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Help me choose: Yamaha CA-1010 vs Mitsubishi DA-U680

S

S-Grebes

New Member
Hi all,
Long time lurker, first time poster!
I'm trying to decide between these two amps.

The Mitsubishi / Diatone da-u680 I can get for about 75USD.
The Yamaha ca-1010 I can get for about 330USD.

I listen to a very wide range of music, but I guess sensibilities err on the side of classical more than anything else.

The speakers I have are:
Yamaha ns-10m (more for studio work)
Yamaha ns-500m
Yamaha ns-500yst

Obviously, I have a bit of a Yamaha fetish, although my turntable is an old Sony one.

I was thinking the Yamaha was a lock, but then this cheap Mitsubishi / Diatone amp came on my radar, and it looks so cool, that I'm finding it hard to resist.

My guess is the Yamaha is still better, but by how much, I wonder? I love the style of the Diatone (it's the one with the rack handles, too)...

I haven't had a chance to audition either, and I won't be able to. All I can confirm is that they work, and that they both will come with a warranty from the second hand shop I'm buying them from.

My current amp is an Onkyo Integra a-755 from 1972... Vintage, beautiful, good sound, low power.

Does anyone have any experiences, thoughts, or whatever, with either or both of these?

Thanks so much! I love reading through this forum, and glad I finally have something to post about...
 
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CA-1010 is a heck of and amplifier. Haven't had the pleasure with the mitz.

BTW... Welcome to AK...
 
I had a 1010 for a bit and really liked it.Age related issues and difficulty getting a competent repair job made it expendable.Can't speak for the Mitsu but I have heard they are good.
 
I'd say Yamaha especially with your collection of speakers but for $75 I might have to give the Mitsubishi a try.
 
Thanks for your replies! Yes, I couldn't resist the curiosity factor, so I got the Mitsubishi today.
My impression is that it sounds nicer (to me) than the Onkyo, in that it has more detail/texture/nuance, and sounds less obviously coloured. The Mitsubishi is not in perfect condition, though... There's occasional hum/crackle, and once a huge 'pop' through the speakers, that scared the hell out of me (thankfully no damage done). Once the amp had been running for a bit, those problems stopped happening, so I guess maybe it need to warm up, or hadn't been run for a while or something? The sound got better after a little bit of time, too.

While I still love that Onkyo, it's very "warm", with a big bottom end, from which the upper stuff suffers a bit. I think the Mitsubishi sounds like it has more clarity and detail, to me at least.

I'm going to go for the Yamaha as soon as I can afford it then... I think it's likely the best match as well, which is why I wanted to take the risk first, if you get me...
 
Those Mitsubishi amps kick ass, I have a DA-U310 and it's a great little unit. No doubt the Yamaha would blow it out the water though.
 
S-Grebes said:
Thanks for your replies! Yes, I couldn't resist the curiosity factor, so I got the Mitsubishi today.
My impression is that it sounds nicer (to me) than the Onkyo, in that it has more detail/texture/nuance, and sounds less obviously coloured. The Mitsubishi is not in perfect condition, though... There's occasional hum/crackle, and once a huge 'pop' through the speakers, that scared the hell out of me (thankfully no damage done). Once the amp had been running for a bit, those problems stopped happening, so I guess maybe it need to warm up, or hadn't been run for a while or something? The sound got better after a little bit of time, too.

While I still love that Onkyo, it's very "warm", with a big bottom end, from which the upper stuff suffers a bit. I think the Mitsubishi sounds like it has more clarity and detail, to me at least.

I'm going to go for the Yamaha as soon as I can afford it then... I think it's likely the best match as well, which is why I wanted to take the risk first, if you get me...
Click to expand...

Sounds like a good buy. As far as the pops and crackles, it could be dirty controls. Turn it off and switch the switches and turn all of the knobs a bunch of times. That can help them make good contact. Especially tape monitor buttons as they rarely get used but can easily cause sound to cut and come back.
 
S-Grebes said:
And now with the Yamaha... Ended up with a CA-1000II, not a 1010.
Click to expand...
I've got the CA-1000II, CA-1000, CA-1010 and CA-2010 all diy refurb'd. All good amps, I prefer the CA-1000II though the others have their individual
strengths.
 
Huh, that's interesting. What do you think changed between 1000II and the 1010? I'd be interested to know. After playing more with this amp, it's really so nice... The class a function is really something else, too.
With this one it's amazing, you can actually hear with perfect clarity the individual singers in a large choir... And that's a backing choir, behind a full arrangement w/ band, multiple percussion, etc. Unbelievable.
 
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Comparing the schematics of the 1000 and 1000II shows work/updates on the Function, Tone,
Filter, Power amp boards. The sound difference with the CA-1000 is subtle. IMO, yamaha
took a different direction with the CA-1010 and CA-2010, others more qualified to comment
but for me these amps took a big step in some areas (image, highs, mids) while went "backwards"
in others (warmth, bass...). It comes down to speaker selection, source and a slight trade off
and determining what's important to you. Again, these are all very good integrateds. If you see
any one of these on the kerb or in a dumpster then grab it... If it's beside a CX-1000 preamp
then grab that first, seriously good...

Know some guys up north that have spent plenty on pre/power amps/spkrs/TT's and they've come
back to the CA-1000, it is very good but a PITA to refurb. Glad that you are enjoying it.
 
There is a general rule not to switch between Class A and Normal with the amp powered ON.
May result in arcing/switch damage. If you ever loose a channel then don't bin it. Probably
something simple like the switches (coupler, spkr,,,) need a clean. Plenty of info/hints on AK
 
mbz said:
There is a general rule not to switch between Class A and Normal with the amp powered ON.
May result in arcing/switch damage.
Click to expand...
For the CA- 800/1000 this is a very good idea. The two omron micro snap action switches will last longer. Not so critical in a CA-1010 or 2010 it uses a heavier relay for switching the"class A" rail voltages.
 
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