Inside Yamaha amps

[TheBatsEar]

You want to start it, or should I?

Go ahead. My tapedecks:

1. KX-670
2. KX-500
3. KX-10 x2
4. K-1020
5. K-850 x2
6. K-350

My tuners (not counting receivers):

1. T-S1000
2. T-10
3. T-550
4. T-420

If you have something different, maybe start with that.

 

[Rick63]

Yamaha Aventage RX-A1010 AVR. The transformer weighs about half the receiver's 34 lb weight. The layout makes it nearly impossible to take photos of the amp boards.

 

[TheBatsEar]

Yamaha Aventage RX-A1010

A beast

 

[thewas]

This is my good old 40 lb monster Yamaha AX-1050 stereo integrated amplifier:

Continuous power (at distortion factor)
8 ohms: 2 × 145 watts at 0.01 %.
4 ohms: 2 × 250 watts according to DIN

Dynamic power
8 ohms: 2 × 220 watts
4 ohms: 2 × 360 watts
2 ohms: 2 × 460 watts

Total harmonic distortion: 0.003 %.

Damping factor: 250

Frequency response: 10-50000 Hz

Signal-to-noise ratio: 110 dB

Stereo channel separation: 70 dB

 

[mhardy6647]

Go ahead. My tapedecks:

1. KX-670
2. KX-500
3. KX-10 x2
4. K-1020
5. K-850 x2
6. K-350

My tuners (not counting receivers):

1. T-S1000
2. T-10
3. T-550
4. T-420

If you have something different, maybe start with that.

oh, I have something different

 

[TheBatsEar]

That reminds me that i sold a T-1060 in perfect condition for 40€ once.

 

[TheBatsEar]

View attachment 203169

Cool!
You need a brush to get rid of the dust

 

[thewas]

Cool!
You need a brush to get rid of the dust

Yes, did it later with some brush and air spray.

 

[DSJR]

Thirty years back, I was given a CA1000mk2 that I'd sold to the old friend back in 1976 or so. As an integrated and with Class A switched in, it was really nice, but less successful from the preamp outs driving several metres of interconnect to the active speakers I had (sounded 'dead' to me then). Ignorance prevented me from maybe understanding and using it better. Also back then a huge rats nest of wires inside and I then thought a single circuit board would do it all better (the thin gauge of a circuit track defeated my understanding then).

Thanks for this thread. Would be nice to put up a thread of recommended older Yamaha amps, especially those based on the same chassis as the new models. Also the cheaper 'sleeper' models perhaps, such as the AX201 which is cheap to buy with a more basic internals, yet still gives a solid 100WPC for not much money new.

Having said the above, I think many Yamaha amps actually performed quite well, so maybe not an issue in choosing an older model for a low cost used system.

A pal has the 1000 SA-CD player (only for CD's) and when I heard it I thought it excellent on red-book playback. Got to say the build and 'feel' were amazing! he got it for very little money 'on the bay' which I feel was a fluke really...

 

[TheBatsEar]

Would be nice to put up a thread of recommended older Yamaha amps, especially those based on the same chassis as the new models.

I personally think the R-S700 is worth it's money used. It's not that old that it's parts have aged too much. It has the same poweramp as the A-S700/701/801 and it has, in contrast to the A-S700/701/801, a rec selector and pre-out/main-in loop.

Not sure this warrants it's own thread, because that is all the hot tips i have

 

[dualazmak]

I assume it would be OK and acceptable sharing photos here in this enjoyable thread about my tentative experiences with Yamaha MX-A5200 (class-AB) 11-Ch AV amp;

- Tests, evaluation and conclusion with Yamaha MX-A5200 (class-AB) 11-Ch AV amp: post #175 on my project thread:

My conclusions at that time;
Even though MX-A5200 functionally works perfectly in my project, from Total Sound Quality (SQ) point of view, I found that MX-A5200 is a little bit inferior, with my ears, to my Reference Sound system (EKIO - DAC8PRO - ACCUPHASE E-460 - renovated LC-Network - NS-1000+YST-SW1000+T925A); I decided consequently, not to use/choose YAMAHA MX-A5200 in my project. (If I do not have the Reference Sound system, it might be highly possible to decide to use YAMAHA MX-A5200.)

The important lessons I learned:
1. I could re-confirm the superiority, in all aspects of Sound Quality, of my Reference Sound system mainly thanks to the very nice ACCUPHASE E-460, and also thanks to the fully renovated LC-network, still excellent YAMAHA-NS1000's WO, SQ and TW, together with SW YST-SW1000 and ST FOSTEX T925A.
2. I should be very much careful enough in deciding the possible multichannel amplifier(s) in my project. The total Sound Quality and power of such multichannel amplifier(s) should be about the same or superior to ACCUPHASE E-460.

That was just the start of my long intensive amplifier exploration in my multichannel multi-driver multi-way multi-amplifier stereo project which finally ended-up in my latest system configuration including Yamaha A-S3000 and A-S301. You may find summary of my amplifier exploration in this post on the thread.

