Yamaha AS 500 sounding awful :(

[marX]

Thanks for your opinions

I think I have selected an amp that is the best for my requirements which I have listened to in an another place (Lulu mall, Ernakulam) and I'm not regretting my decision.
I have listened to my very amp at the dealer's place with a Klipsch reference series bookshelf, a JBL 4 way floorstanders and a low cost yamaha HT speaker. It all sounded good, especially the JBL and Klipsch.

I really think it's a problem with my speakers or my AV room.

 

[sarith]

you sow what you reap.

You reap what you sow

 

[thampi]

i used it once ,found too bright for my liking

 

[GCE]

Yam as 500 in direct comparison with MARA pm 6004 shows more dry, although more diffuse and detailed high frequencies, similar bass punch, but more fatiguing listening overall, for me. I tested this AS 500 for a week at home , but then I changed with Marantz PM 6004 .
Yam AS 500 is a very complete amp, but doesn't meet my preferences for a warm sound with my B&W; is a beautifull vintage looking amp, with a lot of features, but no good vol and tone knobs and a delicate front plate for fingerprints when you touch ...

 

[bigron]

The A S500 needs quite a lot of burning in before it really starts to shine. When I bought mine , for the initial week or two it was very bright with pronounced bass. However now with over 120 hours , the sound has become amazingly clear and cohesive. I would like to think close to 200 hours of burning in should reap in more benefits.

 

[prepress]

i used it once ,found too bright for my liking

Me too, I have used this in 2011-12 and found it was slightly brighter side. Not sure if it because of burning period.

Yam as 500 in direct comparison with MARA pm 6004 shows more dry, although more diffuse and detailed high frequencies, similar bass punch, but more fatiguing listening overall, for me. I tested this AS 500 for a week at home , but then I changed with Marantz PM 6004 .
Yam AS 500 is a very complete amp, but doesn't meet my preferences for a warm sound with my B&W; is a beautifull vintage looking amp, with a lot of features, but no good vol and tone knobs and a delicate front plate for fingerprints when you touch ...

Don't mind but B&W sound bright to me. And as Yamaha is Neutral, it may be not a good matching combo.

The A S500 needs quite a lot of burning in before it really starts to shine. When I bought mine , for the initial week or two it was very bright with pronounced bass. However now with over 120 hours , the sound has become amazingly clear and cohesive. I would like to think close to 200 hours of burning in should reap in more benefits.

Wow! As I mentioned earlier may be it was sounding slightly brighter to me because of burning period. I am sure if I haven't used that above 100 Hrs. After using around 75-100 hours sold mine @26K. I was not aware it need more than 100-150 hours for burning

 

[bigron]

@ prepress - Even I was initially unaware that the amp would require such a long burning in period. However I noticed perceivable change in sound quality after about 100 hours .Anyhow , what did you buy after selling the Yamaha ?

 

[marX]

Btw, any of you AS500 owners faced any "heating" issues?

Mine always gets warm even when I play in low volumes!!

 

[prepress]

@ prepress - Even I was initially unaware that the amp would require such a long burning in period. However I noticed perceivable change in sound quality after about 100 hours .Anyhow , what did you buy after selling the Yamaha ?

After selling that I got another Yamaha Vintage model A-550, very sweet and warm sounding. And after A-550, now I am using Yamaha AX-900.

Btw, any of you AS500 owners faced any "heating" issues? Mine always gets warm even when I play in low volumes!!

Yeah. I have noticed that too but not in low volume. Mine was getting slight warm and I guess because of close cabinet. Check speaker ohms setting on the back.

 

[bigron]

@marx - No heating issues for me. The amp runs for about 8 hours continuous daily at about 35 % volume .

@ prepress - the AX 900 is an awesome vintage amp. How did you manage to get your hands on one ?

 

[prepress]

@ prepress - the AX 900 is an awesome vintage amp. How did you manage to get your hands on one ?

Luckily got that in untouched condition from contacts @35K