New 2 channel gear from Yamaha

[Yamaha B-2]

The acid test is how the new Yamaha gear looks and sounds in person vs. the conjecture and speculation on this post. I believe that the new units were to be available in stores by mid-December, so we should have some "real" information soon.

In my view, I would rather spend $500 or so on a very well preserved AX-2000 or AX-2000A then $1600 on this new gear. But, it's all in the listening, and until we have some real experience, it remains conjecture and speculation.

My CD-S2000 is on order and I'm told to expect a February delivery, post CES '08. As I all ready have a nice A-2000 :thmbsp: (a better design IMHO to the AX-models), think it only fitting that I get the CD-S2000. :yes: I'll let you know when it arrives. Only drawback is that I'm going to have to get the faceplate on the A-2000 stripped and anodized black. Something I can live with. Projects, projects..........

EDIT: exracer ask in another thread if the transport is a Yamaha. My guess is that it is not. Only a few folks make transports these days, and I do not think that Yamaha is one of them. However, it most likely is either tweaked or made to Yamaha's spec's. I don't believe any audio company makes its own drives, other than the mass-makers, like Samsung, Sony, etc. If anyone knows better, please bring us up-to-date.

 

[dj_AmTraX]

In the brochure, it sounds like Yamaha push and push that the CD-S2000 sounds the BEST only with the A-S2000.

 

[Yamaha B-2]

Well, of course. If you were the Yamaha marketing/sales folks wouldn't you want people to believe that? But, as sophisticated audiophiles (?) we know that to be marketing crap.

 

[RadShak1251]

According to several reviews I've read elsewhere, I believe that a number of the last Yamaha dvd players are sourced from Philips (fyi: the sacd format, which this player can play, is an offshoot of the dvd format). In fact, they even use the same front panel display text that Philips' players use i.e. "root" to indicate the disc's main menu is being displayed on the monitor, etc.

But I'm sure the DACs and analog output stages, the parts that mainly determine the sound of the player, are 100% Yamaha.

 

[Yamaha B-2]

Don't recall which drive was Yamaha's last 'in-house' effort, but probably something like the CDX-993, or the abouts in the mid-90s. Simply got priced out of the market with their really heavy-duty, high performance drives. These drives were/are wonderful, but way over-built. They turned not only to Philips, but to Samsung (and perhaps, others) for their CDPs. If there are any electronics inside that have Yamaha's name on them, they are likely from a foundry fab (Taiwan Semi, Charter Semi, etc.) and not from a Yamaha fab, like in days of yore. The DACs are most likely still going to be from Burr-Brown, Crystal, Analog Devices, TI or one of the other big A/D, D/A guys who are so far advanced that it would be silly to attempt to make your own. Think there is small design house in the UK that is doing something, but don't believe they run their own fab. Again, their chips come from a foundry. I wouldn't bet that Yamaha had much of a hand in doing anything other than spec'ing the DACs and filters and various other bits that make up a CDP. Almost none of the electronic parts will be from Yamaha. In fact, I will go so far as to say that there is a good likelihood that the CD-S2000 is not even assembled in a Yamaha facility or in Japan. My guess is that the same is true of the TOTL Denon, Marantz and Sony gear, as well. Do hope that I am wrong, but will be surprised if I am.

Also, believe that you are mistaken about SACD being a 'spin-off' or derived from DVD. SACD is a single-bit PCM streaming technology, IIRC. This is nothing like DVD. In fact, they are two very different technologies and both seem to have lost out in the marketplace. DVD-A is almost non-existant. SACD seems to have found a nitch, but has not set the world on fire with sales. It is just as 'sound-engineer' dependant as any other format. When done well it is clearly better than redbook CD. When done poorly is simply a waste of money.

 

[exracer]

I was just commenting in the other thread regarding the Yamaha's looking similar to the Linn's proprietary transport which was seen in the CD12, and Ikemi and now apparently used in the Mcintosh MCD1000. While a philips laser was used I think Linn pretty much did everything else including a machined piece of billet aluminum for the drawer, which looks like this one on the Yammy. And is that only one digital balanced out on that picture?

