Hi,
i´m from Germany and i´m a big Yamaha fan since 26 years.
My first Yammie was the A-720 in 1986. Then followed by a CDX-710, later then CD-2000. In the 90s i could upgrade to my first dream-setup : CX-1000 / MX-1000, CDX-1120, TX-1000, KX-1200. The MX-1000 then was replaced by the famous monster amp 101M which i kept until 2007. CX-1000 was replaced by a CX-10000. The CDX-1120 was replaced by a GT-CD1.
Then, the hometheater moved in with DSP-A1000. Later i regularly upgraded the TOTL AV-Amp from DSP-A2070, DSP-A3090, DSP-A1, DSP-AZ1, DSP-Z9 ( these are called RX in the US ). I missed the Z11 due to high pricing. Right now i have the RX-A3010 since few days.
My favourite stereo setup is actual a set of two MX-D1 class-D power amps connected to the passive controller YPC-1. This dreamteam is feed by a NP-S2000 network player and a separate DAC ( Metrum Octave ).
My comment on the quality issue : i was mentioning all my historic Yamaha stuff to proof my experience to you guys. I guess, from point of overall craftsmenship, nothings comes close to the high end stuff of the late seventies - execpt the centennial edition of 1987. Unfortunately Yamaha decided around 1990 to give up high end level and put focus on entry level hifi in order to grow in terms of sales turnover. You have to understand, this is always a matter of decisions in business strategy, made by few top managers. For sure the golden age of Hi-Fi was over then. Things began to change. That edgy 70s design with loads of switches and VU-meters was mega-out. 90s design was slim and rounded.
In 2003 there was another approach to enter the high end class again. With DSP-Z9 and MX-D1 Yamaha produced some very cool and expensive stuff. The next interesting step was 2007 with the comeback of stereo ( Soavo speakers and A-S2000 / CD-S2000 ). My actual speaker setup is a couple of Soavos ( Soavo-3, Soavo-2, Soavo-900M and Soavo 900C, Subwoofer : good old "beast" YST-SW1500 ).
I would conclude that the electronics have continously become better and better. My power amps replacement was always a clear upgrade. I would say, the MX-D1 is by far the best amp ever made by Yamaha ( if you like the Class-D sound ). It delivers so much more musical details than any of the 80s MX or even the 101M. It´s the difference between Hi-Fi and High-End. No chance. Like someone put that thick blanchett away from the speakers. The only thing that comes quite close is the A-S2000. I would definitely prefer the A-S2000 over all other Yammies - if there wouldn´t be the MX-D1.
Also when it comes to the players : The CD-S2000 and even more the NP-S2000 are superior to all other Yamaha players. It replaced the DVD-S2300, which is a very good player with a characteristic sound, somehow it seems to "shine" to me. You can get this player for rediculous low prices at ebay. It´s a no-brainer in my opinion.
Same story with AV-Receivers. Maybe the late Z-series offered the better power-amp section and craftsmenship, but as a total package of hightec mutimedia playback, the aventage series is the best so far. It has been a long way from the days of DSP-A1000 or even earlier AVX-100. One thing must be clear : still no Yamaha HTR can deliver the same stereo quality as a high-end stereo amp like the A-S2000 !
But it´s very different talking about speakers. I do love my Soavos. They deliver a stunning high level of details and sonic image. Also the cabinets are beautyfully crafted. But due to the small woofers, they lack quite a bit of attack and bass.
Recently a made a shocking experience : I´ve listened to a pair of NS-1000M connected to a A-S2000 / CD-S2000. That day changed everything. Now i´m up to the old beryllium speakers. I´m sorry to say that, but Yamaha missed the chance to continue these speakers. Just imagine a modern NS-1000 or NS-2000.... The good old NS-1000 deliver a level of sheer attack and almost holographic reproduction of sounds, very few actual speakers can compete with. I have the deepest respect for the developers of those be speakers.
Finally my recommendation for more or less affordable Yamaha audio heaven is : get an A-S2000 ( the A-S1000 will do it also ) and some highres network player like NP-S2000 or a pc with external DAC, hook up a pair of NS-1000 or better to it and try to close your mouth again :-D
Kind regards, Oliver
You and I must define quality differently. I would take a new A-S2000 over pretty well any vintage piece that Yamaha made.
hughes,
U can check out the new owner reviews on Amazon, they are usually pretty frank and respond to comments and question.
Recently a made a shocking experience : I´ve listened to a pair of NS-1000M connected to a A-S2000 / CD-S2000. That day changed everything. Now i´m up to the old beryllium speakers. I´m sorry to say that, but Yamaha missed the chance to continue these speakers. Just imagine a modern NS-1000 or NS-2000.... The good old NS-1000 deliver a level of sheer attack and almost holographic reproduction of sounds, very few actual speakers can compete with. I have the deepest respect for the developers of those be speakers.
Finally my recommendation for more or less affordable Yamaha audio heaven is : get an A-S2000 ( the A-S1000 will do it also ) and some highres network player like NP-S2000 or a pc with external DAC, hook up a pair of NS-1000 or better to it and try to close your mouth again :-D
Kind regards, Oliver
It isn't just Yamaha.. it's every company involved in electronics. New stuff sucks... plastic, opamp-ridden crap until you spend thousands and thousands on gear.
Unfortunately Yamaha did not feel the need to maintain a realistic stock of replacement IC's (or other parts) for their best audio gear, including the Limited Centennial Edition. By comparison, Studer still has replacement components for gear it produced in the 1950's.Sport,
Why do so many on this site, or any other site, refer to their older equipment?
The older gear to which your refer, is through hole discrete component era. Few if any ICs custom or otherwise.
Many of the ICs fall into the unobtainum category, so the longevity of the newer equipment is suspect once the custom ICs are no longer available. For military contracts and large customers, we had to fabricate additional wafers equaling 10-20% of production and either keep them or forward them to the customer for future spares that could be cut and mounted. I don't know who would drive such a request for stereo equipment ICs or who would cut and mount them.
I'm guessing that most manufacturers these days (excluding McIntosh and Mercedes) don't supply spares or service the products after 7-10 years.
On the discrete through-hole tech products, you can get a lot of the components at your local parts store like Radio Shack, Fry's etc. So this equipment essentially lasts forever as long as you are willing to fix it..
On the other hand, with the newer products, once the ICs become unobtainium you are either out of luck or have to cannibalize from another identical system.
So while your new system kicks ass, you may not be able to get it repaired 10 years down the road.