The Yamaha A-S 3200 Experience. Can it compete with the best?

[@pervertedalchemist9944]

I'm a longtime fan of Yamaha audio equipment. They are very underrated and pack a punch. I have a Yamaha amplifier from the late 80's that still holds up today.

[@con6164]

Own this integrated amp and it is exactly as you have described. 3200 is in a class of its own. Best bang for buck by a country mile. I got it connected to my VAF Signature Series i93 SE ($27k AUD) and use Denafrips Pontus 12 as my DAC with Marantz SA11S2 as my transport . So sweet. Piano sound is the real litmus test for any system and on the AS3200 it sounds so real.

[@spiritualarchitect4276]

I wanted that amp but could not justify spending $8,000 on just it alone (even though that is how much I gave my wife's dentist). My entire current system cost that much and I am really happy with it. Listening to a Marantz CD player on Focal headphones through a Yamaha AS-1200. The Yamaha makes my Stellia's sing.

[@webking185]

Yamaha AS3200 is very musical. Sounds awesome

[@istefk]

nice. give us a review comparison between the Yamaha A-S-3200 and the Yamaha- ( C-5000 + M-5000 )

[@Graphixman]

I feel so ghetto now only having a $500 Yamaha….that I actually love.

[@Staybrown11]

Why?

[@MrBonger88]

I really like the look of these integrated amps

[@sonofdaxjones]

I enjoy the "mass produced" commentary when it comes to brands like Yamaha. It implies that other audio companies are all building their equipment by hand using people trained by Swiss watch makers. That might be true for some excruciatingly expensive mega boutique high end brands, but most audio companies build their stuff just like Yamaha does. No one with a sentient thought can say that Yamaha's higher end gear is not extremely well designed and well built. Whether you like the sound or not is purely a matter of preference. But the gear itself is as solidly built as you will find in any similar line/priced gear, and superior in most cases is not found until you've shelled out thousands upon thousands of additional dollars.

[@carminedesanto6746]

A great review, thank you.

[@Scotiak]

I would love to see you review Unison Research amps. I am currently running their integrated Unico Due amp. So many amps, so little time.

[@Dignit52]

I’m curious why you haven’t done a review on the Denon PMA A-110 integrated amplifier and the DCD A-110? I considered the Yamaha, but I felt it was too expensive and that the DENON had a much better product for $3,500 (now $4,000) as a high-end integrated amplifier. The engineers at DENON put their best into that PMA A- 110 from their higher end more expensive integrated amplifiers that are made for Japan. Love your reviews.

[@nocnymarek7645]

I am looking for something to replace HK990. May we say that energy on base even when play quiet is comparable?

[@HiFiHuff]

@@nocnymarek7645 this amounts good at low volume, yes. Of course, your speakers have to be good at that as well.

[@rangerrecon]

Damn. I was convinced that I wanted to go with something from Accuphase (e.g. e-280) but I've always been a diehard Yamaha fan (since the mid 80's and the A-1000 integrated) and now I feel that I may have to reconsider. Fortuntately, finances prohibit a rapid decision being made, but it is coming.

[@RM-ks8pp]

How does this AS-3200 compare to the AS-2200 ?.

[@tractioncontroloff9796]

I’d like to compare this to bel canto e1x, orchard audio ultra, and Hegel h600. The Yamaha is absolutely gorgeous compared to the others but I wonder how it sounds compared to them.

[@michaelschultz1125]

I currently have a Luxman L-505uX Integrated Amplifier and am considering of switching to the Yamaha. I like my Luxman, but I feel the high end is tweaked up a little. I'd like the sound to be a little bit warmer and have more punch.

[@HanifBarnwell]

Interesting observation

[@alkingborn]

Having tested some of these amps I suggest you to listen to any of Pass Labs integrated, you’ll be blown away

[@net_news]

go for an Accuphase they have the sound that you describe a Pass will do the trick too but they are more tubey.

[@karkasnatschka5779]

Try Marantz model 30 (for warmth and punch)

[@HanifBarnwell]

@@karkasnatschka5779 I don’t get the need for colorization with solid state , if folks are chasing a “tube sound” then take that route of tube amplification.

[@wheoever6696]

beautiful amp !

[@dman7776]

I found the 3200 to be a great but a little boring in sound flavor for my taste. However, I used the Yamaha 2000a as a preamp to it and it sounds outstanding now.

