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ON TEST

Yamaha is a unique company. It’s recognised as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of musical instruments, with its pianos, in

particular, ranked by many of the world’s pianists as the best available. It’s also one of the world’s leading manufacturers of audio components, which it’s been doing continu-ously since 1920. Many of Yamaha’s audio components over the years have achieved ‘icon’ status with audiophiles, such as Yama-ha’s legendary NS-1000M speakers (the first in the world to use beryllium tweeters), the B-1 amplifier with its vertical FETs, the PX-2 linear-tracking turntable, the B-6 ‘pyramid’

amplifier and, of course, Yamaha’s incredible tiny NS-10M studio monitors. These were so popular with professional recording engineers that many used them in their own homes, as well as in their studios.

The reason I mention all this is because that when I heard about the amount of devel-opment and engineering that had gone into the A-S3000, it seemed to me that Yamaha was deliberately setting about designing a product that would achieve ‘icon’ status, not only when it was released, but also well into the future. Now, after having experienced an A-S3000 ‘in the flesh’, I can report that my suspicion was correct…

integrated amplifier

Yamaha A-S3000

Power Output: Single channel driven into 8-ohm, 4-ohm and 2-ohm non-inductive loads at 20Hz, 1kHz and 20kHz.

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Yamaha a-S3000 integrated amplifier ON TEST

with balanced inputs, which just convert the incoming signal to unbalanced once it’s ‘inside’ the amplifier, the A-S3000’s circuitry is fully balanced from input all the way to the output. In fact the loudspeaker output stage is a ‘floating balanced’ type that Yamaha says it developed specifically for the A-S3000 and is unique because it uses exactly the same MOSFET device for the positive part of the signal waveform as it does for the negative part of the waveform. (Most amplifiers use complementary transistors in the output circuitry, so if standard transistors were used, an NPN transistor would be paired with a PNP type and, in cases where MOSFETs are used, an ‘N-channel’ MOSFET would be paired with a ‘P-channel’ MOSFET. In the A-S3000, Yamaha is using only N-channel MOSFETs.) As for why Yamaha opted for MOSFETs rather than some other transistor type, according to Susumu Kumazawa, of Yamaha’s hi-fi development department, the reason is because MOSFETs have a lower ‘on’ impedance than bipolar transistors so, in his words: ‘they are better to drive loudspeakers and can create the warm sound of valve amplifiers because they take advantage of the same voltage wave element as valve amplifiers.’

If you’re admiring the photographs accompanying this review, be warned that the A-S3000 is a lot larger than it looks, and much heavier than you’d imagine it might be. It’s 485mm wide, 180mm high and 464mm deep and weighs nearly 25kg. I should mention the warranty too, because Yamaha has recently started offering an extraordinarily generous warranty whereby you get a full ten (TEN!) years parts and labour guarantee and, in the event that anything goes awry within the first twelve months, Yamaha will give you a brand new amplifier. It doesn’t get much better than that!

Yamaha a-S3000Integrated amplIfIer

Brand: Yamahamodel: a-S3000Category: Integrated amplifierRRP: $8,999Warranty: 10 YearsDistributor: Yamaha music (australia) pty ltdaddress: level 1, 99 Queensbridge St Southbank VIC 3006

1300 739 411 (03) 9693 5111 au.yamaha.com

readers interested in a full technical appraisal of the performance of the Yamaha a-S3000 Integrated amplifier should continue on and read the laBOratOrY repOrt published on page 24. readers should note that the results mentioned in the report, tabulated in performance charts and/

or displayed using graphs and/or photographs should be construed as applying only to the specific sample tested.

Lab Report on page 24

• fantastic sound• powerful!• full-featured• generous warranty

• Size and weight• Complex remote

laB repOrt

The equipmenTAs you can see, the exterior of the new A-S3000 is ‘conventional’, although the quality of the exterior is a cut above what you’ll find on even high-end amplifiers, with the ‘coup de grace’ being the inclusion of wooden end panels that perfectly set off the brushed aluminium of the front panel. And whereas I’m not normally a fan of output power meters, the ones on the A-S3000 have been integrated so tastefully into the design, being just the right size and shape (and artistically offset on the panel just the right amount) that all was forgiven.

