Yamaha A-S 1000 & 2000 --- How Good?

I understand there are some differences under the hood - but mostly, the AS2000 is a touch more refined and transparent. Now it all depends how much of that ''touch'' you feel might make a difference. I could definitely hear the 2000 having an edge over the 1000. It is subjective of course, but I found the 1000 to less involving. Still the 1000 is a very good machine and a good buy nevertheless. I did my auditioning with some very revealing speakers, and the 2000 was my favorite. If you can spring it, the 2000 is the way to go.

The audible differences are less pronounced between the cd players (1000 and 2000) however, as I could not detect anything difference worth mentioning. They are both equally impressive with that silky-smooth transport.

"The audible differences are less pronounced between the cd players (1000 and 2000) however, as I could not detect anything difference worth mentioning." It is interesting how often I find this to be the case with CD players by any given manufacturer - pro reviewers have been saying much the same thing as well with these two Yamaha CD players.

I have the A-S2000 (black) for a year now. I'm using it with the Harbeth SHL-5. My previous amp was the Krell KAV300i for almost 10 years. I had both amps for a period of 4 months. I can confirm now my initial findings about this outstanding amp.
* Totally neutral. What is on the disk, what comes in, goes out unchanged, as it ment to be. Not "warm", not "analytical", not "bright", "laid back" or "forward". It all depends on the recording. All exposed, from garbage to ultra high end.
* Dead quiet. No pops, clicks, hiss or any kind of noises while working, or at turn on and off.
* Great output protection. Our expensive speakers deserve it. (I have tried it on purpose).
* It is fully balanced from input to output. That means four amps in one box! Fully balanced amps for home use are only a few from high-end brand names and always very expensive. Considering the built quality of the A-S2000 and the asking price, it is one of the great bargains ever...
* It is built like a tank, it has defetable tone controls, phono, headphone out, it comes with a real instructions manual (a book) and finally, I can see (and hear) my money on it.
What else can a music lover ask? I totally forgot about "what amp?", tubes, s state, matcing cables and all that. I know, this is not good for the hobby, but I like it a lot those days!

Takisjk is attempting to lead you out of the wilderness. Like me, he has found that obtaining a very good, user-friendly integrated amplifier with full features, reasonable pricing and a monstrously stable manufacturing source can set you free from the audio quest.

Accepting that you have what you need and then forgetting about the chance that there may be some minuscule performance distinction separating you from nirvana is all the tweak you need. No amount of financial investment can overcome dissatisfaction. If you always want more, contentment will continue to elude you.

The most effective tweak available - and the cheapest - is to simply alter your thinking. Perception is reality in matters such as this.

You are right, but the hobby is about fixating on minuscule difference and diminishing returns - you are describing people with normal attitudes towards listening to music at home. I suspect if I had the Yamaha in front of me and a Luxman 590 and was told to pick one......