Yamaha A-S801
Felicia from CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA on 5/19/2023
Very well built. Great value. You really can't beat this integrated amplifier at this price point. Clean sound. Excellent detail and separation. Paired with Polk Signature series speaker and Klipsch RF-7III speakers, the sound was very lively and fun.
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0 of 1 found this helpful
Weak Power Output
Bruce from Flemington, NJ on 5/18/2023
The power of these newer receivers are very weak. They have obviously come up with a different way of rating "watts per channel". I still have an older 70 watt receiver from 1982. If I turn the volume half way up on that receiver the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, I get goose bumps and I can feel every beat pounding against my chest. If I turn the volume up to 90% on this A-S801 there's just no power behind it, all it does is heat up very quickly and I have to turn it down in fear of burning it up. I called Yamaha and they recommended that I bring it in for repairs. I drove an hour and half to drop it off only to have a tech call the very next day to tell me there's nothing wrong with it. I don't think this younger generation even knows what a 100 watts is suppose to sound like.
Pros: Looks classy after I ordered and changed out all the black exterior parts for silver.
Cons: 2021 receiver with 100 watts can compare to just 70 watts from 1982 receiver.
0 of 1 found this helpful
Amazing equipment
Jeff from Ft Myers, FL on 5/13/2023
I have been a audio guy for 50 years. This A -S801 is high fidelity in every aspect . From basic LP , to the digital domain..you get uncolored, clean sound stage..depth, width, and a enjoyable music experience every time. I highly recommend this piece to anyone..at any level of sophistication..I was amazed and still relish my listening sessions. My BW speakers love this equipment.
Pros: 1 piece of audio equipment you must have.
Cons: None, Zero!
0 of 0 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Craig from Athens, AL on 5/4/2023
I've owned this Amp for several years now and am hoping others that have purchased this read how adding this one less than $200 addition will literally transform the Yamaha AS-801 from great to stunningly good! The one main feature of this Model over its lower siblings is the removable power cable..Yes, it's a "thing" and believe me when I tell you, replace it..the Viborg MTR-1501, paired with this Amp will allow the 801 to deliver more detail and nuances that will leave your jaw on the floor. Look, power cables can cost thousands..and thousands.and I've auditioned some of them and I was left unimpressed. I don't have any affiliation whatsoever with any company.saw one of my subscribed reviewers say it was more than impressive and amazingly affordable. So I snagged one up.well, cause I could afford it. :).. "TRANSFORMATIVE"!! I so hope this gets posted, cause it allows the sonic capabilities of the 801 to really deliver.in a HUGE way!! I've yet to find my jaw!
Pros: Still the best Integrated Amp Value
Cons: No light on the Volume Dial
2 of 5 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Henry from New Braunfels, TX on 4/16/2023
2 of 2 found this helpful
Pleased so far
Greg from Bothell, WA on 3/16/2023
A recent purchase, so I wanted to share impressions whilefresh. Switchgear, etc., all seems fine; I've read criticisms of that. Amp has a great look -- wish it had VU meters or wood sides like an old Yamaha, oh well. The setup was a little tricky in that the Yamaha manual seemed to indicate my Mac laptop would be plug-and-play, when in fact it needs a Steinberg driver just like a PC does. Yamaha's product page for the A-S801 lists out-of-date drivers, so you need to go to the Steinberg site for the current ones. But I finally got it streaming at a high PCM rate. Note that the PCM lights on the faceplate only work with the USB input; the lights don't function with whatever you have hooked up via optical and coaxial, so it's unclear whether you're getting high-res lossless there. It's driving a set of KEF R3s with a Sunfire woofer. The sound is pure and natural, crisp and clean, as is Yamaha's way. The amp has plenty of power for the KEFs, which are not too efficient. Much of the sound quality is no doubt due more to the KEFs, but I'd say this is a nice speaker-amp pairing. Vocals are vivid and detailed, instrument voices sound true. The KEFs are biwired; I doubt that makes much if any difference, but the speakers and amp are both designed for that. I'm not hearing great soundstage so far but need to experiment more with speaker placement; I'm sure it'll get there, and this will sound even better over time. Pleased with the purchase. Some recordings sound fantas
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1 of 2 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Andrew from Denver, CO on 3/13/2023
I purchased the Yamaha A-S801 to replace my vintage Pioneer receiver and power my KEF 107 Reference speakers. My vinyl has never sounded better and I'm pleasantly surprised at the marked decrease in hum and increase in clarity. I resisted upgrading for years, but glad I did. I paired the new amp with a Bluesound NODE and have really been enjoying streaming through my setup - very convenient.