[@Gibsondude]

You described the Yamaha sound as I think of it

[@rbyington22]

How does this compare to the Luxman 509Z sound-wise will take any answer from anyone who knows cheers

[@jamesrobinson9176]

I've had the as2000 forever. Don't use it anymore, prefer rubes. That said, it will likely be in my estate sale when the time comes.

[@justoutlaw6423]

Big difference in sound in 1000, 2000 vs newer series. Never liked as1000 or 2000.

[@umitr]

Congratulations, great review, you made a comparison between Yamaha as3200 and Audio Research vsi 75 a long time ago, then I bought Audio Research vsi 75 😃

[@xjmzrq]

Nice job; thanks for sharing. I have the A-S1200 paired with Cornwall IV's and am mesmerized by the sound stage. It's amazing. For reference, I've been tracking the A-S3200 on Amazon for some time now, and I've seen the black model go as low as $3839.98. EDIT: Price

[@HiFiHuff]

@@xjmzrq at $4100 it’s a superb deal! Awesome.

[@jackj3917]

I own a pair of CW IVs too and have been thinking about the as-1200. Is there anything you don't like about its sound? I've always run tubes, so I'm a little concerned about it being too bright.

[@xjmzrq]

@@jackj3917 no - no issues with brightness at all. Well, there's obviously been the rare occasion when a song or album is too bright - but that's what treble control is for. This amp paired with CWIV's is absolutely amazing.

[@DavidUKesb]

@@jackj3917 Depends what genre of music you mainly listen too.

[@jimsimmons2674]

Why cannot yamaha and other companys put a Tape Monitor Loop in these Integrated amps and receivers?I like to use a EQ to even out my speakers frequency response using a pink noise generator?

[@TheDarthvader123]

Accuphase has one

[@lsaideOK]

Have you ever heard the marantz model 50? Much less expensive but has been reviewed well elsewhere.

[@YannickRobitaille-t9u]

How does the A-S 3200 compared with the kinky studio EX-M1+?🤔 Nice review as usual!!👍

[@mindhead1]

This is the question that needs answering.

[@Jarda-qr4wx]

Kinki is still king

[@alaincayer8999]

I am watching your videos for quite long. Many months ago, your top 3 amplifiers, you had Luxman #1. No buzz? Later you updated your house's ground. Was it the sourceof the buzz? I have a Luxman 20 watts class A, completely silent. I enjoy your videos, thanks.

[@Patrick-ke5qt]

Have you ever listened to Outlaw Audio rr2160 mkll stereo receiver ?

[@michaelcorlet2998]

Gr8t review steve.i take yamaha over the mac anyday.remember clunky usa cars. Look at well made japan cars.😮

[@blah7745]

I think you reviewed the michi x3. How does the two compares?

[@dennis3779]

This amp has almost the sound signature of the 1200 or RN2000 though maybe more spacious more PRAT and more resolution and control of unstable impedance speakers. But in my view in this class better look at the Unity Atom series or AA Puccini or AA Cento or some Unison or Vincent amps for instance for more musicality if you are not into SE Class A amps 🤔

[@CampusOposiciones]

Sound differences between the AS3000 and AS3200? Or do they sound the same?

[@RoverWaters]

is the ceiling gonna colapse ? it is bent...

[@SavageListener]

It might be a wide angle fishbulb camera lens that warps the image

[@papabear1417]

Class A and some AB although detailed are similar to bringing a Glockenspiel to a xylophone party. Yamaha make instruments and know how they should sound..

[@Pksparty2112]

I’m a huge Yamaha fan for their looks. My only disappointment is the lower wattage. For 6 -8K price I would like a little more headroom

[@dennishill290]

Yes.... Yamaha.... 🍸👍🔈🔊..... !

[@Maurizzio_]

vs Michi x3? x3. Thanks

[@jeromelang6413]

The pre-amp section on this amp sounds lean and could be a bit shrill. And did you already found that it's mc phono section sounds funny? I suspect it's an issue with inverted polarity.

[@bocrux]

Make sure your cartridge is low output 0.3mV or less.

[@TajitsuTakeuchi]

Sansui Alpha’s 907?

[@dragonstone6594]

How does the Yamaha A-S3200 compare to Rotel MICHI X3?

