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How does Yamaha M series compare?

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ethanh

New Member
Hey all, I was hoping to get some feedback re: Yamaha's M series amps (M60, M80, etc.). My system is as follows: Onix XCD88 cd player -> Yamaha M60 amp -> diy speaker monitors using seas drivers and a JBL L8400P sub. I use the gain knobs on the M60 to control volume.

I'm looking to upgrade my system but am not sure how the Yamaha M60 compares to more modern gear. For instance, I am considering a Jeff Rowland Concerto integrated or something similar up to $2500, but if the Yamaha M60 is a great amp perhaps I'd be better off just adding a good preamp (e.g., Rowland Capri or a decent tube preamp with remote control)? Or maybe add a dac with preamp function like the W4S dac2?

I also have a Cayin TA30 that is nice, but doesn't match up well with my current small, power hungry monitors.
 
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i never heard of the concerto(sorry for my ignorance. i usually don't browse around much unless i'm reading up on something) but if you love the m-60 you should defiantly look into either the matching preamp or something like the C-2 or C-4 for it maybe. i use my H/K 725 preamp with my M-45 sometimes and it sound insanely clean and transparent with tons of low-end capability. i would only upgrade your yamaha in my opinion if you need more power or more dynamic headroom but the m-60 should have all the power you need even for 2ohm loads.

your yamaha should improve nicely with a good preamp,especially in the low-end and the dynamics should be much less compressed cause i assume the cd player only outputs is very low in the millivolts and not fully driving the m-60 to allow the amp reach full peaks in power when it needs to. overall the yamaha M series are very good and even well sought after compared to modern gear.
 
Audio Research tubed pre-amp, Sp-8, or maybe 9 (only phono section tubed), 6, 10, 11. Or newer with RC, but you'd be up dancin' anyway. :)
 
M series amps are still highly regarded

My son runs an Avionic recapped C-4 pre & M45 amp. VERY nice paring

The 85s are HIGHLY prized: T-85 , C-85 & M-85
 
Thanks for the feedback! I definitely like the Yamaha a lot; I will look around for good active tube preamps. Maybe a dehavilland or something...
 
I have no experience with newer, or other amps, for that matter, but my M 65 has a sound that I would describe as crystalline.
 
KingBubba said:
I have no experience with newer, or other amps, for that matter, but my M 65 has a sound that I would describe as crystalline.
Click to expand...

Thats' an excellent description of sound of the Yamaha M-series amps, crisp, crystalline with extended lower frequency output. I use an M60 and an MX600, admittedly for subs, but I've used them both for various speakers over the last couple of years. It's just that at the moment, I'm very happy with the way I'm using them.
 
Does an M-4 compare to a Jeff Rowland Concerto? Assuming you can easily get a healthy M-4 for $250 and a Rowland for $2500. Is the Rowland 10x better? No. Is the Rowland 5x better? No. Is the Rowland 2x better? Maybe but a double blind test would probably fool most of us.
 
i thought the M-80/M-85 was a real step from the M-60, but that wasn't a blind test and probably biased. i thought the M-80/M-85 was warmer and smoother than the M-2, while i'd say the M-2 was more accurate. the M-4, meanwhile seemed to straddle the line between them all. all good amps, at any rate.
 
As a C85 and M45 owner, I think they are a great amp. I can only imagine how the higher M-series sound but the 45 is already quite good. C85 pre is very versatile and flexible, yet it does not muck-up the sound IMO. Mine is unfortunately experiencing some difficulties at the moment...

az
 
Another Yamaha power amp fan here :) Currently running an MX-630 in my main system right now, but it swapped in where my M-70 was for a year. And the M-70 swapped in from my M-50. I still have all 3. Great amps for sure. I would audition anything you are interested in, just to get an idea. There are some sweet new amps on the market
 
audiozaz said:
As a C85 and M45 owner, I think they are a great amp. I can only imagine how the higher M-series sound but the 45 is already quite good. C85 pre is very versatile and flexible, yet it does not muck-up the sound IMO. Mine is unfortunately experiencing some difficulties at the moment...

az
Click to expand...

from reading around, yamaha kept the m series power amps very consistent in design without compensating sound quality in performance while just beefing up the power in the upper ranks. from the BOTL to the TOTL they all used high quality parts just while the upper ranks offering more power and extra class A headroom.
 
Rex Aeterna said:
from reading around, yamaha kept the m series power amps very consistent in design without compensating sound quality in performance while just beefing up the power in the upper ranks. from the BOTL to the TOTL they all used high quality parts just while the upper ranks offering more power and extra class A headroom.
Click to expand...

That could be possible, though some do seem to find the higher models to have a better SQ. In any case, it's good news when the smallest member on the lineup has 125W to offer. :D

az
 
amp

I know this is an old thread, but I'm getting ready to get a Yammie M-60 or MX-800. Do ya'll think a HK Citation 17 preamp would be a good pairing?
How about a Kenwood KC-105? Both have the eq built in I want.
 
As does mine

KingBubba said:
I have no experience with newer, or other amps, for that matter, but my M 65 has a sound that I would describe as crystalline.
Click to expand...

Love my M65...crisp, clear and I am driving it with a new Marantz SR4023 as a pre-amp...nice paring.

I run it in class A and I made my own cooling (there is a thread on this) so it doesnt get too hot in the cabinet...

Dont trade it out ...:D
 
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