Over the past 28 years I had a Luxman - Amplifier L 410 (long time the best of the professional journal "Stereoplay" tested in the years 80'ziger amplifier and test reference), which has turned out unfortunately a few months ago. Before buying the Luxman I had already flirted with Yamaha. However, Yamaha has equipped its earlier Amplifier with fiddly sliders, which are now probably disappeared. I wanted to buy only the smaller AS 500, but I made my decision in various journals for AS 700 because of the many top reviews - and was not disappointed. Even with my relatively favorable in 1000, - (Price per pair) - speakers from Bowers & Wilkins, I can notice significant differences: the Yamaha sounds clearly spatial, but also more playful than my Luxman. Ok - we must not neglect the nearly 30 years difference. I can also on the phono input say anything negative, but have so far barely heard records.
When I tried to connect my Panasonic TV via the headphone output of the TV set, it came at the Tuner as the CD input to strange noises that disappeared only to one of the line inputs. So far I could not festellen the causes. Other devices such as MP3 players (iPod) or Blu-ray players have od the CD. Tuner Input no problems, and the headphone output of my TV set worked both on betegten Luxman as well as through headphones connected easily.
Some critics complain that there are not all controls metal. I could not detect any differences between the controllers in the operation. I also like the straight, uncluttered, clear appearance that is reminiscent of the Bauhaus style.
Whether the Yamaha is also 28 years, I must doubt in today of "planned obsolescence" troubled time.
