Yamaha AS 500 sounding awful :(

[marX]

Hi !

I got the AS 500 for 31k yesterday and I had tested a JBL FS, a Klipsch FS and a Klipsch BS (sounded very good with the JBL FS and the Klipsch bookshelf) at the dealer's place but on connecting it to my Magnat Monitor 1000, it sounded like somebody put a "flanger" filter to it. The sound is so unnatural and lifeless. It was like the sound output from a Rs 200 talking doll that you can buy in gift shops.
Also, the sound changes drastically with the listening position.

I also have an LM3886 amp made from the kit from Bibin and it sounds much much better than the AS500.

I have turned on the source direct mode with the output impdence setting in 4-8 ohm.

Wondering whats wrong.:sad:

 

[venkatcr]

Take the following steps:

1. Ensure you have connected the speakers properly. +ve to +ve and -ve to -ve.
2. See if you can reset the amp. If there are controls for bass, treble etc, set them all to 0.
3. Check the impedance and power ratings of the speakers and amp. See if there is a mismatch.

If it yet sounds different, try reversing the polarity of the speaker connection, one by one. When you do this play at low volumes.

It should be some simple setup somewhere that has gone wrong. The dealer would have set the amp to work with his speakers, and it may need to adjusted for your speakers.

Cheers

 

[koushik]

+1 to Venkatcr's suggestion of polarity but I would suggest to keep the Amp power off while swapping the terminals, just to be on the safer side.

 

[Beast_of_burden]

For once someone has something positive to say about Klipsch LOL. Not many other speakers can match the dynamics of the Klipsch. Perhaps the amp needs to break in, play for long periods but nothing too bassy.

 

[venkatcr]

Perhaps the amp needs to break in, play for long periods but nothing too bassy.

Break-in improves the sound agreed, but lack of break-in cannot give you 'awful' sound. There is something else the issue here. There is some interference, some cross talk, something that is disturbing the basic quality of sound.

Cheers

 

[Beast_of_burden]

One other thing I can think of is low sensitivity of the input stage in the amp. Try connecting a hot signal. Give your smartphone a whirl.

 

[krisballa]

^OP

I have bought the same amp fifteen days ago which is sitting idle on the attic
What I learned is that Yamaha amps will not suit all the speakers. With Sonodyne 2605v3 speakers it sounded very bright, I couldn't hear to the music for 20 mins continuous

Have you tried it with any other speakers at your place?
1. Try with some other speakers.
2. Keep all the knobs(Treble, Bass, Loudness & Balance) to center(0) position.
3. Check the polarities
4. Set the impedance selector to match to your speakers

 

[BLASTO]

Can you define aweful?
How is it sounding actually?
Can you explain the sound other than lifeless?

Maybe it is the sound of the combo and you don't like it..

 

[marX]

I'm sorry guys, I connected the amp with the polarity reversed for one speaker. :doh:
Corrected the polarity and it's ok now.

Still not impressed with my speaker pairing though. When listening close to the speakers, I can hear the kind of noise an AM radio make while tuning for stations. But yeah, at my listening position, it sounds good. It's much more evident with stuff like B&W Very Audiophile New Recordings Vol.1.
Colour To The Moon by Allan Taylor sounds so incredible now.

May be I should upgrade my speakers to Q Acoustics 2050i

BTW, thanks for the replies.

 

[koushik]

I'm sorry guys, I connected the amp with the polarity reversed for one speaker. :doh:
Corrected the polarity and it's ok now.

I always knew it is wrong polarity case

Still not impressed with my speaker pairing though.

For the sound, try and place the speaker 2-3 ft away from rear wall as it is rear ported biggies. Play with the speaker positions. Try different sources. Tame down the treble a bit if it is too bright.

When listening close to the speakers, I can hear the kind of noise an AM radio make while tuning for stations.

For this, try another source. Is your source a PC? That may be internal PC noise. If not, Check if there is any RF interference near IC or speaker wires. Send some pics if possible - both front and back ends.

 

[marX]

I always knew it is wrong polarity case



For the sound, try and place the speaker 2-3 ft away from rear wall as it is rear ported biggies. Play with the speaker positions. Try different sources. Tame down the treble a bit if it is too bright.



For this, try another source. Is your source a PC? That may be internal PC noise. If not, Check if there is any RF interference near IC or speaker wires. Send some pics if possible - both front and back ends.

