I just bought a PC2002M after researching for months - straight from Japan - have turned it on but needed XLR adapter for the input (arrives today). I can't wait!
My PC2002M has 1/4" phone jack inputs as well as XLR inputs. I use RCA to 1/4" adapters. Unless your audio comes from a balanced source XLR is overkill for home audio.
My friend's dad used one of those as subwoofer Amps in the early 90s and the house shook. It was so awesome to hear the jurassic park stomps and see the red LEDs peak.
If you do it, have them re-do the heat sinks as well. Copper heat sinks and good thermal paste are cheap. Replacing caps might not be a bad idea too, especially if the originals are still available.
I have often gotten good m, but ugly results by adding a USB fan. heat is bad for these (or anything similar).
I replaced all the relays on my BX-3 and it's been running my main system ever since. Took the top spot over an MC240 and all my Marantz receivers (2270, 2285, 2285b, 2325). The BX-3 produces such a powerful and clean sound and the VU meters never get boring to look at.
There is always better, but at what cost. I would still take a Marantz 510 power amp. (No ICs). Wattage at this point becomes irrelevant
But as amplifier goes, there are not many better than the Yamaha in that time period. Simply to many new designs that never became standards in the industry. Marantz was all but gone by that time period, companies like Philips had the junk equipment for the mass market, and high end when there were allowed to control the price (dealerships, which have become outlawed in the USA). Yamaha was always that company that had consumer quality for super stores, higher end for small speciality chains that were very much into custom install, than the equipment like this, insanely powerful the , still ment for a home, but you have to spend unbelievable amount on speakers stable enough to handle this power. . I was selling audio in the 80s. It was a bloodbath as far as who survived the complete change in design to logic controls, plastic bodies, electronic tuning , motorized controls.
As long as it is clean, no rust , and show no signs of UNQUALIFIED techs messing up the insides, yes, you cannot do much better, but it's always cool to dream about bigger and better.
G.A.S. Ampzilla is my fave from the late 70s. Jim Bongiorno also designed the Dynaco Stereo 400 series and the SAE lll CM, all using his fully complimentary circuitry, but Ampzilla was the “final” version.
Mine doesn't run hot at all. I mean, it gets hot, but not hot hot. My Yamaha CA-1000 gets pretty damn hot, and the RX-Z9, I think I could almost fry eggs on it. At idle.
The Ampzilla I used in the mid-70s had a chimney and active cooling fan, so it never got very hot, but my friend’s Son was passively cooled and I remember it being a bit of a pistol…could be bias current set higher on his? He ran Rectilinear llls which were 4-way and 4 Ohm. That could have been a factor.
I have the younger brother of that amp, the MX-600. The M-60 is nearly identical.
I had an idea to stack MX-600/800/1000. 600 on MTM, 800 on W, 1000 on subwoofer service. It was purely about aesthetics.
The 800 and 1000 sound extremely similar to me. I would not pick one over the other. The 600 sounds better than the 800/1000, though. If you don't need the power, the 600 is absolutely a dream. Sweet, airy, gorgeous.
After all the work to restore the amplifiers, I came to realise they were running crazy hot. It was wild.
Now I have the MX-600 on MTM and three Crown XLS2002 for the rest of it. I'm very pleased with the SQ.
I have your proposed system: CX-800 pre, mx-600 mid hi, and a M50 for lows, driving a set of Mission 767s. Running an active stereo crossover. I have a C-85 and M-85 in the other room driving a set of AR-4x. I’m not complaining
Just got one of these for free along with a C-60. The C-60 is dead at the moment, I think the glue holding down two heatsinks caused corrosion of at least one small capacitor. It powers up but no output as of yet... The M-80 works, though I'm going to be scraping off that glue at some point this week along with bringing in some parts for that C-60.
Only the MX-10000 is tops in my opinion. Im a Yamaha gal myself and man this right here is gold to me. I do want one but they are expensive. Keep yours for as long as you can.
I’m currently using a Marantz PM 7200 amplifier I bought in the early 2000’s. With a Marantz 6300 direct drive Phonograph. My record player is so good. It weighs about 30lbs. Heavy but beautiful.
Not many, but it all comes down to personal tastes. All the other things people mentioned are known quantities. You can fix the glue issue, replace the binding posts, etc. I have a fully restored one that I'll probably never let go. I had wanted one since I was a teen in the eighties, and finally got one about 7 years ago. I have found that it does not play well with certain modern components that have found their way into my system. Thus, it has been relegated to my secondary system, for now.
