Description
A Yamaha C-65 Pre-Amplifier combined with a Yamaha M-65 Power-Amplifier with Class A function. Both fully working. LED display on the power amp is groovy and retro looking and fully lights up. Obviously its not shown in the photos, but you can see youtube videos showing it. In relative good condition for their age. But there are 3 issues that detract:- There is a dent on the left rear top of the power amp - please see photos- the balance knob on the pre-amp, which is underneath the volume knob, is a bit scratchy - but when good contact is made, it stays that way- all 4 of the speakers A speaker connections on the back of the power amp have somehow been pushed too far in to the casework and no longer permit a cable connection - however the speakers B and C connections are perfect. Also please note that the speaker connections are not banana plug as far as I can see - they are bare wire - but maybe Im missing something Sound quality is the best I have ever heard from any amplifier. In almost 40 years of being a hi-fi guy. Its subjective, I know. But the best amplifier Ive ever owned is a toss up between a Quad 909, a Rega Brio 2017 and a Linn something. Ive also heard a friends 3 grand Musical Fidelity nu-Vista amp. And this combo - even using the very basic cabling, 20 quid DAC and busted-up 80s Pioneer test speakers that I had to hand - sounded more fluid, more musical, more tracking of the music, more satisfying than I remember from any of those. It reminds me of the Linn amplifier the most. But with a load more power. 170 watts per channel into 8 ohms, apparently. The Japanese engineers really threw their utmost in to these units. Both units have voltage selector switches, so can be used in North America and Europe. If you are within reasonable driveable distance of me, I reserve the right to deliver them to you personally in lieu of boxing and sending by courier, thus ensuring their safety. Or you are welcome to collect. Location is Orpington, postcode BR6 7EN. Its 7 mins from junction 4 of the M25. But glad to send abroad via ebays global shipping programme. A review is here: https://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/a-shootout-yamaha-m65-nat-sound-clear-winner.482981/ Text from that review: I have a Yamaha M65 Natural Sound Power amp with Class A power. The shoot out I speak of is not only against other amps but specifically against tube amps. I love my tube amps, they have a place but in a head to head shootout, the M65 dances on them. What was testedSourceMarantz SR4023 as the PreAmpDIY turntable with a variety of phono stages, a killer MC cart (The AT33PTG/II)Speakers - Polk Monitor 70s and a Polk powered sub Tube contendersBaldwin amp with 6L6GC RCA Black Plates - - 27 watts per channelMotorola amp with GE EL34 and 12AX7s - 12 watts per channelVelleman 4040 with 8 GE 6L6GCs (killer) 2 12AX7As - 90 watts per channel The M65 Natural Sound Power Amp - 170 wpc The baldwin sounded nice but nowhere near as wide, mids a bit lost and highs at the very top a bit edgy - Score 60 The motorola - what a kick ass little amp. Nice bass, mids a bit recessed but not bad, highs nice but again, that edge that says i can;t hit the high notes. Considering the watts and age, a very surprising and smooth amp. Play some cool jazz or slow rock (james taylor, Don Mclean, etc) and you are definately feeling warm. Score - 80 The velleman - With enough to give many SS amps a run for the money, this bad box is a very close contender. Deep base, mids nice and highs don;t have that edginess. So why would it lose out ? Soundstage. It is not as wide or as deep as the M65 but stil a very fun amp to play with and still in tweak mode. Score - 90 The clear score 100 winner - The Yamaha M65. I have listened to many amps and I am always stunned at what this thing brings out in terms of clarity at ALL levels, never mechanical or edgy, mids are superb as are the highs and bass. Bass has punch and never muddy. For the highs, you wait for that high note wondering can she hit it. She does and you breathe a sigh of relief and know, your system is well aligned like the stars. And lets talk sound stage. The mystical experience of having the sound come from a variety of directions, floating to you with clear definition of instrument placement...Not only left to right but how deep they are in the stage..that is very apparent as the M65 takes the MC cart phenomonona to new highs. If you have an opportunity to grab one of these or the sister M70 or M80, do so. Make sure they are the ones that have the CLASS A switch as that makes a big difference. One additional note. They look cool too...:D
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