 

[Doodski]

I assume it would be OK and acceptable sharing photos here in this enjoyable thread about my tentative experiences with Yamaha MX-A5200 (class-AB) 11-Ch AV amp;

- Tests, evaluation and conclusion with Yamaha MX-A5200 (class-AB) 11-Ch AV amp: post #175 on my project thread:

View attachment 203224

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My conclusions at that time;
Even though MX-A5200 functionally works perfectly in my project, from Total Sound Quality (SQ) point of view, I found that MX-A5200 is a little bit inferior, with my ears, to my Reference Sound system (EKIO - DAC8PRO - ACCUPHASE E-460 - renovated LC-Network - NS-1000+YST-SW1000+T925A); I decided consequently, not to use/choose YAMAHA MX-A5200 in my project. (If I do not have the Reference Sound system, it might be highly possible to decide to use YAMAHA MX-A5200.)

The important lessons I learned:
1. I could re-confirm the superiority, in all aspects of Sound Quality, of my Reference Sound system mainly thanks to the very nice ACCUPHASE E-460, and also thanks to the fully renovated LC-network, still excellent YAMAHA-NS1000's WO, SQ and TW, together with SW YST-SW1000 and ST FOSTEX T925A.
2. I should be very much careful enough in deciding the possible multichannel amplifier(s) in my project. The total Sound Quality and power of such multichannel amplifier(s) should be about the same or superior to ACCUPHASE E-460.

That was just the start of my long intensive amplifier exploration in my multichannel multi-driver multi-way multi-amplifier stereo project which finally ended-up in my latest system configuration including Yamaha A-S3000 and A-S301. You may find summary of my amplifier exploration in this post on the thread.

Yamaha knocked the ball out of the park with this model. I love the top view.

 

[TheBatsEar]

Yamaha knocked the ball out of the park with this model.

So did @dualazmak with his entire setup.

I assume it would be OK and acceptable sharing photos here in this enjoyable thread about my tentative experiences with Yamaha MX-A5200 (class-AB) 11-Ch AV amp;

Didn't even know a MX-A5200 existed.

View attachment 203225

Do the fans spin during normal operation?

View attachment 203227

I like your clean cabling, mine always looks like a scruffy beard. Do you see pros in using those kind of connectors? I prefer bananas, quick changes don't require me to fiddle with the terminal screws.

1. I could re-confirm the superiority, in all aspects of Sound Quality, of my Reference Sound system mainly thanks to the very nice ACCUPHASE E-460, and also thanks to the fully renovated LC-network, still excellent YAMAHA-NS1000's WO, SQ and TW, together with SW YST-SW1000 and ST FOSTEX T925A.

What is the purpose of the Fostex tweeter in your setup? Shouldn't the NS1000 tweeter be able to do the entire job of rendering high frequencies with sufficient power?

2. I should be very much careful enough in deciding the possible multichannel amplifier(s) in my project. The total Sound Quality and power of such multichannel amplifier(s) should be about the same or superior to ACCUPHASE E-460.

That could be a pricey device, if such a device even exists.

Have you tested the NCore modules? I have tested a NC252MP module and found it had lower noise than the power amplifier in the A-S1200. Using the A-S1200 pre-out into the NC252MP i could hear the clicking of the A-S1200 electronic volume control, if i put my ear to the tweeter. With the A-S1200 power amp that clicking was drowned in noise.

Still, i sent the NC252MP back because i couldn't make out a difference in my listening position, but they are really, really good amps. I wouldn't be surprised if they could beat the A-S3000 or E-460 in terms of noise.

I did all my tests with RCA only.

That was just the start of my long intensive amplifier exploration in my multichannel multi-driver multi-way multi-amplifier stereo project which finally ended-up in my latest system configuration including Yamaha A-S3000 and A-S301. You may find summary of my amplifier exploration in this post on the thread.

I recommend anyone to look into it. It's totally nuts and clearly awesome.

 

[dualazmak]

These info on MX-A5200 would be also interesting for you;

https://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/av_receivers_amps/mx-a5200_u/index.html

https://www.audioholics.com/av-preamp-processor-reviews/yamaha-cx-a5200-mx-a5200/conclusion

https://www.phileweb.com/news/d-av/201809/05/44960.html

 

[dualazmak]

Do the fans spin during normal operation?

The fans never spinned during my rather intensive tests and evaluation in my setup in my home audio environments for a week. The room temperature at that time was around 24 degree C ( 75 F).

I like your clean cabling, mine always looks like a scruffy beard. Do you see pros in using those kind of connectors? I prefer bananas, quick changes don't require me to fiddle with the terminal screws.

Please refer to my posts #028 on the project thread, and this post on a remote thread.
I prefer the tin-plated pure copper Y-lugs since rather soft tin-plate effectively increases the contact surface area when tightly connect and squeeze with the large SP terminals.

