I have the same receiver providing the power for my audio system and it's absolutely wonderful. Plenty of power to run my speakers and I've always loved the way the Yamaha CR2020 performed. My Uncle Bob was the manager at Audio Craft in Cleveland, Ohio and I got to hear these amazing units up close and performance! Thanks for the post and Happy Listening!

Ahhh, the 1970's ! Shooting pictures with my Nikkormat and listing to my Yamaha receiver ! Almost everything from Japan was engineered to incredibly high specs....almost a contest as to who could create the best stereo imaginable. The Yamaha receivers were fantastic to listen to. A long time ago there were such things as FM radio stations that played AOR (Album oriented rock) music. In the winter, the FM stations seemed to come in crystal clear, and I would listen through headphones. The sonic detail was amazing. My Yamaha was not as colorful to look at as say a Pioneer, Sansui or Marantz....but sound wise it was a gem. The "Build" to those receivers were made to last. Mine withstood 4 cross country moves before it was stolen. I purchased another Yamaha last year AS-2000 integrated amp and a Yamaha tuner just to complete the ensemble. FM radio sucks today, so its really just for visual balance. But, if you ever want to experience quality sound...start with Yamaha (New or Vintage) you will not be sorry. Good video !

I have had a CR 2020 for about 25 years and it still works good. The sound quality has always impressed me.,

I truly enjoy watching your videos! Keep them coming. I also have the CR-2020 and the case is in mint condition. Mine, the U.S. version has the wooden case edge surrounding the faceplate. I don't use it since one channel cuts in and out and the inside needs to be refurbished, i.e. caps replaced. When I get enough spending cash, then I'll search out someone who know's how to do this for me. Thanks for all your videos!

One point worth noting about the Yamaha "sound". In many cases people listen with the loudness control on either full or part way... and then complain the midrange sounds too lean. It's counterintutive when the off of flat position is set with the knob turned fully to the right instead of left. Many users are not aware the loudness is active and instead think it's off. Yamaha's rotary loudness operates differently from other brands. The control has the effect of reducing mid frequencies rather than boosting highs and lows. So before listening and comparing Yamaha receivers to other makes make sure the loudnesss control is turned fully to the right in the "flat" position. When listened to this way I find the 2020 to sound just as warm as other brands.

@keljfeljancsi

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks socksumi, I've a nice CR 2020, and I always wonder what the right position of the loudness knob.

I have a CR-2020 that I bought new. It works perfectly. Yours for the taking. Arlington VA.

Thanks for the review - I have an old (but much newer) Yamaha HTR-5550 that I think I will relegate to the garage and get one of these beautiful units!

41lbs i do believe i love them both. Great review. Thanks

Both of your receiver are awesome, but i'm impressed with the Yamaha. It is beautifully designed. I will definitively be searching for one. Thank for sharing your video us.

Great coverage!

Nice reviews! Also a Marantz guy, I don't know but marantz sound was just amazing, I have a 2225 that pair with jbl L80t and the soundstage was so rich and full. Though I'm a yamaha fan with DSP A2070 also a nice sounding amp. Keep up!

It's a big statement that it's the best receiver Yamaha ever made. If you want it to sound warmer like Marantz you just turn loudness knob to the left, I find it then sounding similar to Marantz when I move it to around 5 on the scale. With loudness set to flat Yamaha sounds too bright, even the modern receivers. It's hard to compare two 35 year old receivers as they may be worn down differently.

I remember lusting after the 1020 version back in the day at Audio and String Gallery. I was around 12 or 13. My parents wanted to buy it for me but at $600 in 1978 dollarrs that was a chunk of change and they simply didn't have the money. I bet that bad boy would still be jamming today. That would probably be around $2600 in current dollars.

Beautiful receiver.

Great apartment!!

andrew....love your videos man. I have just discovered you and you are fab...love that accent. I love vintage stereo too

@vintagestereo

10 жыл бұрын

hahaha, yes I know I have an accent but that will not keep me from making my video's. thanks for the input

@doktoruzo

10 жыл бұрын

vintage stereo LOL..your english is excellent. I love it when the dutch speak english,..keep making these fabulous videos.. Dank U

Nice!! Yamaha receivers were not the most popular, but I LOVED those square knobs!!

