Yamaha CT-7000 FM Tuner

[graham67]

Widely considered as Yamaha’s best FM tuner, a vintage classic. The construction of this item is exemplary; it weighs as much as a receiver. The various tuner sections (demodulator, discriminator, IF amp) are all mounted on separate boards and shielded under separate stainless steel covers. The signal strength and tuning meter make it very easy to extract the strongest signal.

The PCBs and interior are all in very good condition. The power supply caps were replaced within the last 7-10 years shortly before it was purchased by the last owner and it has hardly been used since.
It has just this week been to a professional repairer to replace the soldered in bulbs replaced and align the tuner.

The front plate is in excellent condition other than some scratches on the top edge of the fascia and some small marks on the RH top corner. The wooden sleeve has a small chip on the front left corner and a dent on the rear right corner (not visible in the rack). See images below. As the front and rear panels are not similarly damaged, it looks like the wooden sleeve may have been removed and dented/damaged (for example when it serviced). I am pretty fussy so would rate the fascia at 8/10, the sleeve at 7/10. Overall it is extremely tidy and looks excellent when racked however it is obviously not mint.

All the controls work properly and have a nice action. The only slight oddity is the flap which stays firmly in position when closed, but doesn’t stay fully down when open. However the repairer could not see no obvious mechanism to lock the door fully down but without another one to compare with I am not sure if this is normal.

Pick up from Surrey (near Junction 8 M25), and can take to Kegworth WAM show. I am also driving to Yorkshire in March so can deliver en-route

Price: £425 ono

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[Made in 1968]

Ah loverly. Especially the rare Black version

[KJM]

Now how lovely would that look alongside my CA-2010 :)

Sorely tempted...

[ERICLIMPIT]

been lucky enough to own two of these fabulous tuners in the past, build quality on these is second to none, cant imagine how much they would cost if manufactured today...

[Made in 1968]

Loverly sleek looking things that range back then. Really cool that the new stuff has the look of these oldies..

[graham67]

Sold, subject to the usual.
Thanks for interest :)

[Barry]

The Yamaha CT7000 was THE most beautiful-looking tuner, as well as having a great performance.

The buyer should be very pleased with his purchase.

[robpark9]

I have both these tuners just got hold of Nat 01 late olive example, what’s the thoughts on comparisons as I love the Yamahas build and quality but know the Nat01 has a good reputation for sound quality, I have a nat05xs at present but it’s not the most three dimensional in sound comparing to an arcam t32, sorry for discussion, buyer will be very happy I’m sure

[Beobloke]

I’d still love to try one of these one day.

Congratulations on the sale Graham - it looks in superb order.

[Made in 1968]

I'd have thought the 'CR2020' Receiver might have the same tuner on board!

[Mike Reed]

I have both these tuners just got hold of Nat 01 late olive example, what’s the thoughts on comparisons as I love the Yamahas build and quality but know the Nat01 has a good reputation for sound quality, I have a nat05xs at present but it’s not the most three dimensional in sound comparing to an arcam t32, sorry for discussion, buyer will be very happy I’m sure

You'll need one very strong signal for an 01, which normally means at least a 6 element high up on a chimney, or maybe a G17. I had an 01 for many years following a a 101 until last year, when I sold it after a full Naim refurb. Bought a very cheap NAD from Ebay, and was amazed that, whereas slightly different, I didn't suffer any sonic downgrade on R3 (or Classic FM). Maybe the 01 was more nuanced but the NAD has the better soundstage. However, with Tacolneston (Nfk) mast 9 miles away, maybe my 6 element wasn't quite enough to allow the best from the 01. I used to have a G23 with rotators, but not possible here.

[Barry]

If you needed an antenna with a greater gain than that for a 6-element Yagi, to receive signals from a mast only 9 miles away, then the Naim 01 must have an absurdly low sensitivity.

I use a 3-element roof mounted Yagi with my Quad FM4, and can quite easily pick up radio stations that are only intended to be heard within London, some 35 miles away.

[Spectral Morn]

The aerial is everything with tuners, there was a time I would have jumped on that yamaha, but I discovered that the digital kenwoods like the 7020 out perform the older analogue ones and the Trough Line, so other than looking nicer and being collectible, whats the point. That range of kenwoods are exceptional tuners and still under appreciated, despite Tuner Info Network being spot on re performance. Yamaha comes in at number 50 and the 5020 kenwood, number 10.

I would still like a big Sansui but the 717 was very underwhelming, so I would be cautious re spending big money though.

[vintagesteve]

The aerial is everything with tuners, there was a time I would have jumped on that yamaha, but I discovered that the digital kenwoods like the 7020 out perform the older analogue ones and the Trough Line, so other than looking nicer and being collectible, whats the point. That range of kenwoods are exceptional tuners and still under appreciated, despite Tuner Info Network being spot on re performance. Yamaha comes in at number 50 and the 5020 kenwood, number 10.

I would still like a big Sansui but the 717 was very underwhelming, so I would be cautious re spending big money though.

In answer to the common question, "What is the best tuner?", the answer may well be, "The one connected to the best aerial". Of course it's not that simple, but a good, high aerial makes a helluva lot of difference.

[Mike Reed]

If you needed an antenna with a greater gain than that for a 6-element Yagi, to receive signals from a mast only 9 miles away, then the Naim 01 must have an absurdly low sensitivity.

I don't know about 'absurdly', Barry, but the 01 is well known as being one of the (if not THE) least sensitive tuners out there. Originally it was claimed that this paucity of sensitivity was one the reasons for its s.q. People with 01s tend to go the Ron Smith Galaxie on 12' steel mast route.

I fully endorse he following comments on the importance of aerials. Oddly enough, my cheap as chips (to me) NAD has a similarly low sensitivity, which surprised me. I would have preferred more gain, esp. on R3. However, s.q. is, again surprisingly, quite superb (but I did read up on that before I bought it).

At the time (late eighties/nineties) some French (or maybe Belgian) stereo FM stations were very engaging when I swung my rotator away from Folkstone and across the channel (about 90 degrees). Guess it was only about 30 to 40 miles to wherever they were transmitting from.