Pros: Simple, clean, powerful, and looks good in silver
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Excellent Purchase!
Christopher from Carmichael, CA on 3/8/2023
What a difference a day makes! The A-S801 is everything all the other 5-Star reviews talk about. I made the order late afternoon with the help of Conrad at Crutchfield. The new amp and recommended turntable showed up at my door across the country in less than 48 hours. Very happy with purchase. The 801 feels and sounds warm like an old well-built amplifier.
Pros: Very simple, straight-ahead setup in minutes
Cons: None so far!
0 of 0 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Dimitar from Charlottesville, VA on 3/8/2023
Always wanted to buy a quality system. Well it's all come with the price. I was doubling between spending and having a good product, but it worth all the money you spend for it. I like the design and how simple look is. Has lot of power on it I hook this receiver to my 200 watt speakers and was just amazing by the quality of the sound and the power it has. Really happy with my purchase.
Pros: Design, power, sound quality
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0 of 0 found this helpful
Fantastic amp!
John Douglas from Toledo, OH on 3/1/2023
This is a stellar sounding amp! Very heavy and well built it exudes high build quality. Replaced a Yamaha Aventage receiver and I'm really glad it did. 2 channel with this just sounds better! There was difficulty with set up, not with this but with my existing TV. Crutchfield support did a wonderful job of staying with me until it was figured out. Overall I could not be happier!
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0 of 0 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801 - Vintage Guts with Digital Features
Mark from Homer Glen, IL on 2/26/2023
I've was lucky that I stored all of my vintage stereo gear that I purchased in the late 70s and 80s... much to the distain of my wife who constantly accuses me of becoming a "hoarder"! The 1st real powerhouse amp that I purchased was in 1978, a Sansui 5000 which I recently dusted off and gave to my Son (a new vinyl fanatic). A few years ago, I rebuilt my vintage set-up around my old (1985) Kenwood Basic M2A, which stilled rocked the house until the capacitors and power amp fried last week. :-( RIP. After grieving for a hour or so, I went straight to Crutchfield.com and started to search for a new amplifier to anchor my vintage set-up. I found the Yamaha A-S801 which was touted by many old-timers as a great combination of oldy-timey analog guts, and new digital technology. They were NOT WRONG! This unit makes my vinyl collection come to life in a bold and clean way... it makes my old CD-Player sing with robust muscle and sonic clarity... it makes my vintage Cassette player come alive again. Now to the part that my old Kenwood could never achieve... I stream Apple Music through a Bluetooth device that is now optically connected to the Yamaha... OMG! I made the right choice... and owe this successful purchase to all of the information that I was able to get from the Critchfield site! You are the GO TO guys for entertainment gear!
Pros: A great choice for oldy-timey audiophiles that want vintage guts plus current-day digital capabilities.
Cons: None so far.
4 of 4 found this helpful
york haven
edwin from york haven on 2/9/2023
2 of 2 found this helpful
Very well built and powerful amp
Chris from Des Moines, IA on 2/3/2023
Beautifully open and powerful amp. Out of the box the sound is very flat/neutral but once you dial it in with the tone controls you can warm up the sound and get it punchy. I'm using this to drive a pair of Elac Uni-Fi UB52 with a SVS 1000 Pro Sub and the sound is amazing. I also tried out the USB input and the SABRE DAC is very good, clean, and accurate.
Pros: Powerfull Tone Controls USB Input / SABRE DAC Vintage Look
Cons: Avoid the sub output. If you are going to pair a sub connect it via the speaker level input/output (same terminals going to the speakers). That way you can use the low pass filter on the sub to dial in the sound.
0 of 0 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Richard from Birmingham, AL on 1/30/2023
1 of 1 found this helpful
Upgraded my stereo, finally!
