parametric equalizer

switches, contacts and craftsmanship especially on internal solder joints

not a durable or reliable unit

Similar Products Used:

pioneere sx780, mcintosh mx130

I must agree the C85 is one heck of a pre-amp. I have owned it since 85 andhad one problem 2 years ago, an IC came loose from the circuit board. I repaired
it and it's still giving good clean music with endless mixing capabilities
I have this now connected to a Yamaha MX1, and can't come to grips to replace
it. It's extremely quit and I think the variable bass boost is something
that no one offers. What can I say, a great pre-amp that I can't replace.

I have had several different Yamaha preamps-the C4,C70,c85 and the C1. The c70 c80 and C85 are basically the same;they all had variable loudness and parametric EQs.I found the c-85 colored the sound when compared to the c4 and the c1 as well as the sony es preamp I now use.The parametric eq was fun to twiddle with but was not very versatile -not enough knobs-the frequency needs to be divided up into more bands than two.

THE Yamaha C-85 is one of the bestpreamplifiers I have ever used. The
parametric EQ is clean and accurate.

I've been using the C-85 since 1987
and it still works like the day I
pulled it from the box.

Absolute transparency. Exceptionally smooth. Ability to select affected freq on bass and treble.

None.

I've owned this preamp since 1987 and have never looked back. Its been shipped to 4 different countries, and has seen alot use--and I've never had any problems. I had the C50 some years earlier, and sold it to try some other preamps--but wound up going right back to Yamaha. Although Yamaha tends to be a little pricey, when I look at sheer bang for the buck, its a great value.

Similar Products Used:

Carver, Harmon Kardon, Phase Linear, etc..

Clean Sound

No Remote

I have to agree with most of the people who have been reviewing this product. I have had this pre-amp since 1987 and it sounds as good now as it ever did. I also had to have the output connections resoldered. But after twelve years of solid use and many moves, who can complain. I am hard pressed right now to replace it with new technology, i.e. a high end audio/video pre-pro. I have never heard a cleaner preamp than this one, and no, it does not color the sound. In fact it has a bypass button on the front to take out all EQ. I cannot say enough nice things about this unit, in fact if I do replace it, I will continue to use it in a private listening area with some other high end speakers. Currently all of my amps are Yamaha: M85, M45, MX55. I also have Yamaha DSP3000, DSR100. Pioneer 3030 Laser, Sony DVP 530 DVD, Mitsubishi SVHS, Mitsubishi 36 inch TV monitor. Carver Amazing Loudspeakers (Plainum). Dahlquist DQ-10's refurbished.