http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=543833&CTID=5040543
They would go nice with this one as well.
They would go nice with this one as well.
New 2 channel gear from Yamaha
- Thread starter Ol' Ken
- Start date
The A-2000 does not have the HCA bias, which always sounds 'bright' to my ears (although I have not heard either the AX-2000 or MX-10000 - the MX-10000 uses a combo of HCA and the older technology). IMHO, HCA was Yamaha's method of offering less amp for the same or more money. Simply a 'sign of the times' as comsumer electronics suffered during the mid-80s thru the early-90s.
The MX-2000 also shared the HCA circuit and was definitely not sign of times, it was quite well made and pricey for a 130W class A amp, neither is the last released $4500 class D MX-D1. Yamaha never bothered with cost for their TOTL offerings and HCA was never a cost cutting design but an ultimate technology, one that was praised and discussed in Wireless World magazine in detail. Similar technology albeit at a very high cost is used by companies like Krell who have different name for it and charge way more. HCA achieves class A operation without the usual vagaries associated with class A and it does so quite well.
HCA= detailed, revealing, more so than Yamaha amp of past, power without strain, all characteristics found lacking in past offerings of Yamaha although admittedly the old Yamaha offerings were no slouch in any sense. HCA is the final word and evolution in Yamaha analog amp tech, one of the reasons it was used in the Centennial MX-10000, the high end 2000 and the superb MX-1000 and MX-1 amp. HCA would sound bright with wrong gear for sure like poorly matched speakers or bad source like CDP, match the components
HCA= detailed, revealing, more so than Yamaha amp of past, power without strain, all characteristics found lacking in past offerings of Yamaha although admittedly the old Yamaha offerings were no slouch in any sense. HCA is the final word and evolution in Yamaha analog amp tech, one of the reasons it was used in the Centennial MX-10000, the high end 2000 and the superb MX-1000 and MX-1 amp. HCA would sound bright with wrong gear for sure like poorly matched speakers or bad source like CDP, match the components
Must have been mismatched with my NS-1000 speakers, T-2 tuner, YP-D10 turntable, C-2x preamp and CDX-1120 CDP.
Like I said, The MX-2000 & MX-1000 (especially) sound 'bright' when compared to the earlier (better IMHO) designs in the B-2 and B-2x/A-2000 amps as well as the M-85/80. Haven't heard the MX-1 or the MX-10000 (which isn't 'just' HCA, but has a bunch of the B-2x design thrown in, as well). YMMV.
mikey3117
Victory is mine!
This reminds me of a thread I started last year....:scratch2:
http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=76675&highlight=retro+beetle
http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=76675&highlight=retro+beetle
restorer-john
Addicted Member
I have to agree with B2 there, HCA was a sign of the times. Yamaha was still banging on the old class A never degrading to AB drum and it really didn't matter anymore. It was put in a lot of amps, the entire M range of the MX600,800 and 1000 had it and I am yet to see exactly what it is, besides biasing with another name, coupled with a few graphs on a brochure. Once they pulled the class A switch off their power amps, they went downhill fast. The M80 was better than the 85 and the 1000. Dual mono for a start.
The MX-1000 and MX-1 are dual mono and its way better than M or B in terms of detail and power without strain and don't forget, HCA was used in their Centennial MX-10000, if it was matter of cost, don't think Yamaha would ever use it. This discussion is truly futile and highly subjective but that wouldn't stop Yamaha's progress or stop the evolution of amp technology.
You are ever so right Arup.
Must have been mismatched with my NS-1000 speakers, T-2 tuner, YP-D10 turntable, C-2x preamp and CDX-1120 CDP.
Like I said, The MX-2000 & MX-1000 (especially) sound 'bright' when compared to the earlier (better IMHO) designs in the B-2 and B-2x/A-2000 amps as well as the M-85/80. Haven't heard the MX-1 or the MX-10000 (which isn't 'just' HCA, but has a bunch of the B-2x design thrown in, as well). YMMV.
This is a classic case of relative perceptions, all Yamaha amps including the MX-10000 as well as B-2 sound bright and harsh to my MF and Parasound loving friends, they would declare that Yamaha has typical tinny sound not worthy of being considered in audio circles. The MX-2000 or 10000 or 1000 are perceived bright due to the level of details, combined with NS-1000, its a true revelation. Other members who have the MX-2000 or 10000 have commented the same, those who have the MX-1000 or MX-1 also agree that the HCA amps are the most detailed which to some might sound like bright
Mark,
Off all of us here in this forum, you are the closest to the truth as you have it all, the MX-10000, MX-1 and MX-D1, your opinion here far outweighs our conjectures. You can well assess the sound of HCA or the newer DMOSFET and I am sure all of them impress you with their sound or else they wouldn't be in your stable.
I don't rate my opinion over anyone else's, but I definitely do not always agree with some of the esteemed members of this forum.
Everyone that I know who has heard the MX-2000 (which I also have) considers it a wonderful sounding amp. Not at all bright. I certainly don't consider it bright sounding. Neither is the MX-1 bright sounding. The only Yamaha amp that I have no personal experience listening to is the BX-1. The MX-D1 by the way sounds wonderful.
I had the chance to buy a B-2 in pristine condition when I was working for Rabsons NYC, was tempted at the classic Yamaha VFET design. I chose the MX-1000 instead as the B-2 as good as it maybe, didn't' stir my passions when compared to the MX-1000, the transients weren't' there, the impact, the dynamics and of course, the wonderful detail even at insanely high volumes of Led Zepplin. On my Kappa 9, the MX-1000 was a perfect match, the B-2 just couldn't push them enough to stir the soul. When I replaced the Kappa-9 with the NS-1000X, it was another layer of revelation although in terms of imaging and ambiance, Kappa 9 was far more engrossing, it was like being enveloped in sound.
Isn't that A-S2000 also available in black? Thankfully, Yamaha found the error in their way and it isn't that horribly tinny and bright sounding HCA.
EricC
Super Member
Hmm...
That is exactly what I was thinking. Glenn is the only one here that can do it with an all black system.
Let's try this.
EricC
Super Member
Let's try this.
I am usually a silver fan but I like that look a lot. If I had that CT-7000 I'd go with a black set up.
the-real-mandak
Super Member
I turn my back a day or 2 and instantly you guys are having fun
Restore-john I have been trying to find out about this, what is the difference between the M-80 and M-85?
Restore-john I have been trying to find out about this, what is the difference between the M-80 and M-85?
