Yamaha

From pianos to power amps — Japan's most versatile audio company

History

Key Facts

Legendary Products

Yamaha NS-1000M (1974)

Yamaha CR-1020 (1977)

Yamaha CA-1010 / M-85 (1977)

Yamaha MX-10000 / CX-10000 (1990s)

Sound Signature

Yamaha coined the term "Natural Sound" and it is not just marketing — it genuinely describes what their vintage equipment does. Where Marantz adds warmth and Pioneer emphasizes punch, Yamaha steps back and lets the recording speak for itself. The presentation is clean, transparent, and wide-bandwidth, with extended highs and a deep, controlled bass that never calls attention to itself. Put on a well-recorded acoustic album through a CR-1020 and you hear the venue, the instrument, the player's technique — the electronics disappear.

The NS-1000M studio monitors take this philosophy to its logical extreme. Those beryllium dome tweeters and midranges deliver transient speed and micro-detail that remain competitive with modern reference speakers decades later. The presentation is revealing and unforgiving — they will expose a poor recording without mercy — but feed them quality source material and the reward is a window into the music that few speakers at any price can match.

Yamaha's amplifiers are famously conservatively rated. A CR-1020 rated at 70 watts per channel measures significantly higher on the bench, and that headroom translates to a sense of ease and dynamic confidence during listening. The V-FET amplifiers (B-1, B-2) deserve special mention — these use a unique transistor topology that combines the linearity of tubes with solid-state reliability, producing a sound that tube enthusiasts find remarkably appealing.

Collecting Yamaha

The CR receiver series is the heart of Yamaha collecting. The CR-1020 is the flagship and typically trades between $600 and $1,200, while the smaller CR-800 and CR-400 offer the same family sound at $300 to $600. These receivers are famously durable — it is not unusual to find a 45-year-old CR unit that has never been serviced and still operates within specification. The NS-1000M speakers are the other marquee collectible, commanding $1,500 to $3,500 per pair. Beryllium driver condition is everything — check for dents or cracks, as replacement diaphragms are scarce and expensive.

For those seeking something rarer, the V-FET amplifiers (B-1, B-2) are increasingly sought after as awareness of their unique sonic character grows, with prices climbing past $2,000 for clean examples. The CA-1010 integrated amplifier is another strong pick — massive build quality, Class A switching capability, and a sound that rivals many separates. Yamaha's build quality means that even heavily used units often clean up beautifully, making them excellent candidates for a daily-driver vintage system.

Competitors & Comparisons

Amplifiers

• A-1 (1970) — The Yamaha A-1, a rare and enigmatic early integrated amplifier, represents Yamaha's pioneering foray into high-fidelity audio during the dawn of the Japanese audio revolution.
• A-100X — Yamaha A-100X integrated amplifier — a powerful but thinly documented A-series model with MM/MC phono inputs; ~120-130W/ch, sources conflict on exact specs.
• A-1020 (1978) — A high-powered, dual-monaural integrated amplifier from Yamaha's golden era, known for robust build and dynamic sound. With current market value.
• A-550 (1978) — The Yamaha A-550 was a 40-watt integrated amplifier listed at $250 in 1980, with two-way tape dubbing and a matching T-550 tuner. Little else is documented.
• A-760 — Yamaha A-760 integrated amplifier from c. 1981, with MC phono input and unusual bar-scale power indicator. Little documented beyond period reviews.
• AX-2000 (1987) — Yamaha AX-2000 integrated amplifier, listed in HI-FI-Stereo December 1987. Little else documented; specs and pricing unconfirmed.
• CA-1000 (1973) — Yamaha CA-1000 (1973) stereo pre-main amplifier — switchable Class A (15W) and Class B (70W) operation, SRPP FET phono stage with MC input, 18,000μF power supply.
• CA-2010 (1978) — Yamaha CA-2010 integrated amplifier (1978): switchable Class A/AB, 118 dB S/N, built-in MC head amp, 0.03% THD. The integrated that out-spec'd separates.
• CA-410 (1967) — A rare and early Yamaha integrated amplifier showcasing the brand's first foray into high-fidelity audio for the consumer market.
• CA-500 (1972) — A rare and early Yamaha control amplifier with discrete circuitry, known for its clean signal path and vintage build quality.
• CA-600 (1972) — A rare and distinctive integrated control amplifier from Yamaha's early high-fidelity era, combining preamp functionality with advanced source management for its time.
• CA-710 (1972) — A rare and sought-after vintage Yamaha control amplifier from the early. 1970s, known for its high-quality build and audiophile-grade signal path.
• CA-800 (1976–78) — Yamaha CA-800 (1976–78) — 45W/ch integrated with switchable Class A (10W) mode, three-position phono impedance, and CA-1000-derived OCL circuitry.
• HP-1 (1974) — The Yamaha HP-1 (1976) was the first mass-produced audiophile planar magnetic headphone, designed by Mario Bellini. Specs, history, and collector pricing.
• R-50 (1977) — Little-documented Yamaha R-50 AM/FM receiver (c. 1977), known mainly from a 1983 HI-Fi-Stereo-Buyers test report with strong measured tuner figures.
• R-70 (1975) — Yamaha R-70 (1983) AM/FM stereo receiver with 45W per channel, CCSS tone control, and MM/MC phono inputs — a solid performer from Yamaha's early '80s lineup.

