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Yamaha A-S3000

The Fez said:
Amps have come a long way since 1976 and one would expect that.
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Just like mine, whether or not your statement is true is a matter of opinion. If you feel that a fancy biasing schemes or a sound shaping DSP is improvement, then I guess you're right by your standards. I won't deny that the A-S3000 looks beautiful on the outside and that copper shielding frame inside looks nice too but beyond that I'm thinking that most of what Yamaha has learned since the 70's is perhaps better marketeering; interestingly enough their new amps look like their early models both inside and out.

Also, what kind of warranty do you get these days. Lets wait 35 years and see how many of these are still working .. :D
 
Vint Age said:
Just like mine, whether or not your statement is true is a matter of opinion. If you feel that a fancy biasing schemes or a sound shaping DSP is improvement, then I guess you're right by your standards. I won't deny that the A-S3000 looks beautiful on the outside and that copper shielding frame inside looks nice too but beyond that I'm thinking that most of what Yamaha has learned since the 70's is perhaps better marketeering; interestingly enough their new amps look like their early models both inside and out.

Also, what kind of warranty do you get these days. Lets wait 35 years and see how many of these are still working .. :D
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You really haven't heard any high quality modern amps, have you? And I don't mean surround sound receivers. I mean, 2 channel stereo amps. Something of comparable, inflation adjusted cost to yours.

To be honest, if I would buy one, I really don't care if it works when I turn 81. What I care about is how it sounds today.
 
Bigerik said:
...I really don't care if it works when I turn 81. What I care about is how it sounds today.
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Some of us who like the sound Day One hope to buy once and be done with it. I'm at the 25-year mark and still happy. :yes: When I spent more back then for a stack of gear than I'd spent for any car I'd bought (up to then), longevity was just as much a consideration as quality. There are many other things in life to enjoy that cost money besides audio equipment so it's nice to have something left over for those, too. :) I can't imagine saying, "I really don't care if it works when I turn 81". Maybe that's the cheap bastard in me.
 
81

I just hope to be around 'till I'm 81 and that I can still hear!

Am happy with what I have and will stay that way as long as I stay away from Barter Town:D

Happy listening to all (with old and new):music:
 
I sure hope I'm not listening to the same system when I'm 81. Technology will have advanced so much over the next 35 years, that I want the best stuff from 2048, not from 2012, let alone 1975 or 1955. I can't wait to see, and hear, what they come up with next.
 
"System" is a broad word. Pieces come and go as technologies are adapted and ultimately get superceded.

But there's not an across-the-board advance in *all* technologies for things fairly particular like "amplification". Basic technologies "mature" to the extent that dollars aren't heavily invested in ever-diminishing returns except for those with the deepest pockets (and sometimes that premium buys the most miniscule edge).

I haven't seen anything compelling in many years (if it was there, I'd probably have it since I deny myself little or nothing and seem to never get rid of that smelly green stuff in favor of something shiny fast enough. :p).

Specs aren't everything but I see a lot of recent gear that doesn't spec out as well as stuff 20 and 30 years ago and too often don't see the same build quality either and certainly not the variety of names and ranges of models indicative of a very competive technology.

I still think "Wow!" when I listen these 25 years in and don't really doubt I may be thinking the same in another 10 years. (Getting to 81 seems too remote a stretch.)

Technologies *do* peak. The peak is not *always* over the horizon. And it is nice to just enjoy the moment and not always wonder about the "next big thing" (which may or may not even happen).
 
jaguar06 said:
"System" is a broad word. Pieces come and go as technologies are adapted and ultimately get superceded.

But there's not an across-the-board advance in *all* technologies for things fairly particular like "amplification". Basic technologies "mature" to the extent that dollars aren't heavily invested in ever-diminishing returns except for those with the deepest pockets (and sometimes that premium buys the most miniscule edge).

I haven't seen anything compelling in many years (if it was there, I'd probably have it since I deny myself little or nothing and seem to never get rid of that smelly green stuff in favor of something shiny fast enough. :p).

Specs aren't everything but I see a lot of recent gear that doesn't spec out as well as stuff 20 and 30 years ago and too often don't see the same build quality either and certainly not the variety of names and ranges of models indicative of a very competive technology.

I still think "Wow!" when I listen these 25 years in and don't really doubt I may be thinking the same in another 10 years. (Getting to 81 seems too remote a stretch.)

Technologies *do* peak. The peak is not *always* over the horizon. And it is nice to just enjoy the moment and not always wonder about the "next big thing" (which may or may not even happen).
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Well said!
 
Bigerik said:
You really haven't heard any high quality modern amps, have you? And I don't mean surround sound receivers. I mean, 2 channel stereo amps. Something of comparable, inflation adjusted cost to yours.
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I really have no need to. Ever since I tweaked up these old high quality beauties I've pretty much lost interest in what ever else might be going on out there as far as amplifiers are concerned. V-FETs just make so much sense when it comes to amplification and it's really too bad that they're so expensive to make; from the first watt to the last they just sound so sweet and for me that's really what it's all about. I'm not saying that these are the best amplifiers ever made, I just don't see where things have changed that much over the last 30 years other than adding a few more bells and whistles that in my opinion aren't worth much other than maybe bragging rights which I don't really care about anyway... but you're most welcome to drop by with your new amp and try to change my mind just for fun and who knows, you might just find yourself with a changed mind. :thmbsp:
 
Vint Age said:
interestingly enough their new amps look like their early models both inside and out.
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inside? :scratch2: 100% symmetrical amp design, digital volume control with 0dB channel balance, bass and treble attenuators which beam themselves out of the signal path in center position by use of relays (no need for "tone bypass" switch), perfect speaker terminals, XLR inputs ...

And it sounds great.
 
Dr. Ear said:
inside? :scratch2: 100% symmetrical amp design, digital volume control with 0dB channel balance, bass and treble attenuators which beam themselves out of the signal path in center position by use of relays (no need for "tone bypass" switch), perfect speaker terminals, XLR inputs ...

And it sounds great.
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Nope. Nothing had changed in the past 30 years. ;)
 
The A-S2000 is the best amp I have ever owned, it really is an incredible design. I agree with Dr. Ear, sounds great too.
 
Yeah - Those tone attenuators are interesting. Surprised me when I turned the paddles on first audition and the relays clicked in and out.

There is just a super clean delivery from the A-S1000. Very linear and it "feels" like it has a ton of grunt. 90W on the stat sheet, but damn you'd swear its a heap more headroom in there. It's a quality power, useable. You just keep turning these amps up and its super composed, and a real enjoyable listen...
 
According to my dealer the price in Europe will be approx. 4,5k€ and the amp will not bee available before July (September?). The distributor did not have better information. Looks like they haven't finally decided yet but are trying to analyze the market situation first if there are enough potential customers and how much these would be ready to pay.
 
That's about $6000 AUD currently. That to me sounds about right. That would be RRP. not cheap but not uberpricey . Its gotta be a keeper

Sent from my XT925
 
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