those who know Yamaha preamplifiers...

[Marko]

Been running the preamp side of a Yamaha cr-2020 into a Yamaha M-70 in the main setup for awhile, which is good.

I was considering getting a Yamaha preamp and moving the cr-2020 into the bedroom. But after exploring the web, it seems just about everyone loves their particular model Yamaha preamp.

So I guess the question is, which Yamaha preamp is most similar to the cr-2020 era preamp, so I can figure out what is an upgrade, and what is not? ...and fwiw, I don't need or use a remote control. The preamp on the 2020 seems pretty good overall.

I was considering something like a c85 but I have no idea if that's a sideways move.

Can some of you folks in the know shoot me a list(long or short) of Yamaha Pre model#'s that are a move up?

 

[the-real-mandak]

People usaly like what they are runnning in there systems, it is not often you hear someone who is complaning that there system sounds like cr.. It is quite simple, if you don't like you're system, you will never like the sound it playes or the music for that matter. So you HAVE to like you're system or it will never give you any plashure listning to it. You might not be totaltly satisfied and would like to upgrade (who don't), but you have to like it. That is why everybody loves their particular model, they have to.

If you whish to compair different models, there is only one way to do it and that is real comparison. A person who only have one model can't say how it compaires to a different model, only how it compairs to what the person allready has had the experince of. The next thing is the persons prefrences and setup, a person who only accepts high class classical music comming out of the speakers might not be the best to give advice on a system witch is only going to play heavy rock music. But will still be abel to give notes on the difference between different models if experinced with these.

Comparing the CR-2020 with a seperate preamp is not quite fair on the CR, they have different tasks, where the CR is an all in one design and the preamp is a narrow specialised design. A hint can be had if you look at the price tags on the units, only the lowest rankng Yamaha pre's have a lower price tag than the CR-2020 so there is usally a lot more money availible for the single components inside the seperate pre. It is a bit like comparing a fammily car with a sports/race car, it can be doing a fantastic job based on what it is but it's in the wrong league and will take a beating.

So conclusion is; if you stay away from the lowest ranking pre's (C-50 and down) you will get something better. I only have a CR-1000 and have never run it in my main system therefore I can't give you a direct comparison, but I do have the C-50, 60, 80, 85, CX-1000 and C-2x. If you wish to get an impression with out putting too much mony into it, get a C-60/65. They can be had at a relative low price, if you just wish to go straight at it - the C-85 will do the job (also look at the CX-1000, depending on the price you can get).

 

[Dr. Ear]

C-2a, C-4 or C-6 are most similar.

 

[the-real-mandak]

C-2a, C-4 or C-6 are most similar.

you are properly right, but the C-2a and C-4 I belive ville be upgrades. The C-6 is a more doughtfull, in most forums it is considerd bottom of the Yamaha pre's. But as stated before I don't own one so can't say for sure.

 

[fiddlefye]

The C-4 is probably the closest to a CR-2020 in a number of ways, including the way the controls function. I've found mine to not only sound great, but to be excellent to work with. It would be a definite step up from the CR, good as it may be. The C-2 pre's have always seemed to me to be a slightly different creature.

 

[sanford12]

I've been running a C-6 for over a month with a Pilot 602 and it sounds wonderful. It really doesn't color the music at all. The Pilot sounds pretty much the same with and without it. The reason I use it is for the phono stage.

 

[brutal]

C-4 all the way. Awesome midline Yamaha Pre unless you're shooting for C-2a or C-2x territory.

 

[Marko]

C-2a, C-4 or C-6 are most similar.

...do you mean as compared to a cr-2020?

 

[Marko]

thanks to everyone for taking the time to help me figure this out...

due to a very large vaulted room environment, and of course, to the wide variance of recorded materials, I do find myself using the variable loudness feature on the CR-2020.

so I'd like to ask the Yamaha veterans here if I may, which of the various Yamaha preamp models have the variable loudness control?....and if you were me, which model preamp(s) would you likely target?...fwiw, I do use all of the inputs...phono, cd, tuner, etc...

cheers!

Mark

 

[brutal]

If you really, really, really want variable loudness, you should probably be looking at the C-80/C-85.

 

[avionic]

The matching preamp has continuous variable loudness ( C-70 and 80 ) as does the C-65 and 85.The C-2,4 & 6 does not.

 

[brutal]

The matching preamp has continuous variable loudness ( C-70 and 80 ) as does the C-65 and 85.The C-2,4 & 6 does not.

C-70 does not have variable loudness, and is my choice as an inverting bridge for fronting non-bridgeable amps like M-80, etc.

 

[Marko]

The matching preamp has continuous variable loudness ( C-70 and 80 ) as does the C-65 and 85.The C-2,4 & 6 does not.

...it looks like the cx2 has the variable loudness but the cx1 does not?