Hi, i subscribed to your channel, you make some very interesting videos, and very honest reviews of equipment. Thanks for making all these, you must have lots of passion for it. Keep it up :)

@vintagestereo

10 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the reply, I sometimes need these replys to keep going. Did not made any video for the last 5 weeks.. although I have plenty equipment here I did not test yet. Because of replies like yours I am remembered my videos are still appreciated. Hope to make some nice video's soon.

@Darrenmccarthymusica

10 жыл бұрын

It's hard for me to find such good information on vintage audio equipment. Even in my hometown, i don't know anyone i could talk to about this stuff., most people just have an ipod or mp3 player, and don't seem to grasp how much of a pleasure quality audio is to experience! So please, don't lose faith, your videos are quality., and in times like this, with mp3's, ipods and cheap ear-buds., we need people like you! Keep it up :)

Very nice, I really like Yamaha equipment. (subbed) I have two of the little brothers of this amp, a CR-200, and a CR-1040. I also have a B-1 amp.....with the protection light on. It's dead on one side. But that's a project for.....lol, probably never.

I have the same , plus original box and papers plus ns1000 m speakers.

Hi Andrew I'm Yamaha lover. I don't know how sound the marantz,because in my country they are verry expencive for me, but I like this Yamaha Cr 2020. And thanks for the video.

I love your reviews also I am a Marantz lover but the point here is that you must demonstrate the equipments with a good source and always the same, cd turntable whatever. The radio is not a way of knowing the real quality of these receivers as the hart of a music system with vintage gear. compliments

@vintagestereo

10 жыл бұрын

I listen radio for 75% and the rest I listen to downloaded mp3 quality between 192 and 320 quality, the radio quality is much better than that of the 320 quality. I have plenty original cd's but hardly listen to them because i am lazy to change them once the 60 minutes are finished. But you are wright I have also to test on cd quality, i will do that with my next reviews

@mpanoniem

8 жыл бұрын

+vintage stereo You can download flac files. Or you can rip them from your cd.

I got a Harman Kardon amplifier and tuner and it's a pretty good one got pretty good sound the sound is awesome I would say it's like a 1980 model and it kind of gets warm a little bit when you leave it on a long time

I have one. Still works excellent. Just had to fix the power switch. They just don't make them to last anymore.

Dude. You are listening with the loudness control partly engaged. That will dish out some of the midrange and cause the highs to brighten and lose some of the midrange "warmth" you complained was missing. Turn the control clockwise to the "flat" position. Then do the listening test. How could you possibly miss that.

@spartylawyer1

4 жыл бұрын

This is a common misconception and you have it backwards. Yamaha is unique in their "loudness" control. It is not a high/low boost switch like others. Instead, the "flat" position on loudness control is zero adjustment to to High Mid or Low. When you turn it (engage loudness) you basically turn up the high and low then reducing the relative mids which acts like a "traditional loudness switch" for listening at lower volume levels. The further you turn from flat actually gives you "warmer" sound. Flat is the most accurate and neutral/natural but also produces a more sterile/cold character which the original poster and others dislike in Yamaha's sound signature.

So I'm wondering if it's really possible to tell what a receiver sounds like while watching a video that is playing through a different type of audio system, as I am doing at the moment. I own a CR 2020 so I know what it sounds like. But I'm not sure that hearing your Marantz through my RCA surround system would do it justice.

I'd rather hear the sound quality tested on a CD or LP... You don't stay on one station long enough for someone to easily judge the sound. I find the hunt for different FM stations irritating. But it's an interesting video, though I've never like the too-clean and sterile sound of Yamaha receivers. The only way to warm it up is by having the right speakers. Anyway, good luck with your videos. I find them quite enjoyable.

