Yamaha M-85

bigaltx24
bigaltx24 Posts: 141
in Vintage Speakers
I picked up a Yamaha M-85 that's won't come out of protection yesterday. Looks like the dreaded Sony glue has corroded some diodes, resistors, etc. I'll get it to a tech I know next weekend and see what he can do with it. My question is, has anyone run one of these amps with SDAs?.
I've been running a Denon PMA-900V with my 1Bs for about three years now, and even though it's only 200 watts @ 4 ohms it sounds better than any other amp I've tried with the 1Bs. I've tried a Carver TFM-35 and a Crown DC-300 with the 1Bs and went back to the Denon both times. The Carver didn't have the bass slam of the Denon and the Crown didn't measure up on the high end.
Denon PMA-900V
Linn Axis with Grado Red
Cambridge Azur 650C
Polk SDA-1BTL
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Comments

  • Mikey081057
    Mikey081057 Posts: 7,127
    I have an M80 that I've used with my SDA's , LSi9's, 5B's and 703's.. These old Yamahas are very under appreciated for their qualities. Get it fixed and you will love it.
    My New Year's resolution is 3840 × 2160

    Family Room| Marantz AV7704| Usher Dancer Mini - 2 DMD Mains |Usher Dancer Mini-x DMD's Surrounds | Usher BE-616 DMD Center | SVS Ultra Rear Surrounds | Parasound Halo A21 | Parsound Halo A52+ | MIT Shotgun S3's | Dual SVS SB 4000 Ultras | Oppo UDP 203 | Directv Genie HD DVR | Samsung 75" Q8 QLED | PSAudio Stellar GCD | Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ | Lumin U1 Mini | HP Elite Slice PC | ROON'd for life |

    ManCave: HT:Polk LSiM 706VR3 LSiM 703's LSiM 702's|| Marantz AV7002 AV PrePro Sunfire TGA-7401| Sony PS4 Pro| Sony PS4 Pro|SVS PB13 Ultra| Oppo UDP 203 | Music Hall MMF 5.3se TT w/ Soundsmith Carmen | Samsung 55" SUHD TV | Sony PS4

    Patio | Polk Atrium 8's | Yamaha R-N303BL |

    Office BlueSound Node| KEF LS50 | Peactree Nova 125SE |

    Bedroom | Focal 905's | Chromecast Audio |

    Garage | Polk Monitor 5B's

    Closet Yamaha M80 | 2 Polk MP3K subs| Yaqin MC100B with Shuguang Treasures KT 88's & CV181Z's | Tesla E83CC's | Marantz 2252B | Marantz 2385 |Polk SDA SRS 2.3 | LSiM 705's |
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  • Mystery
    Mystery Posts: 2,546
    I had M50/C50 combo.
    Worked great.

    Klipsch RB81, KG3.5, B&W DM602.5, Polk.
    Subwoofers: Klipsch RW10, Triad ProSub Bronze.
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  • stogie
    stogie Posts: 230
    In the past I used an M-65 (now in my garage setup). Even though it has a lower power rating than the M-85, it had no problem pushing my SRS's and 2B's.
    Speakers: Polk SDA-SRS xovers rebuilt by David, RDO194's, Dynamat, BH5, glued magnets, new cloth, custom aluminum terminal plates with Cardas posts and Speakon interconnect
    Speaker Cables, Jumpers & Interconnect: DIY Douglas Connection
    Power Amp: Sunfire Architect's Choice Series II
    Preamp: Adcom GFP-750
    SACD/CD: Oppo BDP-95
    Tuner: Sansui TU-717
    TT: Technics SL-MA1
    Phono Pre: Emotiva XPS-1
    Music Server: Mac Mini w/JRiver - iPad w/JRemote
    DAC: Eastern Electric MiniMax Plus
    Other Polks: SDA: 1A, 1C, 2B, CRS+ / Monitor: 10A, 5jr, 4 / RT5
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  • Mikey081057
    Mikey081057 Posts: 7,127
    edited September 2014
    Power is not an issue for the old Yammys.... need to change out the binding posts... they were plastic POS.
    My New Year's resolution is 3840 × 2160

    Family Room| Marantz AV7704| Usher Dancer Mini - 2 DMD Mains |Usher Dancer Mini-x DMD's Surrounds | Usher BE-616 DMD Center | SVS Ultra Rear Surrounds | Parasound Halo A21 | Parsound Halo A52+ | MIT Shotgun S3's | Dual SVS SB 4000 Ultras | Oppo UDP 203 | Directv Genie HD DVR | Samsung 75" Q8 QLED | PSAudio Stellar GCD | Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ | Lumin U1 Mini | HP Elite Slice PC | ROON'd for life |

    ManCave: HT:Polk LSiM 706VR3 LSiM 703's LSiM 702's|| Marantz AV7002 AV PrePro Sunfire TGA-7401| Sony PS4 Pro| Sony PS4 Pro|SVS PB13 Ultra| Oppo UDP 203 | Music Hall MMF 5.3se TT w/ Soundsmith Carmen | Samsung 55" SUHD TV | Sony PS4

