Yamaha R-N2000 Network Receiver Review. YES!!!

Yamaha R-N2000 Network Receiver Review. YES!!!

By Steve Huff

It is the end of October of 2023 and I have heard some of the finest HiFi pieces I have ever experienced over the last year, here in 2023. Today the music lover has an endless variety of gear to choose from when it comes to music reproduction and most of it is pretty great.

I recently reviewed a mid tier Yamaha receiver called the R-N1000 and they were being sold for $1200 ($500 off) on Amazon the day my review launched. This price made me state that the R-N1000 was a huge bang for the buck and possible one of the best deals of the year, if you are looking for what the R-N1000 offered.

Today I am going to share my experience with a $3,999.00 receiver from Yamaha, the R-N2000 and yes indeed it is quite a step up in quality in every aspect.

The Video Review is below, meant to be a companion to the written review here. 

There is no model in the R-N line that is above this 2000 but many compare it to the models from Yamaha that do not include a DAC or Radio. For example the R-N2000 here is said to be very similar to the Yamaha A-S1200 which is an integrated amp without a DAC, without a streamer  and without a radio. It does have a MM and MC phono stage though where the 2000 only supplies a MM stage.

So with the A-S1200 you are getting less and you should as the price of the A-S1200 is now $2600, so $1400 less than this new R-N2000 which offers up everything and anything you would need for enjoying music in a higher end way.

The next model up in the integrated line for Yamaha after the A-S1200 is the A-S2200 and honestly, the R-N2000 is sort of a mix of the 1200 and 2200 integrated amps, both of which are some of the best in the Yamaha lineup just under the A-S3200 which comes in at $7k.

EVERYTHING INCLUDED. Is this a BAD thing?

I have no issue saying this here but I am in the “purity” category when it comes to listening to music and buying gear. I do not use tone controls, ever. I do not use loudness controls either. It’s a brain thing for me, a mental thing. I just want the purest signal from source to amp without any mussing about. Others do not mind a boost or reduction of a frequency, and this amp allows for this which is great for those who like to tweak the sound.

This Yamaha amp is not a purists amp but here is a spoiler… I love it and it is for me a very fine integrated amp/receiver. I have heard integrated amps from Luxman (590 AXII, 509, 595, etc), Accuphase and Pass Labs. I can state 100% without hesitation that this Yamaha R-N2000 sits in the same league as integrated amps from these other brands. This R-N 2000 is really nothing like the less pricey Yamaha pieces. It’s more like the 1200, 2200 and 3200 in build and refinement. This is good.

The R-N 2000 comes with everything you need to start listening to music. Out of the box it is remarkably good, even for the $3999 asking price though it can get even better if you are looking to squeeze out even more performance from it. I will tell you what I did to bring it to the levels of the finest integrated amps around later in this review.

With the R-N2000 we have a built in DAC (ESS Sabre Pro), Streamer (Yamaha Music Cast), Room Correction with Mic included (YPAO), all kinds of digital inputs (USB, Coax, Optical X2) and the amp also has several analog inputs. There is also a phono stage for moving magnet carts and it sounds mighty fine though not as good as the one in the A-S2200 or 3200. I hooked up the new U-Turn Orbit Special Gen 2 to the R-N2000’s MM stage and it sounded BEAUTFUL and smooth. Not the most refined phono stage I have heard but it did the job well enough for my ears.

There is a nice OLED display at the bottom of the 2000 that tells you what input you have selected. The knobs and dials all feel premium much like the 3200, unlike the R-N1000. The R-N 1000  is nice but doesn’t have the all out premo higher end feel of the 2000. This is a piece that is built very well and the style is super nice looking in silver. There are actually VU meters here with perfect lighting for those late night listening sessions. The amp just looks so beautiful in the flesh. Pictures do not do them justice.

There is also a radio built in just like those old fashioned receivers from back in the day. You will not find a radio dial though, just a digital display in the OLED display as you change the channel. Not as intuitive as the golden age receivers with a big fat tuning dial but hey, radio is here and it sounds great.