Johnny from Rio Rico, AZ on 12/31/2022
I replaced my 37 year old Kenwood stereo with gear from Crutchfield and couldn't be happier!
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Better value than Emotiva - Plays nice with Alexa.
Doug from MT PLEASANT, WI on 12/30/2022
I love the simplistic look of this amp. It has all the essential modern features you actually use and leaves out all the junk you don't need. The A-S801 provides plenty of power and clean sound - but you have to give it about 40 hours of playing time for the bass to start to shine, so be patient. The Emotiva equivalent for similar money has less power, doesn't sound as good, has a cheaper DAC, has more bells and whistles you don't need, and has noisy fans. Anything better than this is going to be in the $1500 range. If I had to make one criticism of this piece, it would be for the cheap knobs - they feel too light and should be made heftier. For those of you concerned, this amp will play nice with Alexa if you take time to go through the menus. You have to make sure that the IR signal is set for this specific model. Because the volume increments are so fine, you'll want to set the menu for more than one increment at a time, or otherwise just say something like, "Alexa - raise volume 12 increments." Alexa will recognize all the inputs except for the coax for switching and it's ok to leave the amp in standby for swithcing on and off. You only need to turn the master power off if you go on vacation or don't use the amp for a long time.
Pros: Nice simple looks. Plenty of power. Clean sound. Has plenty of useable features for the money. No unneeded bells and whistles. Plays well with Alexa if you take time to dig in menus.
Cons: Cheap knobs. Busy remote.
2 of 2 found this helpful
Great sound for under $1k
Crutchfield customer from Bella Vista, AR on 12/29/2022
towers. The vast majority of the play list is 60's-70's rock & roll. This Amp exceeds expectations, delivering clean robust music with previously unrealized clarity without distortion. I had expected an improvement, but this unit delivers 10-fold for under $1k. Well done !
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3 of 3 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Guest from Meredith, NH on 12/22/2022
I'm still within the break in window but I really like it so far. I'm driving Wharfedale Evo 4.2 s and they really opened up vs my NAD 3045 which sounded fine but lacked a little brightness and punch compared to the 801. This amp matches well to the 4.2's and my listening environment. I'm not big on buying stuff for appearance sake but this silver version looks great. I bought scratch and dent and I've yet to find the imperfection.
Pros: Sound, solid build, simple, loudness control.
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
David from Sacramento, CA on 12/18/2022
0 of 0 found this helpful
Outstanding!
Brian from Kenosha, WI on 12/2/2022
Outstanding sound. Solid amp that made my vintage KLH speakers come alive. They've never sounded this good. I love having the option to control the bass, treble, and loudness, and the cd direct and pure direct are great features too. Pretty amazing how much of a difference a this amp has on my system. Highly recommend!
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Carlos from Toa Alta, PR on 12/2/2022
1 of 2 found this helpful
Yamaha warmth
Roland from Tucson, AZ on 11/13/2022
For the price point you can't beat this receiver! I was able to take a trip down memory lane with the CR 800 I owned back in the 70's!
Pros: Adequate power, clean design
Cons: Subwoofer output has a fixed low pass filter at 90hz. I wish this adjustable. It would have been a 5 star!
1 of 1 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Sal J from Port St Lucie, FL on 11/5/2022
Purchased with speakers subwoofer and cd player plenty of power clean clear sound
Pros: All the connections you need for tv tuner etc
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2 of 2 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Gus from Cayce, SC on 10/10/2022
Excellent amp. for the price. Sound quality exceptional.
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Crutchfield customer from Houston, TX on 10/2/2022
My 40-year old 300-watt Denon power ampy gave up the ghost and the matching preamp was adding background noise to the music, so I replaced them both with an integrated amp. My only complaint is the backache from wrestling the 44-lb Denon POA-1500 out of the cabinet and getting the 31-lb A-S801 I into the same slot. (I'm as vintage as some of my equipment.) The A-S801 effortlessly drives my old, huge "omni-directional" Design Acoustics D-10 tower speakers, all 13 drivers in each. The delivery service was exceptional - the amp arrived on the day (3) and at the hour promised, in its anonymous blue security wrapping. I bought car stereo from Crutchfield in the 70s and 80s; they were good in those mail-order days, and they are the best in the online era. They show that excellent customer service never goes out of style.