[@mitchellburns92]

Yamaha all the way

[@charlesking678]

I would go yamaha

[@ChicagoRob2]

Yamaha

[@charlesking678]

I have a Rotel 1592 and yamaha n2000a. The 1592 is very close to the michi sonically. The 2000a was far superior head to head. The only area the rotel was better is the amp section is much stronger. The n2000a with an external amp is magical. Or use more efficient speakers and you won't notice it much. Either way I'd say yamaha over anything rotel.

[@nitinsoniism]

@@charlesking678I second this. I compared Rotel RA1572 vs Yamaha AS1200. No comparison. Yamaha was orders of magnitude better. More powerful even though lower in wattage. Midrange is not even a comparison. Rotel was so dry and boring.

[@Karto86]

Usually amps have a completely flat response 20-20k, why some are warm and some are bright?

[@ChicagoRob2]

Topology and parts selection.

[@Openeyesopenheart42]

Under a complex load like a speaker, few have a perfectly flat response. The flat response you refer to is from a simple 4 or 8 ohm load.

[@AbsoluteFidelity]

In certain cases, noise, harmonic distortion and load dependency can cause the sound to be perceived as warm or bright. Audio fuckery that happens in the pre section (if the designer wanted to) like reverb, phase, etc can change perceived overall sound.

[@xfloodcasual8124]

the steady state measurement of a sine wave doesn't reflect the power function during music playback

[@chahyadirusli5219]

Please listen to the new Spec Corp RSA-V21.

[@CercaTrova13]

What it gives if compared to AS-1200 ? I had the as-1200 before, but I upgraded and now have naim classic 200 series separates.

[@saltywalt57]

Are you sure that the AS3200 and the RN2000 don't have the same amp and preamp boards inside? The output specs are so similar.

[@calebkeen8967]

RN2000 is the same amp/preamp as the AS-1200 according to the Yamaha rep in the room at AXPONA in April.

[@nudebaboon4874]

@@saltywalt57 as1200 and RN2000 caps are 4X 1800uf, as2200 and as3200 are 4X 2200uf.

[@mr.george7687]

The biggest problem w/ Yamaha is Stigma. Most high end audiophiles want to show off their gear, McIntosh,Pass Labs, Hegel, etc. Yamaha is known for budget mass produced gear. Hi end audiophiles would be ashamed to brag about their Yamaha as high end.Seriously doubt anyone w/ Wilson or Magnepans would buy a Yamaha integrated .

[@roybatty6368]

Nobody spends big $$$$$ on Yamaha.

[@DavidUKesb]

Unfortunately you're probably right. More fool them.

[@95lovi]

Hmm the Hegels ? Or the Michi s ?

[@nitinsoniism]

I compared as1200 with hegel h190 and as1200 had better mid and highs but the bass was slightly better on hegel. It’s a personal choice.

[@UncleHoCM]

👍

[@wolfgangpohlmann5952]

Has anybody got a recommendation for floorstanding speakers that would pair well with this amp?

[@marvinmurakami8828]

Look into Arendals 1723, Heco Aurora 1000, Polk r700.

[@shamindrakulamannage618]

Also consider the Qacoustic Concept series, the 50 and the 500

[@nitinsoniism]

Kef R7 meta

[@webking185]

B&W Nautilus 803

[@ronmiller6344]

I'm using KEF Blade Two. Very happy with the pairing .

[@ThePetar911]

i am pretty sure those are best yamahas ever made: B1, B2, B2X, M2 and CA-2010, this new one is not eve close IMHO

[@brainache555]

I had the as 2100 very disappointing

[@HanifBarnwell]

Really? Why?

[@brainache555]

@@HanifBarnwell it didn't have any special about the sound very boring receiver sound. No detail nothing that stood out that it did any better than less expensive gear

[@HanifBarnwell]

@@brainache555 got it

[@net_news]

that's what i've found with the 2000... generic sound and lack of power

[@stevenrogers5004]

Why dont you stereo & amp guys ever talk of usa made carver. They were better than all the asian made systems

[@veritasfan11]

dont compare to luxman and pass labs the yamaha is a little lean in the bass.

[@veritasfan11]

@@BRICKSINSILK yes i have listened to it for a few hours but not in the same league as the pass labs and luxman. IMHO!

[@Sebastian-gc2hc]

It's not Yamaha's flagship amplifier.

[@MohsinWadee]

It's their flagship integrated amplifier.

[@tonymckay6556]

old dog that's a japanese crap. western brands have no equal.

[@xXLegendXx70]

wtf u mean by that? xD