Yamaha CD-S3000 and Yamaha A-S3000
The story of Yamaha began with the production of music instruments. It was back in 1887 when Torakusu Yamaha built his first harmonium. Ten years after he began to build vertical pianos and in the mid of the 20th century his society was listed in the Tokyo stock exchange. He founded the Yamaha Music School and few years after he started to design the first Hi-Fi devices.
The amplifiers CA-1000, B-1, C-2 or the NS Series loudpeakers were famous in the 70’s.
For many years Yamaha confronted with the most important brands in worldwide H-iFi. They decided then, for unknown reasons, to abandon the Hi-End market and to enter the consumer market with audio and video devices.
Suddenly, Yamaha has returned to the high quality Hi-Fi in the last few years with other competitors like Pioneer for example. And we are more than happy that multinational corporations decide to come back to the Hi-End sector and do it from the front door.
Yamaha is present in most of the Italian Hi-Fi shops; it’s easier to make a list of the shops that do not have this brand rather than of the shops that have it in their displays and warehouses.
For example, in this moment in the North of Italy there is an event almost every week-end and when the tour in Northern Italy will be over the shows will move to the rest of Italy.
The amplifiers CA-1000, B-1, C-2 or the NS Series loudpeakers were famous in the 70’s.
For many years Yamaha confronted with the most important brands in worldwide H-iFi. They decided then, for unknown reasons, to abandon the Hi-End market and to enter the consumer market with audio and video devices.
Suddenly, Yamaha has returned to the high quality Hi-Fi in the last few years with other competitors like Pioneer for example. And we are more than happy that multinational corporations decide to come back to the Hi-End sector and do it from the front door.
Yamaha is present in most of the Italian Hi-Fi shops; it’s easier to make a list of the shops that do not have this brand rather than of the shops that have it in their displays and warehouses.
For example, in this moment in the North of Italy there is an event almost every week-end and when the tour in Northern Italy will be over the shows will move to the rest of Italy.
We asked to Yamaha to review the top of the range digital player, the CD-S3000. Together with the player we have received - with joy - also the top of the range integrated amplifier, the A-S3000.
I must confess that for me it’s easy to fall in love with these devices that have a clean and sober design that reminds me of the devices of the 70’s. Of course this applies especially to the amplifier, since the CD players did not exist back then.
Let’s start from the amplifier, it has a nice aluminium front panel and two beautiful Vu-Meters with a yellow light matched with the small dark yellow LED lights.
On the left side we find a small lever to turn the device on and to control the stand-by position. Next is the headphone input and a rotating switch that controls the headphone output power from -6 dB to +12 dB. The headphone output is controlled also by the volume knob in order to adapt to every headphone. A short test with my 600 Ohm AKG showed that it’s enough even for this high impedance headphone. Then we find the output control for the loudspeakers. Up to two couples or a bi-wiring as it is clearly stated in the printing. Then there is the switch to select the Vu Meters mode: off - no, please! - or peak/average mode. Follow in line the tone and balance controls that look like the old and beautiful Yamaha amplifiers knobs.
Then we find a pot that will let you choose the inputs that are: “direct” to use the integrated as a power amplifier, two unbalanced line inputs, 2 balanced inputs, 2 more unbalanced and the phono amplifier. This is interesting because you have the possibility, through a lever, to choose between MM and MC. The last switch is the mute. The upper part of the panel has the big Vu-Meter window and the volume control.
I must confess that for me it’s easy to fall in love with these devices that have a clean and sober design that reminds me of the devices of the 70’s. Of course this applies especially to the amplifier, since the CD players did not exist back then.
Let’s start from the amplifier, it has a nice aluminium front panel and two beautiful Vu-Meters with a yellow light matched with the small dark yellow LED lights.
On the left side we find a small lever to turn the device on and to control the stand-by position. Next is the headphone input and a rotating switch that controls the headphone output power from -6 dB to +12 dB. The headphone output is controlled also by the volume knob in order to adapt to every headphone. A short test with my 600 Ohm AKG showed that it’s enough even for this high impedance headphone. Then we find the output control for the loudspeakers. Up to two couples or a bi-wiring as it is clearly stated in the printing. Then there is the switch to select the Vu Meters mode: off - no, please! - or peak/average mode. Follow in line the tone and balance controls that look like the old and beautiful Yamaha amplifiers knobs.