Analog Synthesizers

• CS-70M (1980) — Yamaha CS-70M (1980): Yamaha's flagship polyphonic with onboard polyphonic sequencing, grouped by players with the Prophet-10 — respected, imperfect.

Cassette Deck

• K-1020 — Yamaha K-1020: top-line three-head cassette deck with Dolby HX Pro, dbx, and ORBiT auto bias tuning. Reviewed by Audio, 1986.

Cassette Decks

• K-720 — Yamaha K-720 autoreverse cassette deck, ca. 1985. Little documented; known from High Fidelity (Sep 1985) listing at $449 with HX Pro and dual noise reduction.
• KX-R430 — Yamaha KX-R430 cassette deck. Obscure model with minimal archived documentation; known only from a 1991 HiFi/Stereo listing at $399.
• V-902 — Yamaha V-902: a late-1990s five-channel A/V receiver documented only in a 1998 HiFi/Stereo listing. Little else is confirmed.

Cassette Decks

• CT-610 (1978) — Yamaha CT-610 (1977–1978) AM/FM tuner with quartz-locked synthesis, 71dB S/N ratio, and analog tuning—reliable, no-nonsense performance.
• CT-710 (1976) — A high-quality cassette deck from Yamaha's golden era of analog audio, known for precise mechanics and warm sound reproduction.
• TC-1000 (1978) — A high-end cassette deck from Yamaha's golden era, the TC-1000 offered advanced tape transport and noise reduction for audiophiles and professionals.
• TC-320A (1978) — A high-quality cassette deck from Yamaha's golden era of analog audio, known for solid build and excellent tape performance.
• TC-320B (1979) — A high-quality cassette deck from Yamaha's golden era of analog audio, known for solid build and warm sound. Covers the complete spec table.
• TC-520 (1977) — A high-quality cassette deck from Yamaha's golden era of analog audio, the TC-520 offers solid build and excellent tape performance for its class.
• TC-720 (1978) — A high-quality cassette deck from Yamaha's golden era of analog audio, the TC-720 delivers excellent tape performance with advanced features for its time.
• TC-800GL (1978) — A high-end cassette deck from Yamaha's golden era, known for exceptional build quality and advanced Dolby HX Pro implementation.
• TC-920 (1978) — A high-quality cassette deck from Yamaha's golden era of analog tape technology, known for solid build and accurate reproduction.

Cd Player

• CDE100 — Yamaha CDE100 SCSI-2 CD-R writer — 4x, disc-at-once, >85 dB S/N, no bundled software, caddy loading. A pro mastering drive with a loud early fan.