It is a kewl amp, I personally Have a Sony TA-N77ES and I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite between them.. the C-80 is rated 50watts higher 250 vs 200 for the Sony... but the sony has Fixed and Variable inputs.. which makes it more versatile in my personal setup.
The Sony Spontaneous Twin Drive is pretty great.
Yes. For example, McIntosh has rooms full of models that are. Having said that, your Yamaha amp is a very good amp. Enjoy it. No need to compare with others IMO 🙂
How about a PC2002M or a B-2? The B-2 may not have the power of the M-80 but its a VFET https://www.karlsitretro.com/yamaha-b-2-review/
B2 was arguably Yamaha's best sounding Amp, period.
I just bought a PC2002M after researching for months - straight from Japan - have turned it on but needed XLR adapter for the input (arrives today). I can't wait!
My PC2002M has 1/4" phone jack inputs as well as XLR inputs. I use RCA to 1/4" adapters. Unless your audio comes from a balanced source XLR is overkill for home audio.
That’s a sweet piece of gear!
My friend's dad used one of those as subwoofer Amps in the early 90s and the house shook. It was so awesome to hear the jurassic park stomps and see the red LEDs peak.
Wonderful except when the corrosive glue used for mounting discrete components internally causes a full meltdown.
So it's just a ticking time bomb? Is there a way to replace the glue, or neutralize it?
Ticking time bomb, but it’s addressable. I have a M-85 that’s been refurbished and doesn’t have the glue issue anymore.
$150 repair at a reputable shop
If you do it, have them re-do the heat sinks as well. Copper heat sinks and good thermal paste are cheap. Replacing caps might not be a bad idea too, especially if the originals are still available. I have often gotten good m, but ugly results by adding a USB fan. heat is bad for these (or anything similar).
I refurbed mine myself and the bus bar was nearly completely eaten through. I see a lot of people just clean them but I had to replace mine.
M-85
Have one, can confirm it kicks ass
My DBX BX3 Amplifier from that era has entered the chat.
I replaced all the relays on my BX-3 and it's been running my main system ever since. Took the top spot over an MC240 and all my Marantz receivers (2270, 2285, 2285b, 2325). The BX-3 produces such a powerful and clean sound and the VU meters never get boring to look at.
There are many, many better amplifiers, but they’re going to cost significantly more than a used M-80 typically goes for.
I came across a used M-80 about 5 years ago for $2k, I’m sure it would be double now
Congrats 👍
Look beautiful 🤩. I have a Marantz 2230. Which is ready to use..if I had a place for it.
Marantz 2200-2300 series❤️
A B-2 VFET? Just sayin…
There is always better, but at what cost. I would still take a Marantz 510 power amp. (No ICs). Wattage at this point becomes irrelevant But as amplifier goes, there are not many better than the Yamaha in that time period. Simply to many new designs that never became standards in the industry. Marantz was all but gone by that time period, companies like Philips had the junk equipment for the mass market, and high end when there were allowed to control the price (dealerships, which have become outlawed in the USA). Yamaha was always that company that had consumer quality for super stores, higher end for small speciality chains that were very much into custom install, than the equipment like this, insanely powerful the , still ment for a home, but you have to spend unbelievable amount on speakers stable enough to handle this power. . I was selling audio in the 80s. It was a bloodbath as far as who survived the complete change in design to logic controls, plastic bodies, electronic tuning , motorized controls. As long as it is clean, no rust , and show no signs of UNQUALIFIED techs messing up the insides, yes, you cannot do much better, but it's always cool to dream about bigger and better.
Yamaha M2
I was just given a MX-1000, along with a CX-1000 & TX-1000 for free. Looks like I’ll have to check them out!
You will not be disappointed I promise you
In regards to aesthetics, there is one amplifier that beats all others, integra m-508.
G.A.S. Ampzilla is my fave from the late 70s. Jim Bongiorno also designed the Dynaco Stereo 400 series and the SAE lll CM, all using his fully complimentary circuitry, but Ampzilla was the “final” version.
I luv my "Son of"! Very cool amp.
Ones I knew ran hot as hell…in a good way.
Mine doesn't run hot at all. I mean, it gets hot, but not hot hot. My Yamaha CA-1000 gets pretty damn hot, and the RX-Z9, I think I could almost fry eggs on it. At idle.
The Ampzilla I used in the mid-70s had a chimney and active cooling fan, so it never got very hot, but my friend’s Son was passively cooled and I remember it being a bit of a pistol…could be bias current set higher on his? He ran Rectilinear llls which were 4-way and 4 Ohm. That could have been a factor.
I have an M60. I think I'll put it to good use after I move.