Then we find a pot that will let you choose the inputs that are: “direct” to use the integrated as a power amplifier, two unbalanced line inputs, 2 balanced inputs, 2 more unbalanced and the phono amplifier. This is interesting because you have the possibility, through a lever, to choose between MM and MC. The last switch is the mute. The upper part of the panel has the big Vu-Meter window and the volume control.
And speaking about controls I must say that the remote is beautiful. It has a plastic body but the upper part is in aluminum. In this way it is light but robust. Its ergonomics is very accurate.
In the back part we find two sections. The lower part has two pairs of posts for the loudspeakers that are nice and strong and with a proprietary design.
Then there is a Link Control for the devices of the brand, the plugs for the wire remote, one so called trigger and the IEC port without the ground connector. Then there are the other 4 binding posts. The upper part contains all the inputs, the switches to invert the phase on the balanced connections and also the dumpers to reduce of 6dB the inputs sensitivity, when necessary.
In the back part we find two sections. The lower part has two pairs of posts for the loudspeakers that are nice and strong and with a proprietary design.
Then there is a Link Control for the devices of the brand, the plugs for the wire remote, one so called trigger and the IEC port without the ground connector. Then there are the other 4 binding posts. The upper part contains all the inputs, the switches to invert the phase on the balanced connections and also the dumpers to reduce of 6dB the inputs sensitivity, when necessary.
The inner part of the loudspeaker is very interesting in a period of global austerity. The internal circuits are very similar to those of the 70’s, with their big vertically mounted resistors almost mocking the present use of SMD components. The structure is extremely rigid and designed in order to be well isolated from vibrations.
The upper panel is easily removable, it is 6 mm thick and it is made of non-magnetic aluminium. The feet are pristine and let you choose among three different configurations the one you like the best and and are adjustable in height in order to put the device on a flat surface. The weight is important: 25 kgsThe amplification circuit is totally balanced and uses MOSFET for the final stages.
We haven’t seen one in years … it’s a matter of costs obviously.
The volume control is digital and allows micrometric adjustments, as we have tested.
The Phono stage uses discreet components.
The upper panel is easily removable, it is 6 mm thick and it is made of non-magnetic aluminium. The feet are pristine and let you choose among three different configurations the one you like the best and and are adjustable in height in order to put the device on a flat surface. The weight is important: 25 kgsThe amplification circuit is totally balanced and uses MOSFET for the final stages.
We haven’t seen one in years … it’s a matter of costs obviously.
The volume control is digital and allows micrometric adjustments, as we have tested.
The Phono stage uses discreet components.
And now the digital player. It’s an intelligent device and plays SACD, CD-R and RW, WMA, MP3. The USB input accepts up to 24/192 kHz and DSD signals.
It has an nice full metal drawer and a quality trasport. The deep and dull sound it makes when it close gives an impression of solidity and luxury that is peculiarly impressive in these days of low quality. The front panel is 6 mm thick and and the sides are black and shiny like a … Yamaha piano.
The front panel has the historical brand with three intersecting diapasons. First is the off/stand-by lever followed by the Pure Direct key (it turns off the display and the unnecessary digital circuits), Source, to select the digital inputs and use the DAC player, Layer, to choose the CD or SACD layer of the hybrid discs. There is a series of yellow ocher LEDs that show the layer that is playing, the selected inputs and 5 buttons for the classic reproduction functions. In the central upper part there is a small but elegant display. To read some informations it is necessary to get quite close and also all the track numbers and the duration, beyond two meters are not visible.
Right below the drawer and the button to open it.
It has an nice full metal drawer and a quality trasport. The deep and dull sound it makes when it close gives an impression of solidity and luxury that is peculiarly impressive in these days of low quality. The front panel is 6 mm thick and and the sides are black and shiny like a … Yamaha piano.