Cd Players

• CD-1a — Yamaha CD-1A — a mid-1980s CD player named in period dealer ads as Yamaha's top model, but with almost no surviving documentation.
• CD-2000 — Yamaha CD-2000 (1986) — first-gen CD player with 88.2 kHz oversampling, separate L/R digital filters, and a studio-oriented CD-2000M sibling.
• CD-2000W — Yamaha CD-2000W (1991) — top of Yamaha's Natural Sound CD line. 18-bit/8x oversampling DAC, variable output for direct amp connection, toroidal transformer with separated digital/analog windings.
• CD-450 — Yamaha CD-450 — an under-documented late-1980s Yamaha CD player. No confirmed specs, price, or years; collectors should verify the badge before buying.
• CD-550 — Yamaha CD-550 (1985-1987): an entry-level CD player with twin 14-bit YM-3809 DACs, one per channel. No digital output. Approx. $550. Documentation is thin.
• CD-750 — Yamaha CD-750 — an under-documented Yamaha CD player with a blank research file. Verify the rear-panel badge and laser before buying.
• CD-X1 — Yamaha CD-X1 (1984): second-generation CD player with 88.2 kHz oversampling, custom YM-3511/YM-2201 LSI, three-beam laser, $599 list.
• CD-X920 — Little is documented about the Yamaha CD-X920 beyond its listing in period equipment directories.
• CDR-HD1300 — Yamaha CDR-HD1300 (2002–2005): CD recorder with 80GB hard drive, records WAV only, ¥75,000 at release.
• CDX-1000 — Yamaha CDX-1000 (1985–1987) — first-generation flagship CD player using a 1-bit PWM converter with twin YM-2600B chips, 4x oversampling, and a 3-beam laser pickup.
• CDX-1100 — Yamaha CDX-1100 CD player (1987). High-end model using proprietary Hi-bit DAC with 18-bit digital filter, 20 dB S/N improvement, separate power supplies.
• CDX-1100U — Yamaha CDX-1100U (1987) CD player using Yamaha's Hi-bit 18-bit D/A scheme; period reviews noted a 20 dB S/N improvement over conventional designs.
• CDX-1110U — Yamaha CDX-1110U flagship CD player (1988). 18-bit DAC, 8x oversampling, $1,499. Documented in period reviews only. This page has production dates.
• CDX-2020 — Yamaha CDX-2020 (1989): 16 kg titanium-fronted CD player with Super Hi-bit 18-bit/4-floating-bit DACs, 122+ dB S/N, $1,499.
• CDX-497 — Yamaha CDX-497 (2006) — a late-era single-disc CD player with MP3/WMA playback, intelligent digital servo, and 105 dB S/N ratio. Released at ¥35,000.
• CDX-5000 — Yamaha CDX-5000 (circa 1987) — Yamaha's flagship CD player with Hi-Bit quasi-18-bit DAC technology, $2,500 price, and full Audio magazine specs.
• CDX-700D — Yamaha CDX-700D (1987) — Japanese-market CD player with 4x oversampling high-bit digital filter and glitchless D/A converter. ¥63,800 at release.
• CDX-800 — Yamaha CDX-800 CD player from the late 1980s with Bitstream DAC, 498 DM original price in Germany. Thin documentation; specs from European sources.
• DVD-C900 — Yamaha DVD-C900 (1999) five-disc DVD/CD changer — 10-bit video DAC, component output, 96 kHz/24-bit audio, gold or black finish.
• DVD-S796 — The Yamaha DVD-S796 is a single-disc DVD/CD player from the turn of the millennium, carrying Yamaha’s “Natural Sound” branding. Documentation is thin —

Headphones

• HP-3 (1978) — Yamaha HP-3, a rare and vintage high-impedance dynamic headphone from the late 1970s, known for its balanced sound and classic build quality.

Integrated Amplifier

• A-3090 — Yamaha DSP-A3090 (1996): tenth-anniversary 7-channel A/V integrated with AC-3 and Cinema DSP. 80W/ch rated, measured 95W clipping. $2,499 new.

Mixers

• DMR-8 (c. 1990–1992) — Yamaha DMR-8 digital mixer/recorder, c.1990–1992. 8-track 20-bit S-DAT recording on 8mm cartridge with integrated automated mixing, 32-bit parametric EQ, and onboard effects. Scarce and service-hungry…
• MX-2000 — Yamaha MX-2000 power amplifier (1988–1993) — Class A stereo amp with HCA circuit, 28 kg, titanium finish. Little documented in English.
• RM-1608 — Surviving documentation on the Yamaha RM-1608 is thin, but the period recording press covered it well enough to sketch a real picture. Studio Sound

Power Amplifier

• PC-2002 — Yamaha PC-2002 professional power amplifier — 240W per channel, 0.003% THD, 110dB S/N. A studio standard found in racks from Spectrum Studios to Sanctuary.

Preamplifiers

• C-11 — Yamaha C-11: almost nothing documented; the only C-11 in period press is an Accuphase preamp, so the Yamaha model remains unverified.
• C-80 — Yamaha C-80 preamplifier from 1984, documented primarily through a HiFI-Stereo review noting its flexible tone controls and gold-plated connections.
• CX-630 — Yamaha CX-630 control amplifier/preamplifier from the late 1970s, entry-level model in the CX series with Pure Direct circuitry and dual-mono construction.

Processors

• DSP-1 (1986) — Yamaha DSP-1 (1986) Digital Sound Field Processor — 34-key wireless remote, backlit LCD, concert hall and jazz club programs. The box that brought digital sound-field processing home.

