A-1
(1978 - 1982)

Brands make such units only once. Sony made the TA-N7, Kenwood the Supreme 700, Luxman the M-6000, Harman/Kardon the Citation XX, Yamaha made the B-1... and the A-1.

Each of those mentioned above did in some way cater to a "revolution" in sound reproduction. The A-1 is no different: DC is the word and the A-1 is DC from A to Z. Also filled with very select parts, two large transformers and... very few buttons! A fad starting then... and very much alive today. Very few inputs, too (four in toto) and just as much front controls, of which three are backlit - another fad ;-)
Whatever - the A-1 embodies the quintessential Yamaha: assumed, almost deceptive discretion and an absence of sound signature.

Had the A-1 had V-FETs in its power stages, it would have been a true masterpiece. Nevertheless, as produced, the A-1 was already a glorious -if discrete- way to wave good-bye to the 1970s.