How to upgrade a vintage receiver Yamaha CR-820

[@itsahellofaname]

I really hope you gravitate toward doing videos of vintage audio equipment, since you did such a great job with this beauty of a receiver. It's great to see a young person appreciate what Yamaha was doing back then. I'm on the fence on buying a Yamaha CR-820 right now, and you're not helping much in talking me out of it!

[@itsahellofaname]

...aaaaaaaaand I caved and bought the Yamaha CR-820 - see what you've done??

[@nicknordmann5171]

My dad gave his Yamaha to Goodwill. I immediately went there but it was gone. A couple years later, I found his Yamaha cassette deck at a junk shop. I knew it was his because of a scratch I accidentally made as a kid. After I recovered the tape deck, I inquired about the receiver. It was bought by a local fire department for the town dances. A short time later, I found a CR-820 an an antique shop that sells records. It is a couple models down from what dad had, but I love it and it recaptures the memories of jamming to the records and tapes.

[@NotoriousOzTheMan]

I was listening to Johnny Cash's last album, an album with memorable covers like Hurt. There is something about this receiver that puts you right into the recording studio. I'm using you very affordable Micca MB42X speakers. For streaming and to connect my DVD player for CDs, I use a Fiio BR13 Bluetooth DAC - I use the bluetooth to connect my phone or tablets for streaming music. This receiver has a pure, clean depth to its sound. I feel like Johnny is singing a personal concert to me. Amazing 1970s vintage greatness from Yamaha.

[@kurtburkhardt9364]

I have been a stereo/sound guy for a long time. I had a big Kenwood 8010 receiver 120 WPC and had fun with it. I bought a Yamaha R-100 in the mid 80's because it was a standard 17" wide had a digital tuner and a remote. I still have it and it sounds amazing. I missed the look of the old analog receivers and remembered my roommate had an CR-820. I finally found one and have been enjoying the vintage sound and look. I'm glad you are enjoying your Yamaha. Seeing younger people experiencing vintage equipment makes me happy. They are fairly easy to fix, tough to kill and sound great. Being able to connect older and newer technology together and increase functionality is a great idea. I often use my new/old i-pod with my pro audio or home gear. Unlike the old days it is great to have 80 gig of music without lugging hundreds of albums around. It is nice not having to stream or use Bluetooth when the signal is poor.

[@johnkatkus7143]

I have this receiver and purchased in new in 1979. It was and is a great receiver. This video will be added to my collection. Thanks again for the review.

[@marcparsons1726]

Line level to speaker adapter lets you add a subwoofer. Nice job (caught it late). Thanks for sharing!

[@jacesanchez6202]

Not mentioning the tons of work and new parts on that unit!..let alone the cost that the shop charged...I rebuild all my vintage audio myself...easy work,parts are abundant and it's a great hobby for those of us with a true love for vintage audio... videos like this is for lazy people who want everything done for them because their pockets can afford it! Helps boost the ego or bragging rights factor amongst the new generation yuppie communities also!!😮😮😊

[@nicknordmann5171]

I hooked a Bluetooth receiver up to an unused tape 2 input. It works great. I can use my phone to wirelessly stream audio and as a remote.

[@fredthompson1279]

Nice work on a great piece. Love the vintage Yammy's

[@dantoinewright2241]

Great review man, it was very informative🙌🏾

[@MEANSTREETAUTO454]

I didn't know how to tie it into my TV -Cool !

[@nfarias9815]

Video. I just bought my first receiver and it is a Yamaha cr-820 and I like it a lot, even though it has very sensitive knobs to the touch (especially the volume). But what concerns me the most at the moment is the temperature of your transformer. I immediately thought of adapting some kind of fan, but I would like to know if you have any experience with this idea. Thank you very much I remain attentive to your comment

[@johnconway7484]

I just purchased my 820 about 6 months ago I love it she bangs for only 55 watts.. I need to find a headphone jack cover though, that looks slick.

[@geoffreydeihl8171]

Nice job. I have a whole herd of vintage receivers. Yamaha may have the best sound to my ears compared to many that I've owned. Sony is great, too, similar to Marantz sound. Of course that depends on the years of manufacture. I didn't care for my Pioneer SX-850, thin mid range where most of the music lives. These old units as you appreciate are beautiful, built like tanks and worth preserving. I hate AV receivers.

[@B1B904]

How about showing me how to install the new binding post on the rear?

[@rickreviews3325]

First let me thank you for becoming a new subscriber. I think that would be an amazing video. I have four other reviews scheduled. I will try to make an install video for the new binding posts in between the videos. We are doing a DIY speaker wire video, I’m reviewing the Infiniti R162 speakers and the Yamaha A-S501 integrated amp. The last video will be an old Yamaha vs new Yamaha shoot out.

[@T.S.1020]

Rick, great review.

[@The.Dude.Abides.]

Rather than going with a DAC couldn’t your just plug directly into your TV via the headphone/aux jack on the TV? What extra advantage does the DAC offer? Also, by plugging right into the TV headphone/aux jack you can control the volume through the TV remote.

[@rickreviews3325]

You can most definitely plug it directly into your tv but depending on what you want it's not the best choice. The DAC in your tv is probably very cheap and my guess is it has a bit of jitter resalting in a sound floor. Cheap DACs do not mean they are bad, the Apple dongle is probable the best you can get for the money. This setup also allows you to stream the sound in setups without a TV.

[@SinnerSince1962]

The veneer on the CR-820 is actually a high grade vinyl.

[@tapehiss88]

Thanks so much for making this review! Did you by any chance change the speaker terminals yourself or was that part of the restoration at Huppin's? I couldn't find any videos on how to do this and was wondering if a DIY'er can perform this?

[@RoverWaters]

another way to upgrade it is to send it to Gilbert Yeung for mods

[@1957CRAZYDJ]

Hum, speaker terminals will not improve the sound of your receiver or amp. It just allow to use larger speaker cables or terminals.

[@rickreviews3325]

certain speaker terminals can improve quality by increasing the pressure on the wire from the terminal. The increased pressure decreases the impedance in the wire.

[@williamdolyniuk7804]

No no no bye new. Dig .etc yeah it will drive a turntable but .......

[@bobriedel3277]

The new stuff, unless you're willing to spend big bucks, is lightweight, plastic junk that sounds terrible.