AudioAficionado.org  

Go Back   AudioAficionado.org > Audio & Video > Vintage Audio

Vintage Audio Classic never goes out of Style

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 02-22-2015, 06:55 PM
Yamaki's Avatar
Yamaki Yamaki is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Apache Junction, AZ
Posts: 5,479
Default A Little 2-Channel Change...

...with a Goodwill score!

Out with the new, in with the old...

My 2-channel system was primarily new tech, comprised of:

1. Parasound P5 pre-amp
2. Two (2) Emotiva UPA-1 amplifiers
3. Belkin Pro-Theater power center/surge protector
4. Yulong Sabre D18 digital to analog converter
5. SimAudio Moon MiND 180 streamer
6. Streamer app on an iPad
7. Vienna Acoustic Mozart speakers
8. Arcam T61 tuner



On Friday the 13th, my new lucky day , I wandered into the local Goodwill just to have a look. It's been over a year since I was last in and didn't really have anything in mind but I was there just on a whim.

I immediately spotted a silver faced receiver in the back and when I got closer I saw that it was a Yamaha CR-1020 receiver! It was in good condition based on its appearances but, as we all know, the real story is told when you first plug it in. The case, face and back panel were all in excellent shape so I decided it was worth losing $35 to take it home and go from there. Besides, I have a soft spot (in my head) for old Yamaha gear.







I did a little testing during the past week and all I ended up with that was even marginal was the loudness control and the audio muting controls were scratchy plus the left SP Out meter bulb is not working. Cleaned the controls but left the bulb alone as 1) I will do an LED upgrade to it later, and, 2) I was impatient to get it working.

I boxed up the other system components I wasn't going to use preparing to send them along to new owners and put the Yamaha into service.

Luckily I have a pair or two of extra speaker cables laying around (just in case, mind you) and with a change from spades to those tiny little banana plugs that fit into the spring clips on the back of this era unit, I was almost good to go.



There's no provision for a 75 ohm coaxial antenna connection on the back of the Yamaha but I did have a dipole so that went into service vs. the powered antenna I was using earlier. I may swap out the dipole for the powered antenna if I can find an adapter for a 75 ohm coax to 200 ohm spade connector. The dipole is extremely sensitive to movement in the room based on its orientation and proved to be a bit less than optimum. Too bad Radio Shack closed up here recently.

I reused the DAC and the streamer, along with a Panamax power center and surge protector I had held in reserve. I also left the Mozart speakers in place.

Anyway, enough rambling...but there was one other thing to deal with...the Yamaha was TOO BIG for my rack! Oh well, extra toy chests come in handy for all kinds of things.

Here's the temporary setup which will eventually change with a better stand/storage solution (short 2 level bookshelf maybe?) and maybe the powered antenna.



__________________
Michael
4K QLED|Aerial Acoustics|McIntosh D100 - MC501 - MX151|Bluesound|Schiit|Wyrd4Sound
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-22-2015, 07:31 PM
Higgens Higgens is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: SW Idaho
Posts: 1,117
Default

All that goodness for only $35. As the car auction guys on TV would say - "Well bought". I like the retro looks.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-22-2015, 07:40 PM
Antonmb's Avatar
Antonmb Antonmb is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Northwest Washington (Mt Baker foothills)
Posts: 9,121
Default

Wow, beautiful receiver Michael, what a steal! That's quite a system change, how's the sound?
__________________
Tony
D'Agostino Momentum S250 MxV & HD pre; Linn Klimax Organik DSM, SonicTransporter, EtherRegen; Acoustic Signature Typhoon Neo, Koetsu RSP, Boulder 1108; Sf Il Cremonese; Shunyata Everest, Altaira, Sigma & Alpha v2
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-22-2015, 07:59 PM
Yamaki's Avatar
Yamaki Yamaki is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Apache Junction, AZ
Posts: 5,479
Default

Thanks, guys.

Tony...it is quite the change in sound and appearance. The sound is warm and clear. Less detail than what I experience with the downstairs system but very very nice. I'm still tweaking on the loudness, high end, mids and bass settings & filters but given what it is, I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome.

