Yamaha A-S3000 - any experiences?

As willand mentions above the tone controls of the Yamaha AS3000 are bypassed in main direct mode.  I use my AS3000 primarily for stereo listening with an Hegel HD11 DAC but I do have the left and right preamp channels of my home theatre receiver (Yamaha RXA3030) connected to the AS3000 main direct input allowing the receiver to have preamp control for movies.  The receiver's amps handle center and surround, the AS3000's amps handle left and right.  Works and sounds great, and keeps me from having to switch out speaker cables every time I go back and forth from stereo mode to movie mode.  But again most of my time is spent listening to the 3000 stereo only.

I'm now a couple of weeks in with the AS3000 and am loving it.  Absolutely no regrets.  I find the review by stevehuffphoto on line to very accurately describe the sound almost point for point with my findings.  Lots of late night listening lately.

arch2,

Thank you so much. Glad you are enjoying it.

Thanks for your info. Keep us posted as it breaks in more. I'll probably have to settle for an A s2100 unless A4L gets a refurbished 3000 in silver (I really do not want black). I would love someone to compare the sound differences between the two (the 2100 vs 3000). Obviously, the 3000 will have it beat hands down, but would like to hear someone's opinion on how much better.

Looks like the black and silver versions of the Yamaha A-S3000 are now the same price, $7K.

That's great because I love the silver version.

That's great because I love the silver version.

Agreed.  There's something really nice about the silver version with the black gloss side panels.  Sound is what really matters but it's a real bonus to have such a nice looking integrated.  I bet the black version is pretty nice in person as well.  I love the meters but I do find I have them off a majority of the time.  I do wish you could turn the lights off with the meters still active.  

Aberyclark I noticed A4L has the A-S1100 in silver which is similar to the A-S2100 but not a balanced design.  Would love to see a comparison of all three.