No more mystery box: this is the Yamaha B-5, a 240-watt-per-channel Natural Sound power amplifier and one of the most serious separates Yamaha built in the era. Released in 1979 as the successor to the SIT-powered B-3, it was engineered to match that prized SIT sound without using SITs, via Yamaha's new Linear Transfer Circuit: a triple push-pull output running custom copper-stem transistors to crush the crossover distortion that usually plagues big bipolar amps. The result is huge, effortless power at very low distortion, with that composed, unflustered Yamaha delivery. Understated black styling, vault-like build, and far more amplifier than its plain looks suggest.

FEATURES & PROS:

• 240 Watts Per Channel: Serious, effortless power into 8 ohms, ready for demanding speakers.
• Linear Transfer Circuit: Yamaha's triple push-pull design that tames crossover distortion for an almost SIT-like smoothness.
• Custom Output Devices: Yamaha-developed copper-stem 2SC2707/2SA1147 transistors for low distortion and wide bandwidth.
• Heir to the SIT Amps: The follow-up to the legendary B-3, built to surpass it.
• Natural Sound Voicing: Composed, neutral and non-fatiguing, made for long listening.
• Tank Build: Heavy, quietly handsome late-70s Yamaha engineering.

THE WORD: Yamaha's own amplifier history records the B-5 as the heir to the SIT-powered B-3, developed to match that charming SIT sound through the new Linear Transfer Circuit while delivering 240 watts per channel at just 0.005% distortion. Read more in Yamaha's amplifier history.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Model: Yamaha B-5
• Released: 1979 (produced to around 1982)
• Type: Natural Sound stereo power amplifier
• Power: 240W per channel into 8 ohms (20Hz to 20kHz, 0.005% THD)
• Output stage: Linear Transfer Circuit, triple push-pull bipolar (copper-stem 2SC2707/2SA1147)
• Damping factor: 200; signal-to-noise: 123dB; response: 10Hz to 100kHz
• Mains: many B-5 units are 100V Japanese-market; please confirm voltage (a step-down transformer may be required)
• Condition: used, functional