Regarding the cabling for SPs, these posts would be also important and critical;
- Elimination of magnetic susceptible metals in SP signal handling: #250, #013(remote thread)

What is the purpose of the Fostex tweeter in your setup? Shouldn't the NS1000 tweeter be able to do the entire job of rendering high frequencies with sufficient power?

Please refer to my post;
- Unique super tweeter physical alignment (positioning) in the project : #027

I also discussed and confirmed in my post here; I wrote;
As you can see in the above, Yamaha NS-1000's Be-TW starts to slowly but considerably decline over ca. 14 kHz which was also mentioned by @mikessi in his post #350 in this thread, and this is one of the main reasons for my addition of horn STs in my system (as mentioned in my post #351) referring to the unique alignment/positioning of STs, Fostex T925A.

As for the implementation of Yamaha A-S310 A-S301 directly and dedicatedly driving Fostex T925A, you would please refer to the latter half of my post #404 on the project thread.

Have you tested the NCore modules?

Yes, I have done on two of Class-D amps!
I recently shared and summarized here, where I wrote (sorry for rather long copy-paste);

Just for example, in my specific multichannel project, "at high-end extreme side" I evaluated (in my posts #228-#230 on the project thread) extraordinary expensive Dentec DP-NC400-4-EXP (class-D) multichannel (4-Ch) amplifier (four of super-cryo treated Hypex NC400 plus huge linear transformer power supply in outer boxes, not a PWM Switching Mode Pulse PS), and "at rather low-end budget side" I evaluated (in my posts #290- #291 on the thread) TEAC AP-505 class-D stereo power amp (Hypex NC122MP based TEAC version plus PWM PS) as well as its integrated version AX-505.

Through my rather subjective evaluations and comparisons between these two class-D amps, DP-NC400-4-EXP and AP-505, I essentially found and confirmed @gene_stl's points and concerns especially regarding the performance (and power reserve?) of the PS modules. I assume the (heavy-duty) linear transformer PS approach (not a PWM Switching Mode PS) for Hypex or Purifi class-D modules, like in DP-NC400-4-EXP, would be one of the interesting routes for future reasonably priced excellent class-D PWM digital amps.

In any way, at the end of my intensive amplifier exploration journey, I decided not to use class-D (at least) at present, and I have selected rather conventional class-AB and quasi class-A integrated amplifiers in my multi-amplifier project. I would like carefully keeping my eyes on the rapid progress of class-D amps including the further possible utilization of GaN FET.

I did all my tests with RCA only.

I did "it" with balanced XLR only throughout my entire amplifier exploration! (except for A-S301 which does not have XLR input).
In my summary post #311, I wrote;
In my case, one of the important "must" conditions (specifications) is that the amplifier should be capable of XLR balanced input from OKTO DAC8PRO.

 

[killdozzer]

This is my good old 40 lb monster Yamaha AX-1050 stereo integrated amplifier:

Continuous power (at distortion factor)
8 ohms: 2 × 145 watts at 0.01 %.
4 ohms: 2 × 250 watts according to DIN

Dynamic power
8 ohms: 2 × 220 watts
4 ohms: 2 × 360 watts
2 ohms: 2 × 460 watts

Total harmonic distortion: 0.003 %.

Damping factor: 250

Frequency response: 10-50000 Hz

Signal-to-noise ratio: 110 dB

Stereo channel separation: 70 dB

Ha! Beautiful! I never knew you had this model, one above mine. Perhaps I could ask you for some advice. Are you happy with it?

 

[TheBatsEar]

Here is the insides of a Yamaha A-S801.

The front shows three digital inputs, as well as PCM and DSD sample rates. You have to wonder, will it show 1x for 44.1kHz and 48kHz sample rate?
I'll test this later.

Awesome design if you ask me. Very nice.

Overview:

Power supply, the large caps are 16.000µF and Yamaha labeled, but manufactured by Nippon Chemi-Con Corporation. Built in 2016 apparently:

Power amp section is the same as in the A-S701, A-S700 and R-S700:

Backside of the on/off, speaker switch as well as headphone:

Backside of source, variable loudness, balance, bass, treble:

Motorized volume:

Phono preamp (outside) and analog input/output (inside):

The digital board:

ESS DAC, BurrBrown transceiver and so on:

But why is there a DolbyDigital and DTS licensed chip?

And the back looks like this:

Only one of the USB ports can be used to connect a computer, the other is power only for Yamahas Bluetooth adapter.

 

[TheBatsEar]

That reminds me that i sold a T-1060 in perfect condition for 40€ once.

Got one for 50€ on the way to me.

 

[Overseas]

Just got my baby, AS1100 after 1. 5 months of search and careful transportation planning across Europe. I feel it like an upgrade to RN803D.

 

[Doodski]

Just got my baby, AS1100 after 1. 5 months of search and careful transportation planning across Europe. I feel it like an upgrade to RN803D.

Wonderful amp. Yamaha has apparently tuned it's sound by ear according to the video I will post. It really does look like the build of a classic Yamaha of the 80's in the heyday of audio.