Purchased the CA-600 in 1974 as part of my first really nice audio system. Still have the amp, which is in pristine condition. Had it checked out recently, as I hadn't used it for several years due to one channel not working correctly. The only issue was a couple of blown fuses, but I had it re-capped on the recommendation of the vintage audio repair person.

It is the nicest, cleanest sounding amp I've owned, and I've had quite a few over the years. I'm so excited to have it back and ready to rock my home once again.

If you ever have the good fortune to find one of these, don't hesitate to buy it. Well worth the investment, and one of the most beautiful pieces of audio equipment I've ever seen.

I bought my CA600 in 1973 with part of my student loan money for college. That was 40 years ago! It still sounds awesome. I use it with a Sony ST5000W tuner and hand built air suppension speakers with 9 Philips drivers in each cabinet. This combination with a Thorns TD160 turntable is all I will ever need. The Yamaha CA600 is the heart of the system, which has remained unchanged for 30 years. The Yamaha has true power and clarity, the variable loudness control is very useful. I have to agree it is built like a tank and everything sounds beautiful and relaxed no forced sounds. If you get a chance buy one, mine has never needed a repair.

Excellent soundstage & power, very musical sounding, pre-out/main-in flexibility, seperate power supply for each channel along with direct coupling. Even has inputs for microphones on the back!

For $60...c'mon.

To put it simply : SOUNDSTAGE! Open, three-dimensional, detailed & musical beyond belief. The rock, the roll, the jazz, the classique, everything sounds sweet through this baby. Beautiful amp that's also built like a tank. If you see one, buy it, hook it up & crank it!

Similar Products Used:

Luxman, Yamaha, Marantz, NAD, Kenwood.

- Clean & true sound reproduction.
- Simple & user friendly interface.
- Inputs include: 2 Phono , 2 Tape, 2 Auxiliary, Tuner, L & R Microphone inputs. More than enough for just about anybody!
- Loudness control
- Stereo reverse switch.
- 2 Switched & 2 Unswitched AC outlets

- No flashing lights or useless fancy displays.
- No built-in beer cooler.
- Very few trips to the repair shop with the hot receptionist.
Seriously, the only problem with mine is that the Power On indicater has been blown for as long as I can remember, which has resulted in the power being left on alot more than necessary, but this thing is a workhorse and doesn't seem to mind.

I first layed my hands on this amp in 1988. It belonged to a friend of my brother, and, though I can't remember what was wrong with it, I was asked to repair it if possible, which I did without requiring any new parts. It was later passed on to my brother, and eventually to me. I have been using it for about 13 years now, and I have had to perform one minor repair (mainly cleaning) in that time, again without any new parts involved.
Well it's cleaning time again, so I disconnected the old girl and put it on my workbench (kitchen table), temporarily replacing the hole in my setup with a much newer Kenwood amplifier. Well I don't want to knock the Kenwood; it sounds ok, I guess, but there is absolutely no comparison here. Suffice it to say, I will be getting my Yamaha cleaned and back together ASAP. I had originally planned on replacing some of the capacitors, since they are 33 years old after all, but I don't know if I can wait that much longer knowing that it isn't really necessaty to do so just yet. A definite case of 'you don't know what you've got until it's gone'.

Customer Service

This amp has required very little service, and since I do my own work anyway, I cannot comment in this area.

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I have not owned anything that I would consider similar to this, but a good place to start might be the Yamaha CA-ANYTHING.

Powerful, simple to operate, versatile, good sound quality, sturdy contstruction

Those darn spring-loaded speaker connectors, the tiny power cable, and the lack of level meters.

I got a CA-600 amp from my dad a few years back, and I've been using it to drive a pair of 12 inch subs ever since... It's unlike most home amp's I've seen... It's almost difficult to bottom out the power caps, even with two 500 watt speakers, and it easily knocks things off the walls downstairs.
It's design is simple, effective and asthetically pleasing, the tone controls have an excellent range, and the high/low filter switches are very handy.
This amp is also quite versatile, with 2 aux inputs, a tuner imput, 2 phono inputs with switchable impedance, and 2 tape in/outs. Along with a switched preamp connector that makes for easy hookup/control of an equalizer.
Highly reccomended to anyone seeking an amplifier that isnt full of useless controls, and simply gives you what you need: quality, power and versaility.

very nice bass bass and treble defeat nice volume control knob alumninum front and er.........

weak power cord kinda boxy shaped speaker connectors but hey for free why.....

for a something year old amp easily the best and ive heard some pretty expensive ones mines a ca natural sound my only regret is im running it on old technics speakers highly recommended for those who cant afford the most expensive these days

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pioneer sony koss!!!!!!!lol

It is a powerfull amp and drives my dad's bose 901s very well, as well as mine.

No midrange knob.

I love this amp, i bought it at a cash converters (pawn shop) and i have it playing with my advent loudspeakers(10'' woofers) and i can make the books on the shelf fall off because there is so much bass.

Similar Products Used:

None.

I agree with everyone else on the strenghts, but I gotta say - Sound Quality is just unbelievable.

I have never really had a problem with it...except that darn Left channel problem.

This was received as a gift from a friend when I was in grade 9 (1997) They upgraded to a newer system and gave there old one to me for free. They even took it in to be serviced before they gave it to me. I have used it off and on since then unlil about a year ago. My computer speakers died and I didn't have the cash to get new one's at the time so I grabbed the amp, connected it to my audigy and a pair of Pioneer bookshelf speakers (S-A330 70w Max) and I have never looked back! The sound quality is aweinspiring from a 1979 amp. It blows away my friends Creative speakers, Altec's are no match either! Unfortunitally my left channel started to fade in and out, crackle about 2 months ago so I am running the pair of speakers in the A Channel and B Channel Right side, mono sound..... I doubt that I could find anyone to fix it now. BUT i have the original box and manual with wiring diagram and my grandfather use to repair Amps, TV's and such...maybe I can get it fixed. :)

Cleaness and simplicity of design, clarity of base response, multi level power meters, main direct switch, variable loudnes control.

Spring loaded speaker connects, light duty power cord.

I bought this amp just after I graduated high school and have not owned any othe amp since. It has performed every task I have required of it. With nothing more than routine maintenance and cleaning it is still a monster piece of equipment after 22 years. Even if it didn''t work, I would still have a place for it in my audio room. It is a work of art. Every function it has is put there for a reason and there are no useles or extraneous features on it. I recently picked up a CT-610 tuner to go with and couldn''t be happier. I will grieve the day it dies. If that day ever comes. The CA-610II will probably outlast me.

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There are no similar products. The Yamaha CA series of amp is in a class by itself.

Have had this amp since high school. 22years later, and after going through Pioneer, Sony, and Technics, systems, with Pro logic, and various other sound effects, this 30 watt per channel still blows them all away not only in sound volume, but sound quality as well. Guess they just don't build em like they used to.