:yes::yes::yes:
New 2 channel gear from Yamaha
- Thread starter Ol' Ken
- Start date
:yes::yes::yes:
Any serious buyers out there for either or both of these units? Let me know via PM and I'll see if I can work out good deal on pricing from a dealer/friend who carries Yamaha. Am sure he would rather sell six as opposed to one or two or none.
outshined
Super Member
These specs are definitely nothing to write home about, and, I'm a little surprised too. I am one who believes most modern amps (SS) sound so close that it's not really a factor for me.
But, 10% distortion at 1KHz may be audible under certain conditions. Yamaha can do better, especially for $2k.
restorer-john
Addicted Member
Mark B- the specification lists the AS200 S/N clearly at 98dB. 120dB is dreaming for an integrated amp. It is more likely one IC in the volume section 'may' have a 120dB potential, but that is just marketing hype (I saw tha bit too, but it is contradicted on the specs which are on the back of the brochure).
Agreed it is nice to see the token Retro component from Yamaha to put a warm feeling in our collective hearts, but it isn't anything special
Agreed it is nice to see the token Retro component from Yamaha to put a warm feeling in our collective hearts, but it isn't anything special
restorer-john
Addicted Member
I've had a hard look at the internal brochure shot and I have the following comments:
The main preamp board is COVERED in surface mount and one end if it is exposed horizontally to the atmosphere- great if you live by the sea or are a smoker. Surface mount and dust/dirt/moisture are a nightmare. Hopefully a cover will be on the production units.
The unit is micro controlled and yet there is no mention of a cpu shutoff system to make the unit truly quiet. Notice the 'diagnostic port cutout in the front panel top edge for those who thought it wouldn't have a micro.
Personally I hate audio gear with a computer in it. Remote can be done without a micro and so can protection so why use it? Because it is cheap.
The toggle switches look like bent aluminium plate, not solid. see the pic. Now that is cheap, unless it is a prototype and I will forgive them..
There is a missing regulator/heatsink on the power supply board (see the pic) which suggests there is another 'higher spec' model, most likely a D/A equipped model in the pipeline or already available in Japan for home market sales only.
I would bet the small controls are plastic, the volume and selector aluminium, and the toggle is aluminium plate over plastic. The side panels appear solid which is a nice touch.
Those DEC speaker relays are notorious for trouble- in premium Yamaha gear they used to tie two small magnets either side of the relays to dampen them- notice no magnets.
It is a nice looking unit, I'll give them that, but $2000?? Come on. $899 maybe but that is pushing it. At least it looks like it 'might' be coming out of a Japanese factory.
The main preamp board is COVERED in surface mount and one end if it is exposed horizontally to the atmosphere- great if you live by the sea or are a smoker. Surface mount and dust/dirt/moisture are a nightmare. Hopefully a cover will be on the production units.
The unit is micro controlled and yet there is no mention of a cpu shutoff system to make the unit truly quiet. Notice the 'diagnostic port cutout in the front panel top edge for those who thought it wouldn't have a micro.
Personally I hate audio gear with a computer in it. Remote can be done without a micro and so can protection so why use it? Because it is cheap.
The toggle switches look like bent aluminium plate, not solid. see the pic. Now that is cheap, unless it is a prototype and I will forgive them..
There is a missing regulator/heatsink on the power supply board (see the pic) which suggests there is another 'higher spec' model, most likely a D/A equipped model in the pipeline or already available in Japan for home market sales only.
I would bet the small controls are plastic, the volume and selector aluminium, and the toggle is aluminium plate over plastic. The side panels appear solid which is a nice touch.
Those DEC speaker relays are notorious for trouble- in premium Yamaha gear they used to tie two small magnets either side of the relays to dampen them- notice no magnets.
It is a nice looking unit, I'll give them that, but $2000?? Come on. $899 maybe but that is pushing it. At least it looks like it 'might' be coming out of a Japanese factory.
restorer-john
Addicted Member
That power switch lever does look pretty sad.
The competing integrated amps would be ones from folks like Arcam, etc. Most of them weigh in at about 25 pounds. With the Yamaha, I think you get pretty much what you pay for. I am a bit surprised by the Max Power rating at 10% THD. I would have thought that the amp would have a bit more head-room. Perhaps the new design they are tauting has a limitation on this. Is a 90wpc amp and not 120wpc, as I recall reading.
Still.......all-in-all, a lovely looking piece of gear. But, I do like the t-r-m take on the meters. Personally, I prefer the CDP. But, it is two months too late for me.
The competing integrated amps would be ones from folks like Arcam, etc. Most of them weigh in at about 25 pounds. With the Yamaha, I think you get pretty much what you pay for. I am a bit surprised by the Max Power rating at 10% THD. I would have thought that the amp would have a bit more head-room. Perhaps the new design they are tauting has a limitation on this. Is a 90wpc amp and not 120wpc, as I recall reading.
Still.......all-in-all, a lovely looking piece of gear. But, I do like the t-r-m take on the meters. Personally, I prefer the CDP. But, it is two months too late for me.
I've seen a lot of positive feedback for this:
http://www.creekaudio.co.uk/main_product.asp?prolook=Classic_5350SE
Like I said, we are talking the Creek's 15 pounds producing 90wpc and Yamaha's 50 pounds making the same thing. For my $$, weight = good in stereo.
the-real-mandak
Super Member
Mark B I see the same numbers as you; Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.01% (90W, 8ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, CD BAL to Speaker out), on Yamahas homepage.
Restorer-john do you have a link to this brochure?
Restorer-john do you have a link to this brochure?
restorer-john
Addicted Member
here's the brochure
just under the AK pdf size limit. You can zoom in on the pics- they are pretty decent resolution.
just under the AK pdf size limit. You can zoom in on the pics- they are pretty decent resolution.
:yes:
I wouldn't think Yamaha who made high powered amps with lowest distrotion and other amazing specs in the past would introduce this amp with these numbers for no apparent reason.
It is a 90wpc amp. Why is anyone focusing on its output at 120wpc? Stupid of Yamaha to put this number into its brochure. Looks like a great piece of gear and wish I could own one.
whoaru99
Epic Member
There are many that would argue those ultimate low distortion specs are merely the result of massive feedback, and that those feedback loops are detrimental to some aspects of the sound.
whoaru99
Epic Member
It is odd they would put in the spec.
However, I wonder what the distortion specs would be on many of the favorite vintage amps when driven to almost 40% more than the normal rated output? That 10% might look pretty darn good by comparison.... :scratch2:
Take a look at a distortion vs. power plot of the typical SS amp. Once you get only a little past the rated output, distortion vs. power goes into a nearly vertical slope.
Agreed, thats why specs have had no bearing on the choice of my equipment, my ears have and I wish I would get this piece of fine Yamaha gear and add it to my collection as well but before that I would like to add the mighty MX-D1 and YPC-1 combo first, its one of the few real high power amp which has excellent tonality and control so it manages to sound musical and composed even when pushed near its limit of 500Wrms. By the way Yamaha is probably on to something with this distortion figure, probably tube like sound
