Scytales

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Price Paid:  $630.00 from springair.de

Summary:
I look for a functionnal preamplifier which I can paired with a set of separated amplifiers. The purchase was intented to be just an interim. I bought this Yamaha used after intensive thougts about quality/price ratio. It is fully fonctionnal (balance, tone controls, source direct switch, audio mute, flexible phono input and low pass filter, more than enough line level inputs, three record ouputs, remote control) and looks quite good if not so classic. A look at the schematics was promising (care engineering, reliability), so was a few lab reports from the hi-fi press, and spare sparts are still available.

Despite of the age of this preamplifier, there are barely noises coming from all the switches and pots. Tested with a digital silence CD track, the ouputs appeared to be dead quite to the weakest attenuated volume levels, without the slightest trace of hum. The inner encapsulated main power tranformer is a bit mechanically noisy, though. The remote is very practical and usable from a broad range of angles. On the other hand, each left and right inputs RCA jacks sets are to close from each other (except the two more massive CD input and main ouput RCA sets) to accomodate large RCA male plugs.

The tone controls are very efficient and thus usefull with few dics that improve with a little adjustement. I don't found there is any differences in sound quality in the source direct mode, even when I listen to with headphones (The phone output seems to be pretty good).

As far as sound quality is concerned, I would describe this preamplifier as smooth and accurate, in a word : without flaws. This black sharky-like pan cake style, yet healthy, box does also ad a touch of high-end in my hifi-rack.

All in all, a very well made and affordable preamps with great performances.

Strengths:
Built quality, reliability, numerous features, performances, price.

Weaknesses:
None so far.

Similar Products Used:
No other preamp used.

rotelfan

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I have been using this preamp for the past 5 years now. Recently I purchased a top of the line Yamaha home theater receiver, and used the receiver as the preamp/processor. To my surprise, using the receiver as the preamp, even in stereo mode, gave me better sound compared to using the cx-1 as the preamp. It's hard to describe. The sound from using the receiver as the preamp was clearer, has better imaginging. I guess the cx-1 was good for its time. But it is dated now.

Summary:
This is a wonderful piece of machinery. I am quite familier with Yamaha mid-priced receivers and although I love their clean sound, the high end can be a little agressive. None of that is evident with this pre-amp. It sound is as smooth as silk, reproducing airy high frequencies with out any harshness or strain. I really like the way it is laid out symetrically. It's pure direct switch lets me bypass tone and balance achieving an even more faithful reproduction. I am told that gold solder was used to prevent corrosion of the contacts and extend it's life. Thats good because I plan to be listening to it for a long time to come.

Summary:
I have owned many mid-to-high end components, and I am thriled with the CX-1! Some of the features that I really like about this delightfully simple pre-amp are:- gold-plated inputs/outputs
- 4-gang volume control
- excellent construction quality
- neutral sound quality
- ability to bypass internal tone controls for shortest path

Enjoy!!

Summary:
Bought the unit for $350 on clearance. They're getting cheap since surround receivers are dominating the market. I wanted a basic pre-amp that wouldn't alter the music in any way when playing CD's.
Basic unit, typical high end 2 channel pre-amp. At 20 lbs you know it's a serious piece. Was using my Sony Vega TV as a pre-amp so I expected a big improvement and it didn't disapoint. It's feeding a TAN90ES amp, souce CD unit is a DVP7000 player. Speakers are from Wharfedale(Sapphire 89's). Speaker cable is Kimber 4TC.

Very noticable improvement in instrument/vocal placement and soundstage depth. Bass also tightened up quite a bit. The unit draws a lot of current (for a pre-amp) which I believe is beneficial to the bass quality. On the downside it does generate quite a big of heat as well. The unit is very sonically clean(as it should be expected). It's hard to understand how much a basic pre-amp can effect the music quality, but it does. For the money I have no regrets.