New Yamaha integrated amp/CD Player AS 2100

For those who were interested in the recently introduced top of the line/High End combo AS 3000 may be extremely fond to learn that this combination is a little bit less exclusive built series with most of the brand new technology used inside the AS 3000. Hot speaker outs, true symmetrical concept with SANKEN Field effect transistors for a very sweet tube like yet big and powerful sound.
The reviewers and technical stuff at audio was overwhelmed in a goup test with the new CAMBRIDGE Azure 541 and, the Marantz PM 14 - The 1800 € (without Phono) Cambridge got 110 points as well as the Marantz (with a very good MM/MC Phono + headphone amp( costing 2.500. The AS 2100 costs 2.500 Euro as well comes also with a fantastic Phono MC/MM and a discreet and adjustable headphone out. This was by far the champion in this test and received 115 points. For the price this is the cheapest amp getting that high points !
Most importantly though one reviewer said it sounds like a real Pre + power ampcombo The harmonic distortion lineage was simply perfect, like a real good Tube amp with one difference, Most tubes are k2 dominant, the yamaha is k3 dominant, which stands for a fresh + precise sonic character. The real deal breaker though was the new distortion surface measurement/graphic. Both other amps started to distort at higher levels or at high frequencies, while the diagram of the AS 2100 stayed straight and clean. No unwanted ( masked ) distortions.
En detail pictures with ZOOM
http://de.yamaha.com/de/products/audio-visual/hifi-components/amps/a-s2100_g/?mode=model

It got the old school looks with the Voltage meters you either love or hate or like and do not care for.
Output is a healthy 105 watts at 8 OHM - dynamic output of 200 watts per channel should be enough for most speakers/rooms. They tried a lot of different speakers on the AS and the amp simply did not care which speaker to drive. Always firm + relaxed without breaking a sweat.
The CD Player has not been tested yet but looks good as well.
At a bit more than half of the price of the AS 3000 ( 125points) this could be an amp to try before buying another model in this price range.
Thought I pass this info on, it is not yet listed on the US web site of YAMAHA but you can see + read about it on the european site.

 

The amp looks great. Wish the meters were bigger for viewing across the room. That is the one think that Mac does right. Make them big enough for making it a reason for them to be there.

 

If you want bigger VU meters you should check the top model the A-S 3000 - that one costs about the same as the lowest Mac as well.
Check
http://de.yamaha.com/de/products/audio-visual/hifi-components/amps/a-s3000_g/?mode=model

I compared the inside and the technical data and the A-S 2100 comes real close in weight 23 kilos vs 24, 5 kilos - roughly 50 pounds US, 105 watts vs 120 - same damping factor same distortion level , same excellent 103 db signal to noise ratio ... 4,300 Euro vs 2.500 Euro makes this a kind of a bargain

 

So, what is the actual difference with 3000 series? According to descriptions, everything is pretty much the same. Where is the price reduction is coming from then?

 

Well first comes R+D that costs a lot. When the High End unit is finally built you can easily use trickled down solutions from the big guns. It is never the parts alone, that make HiFi expensive but R+D and costly materials for the package. One of the savings is that the core trafo is not fixed via a rigid aluminium structure to keep it away from the ground. They found a cheaper method. They use Mos Fets instead of those expensive Sanken Field effect transistors and the list goes on ..I have not compared both side by side but it seemed the 3000 series was a bit too pricey for most Yamaha fans, that want 2 Channel HiFi, so they offer a combo, that is close to the 3000 without the hefty price. The 3000 are the right choice for the fine Soaco standmounts, the 2100 makes a fine source for the floorstanders - at least, that's what they presented them on the IFA this year...
http://de.yamaha.com/de/products/audio-visual/hifi-components/amps/a-s2100_g/?mode=model
The 2100 are a lot smaller in reality than the 3000

 

Have you heard both of them (not side by side). If yes, what are your impressions?
Thanks