1. Yeah!

2. It's already around three feet from the wall. Yeah, I'll be trying different positions when I get back.

3. It's highly unlikely but I'll check it out.

I'll post the pics of my setup when I'm back.

 

[Rabepobemababe]

Set the 4 Ohm / 8 Ohm speaker impedance selector switch behind the Yamaha AS-500 to 4 Ohms ("Low" setting) irrespective of the speaker impedance. For the location of the selector, look here:

http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/electronics/detail-page2/yamaha_as500_back.jpg

 

[krisballa]

@Rabepobemababe

I think we need to set it to high if we are using only "A" or "B" points. Correct me if I'm wrong

 

[aarmath]

Damn!!!
Your experience is similar to what I went through 2 years ago when I purchased the so-called stereophile grade Advance Acoustic MAP-101 along with a pair of uber crap lspeakers. The sound was pure god awful crap. Got rid of them last year.
So much for an exotic brand like Advance Acoustic....

 

[Rabepobemababe]

@krisballa,

I believe there is no harm in setting the selector to 4 Ohms ("Low" setting on many Yamahas, mine being an AX-596) when a single pair of speakers is connected to 'A' or 'B' terminals, even if the rated nominal impedence of 'A' or 'B' speaker pair is higher than 4 Ohms. That way, when the speakers demand high current, the amplifier would be able to supply it without constraints. The nominal impedance of many a speaker rated at 8 Ohms, it is said, hovers around 6 Ohms, and the continuously varying impedence could go down to 2 Ohms during transients.

My assumption is that doing it the other way round, i.e., setting the selector to 8 Ohms ("High" setting on Yamahas) when the 'A' or 'B' speaker pair is rated at 4 Ohms, may constrain the amplifier when high current is demanded, thus resulting in poor sound.

Hence my suggestion.

 

[krisballa]

@Rabepobemababe

Still I'm confused little bit. My current speakers are Sonodyne 2605v3 which are rated at 8ohms. I've used these with the setting "High". If I change it to "Low" will there be any difference in output?

 

[Rabepobemababe]

The selector regulates the amplifier's capability to supply high current when demanded by the speakers. According to me, such a selector is unnecessary on an amplifier, since a good amplifier is, in any case, expected to supply as much current as demanded by the speakers during transients. An 8 Ohm/4 Ohm selector is an artificial barrier to the amplifier's capability.

You've got a freeway and a Ferrari. You know you are occassionally required to travel beyond 100 MPH to reach your destination in time. Then why put an artificial speed selector in your Ferrari that says "Can travel above 100 MPH / Can travel only below 100 MPH"? If the Ferrari comes with such a selector switch, better leave it at "Can travel above 100 MPH" setting.

 

[crosstalk]

If you are getting that bad of a sound, it is wise to call to the showroom to know what the issue is. Could be a defective set? I bet Yamaha have got home service.

On another note, if this was the thread

http://www.hifivision.com/amplifiers/50572-can-i-get-brand-new-hi-fi-amp-25k.html

before buying the amp, then I must say you failed to read between the lines that people suggested. A lot of good amps were suggested therein that would toast the Yamaha S-500 sonic-wise.

But then you sow what you reap.

 

[Amitkg]

@crosstalk

Aritrim, you are right. High wattage and ability to crank up the volume don't make an amp. 'good'. As you once suggested. I auditioned this Yamaha A-S500 at Yamaha dealer near Lake Market, Kolkata and I didn't like it at all. so, Finally, I bought Marantz-PM6004. It is head and shoulder above all budget Yamaha, Onkyo, Pioneer, NAD. Though, it has limitations, like, you cannot add a sub-woofer as it doesn't have a sub-out and you cannot add a power-amp as it doesn't have any pre-out but for sake of pure, un-adultarated music, one(especially, who is on budget) should consider Marantz PM5004/6004 and don't judge PM6004's power by its paltry 45 watt/channel power output
One thumb rule, before buying, listen listen and listen to the system (with various combinations) you intend to buy.

 

[Rabepobemababe]

Two brief comments from my side:

1.It is highly unlikely (I would even say that it is impossible) that the Yamaha AS-500 is underpowered to drive the Magnats, unless it is a defective unit.

2.One man's "refined" sound is another man's "coloured" sound, just as one man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist. Therefore it is an entirely subjective decision as to what amplifier and speakers to go with. You alone can make a decision for yourself equipped with first hand knowledge, i.e., direct listening. No amount of english on this forum or elsewhere is going to be a substitute for such knowledge.