@sweetsweatyfeet

7 жыл бұрын

This older vintage of yamaha is different. This unit actually does sound warm and sweet unlike the Yammys that came later. The phono section on the 2020 is not the greatest though and lacks the blume heard on other receivers. But when used on line and tuner it' a beast.

Hi thanks for making your reviews, I truly enjoy them. Just wondering if you ever made the comparison with the Marantz and the Yamaha? Thanks again.

@vintagestereo

10 жыл бұрын

I think a cr 2020 is worth about 250 euro when is in pretty mint state and no technical issues. Comparable with marantz, for 250 euro you can find a 2252b, I would go for the marantz. Yes the yamaha have more power, but i just don't like the sound of yamama. I also know people who say the same the other way around, so sound is so personal, just try it out... but foremost you have too like the looks too. Just think, which one i would take if they sound equal and they cost equal. I just love my 100% mint marantz 2238b so much I sold the 2252b and 2265b , both where very good looking but not 100% mint. And mint is for me a pre. But that's me.

@yokosomike

10 жыл бұрын

I agree 100%. I'm making a move to Tokyo this year and will be looking into some vintage equipment while I'm there. I'm curious about the 2238b vs the 2300 series in the silver face as well. Have you experimented much with the 2300 series? Those Sansui's and Akai's are also really beautiful in their unique way. If you have something in your bucket list, let me know and if I spy something maybe we can work something out. Thanks again for your reviews.

Thanks for the comment....No the antenna is cable, so perfect sound, what I need is a external mic like the zoom h1 to get the same sound on my video, my cam microphone is not that good...

from which year this receiver and do you prefer it on marantz receiver???

hello andrew, between the yamaha cr-2020 and the pioneer of the same class (sx-1050?), which would prefer?

@vintagestereo

8 жыл бұрын

never had the pioneer but of course i would prefer the pioneer

@derickvillarino

8 жыл бұрын

thanks for your reply. how do you describe the sound of the yamaha cr-2020 andrew?

My next receiver will be an Yamaha Cr 1020 .

A good review up until 10:45.....From 10:45 until 14:35 is garbage. You really need to hook up a good source (like a turntable) if you want to get an idea of the sound quality. Not FM stations without an antenna hooked up. Otherwise, I like your review.

I don't think you got around to doing the comparison review of the Yamaha & Marantz? I was not able to find one by you?

@vintagestereo

7 жыл бұрын

only this one: kzread.info/dash/bejne/h5x4qNdrdpTYgco.html

@sssboa1

6 жыл бұрын

These 2 below may be used as comparison kzread.info/dash/bejne/iKRttMmacra8gdI.html kzread.info/dash/bejne/gG2empKKdty-csY.html

What speaker are you using ? Thx

I much like the sound of this vintage of Yamaha as long as you use the use only the line and tuner inputs. Not thrilled by the phono section. It's okay but a bit to thin and analytical for me. Also the loudness control is strange; it's variable which is nice but for some reason it's off when it's turned fully clockwise and on in the opposite direction… the opposite of what we're instinctively used with volume, bass, treble controls.

@vintagestereo

7 жыл бұрын

you have the same thoughts as me, i also was never a fan of yamaha but they are nice looking and not bad sounding too

ik zet zo een harman Kardon 330B te koop voor €60. ik heb de programma selectie potmeter gesmeerd met kontact 60

Hi. Do you have any turntable or cd player??? Why you always turn only this fu..ng radio for every receiver tests? Yes i understand that fact that this thing is called "stereo re cei ver" but it is interesting how it sounds with different sources. I use my vintage receivers for turntables and cassette decks and cd players because of sound quality - not for radio. Cheers.

Everybody has their own ears. I have the cr2040 & i have the 2252b

haha, geen zin gehad.... maar ik heb wel een leuke philips versterker voor je, breng hem langs zodra ik in de buurt ben, heb hem niet getest

lol the 690 watt is not the power... is the consumption of electricity for the amp.the yamaha cr 2020 100watt chanel 8ohms

WAAR BLIJVEN JE HI-FI TESTEN ????

I don't want to sell it sorry.

JA MA HA ?