The CA-1000 II is peak 1970s Yamaha: a Natural Sound integrated amplifier from the golden era of Japanese hi-fi, and the amp half the industry spent the next decade imitating. Its party piece is a switch that flips the power stage between Class A for low-distortion, transparent listening (2x15W) and Class B for muscle (2x70W). Underneath sits a serious phono stage with MM and MC support, a massive transformer, huge filter caps and that unmistakable silver-and-wood styling. Built like a vault and voiced to be smooth and non-fatiguing for hours, it is the kind of vintage amp people keep as their main system, not just a shelf piece.

FEATURES & PROS:

• Switchable Class A/B: Flip from transparent 2x15W Class A to a punchy 2x70W Class B.
• Golden-Era Build: Huge transformer, big filter caps and a sturdy chassis made to last decades.
• Serious Phono Stage: MM and MC support with a built-in head amp, no step-up needed.
• Natural Sound Voicing: Smooth, warm and non-fatiguing, made for long listening.
• Classic Looks: The iconic silver faceplate and wood-cabinet Yamaha design.
• Daily Driver: A genuine main-system amp, not just a collector's curio.

THE WORD: The Vintage Knob notes the CA-1000 sold like hotcakes and was "the example everybody else quickly followed." Read more at The Vintage Knob.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Model: Yamaha CA-1000 II
• Released: 1974
• Type: integrated stereo amplifier, Class A/B switchable
• Power: 2x70W (Class B), 2x15W (Class A) into 8 ohms
• Phono: MM and MC with built-in head amp
• Tone: 3-stage DC tone controls, loudness, filters
• Power supply: large-core transformer, 2x 18,000uF caps
• Weight: around 15.5 kg
• Connectivity: phono, line, tape, pre-out/main-in