As for the controls on the front panel, Yamaha has decided to stick with a style it re-introduced just recently, but which actually harks back to the famous CA-1000 Class-A amplifier Yamaha built back in the ‘70s (and reprised on the C-2 control amplifier that won a top prize at the Milan International Music and Hi-Fi Show). That style is to use straight bar-like knobs—rather than circular knobs—

for the bass, treble and balance controls, long rectangular ‘tab’ type switches to control power, phono switching (MM/MC) and muting, and tiny ‘pinch’ style rotary controls for headphone volume trim (–6, 0, +6, and +12dB), speaker selection (Off, A, B, A+B/Bi-wiring) and meter control (Off, Peak, VU). The input selector (Phono, Tuner, CD, Bal-1, Bal-2, Line 1, Line 2, Main Direct) and volume controls are rotary, but both are electronic rather than conventional analogue types.

As you’ve probably realised from the foregoing, the Yamaha A-S3000 isn’t short in the ‘inputs’ department and, perhaps more significantly, has full support for balanced inputs. And when I say ‘full’ support, you can attenuate the balanced signals if you wish (by 40dB) and also adjust phase (by 180°) if you want. The support for balanced inputs is more than just ‘lip service’ in the case of the A-S3000, because unlike most amplifiers

in use and LisTening sessionsYou’ll find connecting the A-S3000 a very pleasurable experience, because all the con-nectors are very high quality, very clearly marked and there’s plenty of room to make connections. The speaker connectors are par-ticularly good. However, you will need to re-member that because the output is balanced, the negative (–) speaker terminal is not at ground potential, so you should not try to connect the speaker terminals to anything other than a standard pair of speakers (that is, don’t connect the amplifier to electrostatic speakers or to a powered subwoofer).

In addition to the usual inputs and out-puts, the A-S3000 has pre-out and main-in terminals, a 12-volt trigger and remote in/out so it can be integrated with an automated

Power Output: Both channels driven into 8-ohm, 4-ohm and 2-ohm non-inductive loads at 20Hz, 1kHz and 20kHz.

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Power Output: Single and both channels driven into 8-ohm, 4-ohm and 2-ohm non-inductive loads at 20Hz, 1kHz and 20kHz.

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ON TEST Yamaha a-S3000 integrated amplifier

laB repOrt On page 24

system, and a ‘System Connector’ that is able to be used by Yamaha’s technicians for diag-nostics. There’s also an auto power standby switch. When this switch is ‘Off’ the A-S3000 will remain on whenever you’ve turned it on via the front panel power switch. However in the ‘On’ position, the amplifier will turn itself to Standby mode if the amplifier has not been used for more than eight hours.

And if you found connecting the A-S3000 pleasurable, just wait until you hear it! I listened to the A-S3000 in conjunction with Yamaha’s CD-S3000 SACD player/DAC (which will be the subject of its own review in a later issue of Australian Hi-Fi Magazine) which meant I was able to audition music

from CD and SACD discs, as well as from hi-res files sourced both from hard drive and DVD that had been routed through the CD-S3000 thanks to its functionality as a DAC.

In short, the sound quality was superb! The amount of power on tap is extraordinary, and the Yamaha A-S3000’s ability to deal with difficult loads is exceptionally good: it had, for example, absolutely no problem driving Wilson Audio’s latest amplifier-breaker, the Alexia, whose impedance drops down to 1.8Ω, it could also drive that design LOUD without any signs of distress from either component.

Bass was tight, rhythmic and perfectly timed, exactly coinciding with the inten-tions of the musicians, whether they were classically-trained or Rastafarian. And thanks to the power that was self-evidently available, even the most demanding bass excursions

will not suck any power from higher-up in the frequency band, or reduce the power available for flurries of notes delivered in rapid succession (for definitive proof of this, just listen to Bjork’s Hyperballad with her voice over the ultra-deep bass. Note how the bass doesn’t interfere with her voice, the waves, or even the high-frequency electronic tinkling).

The power this gives the music is instruc-tional, such as when I was listening to Wrists, from Galapogos’ album ‘Established Ghosts’, which also demonstrates the sheer speed of the Yamaha, and also the total silence that occurs when no music is being played… which helps the air between the notes as well

as the silences between passages, movements and, of course, tracks.

Midrange sound was glorious: I don’t think I’ve heard Angus Stone’s version of Joni Mitchell’s River ever sound more pellucid than I did through Yamaha’s A-S3000, and the guitar-picking sound is beautifully realistic. Overall it’s a really good recording and… guess what, it was recorded in Angus Stone’s own home.

