Roboturner91
Super Member
I must confess, that the Yamaha stuff made in this era really scratches a particular itch for me. I think specifically probably talking about 1992 to 1995 or so, give or take a bit.
My first receiver was an RX-360 that my dad gave me when I was 13. Even though it was hardly top of the line, I always felt like it was designed to give the distinct impression of being very high end. Something about the simplicity of the button layout, the way the faceplate looked like it was milled out of a solid chunk of alumnium, the grayish lettering, not stark white so it wouldn't stand out as much. The way the volume knob rotates slowly when you use the remote. Almost haughtily, if that makes any sense. There's a German, industrial/military vibe there, IMO, as far as design philosophy.
I have recently fallen in love with an RX-V850 that I bought for $40 on a whim, this was a $1000 receiver when new and it's easy to see why. This thing is a beast - the usual 17 inches wide, but about 19 inches deep and 35ish pounds. The guy that sold it to me said he tested it when new and it topped out at 114 wpc in two-channel mode and I can believe it.
In comparison to my modest collection of CA's and CR's I'd say the sound is very similar, maybe a little darker/smoother, at the expense of a tiny bit of detail but still very much the familiar Yamaha sound. Construction-wise, it's every bit the equal of those 1970s and 80s silver pieces - maybe even a little better in some ways.
I know there's a certain perception about those black boxes of the late 80s and 90s as being shoddily constructed junk, but that definitely does not apply in this case. 1992 was 25 years ago, and both these pieces have never been serviced other than a light bulb change and they both still sound amazing. The only quirk between the two of them is the tone defeat button on the big boy gives you a little static fart when you push it, that's it. These things were built to last.
I'm hoping to get my hands on other examples, the RX-770 is a two-channel receiver that specs at 85x2 and has preamp outputs. I think that one may be my endgame, if I can find a good one I'll grab it and then start saving for one of those monster MX series amps.
Unfortunately it doesn't seem like the equivalent integrated amps were offered in the U.S. at that time. The model numbers seem to be the same, but are prefixed "AX-" instead of "RX-"
My first receiver was an RX-360 that my dad gave me when I was 13. Even though it was hardly top of the line, I always felt like it was designed to give the distinct impression of being very high end. Something about the simplicity of the button layout, the way the faceplate looked like it was milled out of a solid chunk of alumnium, the grayish lettering, not stark white so it wouldn't stand out as much. The way the volume knob rotates slowly when you use the remote. Almost haughtily, if that makes any sense. There's a German, industrial/military vibe there, IMO, as far as design philosophy.
I have recently fallen in love with an RX-V850 that I bought for $40 on a whim, this was a $1000 receiver when new and it's easy to see why. This thing is a beast - the usual 17 inches wide, but about 19 inches deep and 35ish pounds. The guy that sold it to me said he tested it when new and it topped out at 114 wpc in two-channel mode and I can believe it.
In comparison to my modest collection of CA's and CR's I'd say the sound is very similar, maybe a little darker/smoother, at the expense of a tiny bit of detail but still very much the familiar Yamaha sound. Construction-wise, it's every bit the equal of those 1970s and 80s silver pieces - maybe even a little better in some ways.
I know there's a certain perception about those black boxes of the late 80s and 90s as being shoddily constructed junk, but that definitely does not apply in this case. 1992 was 25 years ago, and both these pieces have never been serviced other than a light bulb change and they both still sound amazing. The only quirk between the two of them is the tone defeat button on the big boy gives you a little static fart when you push it, that's it. These things were built to last.
I'm hoping to get my hands on other examples, the RX-770 is a two-channel receiver that specs at 85x2 and has preamp outputs. I think that one may be my endgame, if I can find a good one I'll grab it and then start saving for one of those monster MX series amps.
Unfortunately it doesn't seem like the equivalent integrated amps were offered in the U.S. at that time. The model numbers seem to be the same, but are prefixed "AX-" instead of "RX-"
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