A admin Audioholics Robot Staff member Apr 16, 2004 172 0 0 Aug 21, 2013 #1 When I think about the Yamaha brand, my mind immediately jumps to their value oriented line of receivers. Boasting attractive, powerful, and reasonably priced products, Yamaha is a strong competitor in that market. However, with the A-S3000 integrated amplifier, Yamaha isn't looking to offer the most watts for the dollar; they're making a statement that they still have the capability and the desire to make electronics that are second to none, even compared with names like McIntosh, Mark Levinson, Classe, etc. Viewed in that light, the $7,999.95 price tag for the A-S3000 isn't totally out of place, even if it isn't exactly an impulse buy for most. So what does a nickel short of $8,000 get you? Keep reading to find out. Discuss "Yamaha A-S3000 Integrated Amplifier Preview" here. Read the article. Reactions: haraldo and 3db
When I think about the Yamaha brand, my mind immediately jumps to their value oriented line of receivers. Boasting attractive, powerful, and reasonably priced products, Yamaha is a strong competitor in that market. However, with the A-S3000 integrated amplifier, Yamaha isn't looking to offer the most watts for the dollar; they're making a statement that they still have the capability and the desire to make electronics that are second to none, even compared with names like McIntosh, Mark Levinson, Classe, etc. Viewed in that light, the $7,999.95 price tag for the A-S3000 isn't totally out of place, even if it isn't exactly an impulse buy for most. So what does a nickel short of $8,000 get you? Keep reading to find out. Discuss "Yamaha A-S3000 Integrated Amplifier Preview" here. Read the article.
3db Audioholic Slumlord Sep 7, 2002 16,485 0 113 65 Ottawa Canada Aug 21, 2013 #2 Its a beautiful looking unit but 8K is hard to swallow. I hope Audioholics gets to test this unit as I feel the output power numbers listed in the specs are very conservative indeed.
Its a beautiful looking unit but 8K is hard to swallow. I hope Audioholics gets to test this unit as I feel the output power numbers listed in the specs are very conservative indeed.
gene Audioholics Master Chief Administrator Jul 1, 2002 10,225 0 120 52 Florida www.audioholics.com Aug 21, 2013 #3 3db said: Its a beautiful looking unit but 8K is hard to swallow. I hope Audioholics gets to test this unit as I feel the output power numbers listed in the specs are very conservative indeed. Click to expand... Yea it reminds me of the Marantz PM-11S2. Love those VU meters though!
3db said: Its a beautiful looking unit but 8K is hard to swallow. I hope Audioholics gets to test this unit as I feel the output power numbers listed in the specs are very conservative indeed. Click to expand... Yea it reminds me of the Marantz PM-11S2. Love those VU meters though!
3db Audioholic Slumlord Sep 7, 2002 16,485 0 113 65 Ottawa Canada Aug 21, 2013 #4 Gene, do you know if its a class A design?
Steve81 Audioholics Five-0 Aug 9, 2012 5,045 0 113 45 Las Vegas Aug 21, 2013 #5 3db said: Gene, do you know if its a class A design? Click to expand... It's not mentioned in any of the product literature, and with a rated power consumption of 500W, assuming that's max, the efficiency points to Class AB.
3db said: Gene, do you know if its a class A design? Click to expand... It's not mentioned in any of the product literature, and with a rated power consumption of 500W, assuming that's max, the efficiency points to Class AB.
gene Audioholics Master Chief Administrator Jul 1, 2002 10,225 0 120 52 Florida www.audioholics.com Aug 21, 2013 #6 Steve81 said: It's not mentioned in any of the product literature, and with a rated power consumption of 500W, assuming that's max, the efficiency points to Class AB. Click to expand... I'd imagine that's rated per the old FTC method of 2 channels driven full power. 100x2/.5 + power from other components = around 500 watts. It's likely Class AB with a higher than norm Class A bias. Years ago Yamaha used to employ a sliding Class A bias. Not sure if they still do but I can ask them at CEDIA next month. Reactions: 3db, haraldo and Steve81
Steve81 said: It's not mentioned in any of the product literature, and with a rated power consumption of 500W, assuming that's max, the efficiency points to Class AB. Click to expand... I'd imagine that's rated per the old FTC method of 2 channels driven full power. 100x2/.5 + power from other components = around 500 watts. It's likely Class AB with a higher than norm Class A bias. Years ago Yamaha used to employ a sliding Class A bias. Not sure if they still do but I can ask them at CEDIA next month.
haraldo Audioholic Warlord Feb 25, 2008 7,914 0 113 63 Endor Aug 21, 2013 #7 Gene, plz.... It would be nice if you do this ! Thx in advance Is there an upcoming power amp in this series too?
Gene, plz.... It would be nice if you do this ! Thx in advance Is there an upcoming power amp in this series too?
surveyor Audioholic Chief Nov 7, 2003 944 0 28 Aug 21, 2013 #8 Yamaha A-S3000 It's nice! However; the cost is nuts!
B beyond 1000 Enthusiast Mar 20, 2008 12 0 0 Aug 21, 2013 #9 How the hell can you justify this thing as compared with pre/pro - poweramp combos from Outlaw, Emotiva, Cinenova, Lexicon, etc. Not a chance on this.
How the hell can you justify this thing as compared with pre/pro - poweramp combos from Outlaw, Emotiva, Cinenova, Lexicon, etc. Not a chance on this.
surveyor Audioholic Chief Nov 7, 2003 944 0 28 Aug 22, 2013 #10 Where is the Yamaha A-S3000 Integrated Amplifier made?
surveyor Audioholic Chief Nov 7, 2003 944 0 28 Aug 23, 2013 #11 surveyor said: It's nice! However; the cost is nuts! Click to expand... $ 147.60 a pound!
