Craigslist Find: Opinions Needed

[kmibb]

Hey guys, I've been looking for a good amplifier to power some Usher 2-ways. Is it me or is this a pretty good steal?

http://bakersfield.craigslist.org/ele/2976729357.html

It's 125W x 2 Class A. Probably a pretty beefy amp.

[djg]

I always liked Yamaha stuff.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQU9pSIGfFo

[Jay1]

I would hate to see what 10 db of boost at 20hz would do to some poor guys speakers

Here's some discussion on that amp

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/sho...d.php?t=109017

[kmibb]

I would hate to see what 10 db of boost at 20hz would do to some poor guys speakers

huh?

Nvm I see now that they have tone controls to make it +/- 10 dB at 20Hz and 20kHz.

[arlis_1957@yahoo.com]

i say yes.

[WayneN]

I still have my Yamaha CA-1010 AMP that I bought new in 1978, I don’t think you will be disappointed with this one!

WayneN

[fastbike1]

The Class A mode isn't 125 watts, goes A/B for that level.
20 watts Class A.

Hey guys, I've been looking for a good amplifier to power some Usher 2-ways. Is it me or is this a pretty good steal?

http://bakersfield.craigslist.org/ele/2976729357.html

It's 125W x 2 Class A. Probably a pretty beefy amp.

[WayneN]

I was curious as to the differences in the specs and now that I look at the spec of my old CA-1010 I’m thinking it’s a bit better than the newer A-1020?

The CA-1010 is the top portion and the A-1020 is the bottom..

I will let the more experienced answer this.

Wayne N

[ROTECH]

That Yamaha has some good reviews.
I personally would look out for some ADCOM gear if you need only amplification.

I picked up my GFA5400 for $140 from CL. It would love to be teamed up with some Usher gear. It is rated at 140WPC I think.... though many reports show it to be closer to 200wpc into 4ohms.

[Whitneyville1]

Yammies, Sansuis, Sanyos , Sankyos (SVN bring-backs) of that era are all strong, and most are "over-built". Servicemen weren't so "brand conscious" as they were sound and value conscious (and 60Hz/120volt switch-over aware). Some brands never heard of in the US were sold in PX's (Grace, Nagaogoka, Nagra, Nakamichi, Nitto, Clearaudio and more) and they turned out to be World-class equipment. IMO, Class A amps are somewhat over-rated. They don't of the class of operation sound better, but they use alot more energy and put-off alot more heat all the time than other classes of amplifiers. AB1 is considered "ideal" as it draws less current at idle, stressing the components less, and with no "inverse feedback", it can operate stably without oscillation beyond audio frequencies. AB2 requires some inverse feedback for stability and THD reduction, and is probably the most popular mode for better Hi-Fi amps today. The power supply can be nearly half the current of Class AB1 saving $$$$. The bad thing, as in most AVR's, saving money on the power supply reduces "reserve power" and "headroom", limiting the dynamic range. The inverse feedback can be used to excess to get great THD numbers, but "unfocused" or "indistinct" sound.

[john trials]

That amp looks really similar to a Yamaha R-8 receiver that I bought back in 1983 (although my receiver is 200 watts/channel). Yamaha has the label "Natural Sound" on mine, and on the A-1020. Hinged panel and controls all look similar. Mine has been flawless. I used it as my main system up until about 2 years ago, when I bought an AVR for surround sound. Now the Yamaha R-8 is used to power the sub.

Test it out. It may need some cleaner sprayed in the pots, just due to it's age. Maybe some power supply caps. It wouldn't hurt if you could get a good look inside to see its condition. If it is truly about 30 years old, I would see if you could get it for a bit less $.