The front panel has the historical brand with three intersecting diapasons. First is the off/stand-by lever followed by the Pure Direct key (it turns off the display and the unnecessary digital circuits), Source, to select the digital inputs and use the DAC player, Layer, to choose the CD or SACD layer of the hybrid discs. There is a series of yellow ocher LEDs that show the layer that is playing, the selected inputs and 5 buttons for the classic reproduction functions. In the central upper part there is a small but elegant display. To read some informations it is necessary to get quite close and also all the track numbers and the duration, beyond two meters are not visible.
Right below the drawer and the button to open it.
We have already dealt with the feet so let’s skip to the back part. There are two balanced and unbalanced inputs, the USB, coax and optical inputs; the coax and optical outputs, the IEC port without the ground connection, proprietary connections for other Yamaha devices. The remote is the same of the amplifier remote and with just one remote one can control both devices. The weight of the player is almost 20 kgs.
The two Yamaha devices has been connected to the following system: turntable Basis 2001, tonearm Graham 2.2, cartridge Lyra Kleos, phono preamplifier: Einstein "The Turntable's Choice", CD/SACD player: Oppo 105 D, preamplifier: MBL 4006, power amplifiers: Bryston 7B ST mono, loudspeakers: JBL 4350B, interconnect cables: MIT Oracle MA-X Proline, MIT Shotgun S2 RCA, Transparent Super XLR, Transparent Super RCA, LAT International XLR, loudspeaker cables: MIT Magnum MA, Vovox Initio, USB cable: MIT SL-Matrix USB, power cables: MIT Shotgun AC 1, Black Noise Pearl and others DIY, mains distributor: Lector Edison 230/8, mains filter: Black Noise 2500.
The two Yamaha devices has been connected to the following system: turntable Basis 2001, tonearm Graham 2.2, cartridge Lyra Kleos, phono preamplifier: Einstein "The Turntable's Choice", CD/SACD player: Oppo 105 D, preamplifier: MBL 4006, power amplifiers: Bryston 7B ST mono, loudspeakers: JBL 4350B, interconnect cables: MIT Oracle MA-X Proline, MIT Shotgun S2 RCA, Transparent Super XLR, Transparent Super RCA, LAT International XLR, loudspeaker cables: MIT Magnum MA, Vovox Initio, USB cable: MIT SL-Matrix USB, power cables: MIT Shotgun AC 1, Black Noise Pearl and others DIY, mains distributor: Lector Edison 230/8, mains filter: Black Noise 2500.
After a few days of “acclimation” in which I have listened to some records, many of them new, I started with the critical listening. I soon wanted to compare CD and SACD because someone wrote about a test in which he found no sound difference between the two. I have used the Fonè SACD “Oblivion” in which Salvatore Accardo plays Astor Piazzolla music. I start with the SACD layer, listen to a song, change layer to CD and I play again the same song. I listen and … now is better! It’s impossible. Better low range definition, more air among the instruments, a bigger and deeper soundstage. Am I gone nuts? I listen again to SACD layer, then CD layer and the result is the same. I get up from my couch and check the yellow small LEDs. Mystery solved! I was listening to the Red Book instead of the SACD layer and vice versa. A blind test, after all. I am reassured about my independence of judgment and feeling above all the deaf audiophiles that hear no difference between high and low resolution I continue with my test ...
These two electronics are very enjoyable. If I think that sometimes we read that the Yamaha sound is harsh, too opened in the high range, extremely electric, I wonder how this Japanese brand succeeded in changing its sound so much. These two device have an amber sound. The low range is deep, warm and soft. The high range is so natural that you hardly notice it. I have never heard a key or a percussion too acute or out of place. It’s a very harmonious pair and and has been designed in synergy in order to be fit for the most demanding living rooms.
The amplifier Vu-Meters are always nice to see, they communicate the liveliness of music. It’s a pity to separate the two devices but I wanted to test the digital player first with my reference system in order to have the same parameters as always.
Let’s make it clear straight away: the amber sound and the soft low range is exclusively due to the amplifier.
The digital player has a sound that is “non existent”. It’s hard to listen to something so linear without colors that are loved by those that know very little about live music.
These two electronics are very enjoyable. If I think that sometimes we read that the Yamaha sound is harsh, too opened in the high range, extremely electric, I wonder how this Japanese brand succeeded in changing its sound so much. These two device have an amber sound. The low range is deep, warm and soft. The high range is so natural that you hardly notice it. I have never heard a key or a percussion too acute or out of place. It’s a very harmonious pair and and has been designed in synergy in order to be fit for the most demanding living rooms.
