Yamaha AX 397 integrated stereo amp

[Sawyer]

Anyone here familiar with this amp, or is still using it?
I have one at home, for my external speakers, sitting in a closed ventilated box. I don't see it for months, and given the application I have never given much thought to its SQ, it just sits out of sight doing a job, completely unnoticed and unheralded. No breakdowns till now.
I was doing some paper clearing up today, when I chanced upon its manual and I was surprised to see how many features it has and how well specified it is - 60wpc for starters. Tone and loudness controls, source direct, A+B speaker capability, output impedance selector switch to match it to speaker impedances. Even a phono socket for turntables!
I remember buying it in 2011 for about Rs 20k. It is a discontinued model and out of stock on the only place in India that seems to have a price for it - Rs 16k.
Should be a truly great buy in the used market if available - should not cost more than Rs13-14k. Probably lower.
Anyone here has used it in a manner where all its qualities were more to be seen/heard?

 

[efernand1]

Hi

I have used this amp briefly for a year and yes the features are good. Connected a host of components like CD player, TV, Laptop etc and performance wise perfect. The Rec Out features is good. You would not get such a nice integrated amplifier....best advice is to retain it and keep the same for small parties where you can hook up nice bookshelf speakers or some matching towers.

If you don't have speakers, depending on your budget, you can go in for new ones or used ones..There is someone selling Polks TSx 110b Bookshelfs brand new, never used with warranty for 12k on HiFiAds...you can check them out.

 

[jai1611]

I owned its predecessor briefly - the AX396. Similar feature set. Decent budget integrated. Generally, Yamaha has a bit of a bad rep for stereo amps but I've had good luck with them. Sturdy, non fussy amps.

 

[hemantwaghe]

Had big brother of this amp - twice was around 100 - 120 watts RMS - One even had MM MC selector

Onestly JUST LOUD SOUND , Decent but not at all great . Very run of the mill . In fact when I had second one I had Cyrus -Just 25 W Rams which used to beat that yamaha anyday. Sold both the amps quickly without any regret.

 

[Sawyer]

Hi
You would not get such a nice integrated amplifier....best advice is to retain it and keep the same for small parties where you can hook up nice bookshelf speakers or some matching towers.

Thanks, I do have speakers, see below.

I owned its predecessor briefly - the AX396. Similar feature set. Decent budget integrated. Generally, Yamaha has a bit of a bad rep for stereo amps but I've had good luck with them. Sturdy, non fussy amps.

Appreciate the input. I have it wired to pair of Bose 251 external speakers, where it is doing exactly what you said - unfussy duty.
I have no intention of selling it and will use it till it dies. Being just 3 years old, I suspect it is still not middle aged.
One of these days I am going to wire it in place of my Quad 99/909 that supplies a pair of Harbeths. I suspect I won't hear any difference, because 70wpc is plenty for them, the 909 with 140wpc is overkill. This feedback is enough motivation to take the physical effort of inserting it in place of the Quad pair.

 

[Sawyer]

Sawyer

sell off your quads, as going by your ears, its going to not sound any differnt than the yamaha

Excellent idea - but this is something I am considering doing already to fund the acquisition of a DSP box that will do things to the sound quality that I know I will hear, just as I know I can hear the differences between different speakers, placement changes, and room acoustic environment changes.
What is the open question is the extent and nature of the sound change that the box will bring about, which will be known to me only after making extensive before/after AB comparisons with music I know well. Once I do a long audition of the box at home in that manner, I will make the call.
But...thank you.
PS: you want to buy the pair? - Rs 100k. Will save me the trouble of posting an ad if I decide to sell it

 

[thampi]

used 396 for some time. yours must be a good one