The accuracy of the sound in terms of rhythm and pace was outstandingly good, so much so that the tiny delays between left and right channels that affect many of the instruments on Sons of the East’s self-titled album are clearly audible when listening via the A-S3000. Interesting as this effect is, I am absolutely certain that it’s an inadvisable recording technique, particularly these days, when so many people listen via

headphones, which tends to accentuate the effect even further. To me it detracts from what is otherwise a nicely-recorded album of quite catchy tunes, though I personally think the tonal quality of lead singer Jack Rollins’ voice is an acquired taste. His tone is, however, very very accurately rendered by the Yamaha A-S3000, so if you have a good pair of speakers connected to it, you will certainly hear exactly what I am talking about!

I also loved the high-frequency sound of the Yamaha, particularly when it was reproducing the high-frequency energy of ‘The Light-Filled Corner’, by the Grownups. I bought this album ‘on spec’ because I remember liking the band when they were a band, 20-odd years ago. (They apparently reformed specifically to record Light-Filled Corner.) Alas, apart from the quality of the instrumental sound, which I liked, I should have left my memories as memories, because the lyrics—and their repetitiveness, made me cringe repeatedly. In the track Beautiful, for example, the word beautiful is used to rhyme almost every line, so it appears 15 times in 26 lines! In The Grand Illusion, the word ‘illusion’ is used to rhyme every second line throughout the whole song, so it appears 26 times….so I can only advise you use your own favourite album to enjoy the high frequency performance of the A-S3000.

ConCLusionThe A-S3000 was designed to celebrate Yamaha’s 125th Anniversary, so Yamaha re-ally pulled out all the stops with design and engineering with this one: it looks beautiful, sounds brilliant, has every feature and facility you’re likely to need, and is powerful enough to drive even the most difficult loudspeakers. A fitting tribute. greg borrowman

Looks beautiful, sounds brilliant, has every feature and facility you’re likely to need, and is powerful enough to drive even the most difficult loudspeakers.

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Yamaha a-S3000 integrated amplifierCOntinUed frOm page 22

LAB REPORT

LaboraTory TesT resuLTsIt doesn’t matter whether you look at the tabulated figures or the accompanying bar graphs, you can see that Yamaha’s A-S3000 integrated amplifier not only delivers a com-pletely genuine 100-watts of power, both-channels-driven, into 8Ω loads, anywhere across the frequency band, but that it’s also capable of delivering more than 150-watts into 4Ω loads under the same test conditions, and more than 200-watts into 2Ω loads. And note that 2Ω result carefully, because even into this low impedance load the A-S3000 is capable of continuously delivering 222-watts at 20Hz, 246-watts at 1kHz and 206-watts at 20kHz. This is a powerful amplifier.

It’s also a wideband amplifier. The fre-quency response is only 1dB down at 1Hz and 122kHz, and only 3dB down at 182kHz (the low-frequency 3dB downpoint was lower than 1Hz, which is below the calibrated measurement limit of most test equip-ment.) This puts the wideband ‘normalised’ frequency response of the Yamaha A-S3000 at 1Hz–122kHz ±0.5dB. Across the audio band (20Hz to 20kHz) the response is even flatter, as you can see from Graph 6, but as you can see on that graph, there are multiple traces. The black trace shows the amplifier’s frequen-cy response into a standard 8Ω non-inductive laboratory test load. The red trace shows the frequency response into a load that simulates a typical two-way bookshelf loudspeaker. You can see that into 8Ω resistive loads, the

amplifier is just 0.08dB down at 20kHz, which gives a normalised frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz ±0.04dB. However, you can see that into real loudspeaker loads, the response is even flatter again: 20Hz – 20kHz ±0.02B.

The minuscule differences between the two traces into the different loads indicate that the A-S3000 has a very low output impedance, which proved to be correct, with the amplifier measured as having an output impedance of 0.01Ω at 1kHz. This in turn means a very high damping factor of 800 at 1kHz, which is far, far in excess of what’s required to control even the most difficult loudspeakers. The degree of control that’s exerted by the Yamaha A-S3000 on the speak-ers it’s driving means that the amplifier’s ‘sound’ will be the same no matter what type of speakers you use with it.

However, as to whether the A-S3000 will have a ‘sound’ at all is moot, because the spectrograms (Graphs 1 through 4) of total harmonic distortion (and noise) show distor-tion (and noise) as being very, very low. At 1 watt into 8Ω (Graph 1) the second harmonic is at –100dB (0.001%), the third at –90dB (0.003%), the fourth at –115dB (0.0001%), the fifth at –110dB (0.0003%) and the sixth at –118dB (0.0001%). You can also see the noise floor is mostly more than 100dB down below 4kHz, and more than 120dB down above 4kHz. All are far below the level of human ability to detect by ear.