The amplifier Vu-Meters are always nice to see, they communicate the liveliness of music. It’s a pity to separate the two devices but I wanted to test the digital player first with my reference system in order to have the same parameters as always.
Let’s make it clear straight away: the amber sound and the soft low range is exclusively due to the amplifier.
The digital player has a sound that is “non existent”. It’s hard to listen to something so linear without colors that are loved by those that know very little about live music.
I start listening to Mozart Klaviersonaten KV 263 & KV 331 - Fantasie KV 397 (DG) performed by Ivo Pogorelich. You immediately hear the beautiful dynamics of the piano perfectly played and, when required played with strength by the Croatian pianist. The timbre of the instrument is correct and this is underlined by the almost perfect recording. The Yamaha team produces pianos that are among the best in the world, they must also know how to reproduce them, don’t you think?
Franco Battiato’s SACD “Last Summer Dance” ( Columbia ) has sounds that are hard to reproduce and that have put in a quandary many other systems. This Yamaha takes out easily all the content of SACD and it’s so pleasant that I decide to listen to both SACDs until the end.
Here I understand that that emphasis in the low range was due exclusively to the characteristics of the amplifier and that the digital player does not add any hue to the recording.
I recently went to a theater to listen to the “Concierto de Aranjuez” by Rodrigo. I take the CD DG performed by the Berliner Philarmoniker directed by Reinhard Peters. The position of the orchestra is very credible in the space behind the loudspeakers and in width beyond them. The guitar is very present before the other instruments and the moving sound reproduced by this Yamaha is intact in its colours and dynamics. Maybe it’s because Yamaha produces also very good guitars?
The “Solomon” by Haendel (SACD Carus) has a beautiful live reprise in the Frauenkirche Dresden of the Festspielorchester Gottingen performance, directed by Nicholas McGegan. It is sufficient to close the eyes to feel in front of the of the small orchestra, the soloist singers and the choir. This digital player is so good that I do not regret my previous device that costs five times more. It gave me new enthusiasm for the digital sound that I can listen to in a optimal way and with a device that has a reasonable price. This is the reason why I wanted to review this Yamaha and write about it. I must tell that whenever I start listening to to a new device and I relax and enjoy the music without trying to find pros and cons, well this is a clear sign that we are on the right path. With this CD-3000 in just a few minutes I found myself in a very positive condition.
I listen to the normal CDs, with the defects that the Red Book encoding entails, and I began to ponder on the algorithms that some designers adopt to hide CDs limits. Sometimes I wonder if they use some kind of distortion in order to mask the digital artifacts, producing an “analogue” sound adding signals that are completely invented.
With this Yamaha this problem does not exist. The converter Sabre 9018 does its job and does not invent details, the output stages, fulfilled with discreet components, produce balanced sounds without dangerous colorings. In this way, it you are listening to a CD, you’ll hear the 16/44.1 quality without artificial decorations. If you are listening to a SACD you’ll understand immediately the reason for this format to exist. If you are listening high resolution DSD or PCM through the USB input you’ll have listening of a very high quality, too.
The loud “hiss” in the background is not annoying while I listen to the beautiful CD “Sketches of Spain” By Miles Davis (Columbia Legacy). It’s a beautiful CD in which Miles Davis deals with the wonderful arrangements of Gil Evans of “El Concierto de Aranjuez” by Rodrigo. I know that this is the second time that I quote this same song, but sometimes I do analyze the same piece with different arrangements so please be patient. The Yamaha player follows faithfully the dynamic excursions that the band impresses to music and succeeds in articulate all the different sounds of the winds. The harp and small percussions in the background remain distinguishable. By the way, Yamaha produces many wind instruments, right?
I could refer about the sound of the drum but … do you know that among the best drums are those produced by Yamaha?
The DAC itself works in a perfect way. Windows users must download the free Steinberg USB driver and follow the easy instructions. The DAC will recognize immediately the digital flow that comes from the PC. The reproduction quality goes hand in hand with the resolution that you’ll use for the USB port of the player.
