The B-2 sound so close to B-1, I wonder how I would ever hear something in-between
Exactly what I thought and even though I've never heard a B-3 I'll bet in a blind test you wouldn't be able to tell it from the B-2 given that there's so very little difference in the 2 designs ...
 
I have been hesitant of going for a B-3 ..ot two, but I might change my mind in the future. The B-2 is so sweet sounding, that I hardly believe there would be any gains from that perspective. The B-1 and the MX are more powerful than any speakers I still have, so in terms of upping the antie in that department, there is little gain too.
To me the bigest "go get a B-3" factor at the moment, is purely from a collection perspective...to have the entire 1,2,3 team.
Otherwise, I have waaaay more amps than I need or that I can listen to.

I would be curious to hear how the B-1 stacks against the BX-1
I should have mentioned, that when I initially got the amps, I did have the chance to compare them, but it was not a fair comparison. The B-1 was clearely in need of TLC, and on its last leg, as I subsequently found out during the "Quickie"
Viewing things from a differnt angle, the comparison would not not be fair now for the BX-1s. They would need a "Quickie" of their own first....so that is why it would be a while untill a proper face-off would happen.
 
Clinic - I recognize your picture from a DIY post on another forum and yes this proves that Super TO-3 P channel V-FET's were also produced but with poorer performance to their compliment which I'm sure is why Yamaha didn't produce an amp with them.

Also, manufacturing high quality semi conductors without using them was not non sense to my thinking. It was part of the process to producing the very wonderful 2SJ26 used with the 2SK76 in the B-2. :thumbsup:

View attachment 1079124

Notice the lack of ranking code on the 2SJ27.

That reminds me of a little shipment that arrived in my mailbox a few years ago (karma pays off :) )

DSC09898.jpg

I intend to make a nice single ended amp with it, one day.

Indeed no ranking markings, while the production batch numbers are fading. I can only read 5027X, 1124X and 1383X.
 
I will find out one of these days.


The B-2 sound so close to B-1, I wonder how I would ever hear something in-between


I you saw, it is not impossible, but it is very difficult due to size limitations. I strongly suggest you exhaust every possible option of obtaining a kit from Clinic or a boards from Vint Age, first, before you go to the full DIY route.


I was feeling guilty to keep hijacking your thread :D
All good. Either way is helping :)
Got the kit from clinic and set to start the work any day now.

I had 3 B-1's and unfortunately had to let go of 2. But I am set to restore this last one properly.

You are right about the B-2 and B-1. They do sound very close, it is only on most demanding pieces of music with a lot of information the B-2 starts to get a little --mushy--
and starts to loose definition.
 
All good. Either way is helping :)
Got the kit from clinic and set to start the work any day now.

I had 3 B-1's and unfortunately had to let go of 2. But I am set to restore this last one properly.

You are right about the B-2 and B-1. They do sound very close, it is only on most demanding pieces of music with a lot of information the B-2 starts to get a little --mushy--
and starts to loose definition.
I gess the beauty is in the ears of the beholder :)
To my tired ears, the B-2 never sounded mushy. I would call it more musical, but not mushy :)
BTW, I am assuming you compared restored unit, correct?

going through a few right now...
Here is some B-2 porn:
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I gess the beauty is in the ears of the beholder :)
To my tired ears, the B-2 never sounded mushy. I would call it more musical, but not mushy :)
BTW, I am assuming you compared restored unit, correct?

going through a few right now...
Here is some B-2 porn:
View attachment 1081634
View attachment 1081635
View attachment 1081644

View attachment 1081638
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View attachment 1081643

View attachment 1081639
I gess the beauty is in the ears of the beholder :)
To my tired ears, the B-2 never sounded mushy. I would call it more musical, but not mushy :)
BTW, I am assuming you compared restored unit, correct?

going through a few right now...
Here is some B-2 porn:
View attachment 1081634
View attachment 1081635
View attachment 1081644

View attachment 1081638
View attachment 1081641
View attachment 1081643

View attachment 1081639
Wow,

Yes, went through a few B-2's with a complete restoration. Maybe not as deep as resistors, but everything else done.
I have the NS-2000 which are a very good match for the B-1, on moderate volumes the B-2 is a ok, when you do put a little more demand on the power supply that is when things start to get a little out of hands..

This is from my listening sessions. My preamps are Luxman, solid state and tube.
I think there is a very nice synergy of the tube pre combo with the V-fet Yamaha's
 
Yes, went through a few B-2's with a complete restoration. Maybe not as deep as resistors, but everything else done.
I meant to say..it is not just the 1% low ppm metal film resistors that will hold those voltages strapped to where they are supposed to be when the upside down mounted PSU board acts as an oven lid ..that PSU is beefed up in all the right places...with subtil enhancement...Hint: none of those semis are the ill-fated originals and one would need to look a bit more through those black heatsinks or underneath the bank of power resistors :p
PSUs get tired because of heat...especially those full of carbon film resistors and semis operating at their spec limits.

IMG_20171013_101402218.jpg
 
I also need to mention is that most of my knowledge and work progress on these amps, I owe to a few, much smarter people on this forum.
There is a master restorer floating around this forum. He might one day decide to do a presentation of a full and proper rebuilt...miles above anything I do.
 
I meant to say..it is not just the 1% low ppm metal film resistors that will hold those voltages strapped to where they are supposed to be when the upside down mounted PSU board acts as an oven lid ..that PSU is beefed up in all the right places...with subtil enhancement...Hint: none of those semis are the ill-fated originals and one would need to look a bit more through those black heatsinks or underneath the bank of power resistors :p
PSUs get tired because of heat...especially those full of carbon film resistors and semis operating at their spec limits.

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Agreed,

I have followed a few very valuable suggestions on this forum when started to restore this type of gear.


Here is one of the B-2's psu and driver board I did.

I admit the B-2 was my first love of the Yamaha V-fet sound. The sheer speed and transparency is very hard to find elsewhere.
 

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Noticed you didn't replaced the Sanken switching transistors.
No, I did not think I needed to
TR1, TR2 are 400v devices acting as voltage stabilizers for ~200v
TR3, 4, 5 and 6 are 120v devices acting as B-, B+ switches. They see ~93-96V (according to schematic)

The protection circuit works flawlessly. If these things would fail, they would fail because of other components and I believe I have addressed those already.
 
No, I did not think I needed to
TR1, TR2 are 400v devices acting as voltage stabilizers for ~200v
TR3, 4, 5 and 6 are 120v devices acting as B-, B+ switches. They see ~93-96V (according to schematic)

The protection circuit works flawlessly. If these things would fail, they would fail because of other components and I believe I have addressed those already.
I think I will replace them just for piece of mind.

Here is the B-1, I will strip everything.
 

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