Yamaha CR-600 (1973–1976)
A mid-range AM/FM stereo receiver from Yamaha’s CR series, known for clean sound and sturdy construction.
Overview
The Yamaha CR-600 is a stereo receiver built from 1973 to 1976 as part of Yamaha’s CR series. It puts out 35W + 35W RMS into 4 ohms (0.1% THD, 20Hz-20kHz, both channels driven) and has both AM and FM tuners. The amplifier is a fully complementary OCL circuit using MOS FET technology. There are two tape circuits, and the preamp and main amplifier sections are independent. Filters and tone controls are included, and the bass and treble adjustment uses Yamaha’s proprietary NF feedback method.
Specifications
| Effective output (distortion factor 0.1%) 20 Hz to 20 kHz, both channel drive | 35W + 35W (4 Ω) 30W + 30W (8 Ω) |
| Effective output (distortion factor 0.1%) 1 kHz, both channel drive | 45W + 45W (4 Ω) 35W + 35W (8 Ω) |
| Effective output (distortion factor 0.1%) 1 kHz, single-channel drive | 50W/50W (4 Ω) 40W/40W (8 Ω) |
| Dynamic Power | 100W (IHF, 8 Ω) |
| Total harmonic distortion rate (20 Hz to 20 kHz) | 0.1% or Less (Effective Output) |
| Total harmonic distortion rate (20 Hz to 20 kHz) | 0.04% or Less (at 1W output) |
| Intermodulation distortion factor (70 hz : 7 khz = 4 : 1) | 0.1% or Less (Effective Output) |
| Intermodulation distortion factor (70 hz : 7 khz = 4 : 1) | 0.05% or Less (at 1W Output) |
| Power Bandwidth (IHF, 0.5% distortion factor) | 5 Hz to 70 kHz |
| Frequency response (at 1W output) Main in | 10 Hz to 100 kHz + 0 -1dB |
| Frequency response (at 1W output) Phono (RIAA deviation) | 30 Hz to 15 kHz ± 0.5 dB |
| Frequency response (at 1W output) Aux, Tape PB | 10 Hz to 50 kHz + 0.5 -1dB |
| Damping factor | 70 (1 kHz, 8 Ω) |
| Load impedance | 4 Ω ~ 16 Ω |
| Input Sensitivity / Impedance (1 kHz, effective output) Phono1, 2 | 3mV/50k Ω |
| Input Sensitivity / Impedance (1 kHz, effective output) Mic | 3mV/50k Ω |
| Input Sensitivity / Impedance (1 kHz, effective output) Aux1, 2, Tape PB A, B | 150mV/45k Ω |
| Input Sensitivity / Impedance (1 kHz, effective output) Main in | 775mV/50k Ω |
| Maximum Allowable Input (1 kHz) Phono | 135 mVrms (0.1% strain rate) |
| Maximum Allowable Input (1 kHz) Mic | 450 mVrms (Distortion Factor 0.3%) |
| Output Level / Impedance (1 kHz) Rec out A, B | 150mV/2k Ω |
| Output Level / Impedance (1 kHz) Pre out | 775mV/2k Ω |
| Tone control Bass | ± 10 dB (50 Hz) |
| Tone control Treble | ± 10 dB (10 kHz) |
| Filter Low | 50Hz(12dB/oct) |
| Filter High | 8kHz(6dB/oct) |
| Loudness | Continuous loudness corresponding to an equal loudness curve |
| S/N (IHF, A Network) Main in | 100 dB or more |
| S/N (IHF, A Network) Phono | 75 dB or more |
| S/N (IHF, A Network) Mic | 70 dB or more |
| S/N (IHF, A Network) Aux, Tape PB | 90 dB or more |
| FM Tuner Section Receiving frequency | 76 MHz to 90 MHz |
| FM Tuner Section Practical Sensitivity (IHF, 84 MHz) | 2.0 μ V |
| FM Tuner Section Image interference ratio (84 MHz) | 90dB |
| FM Tuner Section IF Interference Ratio (84 MHz) | 95dB |
| FM Tuner Section Spurious interference ratio (84 MHz) | 95dB |
| FM Tuner Section AM suppression ratio | 55dB |
| FM Tuner Section Capture ratio | 1.5dB |
| FM Tuner Section Effective selectivity (IHF) | 75dB |
| FM Tuner Section S/N | 70dB |
| FM Tuner Section Total harmonic distortion rate (400 Hz) | mono:0.3% stereo:0.5% |
| FM Tuner Section Stereo Separation (400 Hz) | 40dB |
| FM Tuner Section Frequency characteristic | 50 Hz to 10 kHz ± 1.0 dB |
| FM Tuner Section Subcarrier suppression ratio | 40dB |
| FM Tuner Section Muting signal level | 10 μ V |
| FM Tuner Section IF out level / impedance | 400mV/1k Ω |
| AM Tuner Section Receiving frequency | 525 kHz to 1,605 kHz |
| AM Tuner Section Practical sensitivity (IHF, bar antenna) | 52dB/m |
| AM Tuner Section Selectivity (1000 kHz) | 30dB |
| Semiconductor used | IC : 4 Transistor : 59 MOS FET : 2 Diode : 33 pcs Zener diode : 3 pcs LED : 3 pcs |
| Power consumption | 120W (rated) 200W maximum |
| External dimensions | Width 474x Height 158x Depth 300 mm |
| Weight | 12.5kg |
Design
The Yamaha CR-600 uses MOS FET technology and a fully complementary OCL amplifier circuit, directly coupled across all stages. The power supply has a well-regulated transformer with constant voltage circuits feeding every section except the main amplifier. A protection circuit built from transistors and diodes trips a relay to cut the output on a fault. The same circuit works as a power muting system. The tone control uses Yamaha’s method, with negative feedback between collector and emitter in a two-stage direct-coupled amplifier. The FM front-end uses dual-gate MOS FETs in the RF and mixer stages, along with a linear-frequency varicon. The IF stage uses an IC and a four-element ceramic filter. The MPX circuit uses a high-performance IC. The AFC circuit switches itself off when you touch the tuning knob. The AM tuner uses a triple-tuning system with an air varicon, a ceramic filter and two coils. AGC is applied to the meter circuit. The microphone input has its own three-transistor amplifier. The rest of the feature list: two tape circuits, low and high filters, FM muting, 300 Ω and 75 Ω antenna terminals, an IF output, and LED dial indicators. The preamp and main amplifier sections can be used independently.
Context
The Yamaha CR-600 belongs to the CR series of receivers, which also includes the CR-400, CR-800, CR-1000, and CR-1020. The CR series became legendary in the 1970s for its clean, powerful sound and exceptional build quality. The CR-600 sits in the middle of the line, with a full feature set and solid performance.
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