I now have a new yamaha a-s2000 and I'm just shocked at how GOOD it sounds! It sounds more like a really good Class A amp.. like the Luxman L590a mk2 or Accuphase!.. I can see why some just rave about this amp now. I'm going to let it break-in good for about 400 hours or so..
Review: Yamaha A S-2000 Amplifier
Category: Amplifiers
Dear Audiogoners, this is a joint-review of both the Yamaha A S-2000 amp and CD S-1000 SACD player.
I will skip the part on my listening biases and musical tastes, as they are covered in an earlier review of the Anthem 225 integrated. I still agree 100% with this review - it's just that the Yamaha proposition goes further. My Anthem review can be found here: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ramps&1278797027&read&keyw&zz225
About this current review of the Yamaha, this will be the SAME review for both units – the amp and cd player- as it is much easier to treat them as a whole, being so close in form and performance factors.
I have been reading a lot of posts about the Yamaha gear. I even came across an analogy that Yam makes good motorcycles but ordinary audio gear. Very funny, and I think negatively biased. If one is to compare Yam's audio expertise to something as irrelevant as motorcycles within the Yam family, why not at least compare to their musical instruments, especially their famed Grand Pianos (like the C-7) - and the whole range of other musical instruments they make. I played a Yamaha piano for real - and ask anyone in the know of musical instruments; They make honest, good sounding (sometimes exceptional-sounding) instruments.
My point is - they know a thing or two about music (and how it should sound) that even the best electronic whiz kid from digital and transformer-row don’t. Fact is I think, they just didn’t take things seriously again until these current components – as maybe (just maybe) they have recently set corporate goals to be active in the high-end in the last few years.
I have owned many ''high-end'' audio units in the past. Cary monoblocks, Sonic Frontiers Power 2 and line 2 combo, Bel Canto REF 6000 (still own them but wish to sell them now), Electrocompaniet, Simaudio I-5 – and value-leader Anthem 225, a very nice bang for the buck amp. And I won't bother you with a similar list regarding CD players, where some of those units were obscenely priced. This feeling coming when you eventually find out it was all smoke and no fire.
Why have I chosen the Yamaha A S-2000 integrated and CD S-1000 player? For the following reasons:
1. They SOUND exceptionally good, and not just for the price. More on sound later.
2. The build is absolutely first rate. Call me old-school, but I still enjoy boxes that have chuck-full of high-quality, carefully put-together parts with impeccable assembly, in a hefty package. The Yam has it in spades.
3. Tone controls that actually work the way they should. Meaning in a gentle way, without altering the sound other than what you are looking for. This is a blessing as my listening room, my cd's, my audio cables, hell, my listening mood - are less than perfect. Cheaper and less trouble to turn the knob at 12:05 than to change (again) interconnects or to move the furniture around to suit the speakers. I know I said the same thing in a previous review of the Anthem 225, but on the Yamaha, everything is microprocessors and relays – the Anthem is more of your typical set-up – the Yam is very up-to-date technologically speaking.
4. The Looks. This is of course highly subjective, but I for one enjoy the seductive tactile feel of those retro square knobs, the faint LED lights (no more retina-piercing blue LEDs for me, thanks), the very classy faceplate AND of course those real-wood side panels. Maybe I am secretly drawn to the ‘70s design in audio gear – I just think the Yamaha is all class regardless of age.
Special mention given to the SACD player – it is a real looker with that clean uncluttered design and the same real-wood panels.
How they sound.
These Yamaha’s don’t sound like your typical Japanese fare, which I consider somewhat dry, flat and somewhat bright.
They sound very neutral, and remind me of a very much liked Accuphase integrated I used to own. I regrettably sold this one as it was just too much money to have sitting in my listening room. Build quality is – in my opinion – surprisingly almost in the same league however – you MUST see this thing for yourself to believe it. Maybe it is best I try to separate my impressions of the amp from the cd player.
Yamaha A S-2000
Sound is very neutral, and subjectively much more powerful than its 90 watts (8 Ohm) rating. I would say it sounds close (power wise) to a previous Anthem 225 integrated. I think the Anthem 225 is fabulous value, maybe one of the all-time best buys in audioland. But as much as I can recommend its purchase (and I still recommend it as it is wonderful), I feel the Yamaha amp is on a higher level sonically speaking. It just sounds more resolving and more refined. The soundstage is wide and open, the mids are liquid and the bass control is in Bryston category nothing less.
Sounds are so subjective and it is pointless for me to rave on. Is it the best sound I ever heard in an integrated? Up to maybe $ 3K and maybe more, from past experience, for sure. And I would even put separates in this field. I just find it very satisfying.
About the differences between the AS2000 and AS1000. Sorry to disappoint, but the 2000 just sounds more refined than the 1000. If you can A-B both units, you should easily come to the same conclusions – it is not just about those extra XLR inputs on the 2000. Still, the 1000 is a fine amp – not just as stellar as the 2000.
