Post your "Today's Scores" here!

This morning, I picked up:

Yamaha B-2
Pioneer SX-1050
Sherwood Micro/CPU 100 Tuner

The B-2 had a bad power switch, which I jumpered and it is working fine. The Pioneer was advertised as non-op and it is. Don't know about the Sherwood but sold for $2,000 in 1977!

what are your plans for the B-2?

No plans for the B-2. I thought I would enjoy it for awhile and get to know it's character. The B-2 has a near cult following so I want to know...

thats why i asked, the return on investment could be substantial.

It's the V-FET's. The amp plays great but the cosmetics aren't so good. The faceplate has some scratches on the edges, the top is not great, and the power switch is toast. If one had a mint B-2 with blown V-FET's, my B-2 would make sense.

What's the draw in regards to sound for V-Fets? They are liked by those who own 'em, but I never can figure out what exactly they like.

What are the negatives? Besides, of course, the unobtainable status for parts?

And why were they abandoned? Was it cost of manufacture? Reliability? Both?

I know very little about the different types of outputs but V-FET's have many loyal fans. Here is the answer I got from a local audio buddy:

If V-FET's are like tubes, that would explain the low DF of 50 from 20 Hz to 20kHz. I would imagine V-FET's don't need speed to deliver soundstage. I'll have to compare the B-2 to something more conventional to see if this is true.

Hi,

Socal Sam,

Thought you might like this link for the Yamaha B-2.

http://www.thevintageknob.org/VFET/B2/B2.html#

It looks great, just wish we could pick up as much 'GOOD' gear here in the UK!!

willie

WG, thanks for the link. I visit TVK frequently. IMO, I think the dark graphite is more appropriate for this beast. The silver is interesting though.

The seller banished my B-2 to the storage shed, which qualifies as abuse in my book. It's still filthy even after a good cleaning. However, the internals look great and the original Yamaha V-FET's populate the heatsinks. It took three sessions and moderate dis-assembly to clean the controls. Despite the looks, this is no sorry dog. It sounds like a champ.

that's a fairly serious amplifier, Sam! congrats!!
with luck, you'll eventually find a faulty but cosmetically
clean example one of these days, then you can fully restore
this beauty!!

Glad to see it's gojngvto be one of your "Keeper" units.

Nice kit.

Thed: If you can get your hands on a Yamaha B-2 V-FET unit, you will not be disappointed. It has the power and ultra low distortion of solid state plus it nearly matches my MC75's for midrange sizzle and airiness. The B-2's soundstage is superb for SS.

I was visiting a buddy so we decided to hit his local swap. Today's scores:

Bose Wave Radio
Marantz 5025B
Realistic SW Receiver
Sony 9 inch TV
Couple of Ping Golf Clubs

All are minor score vairety although I think the 5025B may join the Marantz collection.

nice grab on the Marantz. i've never heard the Bose Wave radio, i'd be interested in your impressions and comparisons of its sound quality.