Pros: Virtually silent in audio performance. Silky-smooth in operation. Reassuringly robust in construction.
Cons: Big differences between input levels. I would love to have a means of equalizing the input levels of tuner, phono, and CD player, so that switching from one to another did not require reducing the volume and readjusting it.
5 of 5 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Speakerman from Right behind you on 9/16/2022
Enjoyable, clean oldschool sound. Bass and Treble knobs are well calibrated and feel right. This unit reminds me of a 70s era receiver in a the best possible ways. Good audio masterings sound *really* good. Intuitive controls. Plenty of power for Polk R200 bookshelf speakers used in a 15x20' room or so, around 3/8 volume is "quite loud" for sustained listening. >>> Hidden feature -- this receiver drives the Sennheiser HD600 (300 Ohm) and HD280/HD380 (64 Ohm) headphones effortlessly through the 1/4" headphone jack on the front! No need for a separate headphone amp! I'm using this with digital coax from an iFi Zen Blue V2 bluetooth unit and audio quality is superb (I haven't tested the USB DAC yet, that's next). Aux in through RCA works fine.
Pros: Hidden feature -- this receiver drives the Sennheiser HD600 (300 Ohm) and HD280/HD380 (64 Ohm) headphones effortlessly through the 1/4" headphone jack on the front! No need for a separate headphone amp!
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4 of 4 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Claus from Key West, FL on 9/7/2022
Excellent for the money! The only thing I wished was different was if you could bypass the low pass filter for the sub which is fixed to 90 HZ. Or even better if it had a left and right preamp out.
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2 of 2 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
David from Oakdale, MN on 9/4/2022
0 of 0 found this helpful
Happy with this purchase
Patricia from Greenville, NC on 8/22/2022
Setup and operation are intuitive. I am impressed with the large transformer.a feature that is not always seen in modern amplifiers. The sound is very clear and there is plenty of power to operate my Infinity Towers. The sound through my phono (mm) is excellent. Also of very high quality is the sound from my tv through the digital optical cable. I am very happy with this purchase.
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6 of 6 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Mike from Minneapolis, MN on 8/17/2022
I dig this rig. Simplicity and quality. Out of the box and plugged in rocking tunes within 30 minutes or less.
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Field Repair Trouble
Chuck from Pendleton, OR on 8/2/2022
Although this amp is around three years old, it has few operating hours. I believed that I had chosen wisely, and handled it very carefully. However it ceased to function and the driven accessory indicator lights would not illuminate. Also the power on indictor would flicker. It was delivered to Inner Sound Repair, as advised by your office, on May 5th 2022. This firm has contacted Yamaha for diagnostic assistance. This has proven to be excruciatingly difficult and therefore I am compelled to rescind my prior recommendations.
Pros: It is good as long as it works.
Cons: Too fragile and difficult to repair.
8 of 10 found this helpful
Replaced 1978 Kenwood KR-4400
Dwight from Palm Harbor, FL on 8/1/2022
2 of 2 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Michel from Sacramento, CA on 7/29/2022
I live with my wife. Form is more important than function in our house. I have to say this amp has both. I like the functions right on the front not buried in menus. It is not perfect. I find myself listening too loud because it is clear, so the volume knob could use numbers, perhaps 1 - 11, so I can remember what loudness is reasonable. I also wish there was a usb driver for android tv. I did try it with a windows computer but didn't feel it was any better than my android tv and dac set up. I'm using it with Polk R600 speakers, Nvidia shield into an ifi nano black dac.
Pros: Looks nice Sounds nice Controls not buried in menus Is welcome at our house
Cons: No android tv usb driver No MQA No numbers on volume
4 of 4 found this helpful
Warwick
Mike from Warwick on 7/27/2022
For me, this really hit the sweet spot of an old school feel blended with "just enough" technology. I have heard marked improvement from my turntable and records, but the hidden gem of this is the enhanced DAC and the USB in. I've been having a great time listening to Tidal "Master Quality" tracks from my old MacBook into this amp. And at under $1000, I feel like this was worth every penny!
Pros: Value, and just enough versatility without sacrificing the throwback feel I was looking for.
