Yamaha Selling Reference Line of Components Through 6 Hand-Chosen Dealers

The half-dozen dealers selected to market and sell Yamaha’s new flagship 5000 series were picked by region and for their experience and expertise in selling hi-fi gear, emailed Rebecca Lynn, marketing manager, consumer audio. On whether the limited-distribution line will be sold through other retailers, Lynn said, “We’ll determine that down the road. For now, we want to make sure to deliver the right experience at these six centers.” Dealers include Abt Electronics and Music Direct, Chicago; Shelley’s Stereo, Los Angeles; Soundlux Audio, Miami; Stereo Exchange, New York; and Gramophone, Gaithersburg, Maryland. The series, comprising NS-5000 speakers ($14,999 a pair), C-5000 preamplifier ($9,999), M-5000 power amplifier ($9,999) and GT-5000 turntable ($7,999 due early 2020), launched Tuesday as a premium component lineup targeted to audiophiles. Lynn said Thursday the six dealers chosen to bring the products to market have experience centers where consumers can listen to an entire 5000 series system in an “acoustically-exceptional environment.” The dealers understand "every element of the system" and can support sales and service, she said. On whether the launch of the audiophile series marks a different direction for Yamaha, Lynn said the company continually evolves product offerings to address changing consumer desires: “We still see demand in the Hi-Fi category.” Yamaha called the 5000 series, eight years in the making, a continuation of the company’s 1000 and 2000 series components and “the biggest statement in the Hi-Fi market since it coined the term ‘Hi-Fi’ 65 years ago.” The company plans to use elements of the line in future products.