Receivers

• CR 1020 — A high-end AM/FM stereo receiver from Yamaha’s flagship CR series, known for natural sound reproduction and robust engineering.
• CR 2040 — A high-powered AM/FM stereo receiver from Yamaha’s legendary CR series, made in Japan. Find full specifications and production years here.
• CR 600 — A mid-range AM/FM stereo receiver from Yamaha’s respected CR series, known for clean sound and robust construction. Covers the complete spec table.
• CR-1000 (1973) — A rare and innovative Yamaha control center from the early 1970s, blending tuner, preamplifier, and system integration in one elegant unit.
• cr-1040 — A late 20th century receiver from Yamaha’s celebrated CR series, noted for clean sound and solid construction. With detailed specs and production dates.
• CR-3020 (1975) — The 1978 Yamaha CR-3020 is a rare, 160W/channel flagship receiver with dual-mono design, Macassar ebony case, and legendary build. Only ~2,000 made.
• CR-400 (1975) — Yamaha CR-400 stereo FM/AM receiver from the mid-1970s; reviewed by High Fidelity in 1976 as a spartan receiver with class — $330, 16W, wood case.
• CR-440 (1977) — A compact and reliable Yamaha control center from the late 1970s, designed for integration with separate power amplifiers and source components.
• cr-620 — Yamaha CR-620 AM/FM receiver (1977–1979), 35WPC, ceramic resonator FM tuner, recapping essential. Mid-tier vintage solid.
• CR-800 (1978) — Yamaha CR-800 (1974) receiver: 45W/channel, fully discrete, legendary tuner, Natural Sound series. Built like a tank, loved for clean, detailed sound.
• CR-840 (1979–1981) — A 70-watt-per-channel stereo receiver from Yamaha's natural-sound CR series, sitting between the CR-640 and CR-1040 in the late-1970s lineup.
• cr500 — A mid-tier AM/FM stereo receiver from Yamaha’s early 1970s CR series, delivering 22 watts per channel with low distortion and advanced tuner design.
• R-100 (1983) — Yamaha R-100 (1983) receiver — 100 W RMS/ch into 8 ohms, 0.01% THD, Zero Distortion Rule circuitry, and a microcomputer-controlled five-band graphic EQ.
• R-2000 — Yamaha R-2000 receiver with Spatial Expander and 150W X-Amplifier. A top-of-the-line but little-documented model from the early 1980s.
• R-8 — Yamaha R-8 AM/FM receiver, circa 1986. A little-documented model known only from a HiFI-Stereo test report mentioning servo tuning, muting.
• RX-1130 — Yamaha RX-1130 AV receiver (1987-1989): 100W/ch stereo with Dolby surround, 7-band EQ, MM/MC phono stage. A bridge between two-channel and home theater.
• RX-300 — Yamaha RX-300 receiver from around 1990, little documented; known from a single 1990 Audio ad listing original price $300, blow-out at $99.
• RX-530 — Yamaha RX-530 receiver, black finish, remote control with motor-driven volume, tested by Julian Hirsch for HiFI-Stereo in March 1990. Little else documented.
• RX-950 — Yamaha RX-950 receiver (1991). Delivered 158W/ch into 8 ohms; FM tuner flat to ±0.2 dB. Reviewed by HiFi-Stereo in 1991. Little else documented.
• RX-V890 — Little-documented Yamaha RX-V890 5-channel A/V home theater receiver, 100W L/C/R, advertised 1996. Period ads only; specs thin.
• UC-1 (1979) — Companion control unit for the Yamaha B-1 power amplifier of the mid-1970s; little else is documented. Includes production dates.

