Yamaha C-4 pre-amp -- Worth to re-new?

[RHX68]

Hello, all,

Just pick up a old stuff (Yamaha C-4 pre-amp) which do not function at all , I open it up and find that the PCB is oxidize and it may take me quite a lot of effort to re-new this baby.

Does there any owner willing to share with me your opinion of this pre-amp. It's pretty heavy and solid build.

But what about the sound coming out from this pre-amp? Does it's line-amp good ? What about the quality of phono-amp?

Any experience share will be welcome.

Many thanks in advance.

Rdgs, Rudy

 

[the-real-mandak]

It is not a bad pre, from around 1979 msrp $570.00 (blue book). So it all comes down to the repair price.
I would say yes, you can put around $100 into it and still have a cheep nice pre.
They sell fore around $75-80 + shipping on epay.

 

[RHX68]

Thanks Mandak,

But is it comparable with your C2x & CX-1000? In terms of sonic performance?

I own a Technics SU-9070 right now and it's very good indeed. Hope the C-4 can come close.

Rdgs, Rudy

 

[wajobu]

The C-4 is worth it...

I am a recent recipient of a C-4...bought it on a lark while waiting for a C-2/C-2x.

I can't yet speak for its Phono section performance, but I have found the C-4 to be a very nice preamp without any noticeable sonic degradation from a connected amp (in my case a B-2). I gave my C-4 a thorough internal cleaning and applied DeoxIT to all the controls and pots...now the static is gone and the connections function properly. The C-4 certainly has quite a few features (adjustable turnover, etc.), so I think it's worth fixing or if you find one for a good price it's certainly worth it.

I don't think it's comparable to the C-2x (but it's sonically close!), and others will need to comment on the CX-1000.

 

[the-real-mandak]

No, but I guess it to be in the range of C-60; 70; 80 and 85. Closer to the 60 and 65 than 80/85 (not that it has to be between them either).

There are a few AK's running C-4's, maybe they can pop in with some sonic evaluation.

axels of The Vintage Knob properly have some better info on it that me.

 

[RHX68]

Thanks wajobu & mandak,

The C-4 was a solid design so I think it's worthwhile to re-new it, I just worry about the sonic performance may be disappoint me.

Meanwhile, the C2 (C2,C2a,C2x) series were more famous and well known. I just wonder why the C2 sereis were so... popular among audiophiles. Am I miss something about this extraordinary pre-amp?

In view of sonic performance, will there exist a large gap between C2 and C4?

Just curious... :scratch2:

Rdgs, Rudy

 

[wajobu]

I have a C-2, C-2x and a C-4...as soon as I can find some time (with less work to do!) I plan on trying to compare these three. I can tell you that the C-2x is the best sonically...crystal clear with no degradation or coloring of a B-2 (VFET) amp...in fact, I have noted elsewhere...dare I say it again...that it makes the B-2 sound even better?

The C-4 is a close second and I just got the C-2 back from some repairs (thanks Merrylander!) and hope to hook this one up this weekend (still no TT though, just CDP). From what I have heard so far and read from others the order of quality is likely (first best):

C-2x, C-4, C-2

...but let me try the C-2. At some point I will likely be selling the C-4 (already spoken for!) and maybe even the C-2...ah, but the C-2x...I will be keeping!

 

[the-real-mandak]

You are making a mistake to put the C-2x in group with the C-2 and C-2a, The C-2x was a statement product and it might be the best pre Yamaha ever made (CX-10000 not included). It had an msrp of twice the pries of a C-2 and about $400 more than the C-2a. Try to do a search in the forum and look at the naked pictures, tell me if you know of any products coming close to the look of the C-2x

The sound is also spoken about in these threads.

 

[RHX68]

Thanks again for both of your comments. Sound like I should try to look around if I can found a C-2x somewhere in near future.

Cheers for yammie pre.