Yamaha a-S3000 Integrated amplifier – Test Resultstest measured result Units/Comment

frequency response @ 1 watt o/p 1Hz – 122kHz –1dB

frequency response @ 1 watt o/p <1Hz – 182kHz –3dB

Channel Separation (dB) 128dB / 108dB / 80dB (20Hz / 1kHz / 20kHz)

Channel Balance 0.032 dB @ 1kHz

Interchannel phase 0.09 / 0.05 / 1.22 degrees ( 20Hz / 1kHz / 20kHz)

tHd+n 0.009% / 0.01% @ 1-watt / @ rated output

Signal-to-noise (unwghted/wghted) 86dB / 94dB dB referred to 1-watt output

Signal-to-noise (unwghted/wghted) 95dB / 106dB dB referred to rated output

Input Sensitivity (Cd Input) 19mV / 190mV (1-watt / rated output)

Output Impedance 0.01Ω OC = V

damping factor 80 @1kHz

power Consumption 0.58 / 55 watts (Standby / On)

power Consumption 85 / 329 watts at 1-watt / at rated output

mains Voltage Variation during test 238 – 246 minimum – maximum

Yamaha a-S3000 amplifier – Power Output Test ResultsChannel load (Ω) 20Hz

(watts)20Hz

(dBW)1kHz

(watts)1kHz

(dBW)20kHz

(watts)20kHz (dBW)

1 8 Ω 100 20.0 107 20.3 105 20.2

2 8 Ω 100 20.0 100 20.0 100 20.0

1 4 Ω 163 22.1 178 22.5 171 22.3

2 4 Ω 158 21.9 162 22.0 154 21.8

1 2 Ω 225 23.5 253 24.0 233 23.6

2 2 Ω 222 23.4 246 23.9 206 23.1

note: figures in the dBW column represent output level in decibels referred to one watt output.

26 Australian

LAB REPORT Yamaha a-S3000 integrated amplifier

Reducing the load impedance to 4Ω (Graph 2) resulted in slight increases in the levels of the odd-order harmonics, with the 3rd increasing to –81dB (0.0089%), the 5th to –101dB (0.0008%) and the seventh to –113dB (0.0002%) but all are so low in level that they would be completely inaudible. The distortion is also all low-order, which is an excellent trait for any amplifier design.

At rated output, the output spectrum became dominated by odd-order harmonic distortion components at both test loads, which I assumed was an artefact of the balanced output stage used by Yamaha. However, although the distortion was primar-ily odd-order, the distortion levels were still very low. Into 8Ω loads (Graph 3) Newport Test Labs’ results were –85dB (0.0056%), –95dB (0.0017%), –102dB (0.0007%), –105 (0.0005%) and –110dB (0.0003%) for the 3rd through 11th harmonics. The result was essentially the same into 4Ω loads. Overall THD+N (with 8Ω loads) was measured at 0.009% referenced to 1 watt, and 0.01% refer-enced to rated output. Both results far exceed Yamaha’s own specifications and mean the amplifier will not produce any audible distor-tion.

Newport Test Labs ran a quick check on the accuracy of the front panel power output meters that showed that they read a little high when the amplifier is delivering 1-watt, and also a little high when it’s delivering 10-watts, but were at spot-on at an output of 100-watts. The audio mute button reduces output by 16dB.

Newport Test Labs measured channel sepa-ration at 20Hz as 128dB, at 1kHz as 108dB and at 20kHz as 80dB. The results at 20Hz

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Graph 5: Intermodulation distortion (CCIF-IMD) using test signals at 19kHz and 20kHz, at an output of 1-watt into an 8-ohm non-inductive load, referenced to 0dB. [A-S3000]

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Graph 2: Total harmonic distortion (THD) at 1kHz at an output of 1-watt into a 4-ohm non-inductive load, referenced to 0dB. [Yamaha A-S3000 Integrated Amplifier]

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-0.83

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Graph 6: Frequency response of line input at an output of 1-watt into an 8-ohm non-inductive load (black trace) and into a combination resistive/inductive/capacitive load representative of a typical two-way loudspeaker system (red trace). [Yamaha A-S3000]

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Graph 7: Tone control action referenced to 0dB at 1kHz. [Yamaha A-S3000 Int. Amplifier]

