WOLF retro DESIGN REVIEW. 6th July 2024
A retro review looks at products that are at least over ten years old from a present-day WOLF design perspective. While the technology and fashion of the period influence design, and are taken into consideration, great design ideas can transcend their eras to be timeless.
Interesting and factual information may be provided, but our review aims to deliver insight from the perspective of a designer’s mind and eyes.
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61 pounds of gold!
Introduction
Product Focus
As with most reviews the focus is on a products design and its evolution within a particular industry. The functioning systems and sound quality are not necessarily considered.
Product description
The Yamaha RX-V1 was released in 2000 as their top of the range “Flagship” Receiver.
Price and Availability.
At the time of Launch it was $3300 US, which was huge even by today’s standards. It was intended to make a statement with many likening its build quality and feel to be like Accuphase. At the time of this review they are between $500 and $1000 US for clean second hand examples in fully working order with remote and manual.
Additional information
The RX-V1 was more commonly available in black and they seem to be worth less than gold ones.
Review
First impression/ Delight
The RX-V1 is as solid and heavy as it looks and at almost 28Kg, this machine does not want to be moved around. The Gold RX-V1 in this review gently exclaims with class that it “I am the best”.
Exterior design review
We remember the RX-V1 at the time of launch and were curious that it didn’t wear any of those elegant wooden side panels we’ve seen on most flagship amplifiers over the previous few decades. Perhaps it had to do with being at the dawn of a new millennium when many felt it appropriate to break from tradition and look forward. Instead the RX-V1 came with thick anodised metal end plates decorated with over a dozen horizontal V-groove lines.
Another distinguishing feature are the corner pieces that form the intersection between those grooved side plates and the front face. These extend beyond the width of the main body by roughly half and inch. It certainly invites you to touch them and ponder their function. To us it feels obvious that they were meant as stylish handle bars for when you want to pull the receiver forward out of its cabinet.
The front face is quite minimalistic, with just one large V-groove running across the entire width. Within this groove is the power button, a large LED screen, and two large round dials. Everything is in line with center of the V-groove except for the right most volume dial. The designers opted for the two dials to be in line at the bottom side, but this is a mistake in our opinion and not in sync with the symmetry of its neighboring components.
Beneath the big V-Groove is a single cover panel that begs to opened.
Craftmanship.
The craftsmanship of the RX-V1 is exceptional and does not fail to bring a smile upon touching its perfected anodized surfaces. Of course, they could have found a way to conceal those screws on the sides but you don’t need to when they are made in matching gold. Its also helpful to see and understand how this unit opens up if you ever need to service or simply peak inside at its outstanding internals.
The concealed flip panel is around 5mm thick and looks as impressive at it feels. The top panel with its ventilation slots is slightly out of place in our opinion as it has a powder coat like finish in a slightly dull gold with texture.
FUNCTION- Experience.
The RX-V1 is very heavy and ideally you should have a second pair of hands handy for those occasions when you need to move it around. Once in place, it’s not going to slide off your shelf in a rush so you can pet and caress those cool surfaces and grooves as much as you like.
All buttons and controls are smooth with just the right amount of weightiness you’d expect for a flagship receiver. The screen is large but not as bright as we would like.
The flip panel is our favourite feature and although this kind of party trick has been around for a long time the thickness of the flip lid is really something to behold between thumb and index finger.
Desirability / Collectability and what to look for.
It’s hard to reflect upon this as being retro or vintage but at 24 years of age it’s certainly no spring chicken. Certainly, the technology as come a long way since then and while these have been known to change hands for just a few hundred bucks, we still see these as keepers. We understand that the cost to repair them can at times exceed their value on the second hand market but considering what they are at heart, we think it’s worth it. With it’s classy looks and impeccable build quality they may even start to appreciate over the next several years. Good gold ones are becoming harder to find so if you come across a fully working example it could be a solid investment.
WORD OF THE WOLF
If you have some beautiful big speakers than need power to drive, then the RX-V1 is certainly one that can do the job. That retro cold might certainly compliment some vintage walnut cabinets. Initially we thought they looked too modern to pair up with older speakers, especially without wooden sides, but somehow, they have grown on us with looks that can be either modern or classic. That quality in itself is timeless and testimony to good design.
The correct original remote control.
Original instruction manual.
The original brochure was 24 pages of quality in colour.
WOLF DESIGN EXCELLENCE SCORE = 7.4
Disclaimer
The information in this review is intended for informational or educational purposes to provide readers an understanding of how something may be seen from a certain design perspective. In this case it is from the view point of WOLF DESIGNS. As design is subjective this review should only be considered as an independent opinion. Information further to being of an opinion is provided to the best of our knowledge based on our own research at the time of doing the review. We cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or inconsistencies and reserve the right to change or update any content as appropriate.
The final responsibility of the design resides with the original manufacturer.