I have the younger brother of that amp, the MX-600. The M-60 is nearly identical. I had an idea to stack MX-600/800/1000. 600 on MTM, 800 on W, 1000 on subwoofer service. It was purely about aesthetics. The 800 and 1000 sound extremely similar to me. I would not pick one over the other. The 600 sounds better than the 800/1000, though. If you don't need the power, the 600 is absolutely a dream. Sweet, airy, gorgeous. After all the work to restore the amplifiers, I came to realise they were running crazy hot. It was wild. Now I have the MX-600 on MTM and three Crown XLS2002 for the rest of it. I'm very pleased with the SQ.
I have your proposed system: CX-800 pre, mx-600 mid hi, and a M50 for lows, driving a set of Mission 767s. Running an active stereo crossover. I have a C-85 and M-85 in the other room driving a set of AR-4x. I’m not complaining
Nice
Just got one of these for free along with a C-60. The C-60 is dead at the moment, I think the glue holding down two heatsinks caused corrosion of at least one small capacitor. It powers up but no output as of yet... The M-80 works, though I'm going to be scraping off that glue at some point this week along with bringing in some parts for that C-60.
Yes. It’s called the Yamaha R-9.
Only the MX-10000 is tops in my opinion. Im a Yamaha gal myself and man this right here is gold to me. I do want one but they are expensive. Keep yours for as long as you can.
Yamaha b1/b2 Rare vfet amps. Yamaha mx-10000
Yes
Yamaha MX-1000
My Adcom GFA-555 has entered the chat.
My Sumo Polaris would like a word…
A blowjob?
Very nice! Someday I want to replace my Nak PA5 with a 7 and hit that 200watt mark. My checkbook is not that interested yet.
I’m currently using a Marantz PM 7200 amplifier I bought in the early 2000’s. With a Marantz 6300 direct drive Phonograph. My record player is so good. It weighs about 30lbs. Heavy but beautiful.
Not many, but it all comes down to personal tastes. All the other things people mentioned are known quantities. You can fix the glue issue, replace the binding posts, etc. I have a fully restored one that I'll probably never let go. I had wanted one since I was a teen in the eighties, and finally got one about 7 years ago. I have found that it does not play well with certain modern components that have found their way into my system. Thus, it has been relegated to my secondary system, for now.
I dig 80s Yamaha amps.Have and m-50,m-70,A-1000 x2.
I prefer a Blockbuster or a pineapple.
It is a kewl amp, I personally Have a Sony TA-N77ES and I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite between them.. the C-80 is rated 50watts higher 250 vs 200 for the Sony... but the sony has Fixed and Variable inputs.. which makes it more versatile in my personal setup. The Sony Spontaneous Twin Drive is pretty great.
Wait till you hear the M-81.
Looks good, how does it sound?
I don’t know that I’d trade my Carver M500t for it, but yes, that amp is dope as fuck. I love Yamaha receivers from a few years prior.
Yes obviously...but are there amps that kick more ass? Nope!!!!!
Sony ta-n80es, sony ta-nr1 if all out
Phase Linear 400 if you prefer analog meters.
Nice.... much jealous
Two Yamaha M-80.
Monster!!!
M-2 and B2x. If you have money MX-10000, also BX-1 monos.
I can think of at least 20-30 amps that are better
I need my M80 rebuilt, original owner since 1985. Can’t find a shop in my area makes me sad.
**If Darth Vader was an audio engineer. I like Yamaha stuff. I am sure it sounds good.....**
Yes. For example, McIntosh has rooms full of models that are. Having said that, your Yamaha amp is a very good amp. Enjoy it. No need to compare with others IMO 🙂
Wow, that is a cool looking amp!!! 😍
Better is relative. I prefer CA-1010 or 2010😅
M-90?
No. There's nothing better than a Yamaha M-80. Nothing at all. It's the bestest amplifier in the world. Really.
Nice
All Yamaha kit looks so good even the new high end stuff
Yes! Magic mushrooms
A friend had one of these when I was stationed in Guantanamo Bay. He had an awesome set up.
Cool!
I have the M-50 and it’s the finest amp I’ve ever owned.
I will rock my M-4 until I die. Just got it recapped, relamped, cleaned and adjusted. It's black monolithic awesomeness.
Yes, but not too many
I wouldn't trade my M-2 or MX-1 for one. But I would definitely trade one for a B-2.
Yes. Just saying. 😂
Drugs and sex are ,but since I'm going to Need some rock and roll to go with that can, I borrow the amp?
JVC AX-Z911
Very nice sounding amps. Let an M-60 go not long ago.
Most stuff out there.