Yamaha CD S-1000 SACD player
No why did I NOT go with the CD S-2000 player as I did with the amp? For two reasons mainly.
1. I could not find the slightest of differences in sound with an A-B comparison using very revealing speakers and cabling. I had both units in my home on trial for 3 days.
2. I have NO USE for the XLR outputs – My amp’s XLR inputs were reserved for the XLR outputs on my DacMagic – which is itself used with both a Wadia 170i transport and an ipod Touch.
Sound of the player.
After lengthy listening sessions with this player used on its own and as a transport with the DacMagic , I prefer using the Yamaha on its own. With the DacMagic, the sound is a bit too forward to my taste, a bit ‘’in your face’’ – this is fine for me with music, but with vocals, it’s just too close for comfort. On its own, using the cd player only, the voice are set back a little, and you can feel the character of those voices more easily – very enjoyable. It is just more natural and pleasurable for me – but that’s only me of course. By the way, my testing was done using standard redbook cd's only - the SACD sound is of course excellent.
This player is a SILENT operator on all fronts, and I cannot recall a smoother operating loading system. I confess to never owning an $8,000 Esoteric machine, but I did own 3K players in the past. This Yammy is something else. The tray just silently wooshes out and back in with no clunking sound at all. It is not a flimsy tray as those found on even 3 times the price players, it is solid metal and feels very strong and stable.
Forgot to mention about the remotes. I wish they were illuminated (of course). Other than that, they have a nice jewel-like finish and are nicely executed, perfectly in line with the quality of the associated gear (have a look McIntosh- and many other manufacturer’s remotes and see what I mean). No cheesy finish here – and they are a joy to use.
Manuals. Now this is a nice change. An actual real manual with real graphics and photos, and nicely executed. Well done and respectful of the owner. Between a pair of white cotton gloves and a crappy manual AND no cotton gloves but a well-executed manual, I’ll take the latter any day.
Packaging. The only flaw in an otherwise stellar ‘’package’’.
It’s ok, double box and all, but just so. The compressed styrofoam does the job or protecting the gear but breaks easily in small pieces. By the time static electricity comes into play, you will be picking stuff off your clothing and taking the vacuum cleaner out! Small detail but wanted to mention it.
That’s about it – Yamaha did a nice job with this series – just to show what a huge company (as far as audio is concerned) can do if they put their minds to it. The pride of ownership factor is certainly there – photos don’t do justice to how beautiful these Yamaha look in real life. More importantly – they sound just as good and have nothing to envy to the ‘’boutique’’ brands.
My apologies for this (again) too long rant.
Happy listening everyone!
Dear Audiogoners, this is a joint-review of both the Yamaha A S-2000 amp and CD S-1000 SACD player.
I will skip the part on my listening biases and musical tastes, as they are covered in an earlier review of the Anthem 225 integrated. I still agree 100% with this review - it's just that the Yamaha proposition goes further. My Anthem review can be found here: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ramps&1278797027&read&keyw&zz225
About this current review of the Yamaha, this will be the SAME review for both units – the amp and cd player- as it is much easier to treat them as a whole, being so close in form and performance factors.
I have been reading a lot of posts about the Yamaha gear. I even came across an analogy that Yam makes good motorcycles but ordinary audio gear. Very funny, and I think negatively biased. If one is to compare Yam's audio expertise to something as irrelevant as motorcycles within the Yam family, why not at least compare to their musical instruments, especially their famed Grand Pianos (like the C-7) - and the whole range of other musical instruments they make. I played a Yamaha piano for real - and ask anyone in the know of musical instruments; They make honest, good sounding (sometimes exceptional-sounding) instruments.
My point is - they know a thing or two about music (and how it should sound) that even the best electronic whiz kid from digital and transformer-row don’t. Fact is I think, they just didn’t take things seriously again until these current components – as maybe (just maybe) they have recently set corporate goals to be active in the high-end in the last few years.
I have owned many ''high-end'' audio units in the past. Cary monoblocks, Sonic Frontiers Power 2 and line 2 combo, Bel Canto REF 6000 (still own them but wish to sell them now), Electrocompaniet, Simaudio I-5 – and value-leader Anthem 225, a very nice bang for the buck amp. And I won't bother you with a similar list regarding CD players, where some of those units were obscenely priced. This feeling coming when you eventually find out it was all smoke and no fire.
Why have I chosen the Yamaha A S-2000 integrated and CD S-1000 player? For the following reasons:
1. They SOUND exceptionally good, and not just for the price. More on sound later.
2. The build is absolutely first rate. Call me old-school, but I still enjoy boxes that have chuck-full of high-quality, carefully put-together parts with impeccable assembly, in a hefty package. The Yam has it in spades.