With the included antenna installed I was getting all channels in my area loud and clear. There is also a remote included and it’s nicer than the one that came with the R-N1000.

The integrated amp has power with a Class A/B amp inside but it’s not crazy power. If you have 84DB 1 ohm speakers you may want more power but for 90% of speakers made today, the R-N 2000 will power them with ease and grace. The power ratings are 90 Watts into 8 Ohms and 145 Watts into 4 Ohms. For my speakers here that are 91 and 96DB efficient this is way more than enough power no matter how loud I listen.

Once you get into the 81-83db range this Yamaha may not have the power it fully needs. For everything else though, this amp has a sense of effortless ease, smoothness and warmth but with a wide open stage.

I admit though, I never listen “loud” as for me the complexity and nuance of music can not be heard this way. I prefer low to mid volume, a darkened room and a glass of something good to soak in while I listen. Another spoiler is that this R-N 2000 is very good at low volume as the sound is full, beefy and tilts warm… ever so slightly. While the R-N1000 is leaner, sharper and not as refined, the R-N2000 sounds as if it took a shot of steroids as it really brings quite the sound to my room and speakers.

So yes, this receiver is ready to roll out of the box and you will need nothing but speakers and cables to get started. Just unbox the amp, download the Yamaha Music Cast app and away you go. BTW, you do not need the app to use the R-N2000 as I use Tidal and Spotify connect with this one and it’s awesome in this way. My main preference is streaming and this amp is made for streaming. While it does analog with the MM input, I feel most who use this amp will listen to digital through it.

Did I find anything negative about it having everything inside one box? No, not at all.

BUT IT’s A YAMAHA!

I have had some audiophiles tell me that Yamaha is not a brand for serious music lovers, or for those serious about audio. One guy told me that Yamaha does not make “audiophile amps” or “quality amps” when compared to Accuphase, Luxman and others. That is, first off, not correct at all.

YES, the lower cost amps from Yamaha have a completely different sound and build and in no way can compete with Accuphase or Luxman in sound or build. They can sound leaner, brighter, etc.

On the flip side, Yamahas flagship integrated amps are FANTASTIC. The A-S3200 is a beautiful beast that can compete with any Luxman made (even the 595 LE) when it comes to build and style and yes, even sound. I should know, I have had many a Luxman and have really enjoyed them immensely. Luxman makes some great integrated amps, as does McIntosh, as does Accuphase, as does MICHI, as does Yamaha, as does Pass Labs.

So never worry about buying a Yamaha, especially when it is in the upper tier like the R-N2000 and/or the A-S 1200, 2200 and 3200. They are indeed built for music lovers and have a beautiful sound and quality and retro vibe about them.

As I write these words I know some of you will say “no way Yamaha can compete with those brands”! I am here to say that yes, they can. Especially within the right systems with the right synergy.

When I put in the Yamaha into my reference system, the sound is just as good as the big pricey amps when it comes to sound IF I use my reference streamer (the HiFi Rose RS130). With the built in music cast I do hear less fidelity vs my Rose 130 but hey, I should as the Rose set me back over $5k.

I have been sitting in my room listening to the R-N2000 for a while now and while listening I never once said “Oh man, I have to take this out and go back to my expensive amp.” Instead I was thrilled with the sound and it made me wonder why on earth I spend so much on exotic amps.

I just know many will look past this amp due to the name while others will BUY IT for the same name. Yamaha can make some legit high end audio my friends, even with a receiver like the 2000 that has it all included in the box.

FOCUS

Yamaha seems to focus on build, vibration reduction and beauty when they build a flagship or close to flagship piece. The R-N 2000 is no different. As stated, it is leagues above the R-N 1000 in build, weight and looks/feel. The knobs are solid and feel like they do on some $10k amps (some $10k + amps are worse in this area). The display is clean and crisp and the VU meters are drop dead gorgeous. The silver model that I have here is a sight to behold when it is running.

Does this build quality equate to better sound? I believe so.

Quality of parts is a big deal in high end audio and these parts help in all ways from noise reduction, vibration reduction and finer sound quality. From the massive toroidal transformer (which is silent in my room and without hum or buzz) to the way the entire system is grounded together to avoid vibrations, it’s a stunning build.

