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Yamaha R-S700 2 Channel Stereo Receiver

I recently purchased the Yamaha R-S700 Receiver. Its matched with a Yamaha CDC600 CD Player. a Project Carbon Turntable with Ortofon Blue Cartridge and BW685 Speakers.

Question to the group. I have read extensive reviews about the Rotel, Outlaw and other receivers that seem to get favorable reviews in the Absolute Sound and other "High End" magazines. The Yamaha R-S700 is never mentioned. However consumer reviews are terrific. Personally it sounds clean, crisp and completely undistorted in my sound proof room. (20 x 24 finished basement with berber carpet) I also use 10 gauge wire and have upgraded to copper cables.
Did I make a mistake purchasing the Yamaha. Is it an inferior product to Rotel, Outlaw, Marantz and other 2 channel receivers.
128x128tommyo87
tommyo87's avatar
tommyo87 OP
2 posts
 
Thanks Loomisjohnson. Well stated. I am a newbie with 2 channel stereo. Just trying to get educated and obtain the best sound possible.

The Yamaha R-S700 2 channel receiver is one of their higher end models with 100 watts per channel. I guess because its more of a "commercial" receiver than a boutique "audiophile" receiver, it gets overlooked by various "High End" magazines and online editorials.
czarivey
5,692 posts
 
Yamaha is way underrated. I always liked their Natural Sound Receivers that you can find in various estate sales or salvation army stores for small pocket cash.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"Thanks Loomisjohnson. Well stated. I am a newbie with 2 channel stereo. Just trying to get educated and obtain the best sound possible."

The best way to learn is hands on. Do a lot of listening and try different setup options, like various speaker positions. Also, I see you are reading reviews. Keep in mind, they can hurt just as much as help; especially when you are new to audio. The less you have to rely on them, the better.

Here's something else you can try. Find reviews on products you can find in stores where you live. Demo the product first and write down some basic assessments. Then read the review and compare it to your notes. Trust me on this. It will be time well spent.
tommyo87's avatar
tommyo87 OP
2 posts
 
Great advice guys. Thanks. I was able to listen to various receivers including Marantz, NAD, even my friends Outlaw receiver. All wired with 12 gauge speaker wire, copper cables and various Bowers and Wilkins Speakers. Yamaha produced the purest, if I may, most honest sound production. Honestly I am very pleased with my purchase. I have played music from - Miles Davis- Kind of Blue to the Eagles- Remastered "Hotel California" and back to Norah Jones CD'S. All sound amazing to me and whoever happens to be listening with me.

I agree that Yamaha is way underrated. I do believe that magazines like TAS tout products that are paid advertisers first. Apparently Yamaha doesn't need to pay to PLAY- so to speak! This is just my opinion.
loomisjohnson
1,905 posts
 
agree with all of the above regarding yamaha--i feel like even in the 80s and 90s, when their peers like sony were churning out junk, they were maintaining a higher standard. i've observed that the big mass market players like yam, hk and onkyo have made a renewed foray into higher-end 2ch of late and, from what i've heard, are producing very credible gear. if you think about it, because of their sheer scale (not to mention their long histories) these companies should be able to throw more into r&d, source better parts for less, and deliver a better product for less than say, a boutique manufacturer even if they lack the brand cachet.
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