3. Tone controls that actually work the way they should. Meaning in a gentle way, without altering the sound other than what you are looking for. This is a blessing as my listening room, my cd's, my audio cables, hell, my listening mood - are less than perfect. Cheaper and less trouble to turn the knob at 12:05 than to change (again) interconnects or to move the furniture around to suit the speakers. I know I said the same thing in a previous review of the Anthem 225, but on the Yamaha, everything is microprocessors and relays – the Anthem is more of your typical set-up – the Yam is very up-to-date technologically speaking.
4. The Looks. This is of course highly subjective, but I for one enjoy the seductive tactile feel of those retro square knobs, the faint LED lights (no more retina-piercing blue LEDs for me, thanks), the very classy faceplate AND of course those real-wood side panels. Maybe I am secretly drawn to the ‘70s design in audio gear – I just think the Yamaha is all class regardless of age.
Special mention given to the SACD player – it is a real looker with that clean uncluttered design and the same real-wood panels.
How they sound.
These Yamaha’s don’t sound like your typical Japanese fare, which I consider somewhat dry, flat and somewhat bright.
They sound very neutral, and remind me of a very much liked Accuphase integrated I used to own. I regrettably sold this one as it was just too much money to have sitting in my listening room. Build quality is – in my opinion – surprisingly almost in the same league however – you MUST see this thing for yourself to believe it. Maybe it is best I try to separate my impressions of the amp from the cd player.
Yamaha A S-2000
Sound is very neutral, and subjectively much more powerful than its 90 watts (8 Ohm) rating. I would say it sounds close (power wise) to a previous Anthem 225 integrated. I think the Anthem 225 is fabulous value, maybe one of the all-time best buys in audioland. But as much as I can recommend its purchase (and I still recommend it as it is wonderful), I feel the Yamaha amp is on a higher level sonically speaking. It just sounds more resolving and more refined. The soundstage is wide and open, the mids are liquid and the bass control is in Bryston category nothing less.
Sounds are so subjective and it is pointless for me to rave on. Is it the best sound I ever heard in an integrated? Up to maybe $ 3K and maybe more, from past experience, for sure. And I would even put separates in this field. I just find it very satisfying.
About the differences between the AS2000 and AS1000. Sorry to disappoint, but the 2000 just sounds more refined than the 1000. If you can A-B both units, you should easily come to the same conclusions – it is not just about those extra XLR inputs on the 2000. Still, the 1000 is a fine amp – not just as stellar as the 2000.
Yamaha CD S-1000 SACD player
No why did I NOT go with the CD S-2000 player as I did with the amp? For two reasons mainly.
1. I could not find the slightest of differences in sound with an A-B comparison using very revealing speakers and cabling. I had both units in my home on trial for 3 days.
2. I have NO USE for the XLR outputs – My amp’s XLR inputs were reserved for the XLR outputs on my DacMagic – which is itself used with both a Wadia 170i transport and an ipod Touch.
Sound of the player.
After lengthy listening sessions with this player used on its own and as a transport with the DacMagic , I prefer using the Yamaha on its own. With the DacMagic, the sound is a bit too forward to my taste, a bit ‘’in your face’’ – this is fine for me with music, but with vocals, it’s just too close for comfort. On its own, using the cd player only, the voice are set back a little, and you can feel the character of those voices more easily – very enjoyable. It is just more natural and pleasurable for me – but that’s only me of course. By the way, my testing was done using standard redbook cd's only - the SACD sound is of course excellent.
This player is a SILENT operator on all fronts, and I cannot recall a smoother operating loading system. I confess to never owning an $8,000 Esoteric machine, but I did own 3K players in the past. This Yammy is something else. The tray just silently wooshes out and back in with no clunking sound at all. It is not a flimsy tray as those found on even 3 times the price players, it is solid metal and feels very strong and stable.
Forgot to mention about the remotes. I wish they were illuminated (of course). Other than that, they have a nice jewel-like finish and are nicely executed, perfectly in line with the quality of the associated gear (have a look McIntosh- and many other manufacturer’s remotes and see what I mean). No cheesy finish here – and they are a joy to use.
Manuals. Now this is a nice change. An actual real manual with real graphics and photos, and nicely executed. Well done and respectful of the owner. Between a pair of white cotton gloves and a crappy manual AND no cotton gloves but a well-executed manual, I’ll take the latter any day.
Packaging. The only flaw in an otherwise stellar ‘’package’’.
It’s ok, double box and all, but just so. The compressed styrofoam does the job or protecting the gear but breaks easily in small pieces. By the time static electricity comes into play, you will be picking stuff off your clothing and taking the vacuum cleaner out! Small detail but wanted to mention it.
