Yamaha #7 april 2005
	A-960 (1979 - 1982) Great looks, undoubtedly! However, the carefully organized structure of the A-1060 topper or the excellent A-1 or the japanese A-9 obviously isn't present: no copper-plated chassis, no "Shark Fin" heatsinks and no shielding... Dynamic, though, if a little sharp on the edges. Or, more precisely : somewhat lightweight in the bass and low-mid department. Odd to see something still so modern (in looks) that sports a 6-position Phono selector and a DISC direct switch... for LPs. The "Listening Level Monitor" slider has a LED that lights up when the set level is reached. Less disturbing than rows of constantly flashing LEDs, sure, but, honestly - just as useless? Released as the A-7 in Japan (above), the A-960 (below) was quickly replaced by the A-960mkII (A-7a in Japan), gaining a lit muting switch along the way and a cooler black finish. I was said that this was due to unintentional patent infringements with Bob Carver and his "Magnetic Field" that Yamaha slyly called "X POWER"... Or the opposite: the MKII was withdrawn - I can't remember. Can anyone enlight me on this?