Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Time for its semi-annual workout so it’s part of the setup this weekend.
I’ve found that Yamaha receivers in the 1970s typically were lower wattage than the other brands during the Wars. While Pioneer Marantz Technics and Sansui had many mainstream receivers over 100WPC and several over 160WPC, Yamaha laid low.
The exception is the Yamaha CR-3020 which is very rare at 160WPC. That’s the higher model to the one posted here.
Anyways, I’m not a fan of the tone variability on this. Someone referred to Yamaha’s CR-2020 tone and amp circuit as “two wires and a transistor”.
It does sound good now but required some heavy front-end EQ which I’m applying to the input.
Playing on HPM-100’s, my favorite party speakers.
The Yamaha CR-1000 from 1974 at 80WPC has an incredible tone circuit though and is worldly different.
So maybe this is a more Natural Sound!
Have a great beginning to Summer 2026!
Time for its semi-annual workout so it’s part of the setup this weekend.
I’ve found that Yamaha receivers in the 1970s typically were lower wattage than the other brands during the Wars. While Pioneer Marantz Technics and Sansui had many mainstream receivers over 100WPC and several over 160WPC, Yamaha laid low.
The exception is the Yamaha CR-3020 which is very rare at 160WPC. That’s the higher model to the one posted here.
Anyways, I’m not a fan of the tone variability on this. Someone referred to Yamaha’s CR-2020 tone and amp circuit as “two wires and a transistor”.
It does sound good now but required some heavy front-end EQ which I’m applying to the input.
Playing on HPM-100’s, my favorite party speakers.
The Yamaha CR-1000 from 1974 at 80WPC has an incredible tone circuit though and is worldly different.
So maybe this is a more Natural Sound!
Have a great beginning to Summer 2026!
