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Yamaha Integrated Shootout - A-S2100 vs AX-2000

MATT0404

MATT0404

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Working from home does have its benefits. That being that I can sit here all day doing my work while listening and comparing two of the finest integrated amps made by Yamaha!

I've been listening to the AX-2000 all morning so far. What a masterpiece! Excellent sound quality and over-the-top build quality. It's an absolute shame Yamaha gear from this era is so rare to find in the States.

Switching to the A-S2100 after lunch. More to come!

Yamaha Integrated Amps - A-S2100 and AX-2000 by Audio Database, on Flickr
Yamaha Integrated Amps - A-S2100 and AX-2000 by Audio Database, on Flickr
Yamaha Integrated Amps - A-S2100 and AX-2000 by Audio Database, on Flickr
Yamaha Integrated Amps - A-S2100 and AX-2000 by Audio Database, on Flickr
Yamaha Integrated Amps - A-S2100 and AX-2000 by Audio Database, on Flickr
Yamaha Integrated Amps - A-S2100 and AX-2000 by Audio Database, on Flickr
Yamaha Integrated Amps - A-S2100 and AX-2000 by Audio Database, on Flickr
 
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Switched to the A-S2100 after lunch. Same components I used with the AX-2000. Streaming Tidal hifi through Bluesound Node 2i, digital signal sent to my TEAC UD-501 DAC via coax, then single ended RCA's into the CD input. Speakers are ADS L1590/2.

WOW, this one is close! Closer than I expected to be honest. The AX-2000 is an exceptional sounding integrated. Top to bottom it is composed, refined and detailed. Great bass, too. Soundstage is wide, deep and clearly defined. Truly a reference integrated in my opinion.

The A-S2100 is just ever so slightly more refined in the mid/high frequencies and has greater space and detail in the soundstage! The AX-2000 gets you 95-98% there, but the A-S2100 takes the listening experience up another notch. It's more refined and detailed on the top end. The soundstage is more spacious and clearly defined. Bass quality is similar to the AX-2000.

Build quality is comparable on each, but the AX-2000 excels here in my opinion. Full copper chassis, gorgeous wood side panels, 3-piece billet aluminum top, etc. I haven't experienced an A-S3000 first hand, but I think its build quality would be more comparable to the AX-2000.

Also, I've been listening to the built in DAC on the AX-2000. It's pretty dang good!! It'll certainly get you by in a pinch. It's close in sound quality to the internal DAC on the Bluesound Node 2i.

I'm thinking a full recap on the AX-2000 is in order. Then another shootout. :music:
 
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So, here's something interesting. Curious why the AX-2000 internal DAC sounds as good as it does, I peeled the top off to have a look. The top cover comes off in three pieces, then remove the copper cover over the digital interface and DAC boards. Here's what I find inside.

Interface board:
IMG_20200619_161341 by Audio Database, on Flickr

DAC board:
IMG_20200619_161345 by Audio Database, on Flickr

DAC chips:
IMG_20200619_161319 by Audio Database, on Flickr

From the limited research I've done, it appears the DAC section in this may be the same as in the CDX-2000 with dual Burr Brown PCM56P chips. What's interesting is that the DAC chips (Burr Brown PCM56P) appear to have a small resistor attached to two of the DAC pins and some adhesive on top. I was able to find a few pics of other AX-2000 DAC boards online and none of them have the extra resistor and adhesive. Wonder if mine is modded somehow?
 
It could well be that the resistor has been found to improve the performance of the chip.
 
exwhyzed said:
So did the recap of the AX2000 happen as yet, and is the second shootout around the corner?
Click to expand...
I haven't gotten to the recap yet. The AX2000 was actually gifted to my mother-in-law last Christmas along with a nice Yamaha CD player and a pair of Wavetouch Mt. Ranier speakers. She loves it and uses it almost daily. I get to listen to it when we visit and it's still sounding great!

I still stand by my previous comments on how it compares with the A-S2100. They're nearly identical in sound, but the A-S2100 has a slight advantage when it comes to high frequency detail retrieval and delivery. Just ever so slightly more refined to my ear. Both are stellar performers.
 
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