Speakers

• ns-05 — A compact bookshelf speaker from 1988 designed for natural vocal reproduction, featuring a polypropylene woofer and soft dome tweeter in a magnetically.
• NS-10 (1978) — Yamaha NS-10 (1978): a 95dB/W home bookshelf speaker that became a studio standard. Two-way, 40 Hz–18 kHz, 16 mm lauan plywood.
• NS-100 — Yamaha NS-100 bookshelf speaker — two-way design with 10-inch woofer and dome tweeter, praised for phase linearity and transparency. Foam rot and tweeter availability are key concerns for buyers.
• NS-1000 (1977) — A landmark high-end bookshelf speaker from Yamaha, combining advanced driver technology and luxurious cabinet design. Includes full specifications.
• NS-1000M (1977) — High-end vintage loudspeaker featuring beryllium dome tweeters and advanced acoustic design for studio and audiophile use.
• NS-1000X (1977) — A high-end vintage loudspeaker from Yamaha's legendary NS-1000 series, featuring beryllium drivers and advanced acoustic engineering for its era.
• NS-1000X-II (1978) — An upgraded version of the legendary NS-1000X, the NS-1000X-II features improved materials and refined tuning for superior accuracy and clarity in a high-end vintage monitor speaker.
• NS-10M (1978–2001) — Yamaha NS-10M (1978–2001): the passive nearfield studio monitor that became an industry standard despite — or because of — its unforgiving, bass-shy sound.
• NS-144 (1978) — A compact, passive bookshelf speaker from Yamaha's early NS series, known for balanced sound and solid build quality. This page has detailed specs.
• NS-2000 (1986) — A legendary high-end floor-standing loudspeaker featuring beryllium drivers and hand-crafted cabinetry. With full specifications and production years.
• NS-2000X (1987) — A rare, high-end loudspeaker system representing Yamaha's pinnacle of 1980s transducer engineering. Includes full specifications and production years.
• NS-200Ma — Yamaha NS-200Ma (1978–1980): a large 4-way floorstanding monitor developed for German broadcasting, later sold to consumers. 49.5 kg, 300 mm woofer, ring radiator tweeters.
• NS-30X — Yamaha NS-30X (1986-1988): 3-way bookshelf speaker with SFCC ceramic-composite woofer, HN titanium dome midrange, and 92 dB sensitivity.
• NS-310 — Yamaha NS-310 (c. 1973): a rare early NS-series floor speaker with a massive 420x540mm piano-inspired woofer and horn tweeter. Little documented beyond Japanese heritage sources.
• NS-344 (1985) — A compact bookshelf speaker from Yamaha's NS series, known for balanced sound and solid build quality in the mid-1980s. With full specifications.
• NS-451 — The Yamaha NS-451 is a 2-way, bass reflex bookshelf speaker from the late 1970s — a period when Yamaha was putting considerable engineering thought into
• NS-500 (1979) — A compact bookshelf speaker from Yamaha's golden era, known for balanced sound and elegant wood finish. This page has production years.
• NS-630 — Yamaha NS-630 (1973): 3-way sealed bookshelf speaker, junior model in the NS-650 line, 20cm woofer, dome tweeter, ¥27,000.
• NS-635 (1985) — A compact bookshelf speaker from Yamaha's mid-1980s lineup, the NS-635 delivers balanced sound with classic Japanese engineering.
• NS-690 (1978) — A classic Yamaha bookshelf speaker from the late 1970s, known for its balanced sound and elegant woodgrain finish. Find detailed specs here.
• NS-690-III (1985) — A refined bookshelf speaker from Yamaha's respected NS-600 series, known for balanced sound and solid build quality. Find full specifications here.
• NS-F101 — Yamaha NS-F101 (2004) — thin wall-mountable floor-standing speaker, 2-way sealed system with four 10cm woofers and a 1.9cm dome tweeter.
• NS-M325 — Yamaha NS-M325 (2005) — compact two-way sealed bookshelf speaker with aluminum-magnesium dome tweeter, PMD woofer, and real mahogany veneer. Released at ¥15,000/unit.
• ns690ii — Yamaha NS-690 II — 27kg sealed bookshelf speaker with 30cm woofer, 35Hz bass, and NS-1000M DNA. Value: $350–$500 used. Includes full specifications.
• NSA-825 — Almost nothing is documented about the Yamaha NSA-825. The model appears in a single period equipment listing from HiFI-Stereo (1993, p.198), but the
• YH-1000 (1976) — A legendary pair of open-back dynamic headphones from the late 1970s, prized for their natural sound and pioneering design.

Synthesizer

• TG-55 — Yamaha TG-55 rack-mount tone generator, the SY55 without the sequencer — $995 at launch, supported by third-party ROM banks.
• TX-802 — Yamaha TX-802 FM synth module — the DX7II's rack sibling. Studio workhorse of the late '80s/early '90s, well supported by third-party editors. Obscure but well-attested.

