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NS690 vs NS500m

I just got a stupid deal on a pair of NS-690s. Curious to try these with my A-S801 vs the Dali Zensor 1s I'm now running. I'll probably start a thead once I get some A/B listenng done.
 
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index....o-post-your-pics.52897/page-192#post-10014912

Just to avoid clogging up that pic thread with my opinions :)

Thanks, yes the CA1000 is my main amp. I started off hoping to use a CR1040, but i did some silly stuff and broke it, the CA1000 came along and it aint going anywhere :) I think it and the 690 are a perfect match...i dont think it hasn't any deficiencies, but out of interest i would like to pair a more modern 1100 or 2100 amp with my NS1000xw one day...but more spending on hifi isnt very likely anytime soon.

If i ever find a kit of all of the part i need to freshen it up i will do it. But my strong preference is to one day find some one capable to do it for me. Until then I just use it every day.

I do run it in Class A, but i get nervous about the heat and only do it for half hour or so and power it off and switch it back.

I have an M40, but i dont spend much time auditioning and comparing. I might do soon. I get peeved with the dual volume control :)

I have the ca800 paired with some ns-670's so I imagine it would be a similar match to your 1000/690 set up. I'm with you on the desire for a 2100, 1100, or dare I say a 3000?:idea: However, I must say I question my desire for a few reasons.

First, I have done direct comparisons between my modern a-s500 and a-s501 to the vintage ca800 and ca1010 in various combinations. I did find the modern amps had a slight edge, specifically in the midrange and sonic details. The rub is that the difference did not convince me that it would be an easy decision to dump one in preference to another; to me, it's that close, and with the 800 and 1010 in class A well....:dunno:

Secondly, I saw a very interesting YouTube video comparing the a-s2100 to a vintage ca2010. The reviewer found them going toe to toe in almost every aspect. It appeared to be a well done comparison and worth consideration.

I bring up the YouTube video because it seems if my 1010 is close to the 500/501 that I compared, and I'd imagine the 1010 and 2010 are nearly identical except for a bit of wattage (100wpc vs 120wpc?). If then the 2010/2100 were compared to be close, would there be a significant enough difference to warrant the expense?

A drawn out thought and a bit presumptuous I know, but if I'm forced to take a more critical look then that's a good thing,...right?;)
 
Here they are. Not perfect visually. Probably 7/10. But they sound unbelievable!

I have only had one listening session on the new speakers. My room isnt optimal, but they sound amazing. I have only heard the NS1000M twice and they were in store (similar amp though), so difficult to make that comparison. But the Bass is a big standout. A little in the depth, but the speed is where it really impresses.

I have listened to my 690s a lot. I still love them very much! I might, one day sell these NS1000, maybe. But i will never sell the 690s. I have a lot of listening to do before i can offer much in the way of opinion.


senkmo.jpg
Really fine speakers
 
I have the ca800 paired with some ns-670's so I imagine it would be a similar match to your 1000/690 set up. I'm with you on the desire for a 2100, 1100, or dare I say a 3000?:idea: However, I must say I question my desire for a few reasons.

First, I have done direct comparisons between my modern a-s500 and a-s501 to the vintage ca800 and ca1010 in various combinations. I did find the modern amps had a slight edge, specifically in the midrange and sonic details. The rub is that the difference did not convince me that it would be an easy decision to dump one in preference to another; to me, it's that close, and with the 800 and 1010 in class A well....:dunno:

Secondly, I saw a very interesting YouTube video comparing the a-s2100 to a vintage ca2010. The reviewer found them going toe to toe in almost every aspect. It appeared to be a well done comparison and worth consideration.

I bring up the YouTube video because it seems if my 1010 is close to the 500/501 that I compared, and I'd imagine the 1010 and 2010 are nearly identical except for a bit of wattage (100wpc vs 120wpc?). If then the 2010/2100 were compared to be close, would there be a significant enough difference to warrant the expense?

A drawn out thought and a bit presumptuous I know, but if I'm forced to take a more critical look then that's a good thing,...right?;)

I saw that youtube. Was very interesting. Basically no difference between the CA2010 and the AS2100, in his audiophile setup. Maybe, if you had years of practise and very good hearing and understood half the 'audiophile' lingo you might hear some difference. I most justly listen to music :)

I am no expert, I wouldn't know what to expect from your gear. For me, i don't feel like there is some deficiency i need to solve...just thought it might be interesting one day to get the modern amp (that are highly regarded) and see how it goes with my gear.

To answer your last question. I don't know :) My goal is simply to create a nice space, I have other vintage stuff i like and my vintage stereo looks and sounds pretty great to me. I try not to audition it all the time. :)
 
To answer your last question. I don't know :) My goal is simply to create a nice space, I have other vintage stuff i like and my vintage stereo looks and sounds pretty great to me. I try not to audition it all the time. :)

I agree, create a nice space with nice sound. I really like my amps, no doubt, and I would love a 2100; why not? Well the the expense, but if money were no object then absolutely.
I don't audition very often but I felt it prudent to do in order to speak from experience rather than guess at the differences. It was very enlightening for me. I think I should now have the 1010 refurbed for longevity:thumbsup:.
 
Does anyone know where I can find original msrp for vintage Yamaha speakers? Approximations are just fine too. For the following:

1. house speakers: NS-670, NS-590, NS-690, NS-890;
2. monitor speakers: NS-10M with all their variants, NS-200M, NS-500, NS-500m, NS-500Ma, NS-1000/NS -1000M, NS-1000X;
3. high end models (if one could consider that the rest are less than high end!:idea: ): FX-1, FX-3, NS-2000, NSX-10000, GF-1.
 
Does anyone know where I can find original msrp for vintage Yamaha speakers? Approximations are just fine too. For the following:

1. house speakers: NS-670, NS-590, NS-690, NS-890;
2. monitor speakers: NS-10M with all their variants, NS-200M, NS-500, NS-500m, NS-500Ma, NS-1000/NS -1000M, NS-1000X;
3. high end models (if one could consider that the rest are less than high end!:idea: ): FX-1, FX-3, NS-2000, NSX-10000, GF-1.

The vintage knob typically has the original Japan price in yen.
 
Does anyone know where I can find original msrp for vintage Yamaha speakers? Approximations are just fine too. For the following:

1. house speakers: NS-670, NS-590, NS-690, NS-890;
2. monitor speakers: NS-10M with all their variants, NS-200M, NS-500, NS-500m, NS-500Ma, NS-1000/NS -1000M, NS-1000X;
3. high end models (if one could consider that the rest are less than high end!:idea: ): FX-1, FX-3, NS-2000, NSX-10000, GF-1.

Check out the following pages:

http://www.audio-heritage.jp/YAMAHA/speaker/index.html

http://www.audio-heritage.jp/YAMAHA/speaker/index2.html

http://www.audio-heritage.jp/YAMAHA/unit/index.html :music:
 
I had my NS-690mkIs for sale for about 3 hours (after purchasing my KEF Q900) before I realized what the hell I was doing and immediately pulled the ad. They are no longer in my main system (the KEFs occupy that space now), but they are now in my family room being powered by my CR-2020.
 
I had my NS-690mkIs for sale for about 3 hours (after purchasing my KEF Q900) before I realized what the hell I was doing and immediately pulled the ad. They are no longer in my main system (the KEFs occupy that space now), but they are now in my family room being powered by my CR-2020.

Can't part with my 690's. Never gonna happen. Detailed yet forgiving with a sweet mid-range and ample bass for casual listening. I thought they sounded good with my CA-800 but hooking them to my B-5 took them to a different level.
 
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