How much does a Yamaha CS-80 cost today?

Working units typically sell for £30,000 to £60,000 or more depending on condition. Prices have risen dramatically as fewer functional units remain from the roughly 800 produced.

Why is the CS-80 so famous?

Its polyphonic aftertouch, expressive playability, and unmistakable sound defined the Blade Runner soundtrack and many iconic recordings by Vangelis, Toto, and others.

Is the CS-80 practical to own?

Barely. It weighs 220 lbs, requires regular maintenance from a specialist, and parts are scarce. Most owners keep them in permanent studio installations.

Are there good alternatives to the CS-80?

Arturia CS-80 V is the most well-known software emulation. The UDO Super 6 and Super Gemini capture some of its expressive spirit in modern hardware.

What does a used Yamaha CS-80 sell for?

Used Yamaha CS-80 units typically sell for around £32,044 on the second hand market — recent sales have ranged from £31,890 to £32,641, based on real sold listings from Reverb and eBay. Condition, included accessories, and seller location all affect the final price.

Is the Yamaha CS-80 a good buy used?

For most buyers, yes — the Yamaha CS-80 typically sells for £31890-£32254 on the second hand market, well below new retail. Condition, included accessories, and seller location move the final figure, but it's a strong value pick for the format.

What affects Yamaha CS-80 resale value?

Condition, included accessories (box, power supply, manuals), seller location and platform fees all influence the final price. A boxed, mint unit can sit £30-£60 above the average; a beat-up one can sit similarly below.

Yamaha CS-80

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Yamaha CS-80 Used Price Guide

Name: Yamaha CS-80
Brand: Yamaha

Avg. used price: ~£32,044(based on recent Reverb sales)·What are these selling for? →

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Yamaha CS-80 used prices at a glance

The Yamaha CS-80 typically sells for between £31,890 and £32,254 on the used market, with an average price of £32,044 based on recent Reverb sold listings. The Yamaha CS-80 is a premium piece of gear with strong resale value and is frequently traded on the used market.

Average used prices
Latest sold listings
Price trends over time
Factors that affect resale value

If you're buying or selling a Yamaha CS-80, this gives you a realistic view of what it actually sells for today.

Low

£31,890

Average

£32,044

High

£32,254

Average Used Price: £32,044
Typical Range: £31,890 – £32,254
Last Sold Price: £32,044
Trend: stable

What does a used Yamaha CS-80 typically sell for?

Used Yamaha CS-80 units have traded around £32,044 (£31,890-£32,254) based on recent Reverb sold listings. Trading on this model is thinner, so day-to-day variation in the recorded average tends to reflect Reverb's rolling sample more than active market movement. The chart shows where the price has settled rather than where it's heading right now.

Units in better condition or with original packaging tend to sell at the higher end of the range, while heavily used examples sell for less.

The Yamaha CS-80 retains its value among synth enthusiasts and producers, with collectors and long-term owners driving most trades.

The Yamaha CS-80 is one of the most legendary synthesizers ever made. Released in 1977 and produced until around 1980, it was Yamaha's flagship polyphonic analog synth with only around 800 units manufactured. Its expressive keyboard, massive dual-layer architecture, and unmistakable sound have made it the holy grail of polyphonic synthesizers.

Architecture and Sound

The CS-80 features 8-voice true polyphony with two completely independent synthesizer layers (Channel I and Channel II), each with its own front panel controls. Every voice has two analog oscillators offering sawtooth, square, and sine waveforms, plus a mixable white noise source. The sine wave is uniquely routed after the filter section—since filtering a pure sine would have no effect. Signals feed into per-voice high-pass and low-pass 12dB filters with dedicated envelope generators. The dual-layer design means you can create two different patches and layer or split them, giving the CS-80 an exceptionally thick, rich sound. A built-in ring modulator, chorus (using an analog BBD circuit), and tremolo round out the tonal palette. A built-in auto-tune function keeps the analog oscillators in check.

Expression and Playability

What truly sets the CS-80 apart is its polyphonic aftertouch keyboard. Unlike most aftertouch implementations which apply pressure globally, the CS-80's 61-key weighted keyboard senses pressure independently per key, allowing you to add vibrato, brightness, or volume changes to individual notes within a chord. Combined with velocity sensitivity (rare in 1977) and a ribbon controller for pitch bends and glissandos, the CS-80 offers a level of musical expression that many modern synths still struggle to match.

The CS-80 provides 22 factory presets across its two channels plus 4 user memory slots that use subminiature sliders hidden under a panel cover—a primitive but functional form of patch recall.

Legacy and Practical Reality

Vangelis made the CS-80 iconic through Blade Runner, Chariots of Fire, and countless other recordings—he reportedly owned up to four units. Toto and many others relied on it throughout the late 1970s and 1980s. Today, working units are extremely rare and command prices of £30,000 to £60,000 or more. At 100 kg (220 lbs), the CS-80 requires serious commitment to move and maintain. Vintage units need regular servicing due to aging components, and finding qualified technicians is increasingly difficult.

Who Is This For?

Collectors and synth historians wanting the definitive vintage polyphonic synthesizer
Studios building a premium vintage instrument collection and equipped for maintenance
Producers chasing the exact Vangelis/Blade Runner sound at the source
Anyone else should seriously consider the Arturia CS-80 V software emulation or other modern alternatives

The Yamaha CS-80 is not a practical purchase for most musicians. It is heavy, fragile, expensive, and demands ongoing maintenance. But nothing else sounds or plays quite like it. If you have the resources and dedication, owning a CS-80 is owning a piece of synthesizer history.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Specifications

Year	1977–1980
Polyphony	8 voices, dual-layer (2 channels)
Oscillators	2 per voice (saw, square, sine) + white noise
Filters	Per-voice HPF and LPF, 12dB/oct
Keyboard	61 keys, velocity + polyphonic aftertouch
Presets	22 factory + 4 user memory
Effects	Ring modulator, chorus, tremolo
Controllers	Ribbon controller, vibrato/pitch/brightness/volume
Original Price	$6,900 (1977)
Weight	100 kg (220 lbs)
Units Produced	~800