Yamaha Preamps

nbourbaki

Active Member
What is the pecking order and chronology with the Yamaha preamps? Is the CX-800 a step up or down from the CX-830? Is the CX-1000 a newer version of the CX-1? What about the U versions like the CX-800U? Thanks!
 
CX-1 is newer than the CX-1000.
Don't quote me, but I think I remember that the "U" designates USA model.
I have had several Yamaha preamps (C-80, C-2x, & CX-2) and they are all excellent performers.
 
Thanks Bully for the response. I own a C-2a but didn't know how the other models ranked from a Yamaha model line perspective. I read on a audiogon listing that the U model was digital. Not sure what was digital but that's what the listing had.
 
I have just gotten a CX-600U, which seems good but not fabulous. The seller had lost the remote (why does that always happen?)--does anyone know of sources for remotes at decent prices, used ones even?
 
I've got a C-80 that came with a T-80 and a M-80 (broken). The C-80 is a very nice performer that I would recommend. Has interesting parametric tone controls.
 
Yammies

I use the C70 and I love it! It is the only one in that particular line that omits the loudness contour feature. I've owned the C80 and C60 too and while they are great units, I always had a problem with the way they sounded compared to the C70 because it seems the loudness contour control was never completely out of the circuit even though the control was set at "0". That is a small gripe. I've read many explainations of what the "U" designation means and I still can't figure it out either. No one explanation seems to hold true across the board. Here is a link to a great place to start looking for that remote: http://www.audiotubes.com/remoinst.htm I hope you find what you need.
 
C-1 (VFET, very complex) '76 MRSP $1,800.
C-2 '77 $650.
C-2a '79 $950
C-2x '85 $1,305
C-85 '86 $850.
CX-1000 '88 $1,200.
CX-2000 '88 $1,500.
CX-10000 '87 $7,500.
CX-1 '93 $1,200.

These are the TOTL models. CX-830 '90. Am guessing it is comparable to the CX-800 '88, but something newer about it (20 bit rather than 18 bit DAC, perhaps - has an updated learning remote, but nothing else obvious).

Have owned all the TOTL except the C-1 & CX-2000/10000. Based on sonics, my older of precedence is: C-2x, C-2a/C-85, CX-1, CX-1000, C-2. Another great one is the C-65, one down from the C-85 (also was a C45). The C-4 & C-6 were the next down from the C-2a. There was a C-80/70/60, as well. But they were only there for a year until the C-85 line replaced them.

stephenwhitney said:
I have just gotten a CX-600U, which seems good but not fabulous. The seller had lost the remote (why does that always happen?)--does anyone know of sources for remotes at decent prices, used ones even?
Try Yamaha parts http://www.yamaha.com/yec/generaldetail.html?CNTID=451690&CTID=5010100. Generally, their cost is quite reasonable on remotes, unless you want a learning model. Also, do a search for on eBay. They pop up quite often. Any of them that run that vintage receiver will also run the preamp.
 
Can't wait to put the hammer down with the C-80, M-80, T-80 combo. My M-80 is being repaired. My tech calls the M-80 a "flamethrower" because it runs very hot in class A and tends to catch fire. He showed me his parts M-80 that had a hole burned into one of the boards.

I'm running the C-80 through a Luxman M-117 and that is a very nice combo.
 
Thanks Glenn, I was hoping you would join the discussion. Any thoughts on where the U models fit into the picture?
 
According to Yamaha the U stands for US model.

B-2 has it pretty much right with the ranking of the pre's, except that I would put the CX-1000 above the C-85 at any time (I have bough). Some of this disagreement might be due to old components (cap's) in either my C-85 or B-2's CX-1000.

The C-70 was not the same year as the C-80 and 60; the C-70 came with the C-50 in 1982. The C-80 with the C-60 and C-40 in 1984. Then the C-85 line came in 1986.

The C-2a is an upgrade of the C-2 (1 unit size) witch was only in the market for about one year and was not considered that great. The C-2a came the same year as the C-4 but is not from the same line (1979). The C-6 came with the B-6 in 1980 and might be a down grade of the C-4.
 
Remember, when t-r-m is giving info, it is for Europe (and probably ROW), while my info is for NA. Have never understood the marketing decisions made by Yamaha, Sony and the rest concerning timing and models offered in various markets. Probably has something to do with warehouse size and sales of particular units from those warehouses.:D Other than the TOTL gear that made it to Europe and not to NA. Can't think of any examples of TOTL gear that came here but not to Europe.
 
Thanks t-r-m and Glenn. I've bookmarked this thread so I can refer back to it. I've got my B-2 hooked up with my C-2a and with newer SACD material it's fabulous. The Phono section is not so great on this unit with my YP-D6 and Grado Gold cartridge. I'll have to send it to Echowars after the new year and get some Blackgates installed.
 
B-2 that is true indeed, maybe because we paid more and had less trade restrictions to the Far East by tradition. I don't have solid numbers on it but I also think Europe was a bigger Yamaha market than the US (maybe not in the 70's).

But notice the years of release, 1975 (C-1), 77, 79 then a little jump, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90 and finally 93 (CX-1). It pretty much follows a 2 year pattern witch fits the US data I have from the Orion. Only the statement units does not follow this pattern, the C-2x in 85, CX-10000 in 87 and CX-1 in 93.

All the units mentioned here are in the Orion Blue Book (a US price tool), so they must have been in the US. But it is a fact that Yamaha has made units that newer made it to the US; I just don't think it covers the amp's and pre's.
 
Yamaha B-2 said:
C-1 (VFET, very complex) '76 MRSP $1,800.
C-2 '77 $650.
C-2a '79 $950
C-2x '85 $1,305
C-85 '86 $850.
CX-1000 '88 $1,200.
CX-2000 '88 $1,500.
CX-10000 '87 $7,500.
CX-1 '93 $1,200.

These are the TOTL models. CX-830 '90. Am guessing it is comparable to the CX-800 '88, but something newer about it (20 bit rather than 18 bit DAC, perhaps - has an updated learning remote, but nothing else obvious).

Have owned all the TOTL except the C-1. Based on sonics, my older of precedence is: C-2x, C-2a/C-85, CX-1, CX-1000, C-2. Another great one is the C-65, one down from the C-85 (also was a C45). The C-4 & C-6 were the next down from the C-2a. There was a C-80/70/60, as well. But they were only there for a year until the C-85 line replaced them.

Try Yamaha parts http://www.yamaha.com/yec/generaldetail.html?CNTID=451690&CTID=5010100. Generally, their cost is quite reasonable on remotes, unless you want a learning model. Also, do a search for on eBay. They pop up quite often. Any of them that run that vintage receiver will also run the preamp.

I appreciate the info on these preamps. Thanks again.
 
i have the C-45, C-80 and C2-X yammie all in daily use in my home and i like them all all have different operating parameters
 
yamahammer said:
i have the C-45, C-80 and C2-X yammie all in daily use in my home and i like them all all have different operating parameters

yamahammer did you find a new secret Yamaha model or did you just mean CX-2 ? :D
 
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