This quality does cost us though as $4k is nothing to sneeze at but I have to say the entire package will be well worth the cost to many, and not so worth it to others. Depends on your wants, needs and goals. If you do not need a DAC, Streamer or Radio you can spend $1k less and get the Yamaha A-S1200 which is equally as nice but it does without the extras. I wouldn’t recommend that though because the R-N2000 is just that good and I believe it is better sounding than the 1200 and more closer to the 2200. It is so good, I enjoyed using the built in DAC (and I almost never use built in DAC’s of any kind) and loved the spacious and airy sound it brought.

Yes, the DAC included here is GREAT. Usually I do not hear this kind of quality in a built in DAC.

THE SOUND

Over the last few weeks I have been listening to various amps with my speakers to find the best one for my tastes (to leave in for a while). Being a reviewer means I have many items on hand at all times to test, try and to experiment with.

Each amp I have here sounds different with the same speakers. The Black Ice tube amps, the F35 and FX10 sound lovely and have an open clear sound about them. Wide open with some tube beauty and solid state bass slam. I have the CHoco Sound EMEI integrated which offers up a warm sound, reminding me more of tubes than the Black Ice amps do! I love this little solid amp, it’s a powerhouse with a smooth sound. I also have the Yamaha R-N 1000 here which sounds great, though less refined (soundstage, imaging, space) than the Black Ice F35 and R-N2000.

(Update 04/24 – I have Brunoco Terra tube amp here as well, which is awesome.

With the speakers I have here today as of April 24, the OGY and BOB from Closer Acoustics, The Borreson X1’s and even the Galion Voyager TL’s I am thrilled to say that the Yamaha really does well with all of them and is even my preference.

With the Yamaha R-N2000 there is heft, bass, slam, impact, sense of power and that airiness is all here. The built in DAC is quite good as well, and that is something I rarely ever say about built ins or Sabre DACs. The Yamaha SABRE DAC when used with a HiFi Rose RS130 Streamer is out of this world good and bridges the gap between it and some very pricey external boxes.

I normally dislike Sabre DACS. I really do but lately I have found them to be sounding pretty nice. In fact, the DAC in the Yamaha bests the one even in the exotic Daniel Hertz Maria for spacial cues and soundstage height but it is also leaner in the mids. The Maria costs $9k more so this shows me how fantastic the Yamaha is.

With that said, most will use the Yamaha with the built in streamer which is Yamaha’s music cast. I tested that as well and it worked without any issues and sounded great.

BUILT IN STREAMER vs a FLAGSHIP Streamer

The Yamaha R-N 2000 does have a built in streamer as well and using the Yamaha app you use their Music Cast feature. You can also use Spotify and Tidal connect without having to boot up the Yamaha app, just use the Tidal or Spotify app direct to the Yamaha streamer. You set this up initially though using the Music Cast app and pressing the “connect” button on the front of the amp. Once connected it stays and all you have to do is connect within whatever app you are using for streaming.

Recently I had a couple of very exotic streamers here and both advertised as being “Spotify Connect” capable. Both always dropped out on me when using these connect features. The Yamaha does not, so there ya go. I will say though that Tidal sounds much better than Spotify when using the connect features of the RN2000a.

I have been using the remarkable HiFi Rose RS130 streamer for months now and have not taken it out of my system. I posted my review HERE and yes, this streamer delivers on its promise. To test the Yamaha R-N 2000 for streaming I took out the Rose as I wanted to experience the Yamaha as it was meant to be used. So out of the box I started streaming using the built in streamer and it sounded lovely. I was hooked up to Ethernet so hard wired. This will avoid any WiFi issues or delays.

I was swaying, rocking and enjoying the music and the VU meters immensely. I noticed a touch of digital hash in the treble, same thing I noticed when using Music Cast with the R-N 1000.

Most would never notice this but I am listening for these things. 

I did enjoy using the built in streamer and once my ears became accustomed to the sound, all was good.

After a few days of using the built in streamer of the R-N 2000 (and enjoying it) I hooked up the HiFi Rose RS130 to the USB and COAX in of the Yamaha.

