Yamaha CR-820 (1977–1979)
A natural sound FM/AM stereo receiver from Yamaha's CR series, produced in the late 1970s.
Overview
The Yamaha CR-820 is a natural sound FM/AM stereo receiver. Yamaha built it from 1977 to 1979. It belongs to the CR series, which also includes the CR-400, CR-600, CR-800, CR-1000, CR-1020, CR-220, CR-420, and CR-620. It has the classic Yamaha styling of the era, with a monochrome face plate, and it was designed for high-fidelity audio performance.
Specifications
| Power output | 55 watts per channel into 8 ohms or 50 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo) |
| Frequency response | 20Hz to 20kHz |
| Distortion | low distortion rate of 0.02% |
Design
The CR-820 has pure, low distortion power and wide NDCR technology. The FM section uses NFB-PLL-MPX, OTS, and pilot cancellation circuits, which help keep stereo reception stable and clear. The monochrome face plate reflects the classic Yamaha styling of the late 1970s.
Market
The Yamaha CR-820 originally retailed for around $460.00 or approximately 1'200 DM. Common reported issues include humming - often linked to grounding or capacitor problems - and potential faults in the power supply. Some units may be unreliable because of aging solder joints and wear, particularly if they were exposed to smoke or poor storage conditions.
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