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Graph 4: Total harmonic distortion (THD) at 1kHz at 150 watts into a 4-ohm non-inductive load, referenced to 0dB. [Yamaha A-S3000 Integrated Amplifier]

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Graph 3: Total harmonic distortion (THD) at 1kHz at rated output (100 watts) into an 8-ohm non-inductive load, referenced to 0dB. [Yamaha A-S3000 Integrated Amplifier]

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Graph 1: Total harmonic distortion (THD) at 1kHz at an output of 1-watt into an 8-ohm non-inductive load, referenced to 0dB. [Yamaha A-S3000 Integrated Amplifier]

and 1kHz are outstandingly good; the result at 20kHz is very good. Channel separation at 1kHz is 0.032dB, which is excellent. Channel phase error is also excellent, at just 0.09° at 20Hz and 0.05° at 1kHz and 1.22° at 20kHz. All these interchannel phase errors would be completely inaudible.

Tone control action was fairly typical, though I would have liked the boost at high-frequencies to have been shelved a little lower in frequency than it is. You can see on Graph 7 that the low-frequency boost and cut action is beautifully shelved, at +9dB (boost) and –10dB (cut) with the ‘shelf’ at around 40Hz, whereas in the treble, the shelf doesn’t kick in until around 40kHz. Using the tone controls will affect the volume a little, as you can see from the fact that the two tone control curves are displaced from the 0dB ref-erence that shows the ‘flat’ response. (When the bass and treble controls are centred, the tone control circuitry is bypassed.)

Signal-to-noise ratios were excellent, with Newport Test Labs measuring the unweighted S/N referred to 1-watt as 86dB, which increased with A-weighting to be 94dB.

Referred to rated output, the test results improved to 95dB (unweighted) and 106dB (A-weighted). (Note that these unweighted figures were measured wide-band: it seems some test authorities still insert high-pass and low-pass filters when measuring unweighted signals: Newport Test Labs does not.)

Intermodulation distortion was extremely low, as you can see from Graph 5, measured by Newport Test Labs at an output of 1-watt, using 19kHz and 20kHz test signals in a 1:1 ratio (these being visible as the two signals just to the right of the graph’s centre). You can see the regenerated 1kHz signal is around 113dB down and that even the sidebands at 18kHz and 21kHz are 85dB down. Yet again, this is excellent performance in every respect.

Square wave testing (see oscillograms) confirmed the speed and frequency exten-sion of the A-S3000, and also that it will be completely stable even into highly reactive loudspeaker loads.

The line-level inputs of the Yamaha A-S3000 were fairly sensitive, requiring only 19mV for the amplifier to deliver a 1-watt output into the test load, and only 190mV for it to deliver 100-watts.

Power consumption was fairly low, despite the high power output, with the A-S3000 drawing only 329-watts from the mains when operating at maximum capacity. In standby, it draws less than 1-watt, comfortably com-ing in under the Australian government’s new(ish) regulations for standby power consumption.

For the simply outstanding performance of the A-S3000 on Newport Test Lab’s test bench, I’ll have to award full marks to Yamaha. Steve Holding

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Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1

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Sony PlasmaLED-LCD4K UHD65-inch55-inch

YAMAHA’S ULTIMATE AVENTAGEEXCLUSIVE TEST OF THE A5000 PRE-POWER CANE TOA

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IN 3D!

AUSTRALIA’S No.1 AV GUIDE Aug/Sept 2013

ISSUE #26/5 $8.95 NZ$10.99

S&I Aug13_001 Cover.indd 1 16/08/13 2:48 PM

ALSO REVIEWED

NAD C356BEEBest budget amplifi er?

Usher AudioDiamond tweeter

Sony SS-NA2ESAmazing

achievement!

MSB Sig. DAC IV PlusHand-made heaven

sings…

Studio 590 bi-radial

horn is JBL’s best yet…

Horn Power! Jul/Aug 2013

A$8.95 NZ$10.99 AVHUB.COM.AU

HF May13_001 Cover.indd 1 17/06/2013 2:04:48 PM

CHOOSE YOUR NEW TV!FULL REVIEWS OF THE BIGSCREEN BRANDSFULL REVIEWS OF THE BIGSCREEN BRANDS

LGLGPanasonicSamsung

Sony Samsung

Sony Samsung

PlasmaLED-LCDLED-LCD4K UHD65-inch65-inch65-inch55-inch

CANE TOADS

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IN 3D!IN 3D!IN 3D!IN 3D!