First I tried the USB using a Mad Scientist Black Magic USB cable. The sound was cleaner, smoother and 100% digital free, meaning, no digital hash, glare or any of that. The treble was extended yet smooth as silk and super airy as well. Going into the SABRE DAC inside of the Yamaha using the Rose was a treat indeed.

More importantly it showed that this amp can stand toe to toe with the likes of Pass Labs and Luxman, at least with the right speakers and if you give it a super good source like the Rose. Yes, the source can make a big difference and when using a higher end source that costs $1200 more than the Yamaha itself, it really brought out the nuances and created an analog vibe. This showed me something else…that I didn’t need an amp that costs more money as the Yamaha for thousands less than one of my reference pieces was something I was enjoying even more. Crazy.

The bass is very good here as is the full smooth mids and somewhat airy highs. There was a sense of power as well but my speakers are an easy drive. Some have said they felt the vocals with this amp were slightly recessed within the stage. When running my OGY and BOB speakers I notice this slightly, but I would say that the vocals are where they should be. It makes for a beautiful presentation within the wide and deep stage. I feel the presentation is close to perfect as it gets.

I wanted to compare soundstage differences, so I placed in the R-N 1000 and noticed more of a recess in the mids and lighter bass, as if the foundation was diminished all of the sudden. I only noticed this in a direct comparison though and as good as the 1000 is for its price point the 2000 does really show why it is a $4k product.

When I took the Rose out and went back to the internal streamer I once again noticed a slightly leaner/brighter sound, and a teeny bit of grain in the highs (that again, most will never hear) but it still sounded fantastic. Remember I am nitpicking here and comparing to gear that cost more than the Yamaha. As is, out of the box it is super for the money but later on you can improve upon it by upgrading your source. The R-N 2000 can handle the upgrades up and downstream and sometimes it can be like getting an all new amp. Remember, source is KING next to your speakers.

When the HiFi Rose was in the chain I was hearing the music in a way that I normally associate with the REALLY good stuff. As in $10k and up integrated amps along with $5k dacs. Here, the $3999 Yamaha was blowing my mind. Years ago, when I had the older A-S3000 I did not enjoy it nearly as much as this R-N 2000 when it comes to sound and especially features. The 3000 sounded a touch midrange recessed and ever so slightly dry when compared to others, as many of the older Yamaha amps did. It seems to me that Yamaha is moving away from the leaner sound and going into a bigger fuller more defined and authoritative sound.

It’s nice and I welcome this.

It’s Serious. 

So look at the R-N 2000 as a serious music maker, one for high end and mid tier systems. I would not buy this to pair with $500 to $1k speakers (look at the 1000 or below) as it deserves much more than that. This can power some fantastic high end speakers and it can do so just as well as competing products, some that cost more.

With the 2000 at $3999 I can not think of any other integrated I would want here at the end of 2023 in the same price range or heck, even up to $5k. Past that I would consider the A-S3200, which sounds even better IMO but doesn’t have the DAC or streaming function, so you would need to add those. The 3200 is an integrated that can compete with any integrated on the market when it comes to build, looks and sound. Any. In fact I prefer the 3200 to the Luxman 595 LE, which costs double. 

For me though the R-N 2000 ticks all of the boxes. It has that gorgeous retro feel design, stunning build. quality parts, thoughtful design choices, pure direct mode (which does what it states and does clean up the sound further) and so much more on offer. Sound wise it leans more to the 3200 than the 1200. Big, rich, warm, detailed, big bass and clean full mids.

As it is though, the RN-2000 is for anyone who wants a beautiful statement piece to look at and show off, for anyone who wants quality build and parts and for those who want an all in one that doesn’t compromise on too much at all. Sure, it doesn’t have a moving coil phono stage and it may not have 300 WPC of power but with the right speakers and source it can sound just as nice (and does) as some $8-$15k integrated amps. More money does not always mean “better”, in fact, it rarely does (truth many will not tell you due to politics within the review business).