Synthesizers

• CS-80 (1977-1980) — A 231-pound titan with per-key aftertouch and soul-deep expressiveness that made Vangelis cry—and composers believe in the divine.
• DX7 (1983-1987) — The first mass-market digital synthesizer to dethrone analog, the DX7 didn’t just change studios—it rewrote the sonic DNA of pop music.
• SY-77 (c. 1990) — Yamaha SY77 workstation synth (c. 1990). 61 velocity-sensitive keys, RCM FM+AWM hybrid engine, 32-voice polyphony, 22-bit DACs, 8 convolution filters, 16-track sequencer, 17kg. Backlight is the known …

Tuners

• 1100U — Yamaha 1100U: 1987 compact disc player from Yamaha's Hi-Bit line with 18-bit/176.4 kHz oversampling. Little else documented.
• 7000-FM — The Yamaha 7000-FM is undocumented in surviving sources. A period directory lists a Yamaha CT7000 tuner, but its link is unconfirmed.
• CR-2020 — A high-powered AM/FM stereo receiver from Yamaha’s legendary 1970s CR series, known for robust build and rich sound. Find detailed specs here.
• CR-450 (1972) — The Yamaha CR-450 (1976–1978) delivers 32W/channel with legendary Yamaha warmth. Specs, filters, and real owner insights on this underrated receiver.
• CT-1000 — Yamaha CT-1000 (1977): top-of-the-line FM/AM tuner from Yamaha's separates lineup, paired with the CA-1000. 5-gang front end, wide/narrow IF switch, ~$400 new.
• CT-800 — Yamaha CT-800 vintage tuner — thin archival record, one $170 classified, and a 1984 High Fidelity report on a possibly-related YCT-800 car unit.
• CT-Z1 — Yamaha CT-Z1 (c. 1978) — Japan-market FM/AM tuner, budget sibling to the CT-1010 with an innovative discrete AM section using a PNP self-oscillating converter.
• F-1030 — Yamaha F-1030, a late-1970s professional electronic crossover — switchable 2-way/3-way with detented dB-calibrated controls.
• R-7 (1969) — A high-fidelity tube tuner from the late 1960s, the Yamaha R-7 represents early Japanese precision in FM/AM broadcast reception.
• T-2 (1968) — A rare and early Yamaha tuner prized for its precision tuning and classic analog design. Covers detailed specs and production dates.
• T-4 — The Yamaha T-4 is a stereo FM/AM tuner built for the Japanese domestic market from 1979 to 1981. It sat at the bottom of Yamaha's "new T series" — the
• T-520 — Yamaha T-520, an obscure audio tuner from the 1980s. Almost no documentation survives; details are limited to its presence in period equipment listings.
• T-6a — Little is documented about the Yamaha T-6a beyond its technical specifications. What the record shows: it was a quartz-lock PLL stereo FM tuner, a period
• T-80 (1978) — A high-quality FM tuner from Yamaha's golden era of analog audio, known for solid build and excellent reception. This page has detailed specs.
• TX-10 — Yamaha TX-10 FM digital tuner from the early-1980s Natural Sound separates series, paired with the A-10 amplifier. Quartz-locked synthesis, 1.2 µV sensitivity, 75 dB S/N.
• TX-400U — Yamaha TX-400U AM/FM tuner, circa 1987, $220. Little documented beyond a High Fidelity mention and system remote compatibility.

Turntables

• YP-1000 (1978) — Yamaha YP-1000 (1976) direct-drive turntable with 31cm machined platter, STAX UA-7 tonearm, and Shure V15 Type III cartridge — a precision-engineered analog workhorse.
• YP-511 (1975) — Yamaha YP-511 (1977) direct-drive turntable with 220 kg・cm inertial mass, brass shaft, and hydraulic arm lift — a heavyweight from Japan's hi-fi golden era.
• YP-701 (1985) — A high-end automatic turntable from Yamaha's golden era, combining precision engineering with audiophile-grade sound. This page has detailed specs.
• ypd4 — Yamaha YP-D4 turntable — a semi-automatic direct drive model with diecast platter. Find specs, restoration tips, and current market listings.

Unknown

• 1110U — Period reviews identify the Yamaha 1110U as the CDX-1110U, Yamaha's flagship compact disc player of the late 1980s. Audio (September 1988, p.103)
• AVC-50 — Yamaha AVC-50 integrated A/V amplifier. Little documented; tested by Julian Hirsch in HiFI-Stereo Jan 1987. 4 video, 6 audio inputs; remote control.
• M-70 — Yamaha M-70 power amplifier from the early 1980s, delivering over 200 W/ch with Zero Distortion Rule circuitry. Tested in Audio January 1984.
• U-100 — Yamaha U-100 personal computer receiver — thin documentation; the sole period reference (Audio, Oct 1999) describes a Windows 98 USB design.
• V-502 — Little is documented about the Yamaha V-502 A/V receiver. 1998 listings show 70W x 3 + 20W x 2, Cinema DSP, and Dolby Pro Logic.
• YCT-800 — Yamaha YCT-800 car stereo tuner/cassette deck (c. 1984). $600 new, auto-reverse, Dolby B, automatic cassette eject on ignition-off. Little-documented model.

