Yamaha M-70

 Yamaha M-70

The Pure Zero Distortion Rule Sound

Here, at last is a power amplifier output stage that actually adds no distortion to the music signal. Although the actual techno;ogy involved in the ZDR (Zero Distortion Rule) amplifier is quite sophisticated, the basic principle of this incredibile high-accuracy amplifier is quite simple. Essentially the Zero Distortion Rule system consists of a distortion detector derives a signal corresponding to any distortion products originating in the amplifier itself, and the summer adds this signal back into the original audio / distortion signal - out of phase with the original signal. This effectively cancels the distortion signal, leaving the audio signal intact and virtually distortion-free. Of course, this system has no effect on distortion originating in the source signal, only on distortion generated within the power amplifier itself. From the above description we can see that if the derived out-of-phase distortion signal were somehow made larger than the original distortion signal, summing these signals would actually result in a negative distortion product. With this ingenious system, it has become possible to produce a power output stage that actually exhibits no inherent distortion.

 Zero Distortion Rule vs. Negative Feedback

Negative feedback (NFB) is the most commonly used means for reducing distortion in audio amplifiers. The amount of distortion reduction, however, is directly controlled by the amount of feedback applied. This means that in order to reduce distortion to zero, infinite feedback must be applied. Obviously, it is physically impossible to create infinite negative feedback, and therefore also impossible to achieve zero distortion by this method. Increasing application of negative feedback can only approach the zero distortion ideal, while ZDR actually permits crossing the zero distortion line and creating negative distortion, making it theoretically possible to completely eliminate distortion.

Zero Distortion Rule vs. Feed Forward

The feed forward system of distortion reduction attemps to cancel distortion by adding an inverted distortion signal to the audio signal at the amplifier's output where signal power levels are high. This means that expensive, hig-power feed forward circuitry is required, and overall power efficiency is extremely low. Also, the high-power feed forward amplifier required can actually add unwanted distortion.   Zero Distortion Rule performs its distortion cancellation at the amplifier's inputs, thereby eliminating the power problem. And since the ZDR circuit is essentially concerned only with low-lwvel signals, it cannot add any distortion of its own.

 Linear Transfer Bias and the "X" Amplifer

In addition to the ZDR system, the M-70 feature Linear Transfer Bias circuitry and Yamaha's remarkable "X" Power Amplifier system.   The Linear Transfer Bias circuit minimizes the problem of crossover distortion due to non-uniform linearity between the power transistors in a push-pull power stage. By applying precisely calibrated bias to each transistor in the M-70's cascoded push-pull power circuit and thereby staggering the operating point of each a perfectly linear composite transfer characteristic is achieved, ensuring negligible crossover distortion levels. 

The "X" Power Amplifier achieves extremely high amplification efficiency by switching the power supply voltage between two voltage levels - low and high - according to the size of the signal being processed. For average signal levels, for example, the lower supply voltage is used, while the high supply voltage is instantaneously switched in whenever a high-level music peak is detected. This system eliminates the power wasted in the form of heat that conventional systems must dissipate with large, finned "heat skins". The fact that the "X" Power Amplifier permits true high-power music amplification with maximum efficiency and minimum heat generation means that the entire amplifier circuit operates under optimum conditions at all times, ensuring the cleanest most accurate music reproduction. The unbeatable combination of the Linear Transfer Bias circuit, "X" Power Amplification, and Zero Distortion Rule amplifier design results in outstanding low-distortion power performance and incredible power efficiency for unmatched reproduction precision and exceptionally natural sound quality.

 "X" Power Purity

The concept of "pure power" is extremely important in achieving the highhest power amplifier performance. That is, the power source that supplies power to the actual power amplification circuitry must be capable of providing extremely stable power and at the same time supply as much power as the amplifier  circuitry demends without "running out".   The Yamaha "X" power supply easily meets the above requirements, with greater efficiency and power capacity than any other power system of its size or weight. In principle, the "X" power supply controls the amount of power fed from the AC line to the power supply to precisely match the amount of power supply to precisely match the amount of power consumed by the amplifier requires only a small amount of power for average music levels, or a large amount for high-level music peaks, the "X" power supply feeds precisely the required amount of power to the amplifier circuitry. Naturally, this means that all the supplied power is consumed, achieving remarkable power efficiency. In terms of stability, the "X" power supply affords exceptionally high regulation capabilities. Line supply voltage variations of as much as ±10% have no effect on the "X" power supply's output voltage, and resistance to influence by load variations is similarly high. The "X" power supply system permits the amplifier circuitry to operate at optimum efficiency under optimum conditions at all times, ensuring that the music source is reproduced with maximum accuracy.

 Speaker Level Controls

In addition to speaker A/B selectors that permit one-touch selection of two sets of stereo speakers, the M-70 features independent level controls for the left and right speakers in two stereo pairs. That is, you have independent left and right speaker level controls for speaker pair "A", and left and right level controls for speaker pair "B". These controls let you independently set the maximum power level that will be sent to the respective pair of speakers, protecting low-power-capacity speakers from excessive power levels, or matching the output level of two sets of speakers of different efficiency. Independent control over left and right speaker level lets you preset the balance of your system for optimum stereo imaging depending on the positioning of your speakers and the acoustics of your listening room.

20-LED Peak Power Output Meters

These bright, attractive power meters let you see at a glance just how much power is acctually being fed to your speakers. This makes it easier to determine the proper setting of the speaker level controls to prevent speaker breakup distortion or burnout due to power levels exceeding the speaker's capacity. zFor easier reading, these advanced meters feature dual switchable ranges and s peak hold function that displays the highset encountered power levels for considerably longer than the overall meter fall time.

Specifications

Minimum RMS Output per Channel: 

200 Watts (8 Ω, 20 to 20,000 Hz no more than 0,002% THD)

250 Watts (4 Ω, at 1 kHz, clipping Power)

Power bandwidth (8 Ω, Half rated power):  10 to 100,000 Hz (0,025 THD)

Input Sensitivity/Impedence (8 Ω, rated power):  1,41 V/25 k Ω

Frequency Response (8 Ω Half rated power, 100 kHz):  -0,5 dB

Signal-to-Noise Ratio (IHF A network):  124 dB

Total Harmonic Distortion (8 Ω Half rated power):

20 Hz : 0,0005%

1 kHz : 0,0005%

20 kHz : 0,001%

50 kHz : 0,003%

100 kHz : 0,006%

Intermodulation Distortion (8 Ω Half rated power 50 Hz : 7 kHz = 4;1): 0,002%

Channel Separation (8 Ω Half rated power , Input Shorted):

20 Hz : 100 dB

1 kHz ; 95 dB

20 kHz : 70 dB

Damping Factor (8 Ω 1 kHz):  Better than 200

Slew Rate (Sp Out):  200 V/µsec

Power Supply:  Matched to supply voltage and frequency of all area

Power Consumption:

USA and Canada : 600 W/1,200 VA

Europe and Australia : 900 W

Other Areas : 550 W

Dimensions (W x H x D):  435 x 133 x 380 mm (17-1/8" x 5-¼" x 15")

Weight:  13,7 kg (30 lbs 3 oz)