ISSUE #26/5 $8.95 NZ$10.99NZ$10.99

16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM

Horn Power!Power!

WE’VE GONE ALL DIGITAL

Six Appeal

Red Bull Illume Winners

$7.95 NZ$9.90 Volume 69 Number 7

Light, Camera, Action!

Zoom’s Talented H6 Portable Recorder

BARAT ALI BATOOR The Asylum Seeker With A Camera

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TOUCH US PINCH US

NOW AVAILABLE ON ZINIO

for iPad, Android & PC/Mac

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27avhub.com.au

Yamaha a-S3000 integrated amplifier LAB REPORT

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE : CANON EOS 700D PANASONIC G6 NIKON COOLPIX A SE

PT/O

CT 2

013

$8.5

0 N

Z $1

0.99

PANASONIC’S RETRO-STYLED GX7

NIKON D7100 FIRST LOOK!READY TO RELEASE YOUR INNER PRO

TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY

MAKE EVERY SHOT A WINNER

D-SLR VIDEO MAKER – EVERYTHING YOU’LL EVER NEED TO KNOW100% AUSTRALIAN

Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1 8/21/2013 4:48:08 PM

WONDROUS WAGON WHEELSWOOFER WORLD IN SSV WAGON

$8.50 /// NZ $10.99

T H E L AT E S T M O B I L E E L E C T RO N I C S T R E N D S & T E C H N I Q U E S 5#2013

LOCATION REPORT – MOTOREX 2013

ALPINE❱FUSION❱MASSIVE❱MTX AUDIO❱NAKAMICHI❱PIONEERREVIEWED

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THE HIGH-END ALPINE’S DDLINEAR & PIONEER’S AVIC

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T H E L AT E S T M O B I L E E L E C T RO N I C S T R E N D S & T E C H N I Q U E S 5#205#205#2

– MOTOREX 2013

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D-SLR VIDEO MAKER – EVERYTHING YOU’LL EVER NEED TO KNOW

Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1Cam Sep13_001 CoverStage2.indd 1

CHOOSE YOUR NEW TV!FULL REVIEWS OF THE BIGSCREEN BRANDS

LGPanasonicSamsung

Sony PlasmaLED-LCD4K UHD65-inch55-inch

YAMAHA’S ULTIMATE AVENTAGEEXCLUSIVE TEST OF THE A5000 PRE-POWER CANE TOA

DS

IN 3D!

AUSTRALIA’S No.1 AV GUIDE Aug/Sept 2013

ISSUE #26/5 $8.95 NZ$10.99

S&I Aug13_001 Cover.indd 1 16/08/13 2:48 PM

ALSO REVIEWED

NAD C356BEEBest budget amplifi er?

Usher AudioDiamond tweeter

Sony SS-NA2ESAmazing

achievement!

MSB Sig. DAC IV PlusHand-made heaven

sings…

Studio 590 bi-radial

horn is JBL’s best yet…

Horn Power! Jul/Aug 2013

A$8.95 NZ$10.99 AVHUB.COM.AU

HF May13_001 Cover.indd 1 17/06/2013 2:04:48 PM

CHOOSE YOUR NEW TV!FULL REVIEWS OF THE BIGSCREEN BRANDSFULL REVIEWS OF THE BIGSCREEN BRANDS

LGLGPanasonicSamsung

Sony Samsung

Sony Samsung

PlasmaLED-LCDLED-LCD4K UHD65-inch65-inch65-inch55-inch

CANE TOADS

CANE TOADS

CANE TOADS

IN 3D!IN 3D!IN 3D!IN 3D!

ISSUE #26/5 $8.95 NZ$10.99NZ$10.99

16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM16/08/13 2:48 PM

Horn Power!Power!

WE’VE GONE ALL DIGITAL

Six Appeal

Red Bull Illume Winners

$7.95 NZ$9.90 Volume 69 Number 7

Light, Camera, Action!

Zoom’s Talented H6 Portable Recorder

BARAT ALI BATOOR The Asylum Seeker With A Camera

PP Sep13_001 Cover.indd 1 9/19/2013 2:48:03 PM

TOUCH US PINCH US

NOW AVAILABLE ON ZINIO

for iPad, Android & PC/Mac

SOUND+IMAGE AUSTRALIAN HI-FIPRO PHOTOCAMERAAUSTRALIAN INCAR ENTERTAINMENT

Buy single issues or special three-issue bargain bundles through AVHub.com.au or

www.zinio.com/soundimage