Other Models

• A 520 — A solid-state integrated stereo amplifier from Yamaha’s mid-1980s lineup, delivering 75 watts per channel with low distortion.
• A-300 — Yamaha A-300 — documentation gap model. Period sources describe the related A3000 sampler at £1299 (1997). Archive has no verified A-300 spec sheet.
• A-700 — Yamaha A-700 — a model name shared by a 1990 seven-channel DSP surround processor ($1,099) and a separate stereo integrated amp. Know which one you're buying.
• A100 — I need to stop here rather than write the page, because the source material doesn't support a Yamaha A100 article.
• AD8X — Yamaha AD8X — eight-channel A-D converter with MEL2 24-bit serial interface, deployed in banks in early-'90s digital studios.
• AX44 — Yamaha AX44 audio expansion board for the DSP Factory — four analog ins/outs in a 5.25-inch drive bay, ~$300 at launch.
• B-5 — Yamaha B-5 (1988) — 40 lb dual-mono power amp, 80-120W/ch, AB+BTL bridging to 240W mono, the affordable scaled-down B-2 that collectors still prize.
• CDC-835 — Yamaha CDC-835 (1992) five-disc CD changer — PlayXchange isolation, S-Bit Plus conversion, and bench numbers that rivaled single-disc players.
• CP-80 — Yamaha CP-80 electric grand piano — documented through 1980s touring rigs, from Air Supply to Roxy Music. A stage piano engineers built chains around.
• CR 820 — A natural sound FM/AM stereo receiver from Yamaha’s CR series, produced in the late 1970s. This page has full specifications and production years.
• CR-10 — Yamaha CR-10 — a model number the archival record can't yet tie to a documented Yamaha product. Honest status of what's known and what isn't.
• DDP-1 — Yamaha DDP-1 — one of the first outboard Dolby Digital AC-3 decoders, $599 in 1995, with RF/coax/optical inputs for laserdisc surround.
• DDP-2 — Yamaha DDP-2 Dolby Digital outboard processor — a scarce 1990s decoder with little surviving documentation; period directory lists 0.007% THD.
• DMP7D — Yamaha DMP7D digital mixing processor — fully digital, MIDI-controllable, $5,995 in 1989. A landmark early digital mixer hamstrung by an unfinished ecosystem.
• DMR8X — Yamaha DMR8X — 8-track stationary-head digital recorder with 24-input automated mixer, 20-bit tape, proprietary 8mm cartridges.
• DRU8 — Yamaha DRU8 — rack expander for the DMR8 digital system, adding 8 tracks of 20-bit recording (16 or 24 tracks total) with 120dB dynamic range.
• DS2416 — Yamaha DS2416 DSP Factory PCI card — 24 mixing channels, 16 tracks of tape-less recording, and 02R-style processing inside a 5-volt PCI computer.
• DSP-3000 — Yamaha DSP-3000 (1988) digital sound field processor — 35 preset programs, YM-3818 VLSI chips, 18-bit conversion, $1,899. The DSP-1's ambitious, expensive successor.
• DSP-A1 — Yamaha DSP-A1 A/V integrated amp — 150W/ch max, 24-bit converters, amber-gold finish, and a phono stage reviewers actually praised.
• DSP-A3090 — Yamaha DSP-A3090 seven-channel Cinema DSP processor-amplifier with Dolby AC-3, 30 sound-field modes, 80W main/center/rear plus 25W front effects.
• DSP-A700 — Yamaha DSP-A700 (1990): seven-channel Digital Soundfield Processor with Dolby Pro Logic and YST, $1,099 new. An early Cinema DSP landmark.
• DSR-100 — Yamaha DSR-100 Dolby Pro Logic decoder — the active-steering add-on that completed a DSP-1/DSP-3000 surround stack. $599 new, ~$369 used by 1992.
• GE-60 — Yamaha GE-60 — an unresolved model designation; documentation instead points to Court Acoustics and Rane GE-60 equalizers. Read before buying.
• K-700 — Yamaha K-700 auto-reverse cassette deck with rotating Sendust head, independent azimuth adjustment, Dolby B/C, and programmable playback.
• M1500 — Yamaha M1500 mixing console series — a mid-1980s pro-audio line documented mainly through period ads, with model identity still murky.
• NS-1000s — Yamaha NS-1000s studio monitors — beryllium-dome drivers, trusted in 1970s-80s control rooms, ancestor of the NS-10M.
