At the heart of the C30 is an ultra sophisticated power supply section with multi-stage regulation and a massive toroidal transformer, which combine to produce the quietest and most stable environment for handling high definition audio signals. This low noise supply ensures a rock solid soundstage in much the same way as a tripod provides a base for exceptionally clear and detailed photographs.

Many music enthusiasts have extensive and treasured vinyl collections. Because of this, the C30 comes complete with a very high-quality phono stage module for both moving coil and moving magnet cartridges.

The C30 preamplifier uses Arcam's sophisticated software system control that allows the user to switch inputs without changes in volume level, and to choose volume control settings and display options. The C30 uses carefully selected audiophile grade components throughout. Critical components also benefit from the application of sorbothane dampening material to minimise the microphonic effects that can mask low level detail in the music. The multi-layer chassis incorporates a special vibration damping material called Acousteel that has been used with great success in other FMJ products.The C30 comes equipped with both single ended and balanced output stages.

Most people will use the single ended phono outputs to connect to an adjacent power amplifier; however, where long cable runs are used in conjunction with Arcam's P1 monobloc amplifiers, better results may be obtained by using the XLR balanced outputs provided. The C30 also incorporates a separate high quality headphones output that is driven by a separate headphones amplifier section.

The preamplifier is fully controllable with the Arcam system remote and also features a standby state to enable the C30 to be switched on or off from the comfort of your favourite armchair. Moreover, it can provide a 12-volt trigger output to turn on either of the matching P35 or P1 FMJ power amplifiers.