Audio Nirvana for $43,000 System
Yamaha is making the biggest statement in the Hi-Fi market since it coined the term “Hi-Fi” 65 years ago with the release of its Hi-Fi Player. Today, the company is continuing its legacy in the premium Hi-Fi category with the U.S. debut of the 5000 Series, a new standard of components designed for the most discerning and passionate audiophiles.
The 5000 series builds on the success and performance of the company’s previous Hi-Fi components. Even the series’ name is a continuation and advancement of the legendary Yamaha 1000 and 2000 series, which are highly regarded by audio enthusiasts and still widely used even after their introductions more than 40 years ago.
The series — which includes the NS-5000 Speakers, C-5000 Preamplifier, M-5000 Power Amplifier and GT-5000 Turntable — surpasses its predecessors by drawing on the company’s deep expertise as the world’s largest maker of musical instruments. This expertise was poured into the 5000 series along with eight years of research and development to create the highest expression of “True Sound.” This Yamaha concept strives to reproduce sound exactly as the artist intended it to be heard, enveloping the listener in music as if it were being experienced live. Only a company with the knowledge and insights gained over decades of collaborating with world-class recording and performing artists can truly instill this concept in its Hi-Fi components.
More than just high-quality, stand-alone products, these new flagship series models are specifically engineered to work as a system, delivering perfectly balanced audio transmissions from cartridge to speaker output for premier performance.
“With this new system, the focus is less on the individual components and more on the immersive and uniquely moving experience created for the listener,” said Alex Sadeghian, director, Consumer Audio, Yamaha Corporation of America. “Achieving purity of sound is critical and our new 5000 series was designed with this, and the discerning listener, in mind. Authentic sound reproduction is in the Yamaha DNA, from our musical instruments and the smallest wireless speaker all the way to our flagship Hi-Fi gear. That is the entire concept behind the 5000 series. It’s an achievement in both art and sound.”
NS-5000 Speakers
The NS-5000 Speakers are designed to reproduce sound in the purest and most realistic way. They incorporate tweeter, midrange and woofer diaphragms made of ZYLON®, a high-strength and lightweight synthetic fiber providing exceptional acoustic velocity and the ability to reproduce the most delicate details of audio without the sharp resonance peak inherent of harder materials.
A patented Acoustic Absorber eliminates sound-absorbing material to revive the original presence of the music, and patented resonance suppression chambers suppress unwanted resonance in the mid and high ranges. The speakers’ enclosure construction of white Japanese birch and a piano black finish, the same used on Yamaha grand pianos, combine to deliver superior sonic quality.
C-5000 Preamplifier
The C-5000 Preamplifier features fully balanced discrete circuits, with each channel resembling a mirror image of the other, allowing all signal transmission, power supply, and ground connections to be minimized in a revolutionary way. Independent, dual toroidal transformers for the right and left channels deliver excellent channel separation and voltage stability. A patented design “floats” the phono EQ, input amp and line amp stages – removing the influence of ground noise from the signal.
A perfectly symmetrical, book-matched circuit design allows for the minimum length of signal travel, and a copper-plated chassis minimizes the influence of voltage on the circuit. Thick wires and screw-type connections reduce impedance of the power supply.
Custom heavy-duty brass feet enhance stability and minimize vibrations. Connectivity options include six RCA (including phono) and four XLR inputs, three RCA and one XLR output, two trigger outputs and three RCA outputs.
M-5000 Power Amplifier
The M-5000 Power Amplifier features a patented floating and balanced amplifier design, which reduces the signal path as much as possible, minimizing energy loss and achieving lower impedance for high-fidelity performance. Unlike conventional power amplifier designs, the power supply of the M-5000 “floats” from the ground which removes undesirable impacts of minute voltage fluctuations or ground noise.
The M-5000 employs a mechanical ground concept, whereby the power transformer, block capacitors and heat sink are fixed mechanically to the frame to eliminate vibration influence. A massive toroidal transformer boasts less flux leakage and excellent power conversion and efficiency. Internally, thick wires and screw-type connections are utilized for low-impedance, minimizing the loss that would otherwise occur with conventional connections and wire assemblies.
Its high-precision meters behind Asahi glass, custom-designed feet and pure brass speaker terminals are as functional as they are beautiful. Inputs include one RCA, one XLR and one trigger. Outputs include speaker and one trigger.
GT-5000 Turntable
The new GT-5000 Turntable draws inspiration and design characteristics from the acclaimed Yamaha GT (Gigantic and Tremendous) series and presents a new era of Hi-Fi from Yamaha. A custom belt-drive system with quartz timing minimizes the influence of the motor for an open, smooth sound. A short, straight tonearm made of carbon fiber and copper-plated aluminum delivers superior rigidity, weight balance and mechanics resulting in improved traceability.
The turntable’s heavy 11.5 lb. outer platter, 4.4 lb. inner platter and custom heavy-duty feet increase stability. A 24-pole, 2-phase AC synchronous motor generates an accurate sine wave. The heavy wooden cabinet has the same piano black finish as Yamaha grand pianos for a premium and elegant aesthetic.
Price and Availability
The following is planned availability and suggested retail pricing for the Yamaha 5000 series of premium Hi-Fi components:
- NS-5000PNST Speaker (speaker pair with stands included): Late October 2019, $14,999.95 (MSRP)
- C-5000 Preamplifier: now available, $9,999.95 (MSRP)
- M-5000 Power Amplifier: now available, $9,999.95 (MSRP)
- GT-5000 Turntable: Early 2020, $7,999.95 (MSRP)
The new 5000 series will initially be available to the U.S. market at six exclusive “experience centers” located throughout the country. Additional information on the 5000 series is available here.
Where to Audition
- Chicago – Abt Electronics or Music Direct
- Los Angeles – Shelley’s Stereo
- Miami – Soundlux Audio
- New York – Stereo Exchange
- Washington D.C. – Gramophone
