2. amps-preamps
  3. 126165-86962

Shopping for an integrated, advice s'il vous plait.

Some time ago I decided to upgrade my stereo and spent virtually my entire budget on speakers (no regrets), tacking on a Harman HK3490 as an afterthought. Well, it recently bit the dust for no apparent reason. It was only $260 and gave me 5 years of almost daily service, so I'm not too mad. Unfortunately there's nothing comparable on the market at that price, adjusted for inflation. The closest thing I could find was the Yamaha A-S801, but it appears to have the same build quality as my previous receiver. I'm not sure I'm comfortable spending close to $1k on something with disposable quality, so I've been assessing my options within my budget ($1500 max). Looking for an analog integrated with quality components and construction that will last me at least 10 years. So far I've narrowed my options down to:

Yamaha a-s1000 (new)
or
Vintage i.e. Yamaha ca-2010, Sansui au-717, Pioneer sa-9500 ii etc. 

My only problem with vintage is that it seems to take many months of waiting before a deal comes up on the model you want. I see a fully recapped and restored au-717 recently went on eBay for less than $700. Probably not gonna find a deal like that in the next year, if ever. 

TL;DR Would like thy esteemed opinions to vet my purchase of a Yamaha a-s1000. 


unknoahble
willland's avatar
willland
846 posts
 
What a coincidence, I was just listening to some Steely Dan on my Yamaha A-S1000/CD-S1000 combo.  Each time I fire up this rig I become more and more amazed how it just let's the music flow.  Dead quiet, punchy, very detailed.  Did I mention the build quality?  A hefty 48.5lbs of solid chunk.  

As much as I love the A-S1000, for $1500.00 you should be able to pick up an A-S2000.

Are you in the US?

Accessories4less has one left that's refurbished for $1399.99.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamas2000bl/yamaha-a-s2000-natural-sound-stereo-in...

Bill
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,656 posts
 
Another option under $1500 new!
http://www.rogueaudio.com/Products_sphinx.htm
ami's avatar
ami
63 posts
 
There are so many options for modern integrated amplifiers in your price range, why would you want a 40 year old Mass produced Japanese receiver?
Look here on Audiogon - within your price range currently for sale:
  • Canary Audio 608
  • Wyerd 4 Sound STI-1000
  • Jolida Fusion 3502S
  • Creek destiny
  • Krell KAV400ix
  • Anthem 225
  • Arcam A39
donjr
1,335 posts
 
"There are so many options for modern integrated amplifiers in your price range, why would you want a 40 year old Mass produced Japanese receiver?
Look here on Audiogon - within your price range currently for sale:
Canary Audio 608
Wyerd 4 Sound STI-1000
Jolida Fusion 3502S
Creek destiny
Krell KAV400ix
Anthem 225
Arcam A39"

Are you kidding?

ami's avatar
ami
63 posts
 
@donjr - why would I be kidding?
Any of these integrated amps will sound far better than the Sansui (or similar), and will most likely be far more reliable.
I've heard the most highly regarded vintage receivers, including TOTL Marantz, Sansui, Yamaha, Sony, and others.
Some of them sound very nice, they do have a distinct 'color', which you may like, but none of them I would consider as high-end.
I even owned a much treasured Sony VFet TAN-8550 which sounded really nice, but I never even considered using it in my main system.

-> All in my humble opinion of course. <-


More to discover