Uploaded July 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
“Older is better…” - that’s what I keep trying to tell myself and my kids. I’ve learned that the Yamaha silver 70s monsters also follow this same logic. Or, at least in the comparison of two models.
On June 14, I posted a video here of a Yamaha CR-2020, 100 W per channel, 1977, professionally restored prior to my purchase and in excellent condition. While I love that receiver, I’m just not crazy about how it sounds. It’s in a league of its own and there’s also a fair amount of discussion about speaker synergy and the xx20 series being sterile.
I’ve also had my eye on the CR-1000 from 1974 which is a 70 W per channel model. A guy on. Vintage receiver group on Facebook also corresponded with me on my post to inform me that this one is worldly different. And he’s right!
Made a sniper bid on eBay last weekend and won a CR-1000 which turned out to be in pristine condition having low hours and all original capacitors and components. I know what to look for when opening something, and it’s a real treat getting something this old that hasn’t been messed with. Almost no dust inside however, I did clean the internals and Deoxited all controls.
Biasing and internal voltages were only slightly off, and the bulbs are very bright, given the fact that this is a dimly lit receiver under any condition.Has significantly more bass and treble tone variability, and overall has a warmer and much more robust sound when compared to the CR-2020.
Pros:
-Lots of controls, levers,and buttons
-Excellent tone circuit and powerful amplifier
-Exceptionally great looking receiver
-Some unnecessary features, but fun anyways: FM muting variability slider, and microphone volume, 2 FM tuning meters.
-5 gang very sensitive FM tuner
-2 tape, 2 aux and 2 phono inputs.
-Operates extremely cool, temperature wise
-No major flaws or service bulletin fixes. This model appears to be solid.
Cons:
-Tuner dial does not have backlit or any other illumination other than the pointer. Yamaha was this way for all of these models throughout the 70s.
-No AM tuner whatsoever
-No power output VU meters
-More difficult to service, when the time comes, however many boards come out as cards.
I collect these vintage receivers, so I’m happy to have both in the collection but the CR–1000 is the shining star and would be my recommendation if you’re gonna go with something from this league.
Also one other interesting item to note, this is the lowest number serial number I have ever seen with something I have owned. Serial number is simply 9276, I’m going to have to check if this is sequential or truly happens to be one of the earliest because I’m sure they made thousands of these.
“Older is better…” - that’s what I keep trying to tell myself and my kids. I’ve learned that the Yamaha silver 70s monsters also follow this same logic. Or, at least in the comparison of two models.
On June 14, I posted a video here of a Yamaha CR-2020, 100 W per channel, 1977, professionally restored prior to my purchase and in excellent condition. While I love that receiver, I’m just not crazy about how it sounds. It’s in a league of its own and there’s also a fair amount of discussion about speaker synergy and the xx20 series being sterile.
I’ve also had my eye on the CR-1000 from 1974 which is a 70 W per channel model. A guy on. Vintage receiver group on Facebook also corresponded with me on my post to inform me that this one is worldly different. And he’s right!
Made a sniper bid on eBay last weekend and won a CR-1000 which turned out to be in pristine condition having low hours and all original capacitors and components. I know what to look for when opening something, and it’s a real treat getting something this old that hasn’t been messed with. Almost no dust inside however, I did clean the internals and Deoxited all controls.
Biasing and internal voltages were only slightly off, and the bulbs are very bright, given the fact that this is a dimly lit receiver under any condition.Has significantly more bass and treble tone variability, and overall has a warmer and much more robust sound when compared to the CR-2020.
Pros:
-Lots of controls, levers,and buttons
-Excellent tone circuit and powerful amplifier
-Exceptionally great looking receiver
-Some unnecessary features, but fun anyways: FM muting variability slider, and microphone volume, 2 FM tuning meters.
-5 gang very sensitive FM tuner
-2 tape, 2 aux and 2 phono inputs.
-Operates extremely cool, temperature wise
-No major flaws or service bulletin fixes. This model appears to be solid.
Cons:
-Tuner dial does not have backlit or any other illumination other than the pointer. Yamaha was this way for all of these models throughout the 70s.
-No AM tuner whatsoever
-No power output VU meters
-More difficult to service, when the time comes, however many boards come out as cards.
I collect these vintage receivers, so I’m happy to have both in the collection but the CR–1000 is the shining star and would be my recommendation if you’re gonna go with something from this league.
Also one other interesting item to note, this is the lowest number serial number I have ever seen with something I have owned. Serial number is simply 9276, I’m going to have to check if this is sequential or truly happens to be one of the earliest because I’m sure they made thousands of these.