ROOM CORRECTION

This receiver comes with the Yamaha YPAO (Yamaha Parametric Room Acoustic Optimizer) automatic speaker calibration and it is simple to setup and use. There is a microphone in the box attached to a long cable. This gets inserted to the front of the amp and takes less than 1 minute to set up and calibrate the sound to your room.

It basically tunes the speakers to your space, or at least that is what it is supposed to do.

When I used it, it did change the sound but I preferred the sound of it without the correction. After correction I lost some bass and the mids recessed. I guess that for some it will improve the sound, as it is supposed to. It’s nice to have but do not assume it will make the sound better. It might, but may not! Always judge with your ears of course.

I have my room naturally treated to perfection for my tastes so I always find these corrections to hurt my sound vs help it. At the same time, I have spoken with a few who felt the Yamaha correction helped their less than ideal rooms, and honestly, this is where it shines.

LOUDNESS AND TONE CONTROLS

There is a unique loudness control on the Yamaha 2000 as well. Instead of just a button like Luxman uses, the Yamaha has a dial. This feature is meant to be used for late night low level listening. With many amps, when you turn them down the bass and mid bass goes away. This results in a lackluster thin sound.

With the R-N 2000 you will want to set up loudness in this way:

Turn the volume up until you hear the bass and mids you like. THEN turn the loudness dial to control the volume of the amp late night. This will ensure your bass and mids stay just how you like them, full and balanced, even at low volume levels. This is the nicest loudness control I have ever used and it’s leagues better than the simple buttons that turn it on and off.

There are also bass, treble and balance controls and they work well. Need more bass or treble? Turn them up until you get to where you want. Same goes for reducing bass or treble.

The Pros and Cons 

PROS

• Big Solid but also delicate Sound
• Bass is big, warm and controlled
• Big juicy midrange that is also clean and clear
• Smooth silky treble (especially with Rose streamer)
• Drop dead gorgeous Beautiful Design!
• Real VU Meters, no fake ones here
• Nice and useful Remote Included
• HDMI Arc
• Every input you could want
• High quality speaker connectors vs the R-N1000 (but still not A-S3200 level)
• Solid Dials and Buttons
• Pure Direct mode does sound better IMO
• Room Correction software and mic included
• Vibration reducing feet and chassis
• Doesn’t run hot
• True high end sound with right speakers and source
• Built in SABRE DAC sounds spacious and three dimensional
• Has a radio and comes with an antenna!
• Bluetooth capable
• Loudness control is unique and works amazingly well
• Bass and Treble controls are here, along with balance.
• This is really comparable to some $10k integrated amps.
• Bottom OLED display adds a touch of class and style
• There is a sub out and a pre out! This is awesome.
• This offers so much more than most $10k and up integrated amps and doesn’t compromise on sound.
• If you need an all in one integrated with style, build and sound…you must check out the RN2000a.
• Even the feet here help to suppress all vibrations, something normally seen in big money pieces.

CONS

• Built in Music Cast Streamer doesn’t deliver the best sound you can get from this piece with digital, but is very very good and the convenience is a beautiful thing.
• Music Cast app is decent in use but could be better.
• Wish pure direct mode was accessible with the remote.

CONCLUSION

This is an integrated/receiver that may just be a classic one day. There are some pieces from the 1970s that are sought after and I feel that maybe, just maybe, that one day the R-N 2000 will be sought after for just its sound and style alone. Sure, the digital bits may get outdated but just as an old camera from 1972 still takes great photos, this will still make great music years from now, internal DAC and all.

It’s not the most expensive in Yamahas lineup, that would be the A-S3200 which does not have a DAC, Radio or Streamer and comes in at $7000. The amp section here uses trickle down tech from the 3200 and even 5000 separates according to Yamaha! I feel this is a much better buy than a Yamaha 1100 or 2200 as the amp section is very similar yet you get the new design and updated receiver features. The 2000 also has a fantastic preamp, which can be used with ANY amp!