 

[RadShak1251]

Also, believe that you are mistaken about SACD being a 'spin-off' or derived from DVD. SACD is a single-bit PCM streaming technology, IIRC. This is nothing like DVD. In fact, they are two very different technologies and both seem to have lost out in the marketplace.

I should have written my post more clearly: I meant that sacd & dvd discs (and the laser technology that reads them) were about the same. Though sacd has some type of funky security system that involves the pit spacing on the disc, so some special software is needed to read the disc correctly.

Yep I'm one of the dumb-but-hopeful people that blew $$$ on a dvd-audio player back in 2003, for a format that is now basically dead. Last dvd-audios I bought were David Crosby's If I Could Remember My Name (wow all those beautiful string instruments spread all around) and the Beatles' LOVE CD/dvd-audio set. That was more than a year ago......

 

[Yamaha B-2]

I was just commenting in the other thread regarding the Yamaha's looking similar to the Linn's proprietary transport which was seen in the CD12, and Ikemi and now apparently used in the Mcintosh MCD1000. While a philips laser was used I think Linn pretty much did everything else including a machined piece of billet aluminum for the drawer, which looks like this one on the Yammy. And is that only one digital balanced out on that picture?

The transport tray is very much like that used on the excellent Sony DVP-S9000ES, which is still one of the better SACDPs out there with the Sony V24 chip-set.

Here are some details on the new Yamaha, including the transport.

 

[YamahaFreak]

The transport tray is very much like that used on the excellent Sony DVP-S9000ES, which is still one of the better SACDPs out there with the Sony V24 chip-set.

Here are some details on the new Yamaha, including the transport.

I may not get out much, but that's the first time I've ever seen a CD player with a toroid in it.

 

[Yamaha B-2]

I may not get out much, but that's the first time I've ever seen a CD player with a toroid in it.

The new TOTL Denon has a pair of them. Probably any number of others, as well. Many of the 'square-can' transformers have a toroid hiding inside. Those sneaky manufacturers.

 

[the-real-mandak]

And is that only one digital balanced out on that picture?

The pro standard for digital in/out is the AES standard, witch runnes on a single balanced XLR conecktion. But it does look like it is not the standard size XLR plug!
But in the manual the output is not pressent! So it did properly not make it to the production line, but only in the proto types.

 

[EricC]

My CD-S2000 is on order and I'm told to expect a February delivery, post CES '08.

Any update on the ETA?

 

[dj_AmTraX]

more info from Yamaha and onwer's manual is now avaliable. Anyone here has one?

http://www.yamaha.co.jp/english/product/av/products/hificomponents.html

 

[rdeck]

Damn nice looking set!
*DROOOL*

 

[YamahaFreak]

Damn nice looking set!
*DROOOL*

It is beautiful, ain't it? :drool: I still say that the empty space on the left of the amp is screaming for some meters.

 

[Stoffie]

Sure are beautiful. I have a review of both in Audio (German mag) if anyone's interested (but you'll have to translate it). They rather liked them

 

[Switchblade]

It is beautiful, ain't it? :drool: I still say that the empty space on the left of the amp is screaming for some meters.

It's screamin' so loud my ears hurt! Never the less, since I bought new Yamaha towers, subs and a CD player, this is gonna go on my "what's next" list. :thmbsp:

 

[brutal]

Beautiful, but someone goofed on the knob selection if you ask me.

Notice the tone controls are flat knobs and the input selector is round. Back-asswards to me...

1000% agree it needed green backlit meters...

 

[Ol' Ken]

Less than flattering review in Audioenz

http://www.audioenz.co.nz/2008/yamaha_2000.shtml

 

[EricC]

http://www.audioenz.co.nz/2008/yamaha_2000.shtml

I wouldn't have picked those speakers as a good match for the amp.