Cons: Not really a con, but I would give this 10 stars if there were VU meters integrated. :)
2 of 2 found this helpful
The great reviews aren't lying....
Hb from Deland, FL on 7/15/2022
Upgraded from a 12 year old surround sound receiver. Wanted to return to stereo listening. The A-S801 integrated amp is certainly worth its price. Extremely well made, beautiful unit. Easy to use and great listening when combined with Klipsch RP-280F speakers and Fluance RT85N turntable.
Pros: Pretty much everything.
Cons: Wish volume control had an indicator light. Not a big deal, but would be nice.
2 of 2 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Alton from Leland, NC on 7/14/2022
I was surprised at how good this amp sounded. Needed a backup amp with 80+ watts. Running a Audiolab 6000cdt & Wharfedale Evo 4.3 floorstanders. Yamaha states 100hrs break in but after 30hrs sounds great. For the price,this amp is hard to beat!
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2 of 2 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Roger from Free Union, VA on 6/21/2022
natural pure sound is expensive , but so very worth it
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0 of 0 found this helpful
Excellent choice for replacing vintage units
William from ORANGEBURG, SC on 6/16/2022
I own a LOT of vintage receivers and amplifiers (Luxman, Marantz, Pioneer, Sansui, etc.). I love their vintage sound and enjoy working on them as I get the time to do so. However, as I get older I wanted something that is new but looks "vintage" with great specs for my main system. Also, maintaining that vintage sound is important to me so anything I bought had to be pleasing to my ear playing my genre of music (60's/70's rock, new wave/punk, some blues and classical). Research led me to seriously consider Yamaha. I posted a question on the Crutchfield site asking if anyone else had similar concerns moving from vintage to a modern system and I was assured that I would not be disappointed. Well, the respondents were right. Using my modest system with vintage components (Klipsch Forte/JBL L100 speakers, Technics SL-1600 Mk2 turntable, Aiwa AD-6900II cassette deck, Akai GX-635D reel-to-reel and several CD players) I can honestly say I love the sound. I was a little worried I would lose some of the "warmth" of my vintage units. But, after playing at least 50 albums and an equal number of CD's plus multiple tapes I really don't notice any significant difference between the Yamaha A-S801 and my recapped vintage units. For those who love the vintage sound but want something with a remote and new electronics reliability it would be hard to do better than the Yamaha A-S801
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12 of 12 found this helpful
Fantastic.of course.its Yamaha!
Jim from Youngsville, NC on 6/15/2022
This was purchased strictly for 2 channel audio. I am currently pairing this with Polk Audio Reserve r700, tower loudspeakers. I feel this is a good match, but for my use. This could be better with more power, due to far-field listening, a very large room and power handling capability of my speakers. Otherwise I could happily utilize this, with average uses in mind. The Yamaha has plenty of useful outputs along with a very good DAC. I think the best feature is the "Pure Direct" mode. I use this feature all of the time and it sounds best to my ears, with a balanced, clean and liner sound quality. This also has an Equalizer which helps with tonality on lesser recordings. Utilizing the Yamahas internal DAC via optical cable. Allows for very good sound quality using my CD player, as well as the TV. For the current price point of the Yamaha, I really can't complain much. It's sounds great, has a good design and solid build. It could have better bass management and definitely could use pre outs, for the ability to connect a separate power amplifier. Other than these things, its a very good integrated amplifier. I would definitely recommend this, at its price point.
Pros: Pure Direct.a must use! A plethora of inputs! Like Google, the ability to E.Q. Is your friend! Built like an Abrams tank, for the ability of 30 years use. No I'm not kidding!
Cons: Bass management could be better. No Pre Outs.dang it!
1 of 1 found this helpful
Delivers as advertised
Bill from Escondido, CA on 5/23/2022
It delivers as advertised. Recommendation fro Crutchfield rep was spot on for my needs.
