some people say that this amp has rca problems....

[@k4syx]

@@michaelche2800 no, it was perfectly fine, what kind of problems are you talking about? It's was playing continuously for a few weeks in a row before review and there was no problem whatsoever

[@MasterofPlay7]

Are you going to review the weiliang/brzhifi a100 amp? Class A amp with small price to pay

[@k4syx]

@@MasterofPlay7 Added to bucket list

[@MasterofPlay7]

@@k4syx yea the topology is base on the hood 1969

[@k4syx]

@@MasterofPlay7 then maybe it would be better to get 1969? I was thinking about it anyway

[@MasterofPlay7]

@@k4syx but it looks nicer with the vu meters, I think they put more expensive component in it too

[@k4syx]

@@MasterofPlay7 ah, ok, I get it :)

[@JoseFerreira-zb7wh]

Preamps with remote would be great!

[@k4syx]

@@JoseFerreira-zb7wh yess Accu comes with that - albeit very simple one

[@ChicagoRob2]

Doing God’s work.

[@sbwlearning1372]

I treated myself out of curiosity to a BRZHIFI X10 based on the TI TPA3255 chip. It was around £80 .when I bought it 4 years ago. I stacked it against a £1200 Arcam a39. The BRZHIFI only gave up when it came to inputs. The onboard DAC is meh but the power felt the equal of the Arcam and the tonal quality was very broadly the same. It drove my neat motive sx1 speakers effortlessly. Some of these Chinese products are incredible for the money.

[@roberthart9886]

GREAT PRICE. IF IT ONLY INCLUDED A DAC. MY AUDIO ALCHEMY DDP-1 DAC/PRE INCLUDES A QUALITY DAC

[@k4syx]

@@roberthart9886 that's actually always a dispute: having both in one device trusting the manufacturer had done the best pairing vs flexibility coming from separates, right?

[@GentielioGaming]

Just seen a video of the FM300a clone. Cheap and seems very promising. You propaply know this amplifier exist, i don't know. The video i seen was from "I Am Mad" youtuber.

[@k4syx]

Yes, I know that one - the parcel should be with me in a week or so

[@rontoolsie]

@@k4syx Are you getting the regular or the upgraded version with the dual transformers?

[@k4syx]

@@rontoolsie single trafo - cheaper version that is original lookalike.

[@MrBazsi888]

is it advised to invest in a "highqualityhifi" fuse ?

[@markushillemalm]

Always. But it's different sounds in them. So you must try out with one is the better for you system.

[@MrBazsi888]

@@markushillemalm Which one You have ?

[@roberthart9886]

SEE VERAFI AUDIO LINE OF PRODUCTS AND ACCESSORIES FOR BETTER THAN FUSES AND OTHER COOL PRODUCTS AT GREAT PRICES LIKE VBH VIBRATION CONTROL DEVICES WHICH SERIOUSLY IMPROVED MY KIT

[@Solus793]

What in gods name is an audiophile fuse? Is this a serious product, what is that supposed to do and how can it work? Is one also going to replace all the solder in the PCBs too, what about the traces in the PCB?

[@k4syx]

@@MrBazsi888 the only system and only place that I've heard difference made by fuse was DAC (a source) in my reference Stax SR-007 and 009 system. It's there, but it's miniscule.

[@99solutionsit10]

Circuitry might be the same, but electrical components inside can't match the original at this price tag.

[@richardelliott8352]

I couldn't be proud of owning a Chinese knockoff , with the way they feel about my country of America , and with the very real possibility of forced labor used in the product. (even if the paperwork says no slave labor was used.). most Chinese mineral mining, and therefore Chinese metal, uses forced labor.

[@k4syx]

@@richardelliott8352 that's not knockoff. The patents are expired, you can build your own Accuphase clone and modify it the way you want in your shed. (BTW Accuphase is not US company) However in the long run, we all have to be careful.

[@gavinstorrie1555]

3:22

[@k4syx]

@@gavinstorrie1555 yes! The remote! It's funny cheap gadget, but the important thing is that it works and can be replaced with anything programmable :)

[@takeiteasy6154]

The device you wrote this comment was probably made in China ,including Elons toys !

[@PurpleDreki]

Overpriced. Accuphase/Luxman. Just like Harbeth.