within the context of your set up - rate it out of 5.
Your source and speakers are your reference points.
Yamaha AX-620 (5.1 reciever used as stereo amp)
Just to discribe my set up. I use the DAC in the AX-620 i.e use the digital out from the CDp into the digital coax input on the amp, speakers bi wired using A & B speakers.
The AX-620 as a full presentation. Its a flexable sound that adapts to the quality of the source, aggressive recordings have the edges rounded off so 'exciting' is not a word I'd use to discribe the sound for this reason. One thing this amp never does is sound harsh or forced.Which belies how loud its playing - provided your speakers can handle it. The partner or your neighbours will complan to let you know though. It does not distort ethier - in that speakers never sound siblant or splashy.
At -50db it is very relaxed and even across the frequency range, turn it up to -45db and it starts to push music beyound the boundries of the speakers that envelopes the sweet spot, crank it up to -42db and the sounds takes on a big 3d soundstage, -40db you feel the music in your cloths.
The top end is very well seperated with each part of a tap clearly heard this flows to the top end of the vocals and midrange making it very clear the midrange again flows nicely into the bass, making voices sound 'human' - it also give instruments a weight and it gives bass excellent definition and texture, you can seperate instruments in the lower regions of the frequency range easily.
going up the scale at no point does any part of the presentation become prominate, it stays even and controlled - some may say the sound is boring, but its when you look up and see several hours have passed and your CDs scattered all over the place you realise how good the amp sounds.
in conclusion,
For
sound per pound this amp was a bargin, an excellent DAC, very natural organic sound. Will impress friends.
Against
Could do with a bit more snap to the midrange (half a star)
looks industrial. not pretty.
4.5 out of 5
Your source and speakers are your reference points.
Yamaha AX-620 (5.1 reciever used as stereo amp)
Just to discribe my set up. I use the DAC in the AX-620 i.e use the digital out from the CDp into the digital coax input on the amp, speakers bi wired using A & B speakers.
The AX-620 as a full presentation. Its a flexable sound that adapts to the quality of the source, aggressive recordings have the edges rounded off so 'exciting' is not a word I'd use to discribe the sound for this reason. One thing this amp never does is sound harsh or forced.Which belies how loud its playing - provided your speakers can handle it. The partner or your neighbours will complan to let you know though. It does not distort ethier - in that speakers never sound siblant or splashy.
At -50db it is very relaxed and even across the frequency range, turn it up to -45db and it starts to push music beyound the boundries of the speakers that envelopes the sweet spot, crank it up to -42db and the sounds takes on a big 3d soundstage, -40db you feel the music in your cloths.
The top end is very well seperated with each part of a tap clearly heard this flows to the top end of the vocals and midrange making it very clear the midrange again flows nicely into the bass, making voices sound 'human' - it also give instruments a weight and it gives bass excellent definition and texture, you can seperate instruments in the lower regions of the frequency range easily.
going up the scale at no point does any part of the presentation become prominate, it stays even and controlled - some may say the sound is boring, but its when you look up and see several hours have passed and your CDs scattered all over the place you realise how good the amp sounds.
in conclusion,
For
sound per pound this amp was a bargin, an excellent DAC, very natural organic sound. Will impress friends.
Against
Could do with a bit more snap to the midrange (half a star)
looks industrial. not pretty.
4.5 out of 5