Kyocera C-910

Part of the Kyocera 900 Series and a beautiful preamplifier with the ability to balance the input/output levels for a more linear S/N ratio.

The two big knobs at the left are for output level and not for bass / treble as on the A-710 and A-910 while the usual attenuator takes the shape of an input volume ; output impedance is kept fairly low.

The circuit is a single-stage push-pull (to reduce both the amount of NFB necessary and amplifer gain), placed in the FCL modules which need constant heat otherwise the glue inside will fail (à la Luxman C-12 / B-12 DML modules...)

Wiring is entirely OFC copper, caps are metal-film ; the actual pots are 2-gang ALPS, one for input and 2 for output.
- read the USER" section for the complete technical description.

Built like all first generation Kyocera on a ceramic compound resin (CCR) that efficiently suppresses most of the vibrations.
It is, however, like all such compounds (Sony's SBMC, Technics' BMC and others) rather fragile when it comes to sudden precise shocks and easily breaks in pieces.

As for most Kyocera 900 Series, the original japanese and export versions are not entirely identical.
Not to the extent of the A-710 or B-910 but the power-supply board is fairly different (see images below : b/w = japanese, color = usa) ; the color scheme was also altered with black scripting vs. white and black back plate vs. champagne.

At 210,000¥, Kyocera sadly didn't sell many but, needless to say, I still want one.


A real JP C-910 here (scroll down for the nudies) ; another one, with nudies closeups : here.