Pros: Simple to setup Simple to use Sounds great with KEF Q350's and a Martin Logan sub at all volume levels Optical in works great with TV
Cons: None
0 of 0 found this helpful
Punches way above its price
Glen from CASTLE ROCK, CO on 4/14/2022
I love this amp so much I just bought a second one. I have one in black and one in silver. Go for the silver, old-school look for an old-school amp. I moved the older one to the basement and thought I'd try a CXA81 in the office setup. The CXA81 is a good amp and I thought it might be just a little more musical than the A-S801. Then I set them up side-by-side with a switch arrangement so I could go back and forth. Sorry, I love the sound of the Yamaha, the Cambridge (more expensive) not as much. This is just a great amp if you like detailed and accurate music with no coloring. I can't say enough good things about it and at $900 it's a steal. Both upstairs and downstairs I use an SVS SB-1000 Pro sub and stream Amazon Music through the onboard DAC from a laptop. Downstairs for vinyl I use a Pro-Ject X2 with Pro-Ject Tube S2 and Elac Carina FS247.4s. Upstairs I use a Rega Planar 3 with Rega Fono MM Mk 5 and Wharfedale EVO 4.2s. Both setups sound just terrific although I'm not convinced I won't sell the EVOs and put a pair of Carinas upstairs, too. I love those Carinas unabashedly, they're just amazing speakers. Just buy the A-S801, you will not be disappointed!!!
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8 of 8 found this helpful
Great Amp
Sam from Barrington, NH on 4/5/2022
Just upgraded to the A-S801. I appreciate the straight forward design and absence of useless bells and whistles. The amp sounds great out of the box. It will only get better once the amp is burned in.
Pros: Optical and USB inputs
Cons: The phone preamp is ok. However, my UTurn Pluto preamp is better so I'll be hanging on to the Pluto.
0 of 0 found this helpful
great entry level integrated amp
Daniel from Hastings, MI on 3/12/2022
bought this with a pair of the b&w 603 series 2 speakers. works great. the optical input was important, as my aluratec blue tooth dac uses optical, and my toslink optic cable switch splitter makes it very easy to switch from streaming music to using for tv. in my opinion, best entry level integrated amp before getting into the real money of the even nicer and bigger amps, which i am very sure is worth it, if you can afford the bigger amps.
Pros: great value for the money
Cons: none
1 of 1 found this helpful
My 2nd amp and I like it!
This is my 2nd amp (I upgraded from a very old vintage Kenwood amp) so I can't really compare like an audiophile but I do like this amp. I'm using it with a turntable and I plan to hook up a TV and Bluetooth receiver to it as well. The first thing I noticed with my turntable was the complete absence of hum when I turned it on. I thought that hum was from my turntable but it must have been from my old amp. I also noticed more clarity and detail in the music compared to my old amp, maybe that's because of the absence of hum behind the sounds. I'm using it with speakers that also have good clarity and detail (B&W 705 S2 bookshelf speakers). There's a little less bass compared to my old amp. But I wanted to buy a subwoofer regardless so I think that's not a big deal. The loudness dial is a little confusing to me - turning up the loudness makes everything sound quieter overall. I think that knobs reduces middle frequencies instead of boosting other frequencies? I like how similar it looks to my old Kenwood amp and I like how the knobs feel. The only thing I'm not too thrilled with is the hu size of it. The "depth" measurement is big enough that I won't be able to close the cabinet that it's sitting in unless I drill a hole in the cabinet back, where the power cable sticks out. I will also need right-angle banana plug adapters because regular banana plugs won't fit behind it in the cabinet. For now I have it hooked up with bare wires so it can almost fit
Pros: clarity, detail, input options
Cons: size, measure your cabinet!
3 of 3 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Tom from Wylie, TX on 12/20/2021
I love the warmth, clarity, precision, and definition of individual notes that this Yamaha delivers. Even with CD's, the sound reminds me of my original integrated amp that I paid the equivalent of three month's rent for back in the mid-1970's. I bought this A-S801 to replace a Kenwood Supreme integrated amp that I've have owned for over 45 years. Even though I had kept it in a climate-controlled environment the whole time, I now realize just how badly it needs to be re-capped and rebuilt. I'm using the Yamaha to drive Klipsch Cornwalls and last night I played a wide variety of music and was amazed. I still have that Chesire Cat grin on my face today because for the first time in years, I heard music as it was intended and recorded. Can't wait to play my old vinyl and use the Bluetooth connection to stream music. Great amp!
Pros: Lots of inputs, distortion-free sound at any volume, true-sound quality, great high-end.