Yamaha has created the 1000 and 2000 for those who want everything in one box. Some shy away from this and cite noise as being the issue here. When more electronics are shoved in a box there is bound to be more noise, right? Well, this Yamaha R-N 2000 may not be dead silent out of the box but it doesn’t have any noise I can physically hear. The music emerges from a black space and while not as crazy silent as some exotic small brand amps that filter out noise the Yamaha does not produce any noise I can hear besides an ever so slight hiss from my very sensitive speakers (if my ear is on the driver).

For the $3,999 that this Yamaha costs, some will look and think it is crazy overpriced. I thought this myself when I first saw it online. That all changed when I had in my hands and heard it with my own ears. I didn’t realize it was to the same build as the 1200 and 2200, and I can confirm it is.

There is a tube like quality to the mids here as well, very smooth and open.

I was able to get one in thanks to B&H Photo who sent me this piece for review. I have shopped from B&H Photo since the 1990s and have done so hundreds of times. They are one of the best shops in the USA for cameras and they also sell some pretty nice audio gear as well, most of which they always have in stock as well.

You can sometimes find a deal though on this amp if you check AMAZON (they have the black at the time of this writing for $600 off). Check the LIVE Amazon price now.

The sound of the Yamaha is natural and yet I love the body, scale and warmth it has when compared to the lower cost Yamaha pieces. Yes, the things such as a large wide stage and 3D imaging are all here, at least with the speakers I have on hand. Especially when using a top tier source, which this amp is very worthy of.

I did try it with a Bluesound Node and WIIM Pro + as well but they were about equivalent to the internal steamer and DAC. Neither could best the Rose going into the Yamaha DAC via a Black Magic USB cable (which came from Mad Scientist HERE).

There is not much else I can say other than if you are looking in this price range (or even a little more) and enjoy a cool throwback retro style, take a look and listen to the R-N 2000. It has everything you need to start enjoying the world of not only digital music streaming but also a higher end sound. Pair it with worthy speakers and if you want to take things up a few levels, something like the HiFi Rose RS130 will blow your mind (though it is in no way needed). This piece is worthy of the good stuff.

I place the RN-2000 with the likes of Pass Labs, MICHI, Luxman and others. It’s just as good my friends, and honestly, maybe better. 

Some will say that Yamaha can not compete with those brands and I say that “YES, OF COURSE THEY CAN”, especially in this range of amp. The R-N2000, A-S 2200 and A-S 3200 are amps that can easily compete with Luxman and Pass in build, design and sound. I’ve had and heard them all.

So while I think the price would be PERFECT at $2999 even at $3999 I feel it is priced right for what it offers in todays modern world. Prices on everything are insane these days from groceries to cars to houses and yes, even HiFi. If this were $2999 it would make a statement indeed and put others on notice but as for now, it is around $4k and is still making a statement.

WHERE TO BUY?

You can buy the Yamaha R-N 2000 here at B&H Photo, where this one came from. They ship same day, have real time stock status and as all good shops do, offer returns if needed.

Amazon will have deals sometimes, see their live price HERE. 

You can also find it at Cruthcfield, which is another shop I buy from on occasion. 

TIPS for the best sound from the Yamaha R-N 2000a. 

1. Use speakers that are easier to drive. Stay away from those with demanding power. I recommend sensitivity from 86db to 96db. Also, 4 to 8 ohm will be fine.
2. Set up your speakers as good as you can, as your space allows. Pull them a bit from the walls, toe them into the listening seat and use decent speaker cables. You do not have spend much on great cables, here is a super set I recommend under $40. 
3. If you can, and have the ability to do so hardwire the amp to your Ethernet vs using WiFi.
4. If you are hearing any brightness it could be your room. Throw a rug in, pillows and try to cover reflective surfaces. I find naturally treating the room is my preferred way, no need to spend thousands on panels that do the same thing. The room is the biggest part of our system and has a huge effect on the sound.
5. Do not be afraid to use quality speakers or source! The better you feed it, the better it will sound. These things do make a difference. Consider this Yamaha a high end amp and treat it as such ; ) Speakers should be in the $2500-$10k range, as this amp can handle them. My $7500 OGY and BOB set sound best with the Yamaha R-N2000a out of all of my amps.
6. Let it warm up for 15 minutes from cold. It can sound a little thin for a few minutes and then warms up, solidifies and sounds gorgeous. I’d also give it a few days to open up from new. Doesn’t take long at all but out of the box it may sound a bit cold. THIS WILL CHANGE! Let it play for a few days, leave it on for a week (it’s ok to do so).
7. Just experiment and find what works for you!
8. I know it is an expensive beast but the HiFi Rose RS130 sounds magical with this Yamaha. This is a source, my favorite source, that sounds so good and ups the streaming game. I have been with the 130 since it was launched and have not heard anything else get close…yet. Source is king!