• P-2050 — Yamaha P-2050 Professional Series power amp — the smaller sibling of the P-2200, built to the same reliability standard and found in real 1980s studio racks.
• P-2200 — Yamaha P-2200 pro power amp: 200W/ch into 8 ohms, 50dB peak meters, 22-step attenuators. The conservative studio workhorse.
• P-2201 — Yamaha P-2201 — the meterless P-2200, 200W/ch into 8 ohms, sub-0.05% THD, built for studio and install work.
• PM-1200 — Yamaha PM-1200 broadcast production console — 16/24/32 inputs, 4 groups plus stereo, sweepable-mid EQ, PM3000 lineage.
• PM-1800 — Yamaha PM-1800 professional mixing console — the affordable PM-3000 sibling, built in 16-, 24-, and 32-channel frames for clubs and touring.
• PM-2800 — Yamaha PM-2800 monitor console — a touring workhorse in 32- and 40-channel frames, trusted on major tours and stocked by rental houses.
• PM-3000 — Yamaha PM-3000 live sound console — the late-'80s touring standard, in 24/32/40-channel versions, with 8 VCA groups and an 11x8 matrix.
• ProR3 — Yamaha ProR3 digital reverberator — 32-bit DSP, 20-bit converters, 99 presets/99 user slots, $1,299 list. A pro-studio reverb from the 0-series era.
• REV-1 — Yamaha REV-1 digital reverb (mid-1980s) with LCD remote showing graphical reverb display; up to 40 early reflections and 99.9s reverb time per period advertising.
• REV5 — Yamaha REV5 digital reverb processor. ROOM 3 preset with 0.7s decay, max density, 0.1ms initial delay. Shared DSP with SPX900.
• REV500 — Yamaha REV500: a 1RU reverb with 32-bit DSP and 20-bit converters borrowed from the 02R and ProR3, sold at a budget price.
• RX-670 — Yamaha RX-670 vintage stereo receiver with phono stage, made in Japan; also the RX-A670 modern 7.2-channel Aventage AV receiver with Dolby Atmos.
• RX-V490 — Yamaha RX-V490 Dolby Pro Logic A/V receiver — compact 8.5kg chassis, four regional variants, fully documented service manual.
• SPM-3 — The Yamaha SPM-3 is a 3-way floorstanding loudspeaker that stands out in Yamaha's history for one very unusual reason: its enclosure is made of resin
• SPS-10000 — Yamaha SPS-10000 (1987) — dedicated African padauk speaker stand for the NSX-10000 Centennial Series speakers. ¥200,000 per pair, 14.5 kg each.
• SPX 90 — Yamaha SPX 90 digital signal processor — an obscure but widely-used 1980s rack effects unit. Honest archive page with limited verified documentation.
• SPX-1000 — Yamaha SPX-1000 digital multi-effects processor — 16-bit/44.1kHz, 40 presets, Aural Exciter, Yamaha-format digital I/O. Reverbs were criticized; pitch shifting praised.
• SPX-9011 — Yamaha SPX-9011 rack processor — a studio and touring workhorse of the late '80s and early '90s, racked beside Lexicon PCM units and rented at premium rates.
• SPX2000 — Yamaha SPX2000 multi-effects processor — 96 kHz DSP, Rev-X reverb, 24-bit converters, $1,249 new. A 1U rack classic that carries the SPX legacy forward.
• SPX50D — Yamaha SPX50D digital multi-effects processor — 16-bit, 31.25 kHz, 50 presets and 50 user memories, built on SPX90II tech.
• SY-77/TG77 — Yamaha SY77 and TG77 synthesizers pair AWM2 samples with AFM synthesis; a card-supported generation with a 14-card voice library and third-party editors.
• T-550 — Yamaha T-550 AM/FM tuner — companion to the A-550, 1.7µV FM sensitivity, 65dB selectivity, $190 in 1980. A clean, serviceable budget tuner.
• TX-900U — Yamaha TX-900U AM/FM tuner — a mid-line late-'80s separates component that served as a reference source in period Audio magazine reviews.
• TX16W — Yamaha TX16W sampler — debuted 1987, sixth of fifteen in Keyboard's 1989 multi-sampler ratings, SDS-compatible for Mac editing.
• YDD 2600 — Yamaha YDD 2600 four-channel digital delay — 655ms per channel, series-linkable to 2.6s, MIDI-controllable via Hinton. A rack staple of mid-80s studios.