My Yamaha "soft spot" started with this stack:



I learned how to do rudimentary repairs by digging into that stack with some basic tools, a meter, a soldering iron and a stack of service manuals a few years ago. Some of that stack went on to new owners and some of it I use to this day.

This was quite the change and it gave me an opportunity to work on another Yamaha unit and save it from eventual recycling.
__________________
Michael
4K QLED|Aerial Acoustics|McIntosh D100 - MC501 - MX151|Bluesound|Schiit|Wyrd4Sound
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-22-2015, 08:23 PM
tweet's Avatar
tweet tweet is offline
♫ Now playing... ♫


 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 7,205
Default

Michael,
Wow, what a sweet deal! That Yamaha is a beautiful receiver. I'm a long time fan of Yamaha and never pass up the opportunity to stare at their shiny face. I had a similar model many years ago and still regret parting with it. Looking forward to your progress reports.
__________________
McIntosh MX150, C2300, MC601 (5), MC207, MCD12000, MR88, MPC1500, LB100, MCLK12. Anthem AVM 90. Lumin U1. Bluesound Node. Oppo 205. Bowers & Wilkins 800 D3, CWM8.3D, CCM7.5 S2. SVS SB16-Ultra (4). Shunyata. Wireworld. Transparent. GIK.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-22-2015, 08:31 PM
Capcom Capcom is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 280
Default

Michael...Congrats on the nice find!
Yamaha made some very respectable and good sounding gear. I can understand your attraction.
Their CT-7000 tuner from 1975 is still considered to be one of the best performing/musical every made.

Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-22-2015, 08:53 PM
Yamaki's Avatar
Yamaki Yamaki is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Apache Junction, AZ
Posts: 5,479
Default

Terry...Seriously, I just lucked out but when I saw the 1020 sitting on the shelf I was pretty sure it was coming home with me unless it was totally trashed.

David...Thank you! I've enjoyed owning, repairing and using Yamaha gear for some time and the only thing I wish this Yamaha had was the model designation CR-3020.
__________________
Michael
4K QLED|Aerial Acoustics|McIntosh D100 - MC501 - MX151|Bluesound|Schiit|Wyrd4Sound
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 08-05-2015, 04:02 PM
Ned Racine Ned Racine is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 15
Default

THAT is incredible.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 08-05-2015, 08:23 PM
ehoove's Avatar
ehoove ehoove is offline
Old & New - Carpe Diem
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 5,187
Default

There is a 75 ohm connection, it is just old school direct connect to the coax! Wonderful receiver. Grab a CR2040 for the best of the lot in my opinion. solid gear, and the best receivers IMHO
Enjoy,
Jim
__________________
It's all about the Music, but I sure like the way my gear makes it come alive!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 08-05-2015, 08:26 PM
ehoove's Avatar
ehoove ehoove is offline
Old & New - Carpe Diem
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 5,187
Default

Micheal,
I totally understand, my Vintage rig sports a Yamaha C70 preamp driving tube Conn 6L6 PP monoblocks.
Enjoy,
Jim
__________________
It's all about the Music, but I sure like the way my gear makes it come alive!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Audioaficionado.org tested by Norton Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:25 AM.



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
©Copyright 2009-2023 AudioAficionado.org.Privately owned, All Rights Reserved.
Audio Aficionado Sponsors
AudioAficionado Subscriber
AudioAficionado Subscriber
Inspire By Dennis Had
Inspire By Dennis Had
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Wyred4Sound
Wyred4Sound
Dragonfire Acoustics
Dragonfire Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
Esoteric
Esoteric
AC Infinity
AC Infinity
JL Audio
JL Audio
Add Powr
Add Powr
Accuphase - Soulution
Accuphase - Soulution
Audio by E
Audio by E
Canton
Canton
Bryston
Bryston
WireWorld Cables
WireWorld Cables
Stillpoints
Stillpoints
Bricasti Design
Bricasti Design
Furutech
Furutech
Shunyata Research
Shunyata Research
Legend Audio & Video
Legend Audio & Video