    Patio | Polk Atrium 8's | Yamaha R-N303BL |

    Office BlueSound Node| KEF LS50 | Peactree Nova 125SE |

    Bedroom | Focal 905's | Chromecast Audio |

    Garage | Polk Monitor 5B's

    Closet Yamaha M80 | 2 Polk MP3K subs| Yaqin MC100B with Shuguang Treasures KT 88's & CV181Z's | Tesla E83CC's | Marantz 2252B | Marantz 2385 |Polk SDA SRS 2.3 | LSiM 705's |
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  • TNHNDYMAN
    TNHNDYMAN Posts: 2,145
    Had both the M80 and a M85 running 2.3TL's at one time. IF...you can get it fixed for a reasonable amount, they are well worth it. If not....I do have a M80 that's working well I could be talked out of.
    2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.

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  • Mr_Hz
    Mr_Hz Posts: 176
    I agree with the other posters. Bought my original SDA2's back in the mid 80's with a M80/C80/T80 set up. It was audio paradise for years ... but solder/binding posts, and a couple other ailments transpired that had me retiring the amp for about 7 years before I got the itch to have it gone through. Its back in service and still powering that original pair of SDA2's!

    The Yammy M amps really were (and are) incredible amps for their price point. Because the gear was japanese it never got the recognition it deserved. In retrospect they've gathered both a well deserved rep and some admiration in a wider circle of audio enthusiasts.
    2.3TL's - Living Room
    CRS+'s (4.1 TL's) - Office
    SDA1C's - Famdamly Rm
    SDA1C's - Master Bedroom
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  • Mikey081057
    Mikey081057 Posts: 7,127
    Nice site for reference

    http://legendaryamps.com/latest.html

    My New Year's resolution is 3840 × 2160

    Family Room| Marantz AV7704| Usher Dancer Mini - 2 DMD Mains |Usher Dancer Mini-x DMD's Surrounds | Usher BE-616 DMD Center | SVS Ultra Rear Surrounds | Parasound Halo A21 | Parsound Halo A52+ | MIT Shotgun S3's | Dual SVS SB 4000 Ultras | Oppo UDP 203 | Directv Genie HD DVR | Samsung 75" Q8 QLED | PSAudio Stellar GCD | Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ | Lumin U1 Mini | HP Elite Slice PC | ROON'd for life |

    ManCave: HT:Polk LSiM 706VR3 LSiM 703's LSiM 702's|| Marantz AV7002 AV PrePro Sunfire TGA-7401| Sony PS4 Pro| Sony PS4 Pro|SVS PB13 Ultra| Oppo UDP 203 | Music Hall MMF 5.3se TT w/ Soundsmith Carmen | Samsung 55" SUHD TV | Sony PS4

    Patio | Polk Atrium 8's | Yamaha R-N303BL |

    Office BlueSound Node| KEF LS50 | Peactree Nova 125SE |

    Bedroom | Focal 905's | Chromecast Audio |

    Garage | Polk Monitor 5B's

    Closet Yamaha M80 | 2 Polk MP3K subs| Yaqin MC100B with Shuguang Treasures KT 88's & CV181Z's | Tesla E83CC's | Marantz 2252B | Marantz 2385 |Polk SDA SRS 2.3 | LSiM 705's |
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  • Mr_Hz
    Mr_Hz Posts: 176
    Mikey081057 wrote: »
    Nice site for reference

    http://legendaryamps.com/latest.html

    Chip (@ Legendary Amps) is who I went to for refurbishing my M80.
    2.3TL's - Living Room
    CRS+'s (4.1 TL's) - Office
    SDA1C's - Famdamly Rm
    SDA1C's - Master Bedroom
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  • Mikey081057
    Mikey081057 Posts: 7,127
    Mr_Hz wrote: »
    Mikey081057 wrote: »
    Nice site for reference

    http://legendaryamps.com/latest.html

    Chip (@ Legendary Amps) is who I went to for refurbishing my M80.

    Chip is a legend :)

    My New Year's resolution is 3840 × 2160

    Family Room| Marantz AV7704| Usher Dancer Mini - 2 DMD Mains |Usher Dancer Mini-x DMD's Surrounds | Usher BE-616 DMD Center | SVS Ultra Rear Surrounds | Parasound Halo A21 | Parsound Halo A52+ | MIT Shotgun S3's | Dual SVS SB 4000 Ultras | Oppo UDP 203 | Directv Genie HD DVR | Samsung 75" Q8 QLED | PSAudio Stellar GCD | Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ | Lumin U1 Mini | HP Elite Slice PC | ROON'd for life |

    ManCave: HT:Polk LSiM 706VR3 LSiM 703's LSiM 702's|| Marantz AV7002 AV PrePro Sunfire TGA-7401| Sony PS4 Pro| Sony PS4 Pro|SVS PB13 Ultra| Oppo UDP 203 | Music Hall MMF 5.3se TT w/ Soundsmith Carmen | Samsung 55" SUHD TV | Sony PS4

