Yamaha M-5000 + C-5000

The M-5000 is a stereo power amplifier and the C-5000 a preamplifier, designed by Yamaha to form a complete high-fidelity amplification set. The M-5000 delivers 400 W bridged into 8 ohms, or 100 W then 200 W per channel in conventional stereo operation into 8 and 4 ohms. The C-5000 handles the preamplification stage, with RCA and XLR inputs, and includes a phono stage.

The M-5000 adopts a symmetrical design that physically and electronically isolates the right and left channels, with a shortened signal path to limit losses. Its amplification circuit floats above ground, which eliminates background noise from the earth connection and suits a MOSFET configuration adapted to low-impedance speakers. Its toroidal transformer sits on a pure 3 mm brass base to limit vibration. The C-5000 applies this same floating circuit principle across all its amplification stages (phono, amp, line) and uses two independent toroidal transformers for the left and right channels, with a copper-clad chassis to reduce the influence of electrical voltages on the circuit. The damping factor exceeds 300 and the amplifier's frequency response spans 5 Hz to 100 kHz.

This set is aimed at hi-fi enthusiasts wishing to separate the amplification and preamplification functions within a demanding stereo system, particularly for driving low-impedance speakers or making use of a phono input with well-controlled background noise.