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Yamaha? Welcome back!

After years of mass market average components Yamaha is making huge strides in the audiophile market with their new "natural sound" integrated amps.  I lost my tube amp to a bad move and replaced it with a Yamaha 2100 integrated amp. I was blown away by the headroom and warm sound. It seems like they have taken notice of the high end market again. Welcome back!

128x128naplesrich
sid42
302 posts
 

So, how do the "newest" Yamaha integrateds compare to their 1990 flagship integrated, the DSP-A1, which was the rave of the audio press at the time for Yamaha's build, sound, etc?

AL

willland's avatar
willland
846 posts
 
As far as build goes, these newish integrateds are tanks with all discreet components.  I personally can't compare to DSP-1 because of no experience.

Bill
michaela
314 posts
 
Yamaha's "natural sound" integrateds are a throw back from the mid 1970's to the early 1980's. They are reviving the look and style of those early integrateds and of course the name "natural sound". My very first integrated was a Yamaha "natural sound" CA-600 that I bought back in 1978 or 1979 and it lasted me more than 30 years. Very well built and it always sounded great. If the new ones are anything like the old ones, you won't be disappointed!  
aberyclark
1,400 posts
 
I'm thinking of a s1100 or a s2100. The 3000 is big $$$$, but marked down quite a bit on ebay (grey market) and A4L. I want silver, which is harder to come by
arch2
308 posts
 
I've had a Yamaha as3000 in my system for two days now and it's a pretty amazing integrated.  Was aiming for a 2100 but couldn't resist the 3000 and bought it used.  It's doing the things MOSFET's are good at (smooth, liquid, natural) without some of the nasty stuff like lack of detail or energy.  It has a big, powerful, detailed sound but I do find that I'm listening a little louder than I typically do.  Using it single ended right now but will soon try balanced.  Looks aren't supposed to matter but it looks awesome in silver.  Built like a battleship.  Very happy thus far.
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