That’s about it – Yamaha did a nice job with this series – just to show what a huge company (as far as audio is concerned) can do if they put their minds to it. The pride of ownership factor is certainly there – photos don’t do justice to how beautiful these Yamaha look in real life. More importantly – they sound just as good and have nothing to envy to the ‘’boutique’’ brands.
My apologies for this (again) too long rant.
Happy listening everyone!
Showing 13 responses by hifisoundguy
This amp sounds much better after you use good vibration feet under it. I'm using 4 large Wagner anti-vibration pads "stacked" at the middle "front edge" of the amp and 4 more stacked pads at the middle "back edge" of the amp. So I'm only using 2 stacks of these pads under this amp only. You can get these large.. 4 inches by 4 inches Wagner anti-vibration pads at any HVAC service department for $4 each. |
This Yamaha a-s2000 puts out 190 watts as you can see in this review here.. http://www.goodgearguide.com.au/review/home_entertainment/yamaha/a-s2000/259907 .Also they was a French reviewer that just loved the yamaha a-s2000. He was using some Verity Audio Parsifal Ovation (25,000) and these speakers are hard to drive too...sensitivity is only 85.0db. He said the yamaha a-s2000 is an incredible value...compare it to integrated amps in the $5,000 to $7,000 range !.. A Classic that we will talk about for a long time! |
Mmm208 , If you want to get the best out of this amp then just try putting two stacks of large Wagner anti-vibration pads under this amp and let it "settle-in" good for 3 or 4 weeks. Your not going to believe the difference this tweak makes to this amp !!.. I now put these pads under all my audio/video components. I only put two stacks of 4 pads under each component only. Let us know what you think about this...... |
I did a very cheap tweak to my Yamaha a-s2000 that made it sound much more musical. I took off the top cover and put four layers of Wal-Mart brand of teflon tape all the around the top chassis where the screw holes are for the top cover. Next, I took off the middle metal part and put four layers of teflon tape where the middle metal part goes. Next, I did the same for the bottom of my Yamaha amp. I took off the bottom plate and put four layers of teflon tape all around where the screw holes are on the bottom chassis of my amp. You don't put any teflon tape on the top cover or bottom plate, you only put it on the top chassis and bottom chassis of the amp only. This is a must try tweak for all your components !!...... |
Yes Pubul57, it is AMAZING ! When you use BOTH the teflon tape vibration tweak and the Audio Magic Nano-Liquid fuses together, its a "MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN" for the Yamaha a-s2000 integrated amp !!... If you own a Yamaha a-s2000 you need to try these two tweaks and HEAR what you have been MISSING all this time !!.. |
My latest tweak to my a-s2000 takes it to a whole new level! Unhook all the connectors wires going to the Transformer and amp and pre-amp and coat all the tips of the pins with QuickSilver Gold contact enhancer. The QuickSilver Gold is Cryoed treated and my a-s2000 now sounds like its been Cryoed treated now!!.... I was thinking about getting the new a-s2100 before I tried this tweak but now I'm just LOVING how my a-s2000 is sounding that I'm going to keep my a-s2000 until the a-s2100 goes on closeout in 5 or 6 years. |
For anyone that is thinking about trying my QuickSilver Gold tweak, you have to be VERY VERY CAREFUL when your pulling these connectors off with needle nose pliers because you can BIND THESE MEDAL PINS VERY VERY EASY !!... I bind two pins myself on the pre-amp circuit board so be VERY VERY CAREFUL when doing this tweak please!!... It takes about 17 days for this stuff to break-in GOOD and sound its best. I'll tell you one thing, I never thought these a-s2000's could sound THIS ..GOOD !!!.......... Just wait until some of you try it...you will thank me..many many times!.......... |
One thing that this QuickSilver GOLD tweak has showed me is that they are SOME SIGNAL LOSS THROUGH THESE CONNECTORS!.. WITHOUT this stuff on the connectors some of the sound is PUSHED BACK more in the background...like the stereo imaging! WITH this stuff on the connectors ALL THE SOUND is more UPFRONT on the stage making the music...MUCH MORE ENJOYABLE TO LISTEN TO!.. I know I have a long ways to go before this stuff breaks-in good but I'm liking what I'm hearing so far! |
Joekapahulu these a-s2000's are built to last a lifetime! I thought these a-s2000's sounded pretty GOOD before I put QuickSilver GOLD contact enhancer on all the connector pins inside my a-s2000. After I put this stuff inside my amp and let it break-in a little I could not believe the amazing amp that was just hiding inside there! I think I'm on to something BIG HERE when you use this stuff.. this way!!... Now I will test it out and see how it holds up over a few years and find out if I have problems with my Yamaha amp too and also to see how much better the sound will get and to see if the sound degrades after a year or two. I've only had this stuff inside my amp for about 30 days and just love how its sounding so far but it does take about 6 months for this stuff to break-in really good so I'll find out later on just how much better the sound will get then. |