IS THIS REFERENCE WORTHY?

UPDATE APRIL 2024: For the last six months THIS RN-2000 has been my true reference amp within my system. Some think you have to send bug bucks for “reference:” gear. Truth is, your reference should be and only be what sounds best to YOU.

For me, the Yamaha RN-2000 has replaced some heavy hitters as my preferred amp to listen to. I have kept this a secret in a way as I wanted to see how I felt after six months of using this amp. Many times I will tire of an amp or find issues later down the road (happened with a very high end piece recently). That hasn’t happened with the RN-2000 and I continue to enjoy it every day with my HiFi Rose RS130 Streamer and my budget but very awesome U-Turn Orbit Special turntable.

One more thing about this amp. The Headphone amp is just OK. Not meant for serius headphones that need power. In this regard, the A-S3200 is much better. Same with the phono stage here. It is good but an amp like the A-S3200 has a much better phono section. The star of this show is the DAC implementation as well as the preamp and power sections.

Some audiophiles may say I am crazy but again, I have had the ability to hear it all and this Yamaha, for me, is a steal of a HiFi deal and one of the best Yamaha has made in the “all in one” area. It’s one of those pieces that get me excited because of what you get for the money.

Some may still be surprised that I chose a Yamaha over smaller much more expensive exotic brands but here is why I did, even if those brands may sound a touch better overall. 

1. The Yamaha has been reliable as can be. It just works and is silent in my system. I can’t say this about other brands I have had here that cost much more.
2. I have had no bugs, no issues, no noise, no shut downs or errors. It’s been wonderful.
3. It looks gorgeous in person, much better than photos will lead you to believe. The dials, knobs and buttons are all solid and feel like a true high end piece. By high end I mean $10k and up.
4. The value here is crazy good and with a streamer, dac and class AB amp, the RN-2000 has a ton going for it. Add in room correction and even a radio and you have a piece that does it all, for much less.
5. The DAC here is strange as it’s the first internal DAC from a mass made piece of HiFi that I truly like. In fact, I love this DAC and even prefer it to a $1k external DAC I have been listening to as well. So for an internal DAC Yamaha implemented it in the right way as it sounds 3D and spacious. I love when a DAC does the space thing, and this one does. Amazing.
6. You can find this amp for around $3200-$3400 if you are patient and check Amazon (HERE). There is simply nothing that I know of that can match this for even a few grand more when it comes to build, style, features and sound.
7. This amp has balls and doesn’t sound wimpy, thin, wispy or overly bright or etched. Some amps do sound like this and I found them awful. The 2000 also sounds refined, and this is not normal for a mass produced amp. Maybe not as refined as say a $14k integrated or a $20k Pre Amp but much better than mostly all in this price line.
8. I love looking at this amp when I listen at night. The gentle yellow glow from the VU Meters (Silver version) is nice and warm, makes me feel good : ) Black would be nice as well.
9. This piece can scale, meaning, you can add a much better streamer and get better sound. You can, if you like, add a better DAC down the road when money allows. The RN-2000 will improve with it.
10. It has the coolest loudness control ever, for late night listening. It works well.

This hangs with the entry pieces from Luxman, Pass Labs, MICHI, Accuphase and others when it comes to build, looks and sound. It offers more in the way of features as well. What is not to love about this amp? 

The Yamaha RN 2000 is one of my all time fave integrated amps as of April 2024, in my system for six months so far and not leaving anytime soon. To those who have one and are thinking of upgrading to something exotic, be careful what you wish for. I’d upgrade my source first!