I think it’s clear enough that I loved this CD-S3000 player. Many times I asked myself - and soon you’ll have the answer - if it’s really a good idea to spend a big amount of money when the quality increase is not so evident.
If you do not have enough money for this player consider its smaller version, the 2100, that is very close to the 3000 as for the sound but at less than half the price.
Choose one or the other and you’ll live happily ever after.
By the way the answer I promised. I decided to buy it. The color? Silver.
Angelo Jasparro
Manufacturer: Yamaha Corporation
Translation: Francesca Rubino
Franco Battiato’s SACD “Last Summer Dance” ( Columbia ) has sounds that are hard to reproduce and that have put in a quandary many other systems. This Yamaha takes out easily all the content of SACD and it’s so pleasant that I decide to listen to both SACDs until the end.
Here I understand that that emphasis in the low range was due exclusively to the characteristics of the amplifier and that the digital player does not add any hue to the recording.
I recently went to a theater to listen to the “Concierto de Aranjuez” by Rodrigo. I take the CD DG performed by the Berliner Philarmoniker directed by Reinhard Peters. The position of the orchestra is very credible in the space behind the loudspeakers and in width beyond them. The guitar is very present before the other instruments and the moving sound reproduced by this Yamaha is intact in its colours and dynamics. Maybe it’s because Yamaha produces also very good guitars?
The “Solomon” by Haendel (SACD Carus) has a beautiful live reprise in the Frauenkirche Dresden of the Festspielorchester Gottingen performance, directed by Nicholas McGegan. It is sufficient to close the eyes to feel in front of the of the small orchestra, the soloist singers and the choir. This digital player is so good that I do not regret my previous device that costs five times more. It gave me new enthusiasm for the digital sound that I can listen to in a optimal way and with a device that has a reasonable price. This is the reason why I wanted to review this Yamaha and write about it. I must tell that whenever I start listening to to a new device and I relax and enjoy the music without trying to find pros and cons, well this is a clear sign that we are on the right path. With this CD-3000 in just a few minutes I found myself in a very positive condition.
I listen to the normal CDs, with the defects that the Red Book encoding entails, and I began to ponder on the algorithms that some designers adopt to hide CDs limits. Sometimes I wonder if they use some kind of distortion in order to mask the digital artifacts, producing an “analogue” sound adding signals that are completely invented.
With this Yamaha this problem does not exist. The converter Sabre 9018 does its job and does not invent details, the output stages, fulfilled with discreet components, produce balanced sounds without dangerous colorings. In this way, it you are listening to a CD, you’ll hear the 16/44.1 quality without artificial decorations. If you are listening to a SACD you’ll understand immediately the reason for this format to exist. If you are listening high resolution DSD or PCM through the USB input you’ll have listening of a very high quality, too.
The loud “hiss” in the background is not annoying while I listen to the beautiful CD “Sketches of Spain” By Miles Davis (Columbia Legacy). It’s a beautiful CD in which Miles Davis deals with the wonderful arrangements of Gil Evans of “El Concierto de Aranjuez” by Rodrigo. I know that this is the second time that I quote this same song, but sometimes I do analyze the same piece with different arrangements so please be patient. The Yamaha player follows faithfully the dynamic excursions that the band impresses to music and succeeds in articulate all the different sounds of the winds. The harp and small percussions in the background remain distinguishable. By the way, Yamaha produces many wind instruments, right?
I could refer about the sound of the drum but … do you know that among the best drums are those produced by Yamaha?
The DAC itself works in a perfect way. Windows users must download the free Steinberg USB driver and follow the easy instructions. The DAC will recognize immediately the digital flow that comes from the PC. The reproduction quality goes hand in hand with the resolution that you’ll use for the USB port of the player.
I think it’s clear enough that I loved this CD-S3000 player. Many times I asked myself - and soon you’ll have the answer - if it’s really a good idea to spend a big amount of money when the quality increase is not so evident.
If you do not have enough money for this player consider its smaller version, the 2100, that is very close to the 3000 as for the sound but at less than half the price.
Choose one or the other and you’ll live happily ever after.
By the way the answer I promised. I decided to buy it. The color? Silver.
Angelo Jasparro
Manufacturer: Yamaha Corporation
Translation: Francesca Rubino
