Nov za 2026. godinu, Accuphase DC-500 umanjena je verzija top modela DC-1000. Na to ukazuje i njegova težina koja je prepolovljena na 15,6 kg – u usporedbi s 32,1 kg za DC-1000. Širina i dubina su slične, osim visine koja je smanjena na 11,4 cm – otprilike ista kao ona kod C-57 phono predpojačala.  Bocne stranice su u impozantnoj orah obradi.

U središtu DC-500 nalazi se savršena dual-mono i paralelna konfiguracija, koja i dalje sadrži dva ES9028PRO čipa iz DP-770 SACD playera, koji koriste svojih 8 DAC-ova na svakom kanalu. DAC modul u širokom smislu usvaja istu arhitekturu i MDSD (Multiple Double Speed DSD) proces konverzije za DSD. PCM se podržava do 384 kHz/32-bit, a sve to ponovno nadgleda unutarnji sustav za kontrolu suma (ANCC).

Savršeno odvojeni na dva različita PCB-a, analogni krug pruža RCA i XLR izlaze, dok digitalni krug nudi HS-Link vezu, koaksijalni priključak, dva optička priključka i dva USB-B (Audio) priključka kao ulaze. 

DC-500 koristiti svoja dva zaštićena transformatora, filtrirana s osam kondenzatora ukupnog kapaciteta od 120 000 μF koji izuzetno poboljšavaju kvalitetu reprodukcije.

Što se cijene tiče, to je ostvarenje sna, jer DC-500 kosta 8 490 € – punih 2 000 € manje od prethodnog DC-37 modela, unatoč daleko modernijoj arhitekturi za digitalnu obradu signala.

New for the 2026, Accuphase DC-500 presents itself as a scaled-down version of the DC-1000, a fact evidenced by its weight, which has been halved to 15.6 kg – compared to 32.1 kg for the top-of-the-range model. The width and depth of the chassis, in a classic format, are however similar, except for the height, which has been reduced to 11.4 cm – more or less the same as that of the C-57 phono preamp in the range, the only other unit in the range also finished in walnut, albeit only on the sides.

At the heart of the DC-500 lies a perfectly dual-mono and parallel configuration, still featuring the two Sabre ES9028PRO chips from the DP-770 SACD player, which utilize their 8 DACs on each channel. The DAC module broadly adopts the same architecture and the MDSD (Multiple Double Speed DSD) conversion process for DSD. PCM is supported up to 384 kHz/32-bit, all once again monitored by the in-house noise control circuit (ANCC).

Perfectly separated across two different PCBs, the analogue circuit provides RCA and XLR outputs, whilst the digital circuit offers the proprietary HS-Link connection, a coaxial port, two optical ports and two USB-B (Audio) ports as inputs. Unlike the DG-78, launched around the same time in the middle of the year and based on the same DAC, there is no USB-Data port for connecting a USB stick or a NAS.

Overall, this new DAC is essentially the conversion section of the DP-770 taken out of the main unit, allowing those who do not wish to invest in an SACD player to still enjoy an Accuphase component for this stage of their hi-fi system. What’s more, the fact that the DC-500 is a pure DAC means it can use its two shielded transformers, filtered by eight capacitors totaling 120 000 μF, solely for this stage.

This further enhances the reliability of this section, and we can now look forward to the equivalent with the other half of the DP-770, namely a pure CD transport below the DP-1000.

In terms of price, it’s a dream come true, as the DC-500 is priced at 8 490 € – 2 000 € less than the previous DC-37 – despite a far more modern architecture for digital signal processing.