    Patio | Polk Atrium 8's | Yamaha R-N303BL |

    Office BlueSound Node| KEF LS50 | Peactree Nova 125SE |

    Bedroom | Focal 905's | Chromecast Audio |

    Garage | Polk Monitor 5B's

    Closet Yamaha M80 | 2 Polk MP3K subs| Yaqin MC100B with Shuguang Treasures KT 88's & CV181Z's | Tesla E83CC's | Marantz 2252B | Marantz 2385 |Polk SDA SRS 2.3 | LSiM 705's |
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  • bigaltx24
    bigaltx24 Posts: 141
    I looked at the Legendary site before, looks like the guy does some great work. I'm thinking if my tech can get it running and I like the way the amp sounds, I might send it to Legendary for a full restoration.
    Denon PMA-900V
    Linn Axis with Grado Red
    Cambridge Azur 650C
    Polk SDA-1BTL
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  • Mikey081057
    Mikey081057 Posts: 7,127
    bigaltx24 wrote: »
    I looked at the Legendary site before, looks like the guy does some great work. I'm thinking if my tech can get it running and I like the way the amp sounds, I might send it to Legendary for a full restoration.

    If you are going to keep it that would definitely be the thing to do. You may want to inquire as to the length of the waiting list.

    My New Year's resolution is 3840 × 2160

    Family Room| Marantz AV7704| Usher Dancer Mini - 2 DMD Mains |Usher Dancer Mini-x DMD's Surrounds | Usher BE-616 DMD Center | SVS Ultra Rear Surrounds | Parasound Halo A21 | Parsound Halo A52+ | MIT Shotgun S3's | Dual SVS SB 4000 Ultras | Oppo UDP 203 | Directv Genie HD DVR | Samsung 75" Q8 QLED | PSAudio Stellar GCD | Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ | Lumin U1 Mini | HP Elite Slice PC | ROON'd for life |

    ManCave: HT:Polk LSiM 706VR3 LSiM 703's LSiM 702's|| Marantz AV7002 AV PrePro Sunfire TGA-7401| Sony PS4 Pro| Sony PS4 Pro|SVS PB13 Ultra| Oppo UDP 203 | Music Hall MMF 5.3se TT w/ Soundsmith Carmen | Samsung 55" SUHD TV | Sony PS4

    Patio | Polk Atrium 8's | Yamaha R-N303BL |

    Office BlueSound Node| KEF LS50 | Peactree Nova 125SE |

    Bedroom | Focal 905's | Chromecast Audio |

    Garage | Polk Monitor 5B's

    Closet Yamaha M80 | 2 Polk MP3K subs| Yaqin MC100B with Shuguang Treasures KT 88's & CV181Z's | Tesla E83CC's | Marantz 2252B | Marantz 2385 |Polk SDA SRS 2.3 | LSiM 705's |
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  • Schurkey
    Schurkey Posts: 2,101
    Mr_Hz wrote: »
    Mikey081057 wrote: »
    Nice site for reference

    http://legendaryamps.com/latest.html

    Chip (@ Legendary Amps) is who I went to for refurbishing my M80.
    OHhhh, now you have a chip amp.
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  • Jay's Radio
    Jay's Radio Posts: 29
    Mikey081057 wrote: »
    Nice site for reference

    http://legendaryamps.com/latest.html

    I sent my MX-1000 there. He does nice work.
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  • Jay's Radio
    Jay's Radio Posts: 29
    Mikey081057 wrote: »
    Mr_Hz wrote: »
    Mikey081057 wrote: »
    Nice site for reference

    http://legendaryamps.com/latest.html

    Chip (@ Legendary Amps) is who I went to for refurbishing my M80.

    Chip is a legend :)

    I thought it was " Skip "
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  • xjghost
    xjghost Posts: 1,101
    We had a stereo shop in Vero that sold Yamaha. I remember going in there as a teen in the late 80's looking at all that stuff dreaming......
    HT/2Channel: Emotiva MMC-1, Adcom GFA-555II, Polk SDA 3.1's, Teac TN-300 TT, Polk Center and Sub.

    Bedroom system: Carver CT-24, Parasound HCA-800II, Monitor 10's

    Additional projects: RTA 12c's
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  • Mr_Hz
    Mr_Hz Posts: 176
    Jay's Radio wrote: »
    Mikey081057 wrote: »
    Mr_Hz wrote: »
    Mikey081057 wrote: »
    Nice site for reference

    http://legendaryamps.com/latest.html

    Chip (@ Legendary Amps) is who I went to for refurbishing my M80.

    Chip is a legend :)

    I thought it was " Skip "

    Yeppers... my slip up. 'Skip' Lacey! (Damn old age!) And yes, there is a wait time. Best to contact them via their website email address and Bev, working the front office, will let you know when they can accept the amp for work. Usually its 2-4 months out. They are, evidently, rather popular. Good quality work has a way of doing that...
    2.3TL's - Living Room
    CRS+'s (4.1 TL's) - Office
    SDA1C's - Famdamly Rm
    SDA1C's - Master Bedroom
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