Motorcycles, boat engines, car engines (at least they used to make those), nice pianos, and tons of other stuff...what’s not to like?
Yamaha? Welcome back!
After years of mass market average components Yamaha is making huge strides in the audiophile market with their new "natural sound" integrated amps. I lost my tube amp to a bad move and replaced it with a Yamaha 2100 integrated amp. I was blown away by the headroom and warm sound. It seems like they have taken notice of the high end market again. Welcome back!
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My CA-2010 is right at home with my Druids in Class A mode. https://instagram.com/p/_s2vsdiRic/ For those counting, that’s 30 watts of FET Class A into 8 ohms (so theoretically 15 watts for a 16 ohm person like me). I’m usually using a single watt and I’m getting large dynamic orchestral performances In my living room, as well as lifelike singer-songwriter duos. The mono switch helps make the soloist pieces more intimate. The phono stage is amazing. Running a soundsmith MI cart on my YP-D8 TT. I had my amplifier cleaned by Analogique in NYC they do great work. For years I was running systems that excelled in rock, but failed in jazz, that could do solos but not orchestras... Those days are gone. This old girl has articulation, separation, and speed with a very mild FET class A bloom that makes instruments glow. Is is it the first word in transparency? No. But it has a very balanced top to bottom. There is a very mild veil... Albeit a pleasant one... And far less a veil than many other systems that have graced my ears. I have run this amplifier main in, bypassing the preamplifier, but the pre stage adds a softness and warmth that takes the edge off of city life. I would love to hear how it stacks up with the venerable AS3000! |
I have Zu Omen Defs and this caught my eye http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/i-heard-yamaha-a-s2100-wow.484875/ |
In terms of bass, I have owned several class D integrated amps with their characteristics being about speed, tautness and clarity that I thought were ideal, though they always seemed lacking in mid-bass, lower midrange fullness (that's not an exhaustive evaluation of class D, just comments on the ones I've owned.) In comparison, the as3000 is bolder and more visceral, you just expect this thing to have a higher power rating than it actually does. I guess I've been of the mindset the last few years that if it wasn't class D then the lower bass wouldn't quite be to my liking (I really valued bass speed and taughtness) but the 3000 has sort of shattered that preconception. At low volumes natural and poised come to mind. At higher volumes big and powerful. But always with a fullness to the sound. Keep in mind too all of my comments are based on two days worth of use, so clearly I'm in the honeymoon stage. (BTW speakers are Tyler Acoustcs D2's, Acoustic Zen Absolute cabling, CD player is a cheap'o Yamaha bluray player while I wait for my DAC to come in. Listening room is 25'x21'x8'.) |
I've had a Yamaha as3000 in my system for two days now and it's a pretty amazing integrated. Was aiming for a 2100 but couldn't resist the 3000 and bought it used. It's doing the things MOSFET's are good at (smooth, liquid, natural) without some of the nasty stuff like lack of detail or energy. It has a big, powerful, detailed sound but I do find that I'm listening a little louder than I typically do. Using it single ended right now but will soon try balanced. Looks aren't supposed to matter but it looks awesome in silver. Built like a battleship. Very happy thus far. |
Yamaha's "natural sound" integrateds are a throw back from the mid 1970's to the early 1980's. They are reviving the look and style of those early integrateds and of course the name "natural sound". My very first integrated was a Yamaha "natural sound" CA-600 that I bought back in 1978 or 1979 and it lasted me more than 30 years. Very well built and it always sounded great. If the new ones are anything like the old ones, you won't be disappointed! |
"I always thought deep-pockets Yamaha could beat any audio maker at anything if the really wanted to . |
The 2100 looks like a great amp and glad to hear your enjoying it. Has power meters too! Marantz, like Yamaha also has two lines of components. Their mass market HT stuff and quality 2 channel components still being built in Japan. I have been happy to see that Yamaha is going down this same road. I only hope that perception of the last couple of decades of being in the cheap black hole, has not jaded audiophiles. Technics is coming back with more esoteric offerings also. I wish them luck! |