#1
|
|||
|
|||
My Yamaha CA-1000
Hey there,
I got into vintage recently and for my first piece I found an almost (9.8/10) pristine vintage Yamaha CA-1000. I fell in love with the Yamaha gear 2 years ago when I went to the Montreal Audio Show where I saw the NS-5000 speakers with the A-SXXXX line of amplifiers. I was both hooked to their sound and their look. Before that, I always believed that Yamaha was just doing home cinema stuff. Then I discovered an all "new" world for me with the vintage Yamaha. I found the Yamaha CA-1000 I own now locally. Cosmetically speaking, almost perfect. Technically however, it was bad. One channel was out, all pots scratching badly, etc. I knew it was probably going to need a good restoration. So I found a excellent tech who took care of the cleaning, full recap, fix the right channel and some other transistors along the way. But I wanted more than that. After careful research, I had the lamp cord removed by an excellent tech (Planabox) and a AC/IEC socket installed so that I could use whatever power cable I want. Another step was to remove the old binding clip posts and install some real banana posts. I was thrilled at the quality of the work. He even drilled the center of the binding posts to solder each wires instead of using the tabs that come with them. I also had the stock fuses changes for audiophile grade fuses. . It was a fun project for me as I curious how far these old amplifers could go when properly restored and also when fed with the same tweaks the newer gear enjoys. I have matched my amplifer with a Bryston BDA-3 and a BDP-2. Nothing sounds vintage at all! In fact, the news fuses brought more clarity than I am comfortable with as I find it removes that natural sound of the Yamaha. For all the repair works, I believe I drove about 1500 KM for back and forth trips to the techs. With all the efforts put into this, and knowing I will never get my money back, I will probably never sell this amplifier. I know I have one unique CA-1000. When the upgrade bug will hit again, I will move it to an upcoming system in the living room. And when I will get tired at some point, I will put it in storage waiting for my son to be a teenager and give to him for his first system (he is only 3 now but enjoys listening to music with me). Enjoy!
__________________
Serge Last edited by jdandy; 03-29-2019 at 12:03 AM. Reason: enlarge photo |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Very nice!
I love the vintage Yamaha amplifiers and congrats for bringing a classic back to life for many many years of listening |
#3
|
||||
|
||||
Nicely done. I really like the IEC and bonding post mods. Excellent execution.
These vintage pieces have a lot of class. Enjoy!
__________________
Main System: Amati Futura Mains Amati Homage VOX Center, Proac Response 1sc Rears, Three MC2301's for L,C,R MC 602 for the rears C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80 Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material. Lake House: Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3 OnDeck: McIntosh MAC 4300v |
#4
|
||||
|
||||
Serge,
That's a great looking Yamaha! I've done similar mods and repairs to my CR-1020. I have plugged in a Moon Mind 180 streamer, a Yulong DAC, a Denon DVD-2910 CD/SACD player and a pair of Vienna Acoustic Bach speakers. System protection is provided by a Panamax power center. The mix of "Old" and "New" works very nicely.
__________________
Michael 4K QLED|Aerial Acoustics|McIntosh D100 - MC501 - MX151|Bluesound|Schiit|Wyrd4Sound
|
#5
|
||||
|
||||
Very nice, Serge!
I have always admired Yamaha receivers when they were on the market back in the day. Your repair tech did an amazing job with the power socket and binding post upgrades. Very cool. best, Stephen aka Puma Cat aka PC
__________________
Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components. |
#6
|
||||
|
||||
Excellent, that’s a great looking amp with cool mods. I have a CA-1010 which I love, but haven’t made the cable mods, what a great idea.
__________________
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 |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
That is a nice looking vintage unit. Great job.
|
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Thank you guys for the great comments. Much credits to my tech, Jean from Planabox in Laval, Qc. I at first just wanted to upgrade the power cord but he suggested me the AC socket modification instead. I wasn't sure at first but I am glad I let his expert hands do the work. For me, these modifications represent a "no compromise" type of solution to bring this amplifier back in the 21st century. It could have been done many other ways but I wanted the best and I think I got it. There is about 350$US in these 2 modifications but I really think it's worthing it. It's no high end per today's standard but sounds really, really good regardless.
__________________
Serge |
#9
|
||||
|
||||
Au contraire, mon ami........... if built to the same standards today with the wood case it would definitely be a "high end" integrated amp. Would have to add in the cost of a remote. What is the MSRP of Yamaha's top integrated today? It's only fault is being made off-shore (not Japan).
__________________
Glenn... Canton Reference 9 Clearaudio SM Pro Focal Bathys JLA 10" Dominion Kuzma Stabi S w/MC & MM Magnepan 1,7i McIntosh MA8950 & MR88 Oppo 203 Roon Nucleus Rose Hifi RS150B Shunyata Gemini-4 Sony ST-A6B, TA-F6B, ST-J75 & PS-X75 Sorane SA1.2 & TA-1L Stillpoints LP1v2 WW Pt, Au & Ag |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jjAZz7NOK0
__________________
Serge |
|
|
Audio Aficionado Sponsors | |