I've had this pre-amp for over 5 years now and have been very pleased with its performance. I use it almost everyday and I have never had any problem whatsoever. My set up includes a Rotel amp, Vandersteen 2Ce speakers, CAL DX-1 CD player, Kimber cables.

The CX-2 has audio/video inputs for Phono (both types), Tuner, CD, LD, Tape1, Tape2, VCR1, VCR2. S-Video is available for all video connects. It has a "pure direct" mode that bypasses all the tone-control circuitry, which I usually use. Either way, it sounds very clean and natural.

The learning remote has been really handy and I use it to control 2 CD players, the TV, and VCR (all non-Yamaha). One drawback is that the remote does not have enough memory to accomodate everything I wanted to program.

All in all, an excellent pre-amp.

Clean neutral sound, quiet operation, solid build quality.

Missing the 2 pre-outs and variable tone controls on my old C-4 pre-amp.

This is a very neutral and quiet pre-amp. Theses are two very important qualities that I like in Yamaha pre-amps. I bought this pre-amp to replace my old Yamaha C-4 which is 18 years old! The build quality is also excellent which includes gold plated connections, aluminum front panel and steel chassis.
The sound is almost as good as just using a interconnect between the CD player and power amp when ran in the pure direct mode. This mode by-passes all of the tone controls and provides an ultra low 110 db signal to noise ratio. I challenge you to find many pre-amps at any price that can meet that performance.
There is a very smooth operating remote control that also controls my CD player and tuner. I do however miss the variable turnover frequency tone controls and 2 pre-outs on my old C-4. The pre-outs had front panel buttons which is very convenient in my set-up.
I bought this unit from my local dealer for $575.00 which I consider a great deal. Overall, I'm very pleased with this unit.

My other equipment includes:
CD-player: Yamaha CDC-775, Sony CDP-C615
Tuner: Yamaha TX-950
Cassette: Kenwood KX-780
Power Amps: Yamaha M-4, Two Onkyo M-504's
Speakers: Definitive Technology BP-2002 (Bi-amped W/Onkyo's)

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha C-4