Yamaha-inspired Exposure

[Bob Boyer]

Not sure how many of you have seen Yamaha's new Integrated Amplifier/SACD player lineup. Musicdirect.com carries them and has some good images on the website - and they are really cool, retro-70s looking. Very tasty. Nice wood side panels, the whole deal. Which got me to thinking about my Exposure 2010, which is a bad thing with a few days off at the end of the year.

 

[Elite-ist]

Bob: Is Yamaha the only one to go with a few of the flash-back looks? Here's one of their recent arrivals:

Are you contemplating a new addition to your home system/studio?

Nando.

 

[Gepetto]

Bob: Is Yamaha the only one to go with a few of the flash-back looks? Here's one of their recent arrivals:





Are you contemplating a new addition to your home system/studio?

Nando.

Looks thermally challenged...and expensive at $7K

 

[Bob Boyer]

Yeah, that's the very high end of that line, Nando. The ones that inspired me are priced around $1200 and $2k, and the line actually goes down to some $400 - $700 integrateds, as well. All have phono inputs. The wood sides and MC phono inputs start with the $1200 model: http://www.musicdirect.com/p-161297-yamaha-a-s1000-integrated-amp.aspx

Onkyo may have started this look a couple of years ago with this beauty - though they just didn't add the wood sides: http://www.musicdirect.com/p-87957-onkyo-reference-m-5000r-stereo-power-amp.aspx

 

[Elite-ist]

Joe: I know, you're probably thinking what $7000 would buy in vintage gear.

Bob: I think you introduced us to the other Yamaha integrated amplifiers, earlier. One thing that definitely hasn't changed in all the years, both the model #s and $ see to coincide linearly. I randomly picked a Yamaha, and I didn't know it was 7 grand, until now.

The Onkyo has those traditional Integra sweep meters.

Nando.

 

[Gepetto]

Joe: I know, you're probably thinking what $7000 would buy in vintage gear.

Bob: I think you introduced us to the other Yamaha integrated amplifiers, earlier. One thing that definitely hasn't changed in all the years, both the model #s and $ see to coincide linearly. I randomly picked a Yamaha, and I didn't know it was 7 grand, until now.

The Onkyo has those traditional Integra sweep meters.

Nando.

Hi Nando
Don't get me wrong, I like a lot of Yamaha gear, some more than other as you might expect. The bellwether T-85 and C-2a/C-2x are without a doubt fine examples of great equipment. My C-2a is built much like this amp and is also thermally challenged. That takes its toll in reliability over the years. When you plunk down that kind of coin, you expect that investment to "go the distance". In this case, it appears that their industrial design department won and put form over function as this does not appear to be a Class D amplifier design.

 

[Dazen1]

Which got me to thinking about my Exposure 2010...

Just within the boundaries of good taste...

 

[Phase Linear Phanatic]

Thought I would add the article that came in my issue of S & V on it. They say $8 grand. Gotta love the "UV" meters.

 

[Elite-ist]

I am assuming the biggest demand for any of the retro-inspired amplifiers will be in the sub-$2K range. I would hope most of these modern amplifiers would last as long as some of the vintage models from 30-40 years ago - or not?

Nando.

 

[Phase Linear Phanatic]

I am assuming the biggest demand for any of the retro-inspired amplifiers will be in the sub-$2K range. I would hope most of these modern amplifiers would last as long as some of the vintage models from 30-40 years ago - or not?

Nando.

Maybe it takes at least 8 grand to make something today as long lasting as something built in the U.S.A. From 30-40 years ago? Considering "made in china" is mainstream; perhaps hand-made on this Yammy is what brings up the price? Just sorta kidding there. But you'd wonder if it wasn't true these days?.......

 

[Gepetto]

Maybe it takes at least 8 grand to make something today as long lasting as something built in the U.S.A. From 30-40 years ago? Considering "made in china" is mainstream; perhaps hand-made on this Yammy is what brings up the price? Just sorta kidding there. But you'd wonder if it wasn't true these days?.......

There is nothing in this amp that screams 8 grand. As far as I can tell there is no where for the heat produced inside it to escape.

 

[laatsch55]

Joe, can an outfit even sell an amp WITHOUT a switching power supply??

 

[Gepetto]

Joe, can an outfit even sell an amp WITHOUT a switching power supply??

Hi Lee
Much audio gear still uses capacitor input front ends like the old Phase Linear gear. They have switched to toroidal transformers however instead of the old E-I core because it is cool to do so.

 

[laatsch55]

Cool or sonically superior??

 

[Gepetto]

Cool or sonically superior??

Lower magnetic leakage flux than EI core, presents an appealing form factor for slim line gear. Negatives are inrush problems because of core saturation, sometimes will stick at one end of B-H curve at prior turn off event. Harder to wind so tend to be more expensive.

 

[laatsch55]

So sonically neutral to the EI's??

 

[laatsch55]

Pats own the Ravens today...

 

[Gepetto]

Pats own the Ravens today...

This is penalty city though. Hoping that they will hang tough in 2nd half

 

[Gepetto]

So sonically neutral to the EI's??

Yeah pretty much Lee unless the leakage flux affects some magnetically sensitive component, like an inductor or a sensitive low level etch trace that is placed too close.