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Preamp for Yamaha M2.

belgianbrain

belgianbrain

AK Subscriber
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Now that a Bryston 3BSST has replaced my Yamaha M2 for duty in my family room and now uses my passive preamp, I'm considering getting a Yamaha preamp for the M2 when I move it to my basement cave setup.

BTW, I'm amazed how well the M2 stands up to the Bryston manufactured in 2004. I think the Bryston is probably better, but it's damned close!

Considering C-2, C-2a, C-2x, C-4, C-70, C-80, C-85. Must have good phono stage.

Any comments? Anything on that list to avoid? Anyone have one that they are considering letting go, please PM me.
 
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From personal experience, the C-60, 70, and 80 are all very nice, but each one had solder related channel dropouts. Plan on servicing to get them reliable.
 
The C-2x is my favorite vintage Yamaha preamplifier with a really good phono stage. I had mine paired with an M-2 for a while and it was a great combination (although I thought the B-2 paired even better!).

Unfortuanatly the x has gotten a little crazy on prices lately. A C-80 or C-85 is also a great pre and much more affordable. The C-4 is also good and matches the M-2 perfectly.

All of these have good phono stages.
 
belgianbrain said:
Now that a Bryston 3BSST has replaced my Yamaha M2 for duty in my family room and now uses my passive preamp, I'm considering getting a Yamaha preamp for the M2 when I move it to my basement cave setup.

BTW, I'm amazed how well the M2 stands up to the Bryston manufactured in 2004. I think the Bryston is probably better, but it's damned close!

Considering C-2, C-2a, C-2x, C-4, C-70, C-80, C-85. Must have good phono stage.

Any comments? Anything on that list to avoid? Anyone have one that they are considering letting go, please PM me.
Click to expand...
When it comes to sound quality this does not surprise me.
 
Thanks for the advice. BTW, anything I buy is going to get a thorough rebuild and with new CAPS, so if any of these are a PITA to work on, please let me know!
 
stereofanboy said:
From personal experience, the C-60, 70, and 80 are all very nice, but each one had solder related channel dropouts. Plan on servicing to get them reliable.
Click to expand...

I picked up a C-60 for $20 this past summer...love the unit but the left channel of the preouts does have a short in it. Thanks for the info stereofan. I had mentioned this to a tech I have used a few times but hadn't gotten it to him yet. I later scored a Carver and then a Yamaha C-6, so the C-60 got pushed to the back of the line. I should definitely get the thing fixed, now that I won't miss it while it's gone.
 
belgianbrain said:
Now that a Bryston 3BSST has replaced my Yamaha M2 for duty in my family room and now uses my passive preamp, I'm considering getting a Yamaha preamp for the M2 when I move it to my basement cave setup.

BTW, I'm amazed how well the M2 stands up to the Bryston manufactured in 2004. I think the Bryston is probably better, but it's damned close!

Considering C-2, C-2a, C-2x, C-4, C-70, C-80, C-85. Must have good phono stage.

Any comments? Anything on that list to avoid? Anyone have one that they are considering letting go, please PM me.
Click to expand...

They all have real good phono stages. Not really a fan of the C-2 or 2a. Haven't played with a C-2x. I've played with C-45/65/85's ,C-50/70/80's,C-1's ,C-2/2a's ,C-4's and C-6's.And some of the CX offerings.(CX-1000) C-1 sounds the best of all of the Yamaha line-up.
 
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