Yamaha B-1

Update 07/04/2024: 

This Yamaha B-1 was sold to a buyer on USAM. If you require a similar unit and would be able to wait a few more months. please reach out to Atelier HiFi on the Tube, or here if possible.

Original listing:

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For Sale: Yamaha B-1 V-Fet / SIT Amplifier - Expertly Restored.

Unique Opportunity: Imagine that you could own a Yamaha B-1 V-fet/SIT amplifier, meticulously restored and upgraded beyond its original factory performance. This is a unique offer to build one of these superb sounding amplifiers to order.

Expert Restoration: I specialize in the restoration of these amplifiers and developed ways to address any reliability and performance issues related to age and shortcomings of the original design, all while retaining the fantastic Triode sound signature of the B1.

Modern Upgrades: Fully redesigned power supply with Nichicon KG, which are some of the best capacitors made specifically for audio, low noise components throughout, input selection done via sealed small signal relays versus open air switches as the case with the original, modern speaker posts, input RCAs, IEC connector, IsoAcoustic feet, etc.

Exclusive Offering: This amplifier is unique—no other B-1 offered anywhere else has these enhancements or level of restoration, or sound performance for that matter. 

About Myself:
With the craziness of today’s hi-fi world where gear competes in looks more than in sound attributes, where cables or other miscellaneous accessories can reach 5-fighures, it is difficult to know what is real or snake oil.
After multiple years of search and hundreds of hours of experimenting with new gear in my search for a sound I liked and after getting tired of disappointment, I decided to go back to basics and look for what was already made and that was consider TOTL in prior decades. The search took me to V-fet / SIT amplifiers. After some experimentation, my realization was that some of the best hi-fi gear has already been invented. V-fet amps offered the sound I was looking for .....which is addictive. As such, over the past decade I managed to build likely the largest collection of v-fet amplifiers privately owned anywhere. I now own every v-fet / SIT amplifier made in Japan and multiple of each.
Through my journey I also realize that there were not too many techs that could still do justice to these units with the proper restoration. Since electronics is a > 3-decade hobby of mine, I decided to specialize to work on all the Japanese V-fet amps myself. Luckily, with the help of modern parts and materials, and many decades of collected data, I can now resurrect some of these best-of-all-time amps to a level beyond the original factory performance. Occasionally and as time permits, I might offer one unit for sale. This is one of those opportunities.

About Yamaha B-1:
The B-1 needs no introduction. As far as I know it is the only V-fet / SIT amp produced that truly sounds like a very good single-ended triode amp, but with all the benefits of Solid State (one must exclude the one v-fet per channel Pass SIT maps which are also excellent amps but rather limited in purpose).
The B-1 circuit design is also like no other commercial amp old or new. Each channel has essentially two single-ended amplifiers, each handling half of the signal's phase.
Also unlike any other V-fet amp, each B-1 has over 20 purposely manufactured v-fets, which are considered the best solid-state devices ever made for audio as the v-fets also known as SITs, have an IV profile similar to that of a triode. No wonder that the harmonic profile of the B-1 is just as that of a very good triode amp, with heavily dominant 2nd and 3rd harmonics and with everything else below -110db.
Those of us privileged to have heard a well working B-1 would recognize right away that it does not sound like a typical Solid State amplifier.

Purchase Details:

• Custom Orders: Each amplifier is custom-built with a typical turnaround of 4-6 weeks.
• Included: This listing example included a fully rebuilt stereo amplifier with UC-1 controller and IsoAcoustics Gaya II feet. I can also customize per your requirements. Purpose built mono-block versions also available for custom order but the turn around time is longer than 6 weeks at this time.
• Exclusivity: I only work on my own B-1 units due to limited time and the limited availability of quality parts - Nichicon KG caps used in the B-1 power supply are out of production since end of last year. My stock of these parts is limited an set aside only for my amps.

Note: the unit in the photos is already sold and the photos are for reference to my work only. You would receive a similar unit but with the options of your choice. 

Credentials and feedback: you can read feedback on USAM for Atelier HiFI, on Audiogon for SonetDuo or can view my Atelier HiFI tube channel 

Shipping: The B-1 can be shipped but it is not a trivial task. Local pickup is available and encouraged. I am located in North California, in El Dorado Hills.