F FlyhiG Audiophyte Jun 10, 2012 9 0 0 Oct 25, 2013 #12 Black or Blue Always liked Yamaha as I used to have one of their very good receivers back in the day. I applaud the unit but for $8000.00 bucks I would buy a McIntosh integrated amp. More power, features and style, with those pretty blue meters.
Black or Blue Always liked Yamaha as I used to have one of their very good receivers back in the day. I applaud the unit but for $8000.00 bucks I would buy a McIntosh integrated amp. More power, features and style, with those pretty blue meters.
Spookyfoot Audioholic Intern Dec 21, 2011 31 0 0 Ohio Oct 31, 2013 #13 I have a couple of Yamaha amps, including the A-S2000….I wonder how much of a difference in sound I would even notice compared to the A-S2000. It's beautiful and I would love to have meters on my amp, but $8k is very steep.<object type="cosymantecnisbfw" cotype="cs" id="SILOBFWOBJECTID" style="width: 0px; height: 0px; display: block;"></object>
I have a couple of Yamaha amps, including the A-S2000….I wonder how much of a difference in sound I would even notice compared to the A-S2000. It's beautiful and I would love to have meters on my amp, but $8k is very steep.<object type="cosymantecnisbfw" cotype="cs" id="SILOBFWOBJECTID" style="width: 0px; height: 0px; display: block;"></object>
alan1074 Audiophyte Nov 9, 2013 2 0 0 UK Nov 9, 2013 #14 I have the AS2000 and the CD2000 which I only use if the Marantz SAIIS2 doesn't read a CD. The AS2000 is a wonderful amp and I can't really imagine the 3000 is going to be significantly better for such a big price difference. Visually it's much more attractive though. Initially I liked the look of the AS2000 but next to the Marantz it's not the prettiest thing.
I have the AS2000 and the CD2000 which I only use if the Marantz SAIIS2 doesn't read a CD. The AS2000 is a wonderful amp and I can't really imagine the 3000 is going to be significantly better for such a big price difference. Visually it's much more attractive though. Initially I liked the look of the AS2000 but next to the Marantz it's not the prettiest thing.
G Goliath Full Audioholic May 14, 2012 354 0 28 South Africa Nov 9, 2013 #15 Hi Alan, How would you describe the sound quality of the AS2000?
alan1074 Audiophyte Nov 9, 2013 2 0 0 UK Nov 13, 2013 #16 Goliath said: Hi Alan, How would you describe the sound quality of the AS2000? Click to expand... Morning Goliath I think "non threatening" is a good, general term. The sound is transparent, with good imaging and it's very easy on the ear. The bass is probably not the thickest out there but I only have a small listening room so I prefer the clearer sound anyway.
Goliath said: Hi Alan, How would you describe the sound quality of the AS2000? Click to expand... Morning Goliath I think "non threatening" is a good, general term. The sound is transparent, with good imaging and it's very easy on the ear. The bass is probably not the thickest out there but I only have a small listening room so I prefer the clearer sound anyway.
haraldo Audioholic Warlord Feb 25, 2008 7,914 0 113 63 Endor Nov 18, 2013 #18 surveyor said: $ 147.60 a pound! Click to expand... Gold is more expensive
frisqo Enthusiast Nov 19, 2014 15 0 1 47 sweden Nov 20, 2014 #19 does anyone own this amp? if so, can anyone say what you think about it, is it worth the extra money, or is the as2000 or as2100 enough ??
does anyone own this amp? if so, can anyone say what you think about it, is it worth the extra money, or is the as2000 or as2100 enough ??
KEW Audioholic Overlord Jul 12, 2009 11,572 0 113 Jowjah Nov 21, 2014 #20 frisqo said: does anyone own this amp? if so, can anyone say what you think about it, is it worth the extra money, or is the as2000 or as2100 enough ?? Click to expand... Here is a review from a guy who had both. Personally, I believe the differences between high quality amps like these (from mainstream quality brands) is far too subtle to make the kind of claims he does about hearing differences. I do believe I would be inclined to think the amp with big VU meters would sound better than the one without! But to each his own. http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/the-yamaha-a-s-3000-integrated-amp-review/ Interesting, right now Amazon pricing is $7000 in black and $8000 in silver. I like silver, but not sure it sounds $1000 better! I am being tongue in cheek here. If your AS2000 is properly matched to the demands of your speakers, I cannot imagine you could tell the difference in a blind test. Some companies deliberately color the sound from their gear to attract attention, but I think Yamaha has always had a philosophy of maintaining the purity of the original signal. Last edited: Nov 21, 2014
frisqo said: does anyone own this amp? if so, can anyone say what you think about it, is it worth the extra money, or is the as2000 or as2100 enough ?? Click to expand... Here is a review from a guy who had both. Personally, I believe the differences between high quality amps like these (from mainstream quality brands) is far too subtle to make the kind of claims he does about hearing differences. I do believe I would be inclined to think the amp with big VU meters would sound better than the one without! But to each his own. http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/the-yamaha-a-s-3000-integrated-amp-review/ Interesting, right now Amazon pricing is $7000 in black and $8000 in silver. I like silver, but not sure it sounds $1000 better! I am being tongue in cheek here. If your AS2000 is properly matched to the demands of your speakers, I cannot imagine you could tell the difference in a blind test. Some companies deliberately color the sound from their gear to attract attention, but I think Yamaha has always had a philosophy of maintaining the purity of the original signal.