Cons: A little pricey, Unlit volume knob.
5 of 5 found this helpful
Clear, powerful and neutral in sound.
Crutchfield customer from Barre, VT on 12/19/2021
This amp has replaced my beloved Anthem Integrated 225. I was curious if I would miss the extra power moving from 225 to 100 watts/channel but I have to say this amp is up to the task of powering a set of Paradigm Studio 100 v5s with ease. It may be a bit conservatively rated IMHO. I have noticed slightly more detail from the A-S801 versus the Anthem Integrated 225. I also demoed the Marantz Model 30 and didn't care for the rolled off treble and muddy bass it produced. The A-S801 is very neutral in sound which I prefer. The built in ESS SABRE ES9010K2M DAC is convenient and of good quality. Unless you have something like the Schitt Bifost Multibit DAC to compare it I don't think you would feel the built in DAC lacking. The Phono pre-amp sounds as good as the Anthem Integrated 225.
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0 of 0 found this helpful
Really nice with lots of input options
Crutchfield customer from Los Angeles, CA on 11/29/2021
I got this integrated amp after doing a fair amount of research comparing the other offerings from Yamaha, but I am not an expert by any means. I made my decision based on the fact that there was an open-box version available and the Yamaha A-S801 can accept PC input via USB using the amp's DAC, which the other Yamaha integrated amps didn't have as a feature. Although this feature is likely a big selling point, I like that it has several line-in inputs too that can probably be used to connect to a PC with some creativity. I've used one line-in to connect a Raspberry Pi to stream music via Bluetooth from my phone. There are less expensive Yamaha receivers that have built-in Bluetooth, which I also considered, but I wanted to use my Raspberry Pi since it was going unused and felt like it was a shame. For my uses, which are connecting my turntable, streaming music via Bluetooth, and using my computer as a source and making use of the DAC, and down the line connecting a TV and CD player (still doing the research on this one), this amp is wonderful and powers some vintage B&W DM600 perfectly. The sound is full, super satisfying, carries to other rooms beautifully, and I can turn the bass up when I'm feeling like it. The only "fault" I can see is perhaps it's a bit pricey, OR perhaps I haven't tapped into its fullest potential yet. Hopefully that's to come! :)
Pros: great build quality, very nice looking, lots of input options = great flexibility
Cons: can be a bit pricey
1 of 2 found this helpful
Awesome Amp
Crutchfield customer from Bend, OR on 11/12/2021
This amp has all the versatility I desired. Sounds pure and beautiful.
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Worth the money
Crutchfield customer from Clinton Twp, MI on 11/12/2021
Very good amp for the price. When playing vinyl it is superb ??.
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Crutchfield customer from Pittsburgh, PA on 11/11/2021
I thought my S501 blew up so I went and purchased the S801. The 501 decided to start working again after a brief recess but the 801 was on the way. I'm not sorry at all, the new amp is very nice with a little extra power. The rep told me about a scratch and dent deal and I have no idea where the scratch or dent is!! What I am trying to say is Crutchfield and Yamaha kick ass!
Pros: easy operation and hook up plenty of power
Cons: maybe a light on the volume knob, not a deal breaker though
1 of 1 found this helpful
Old school style, with better sound
Crutchfield customer from North Royalton, OH on 11/3/2021
I bought the Yamaha amp. for several reasons. Being a Yamaha, I knew it would be a high quality product. I have never experienced a bad product from them. The ability to connect a turntable and a cassette deck was the determining factor. Not too many amps have this feature any more. My music collection (mostly vinyl) was all but destroyed years ago in a home fire. The only pieces left were cassettes in my car. Now I can enjoy them again. The quality is first rate. Connections are all clearly marked. Speaker binding posts are sturdy. I didn't use banana plugs, but you can. There is the ability to connect 9 inputs to it. Controls are nice and simple; Bass, Treble, Balance, Input and Volume are all controlled by knobs. Old school. I haven't used the Loudness control too much. It seems to be an equalizer for low volume listening. The sound is fantastic. I have it hooked up to a pair of Infinity Kappa tower speakers, which I Bi-wired to it. These speakers have never sounded better. Bass, midrange and highs all come through Loud and Clear. Glad that old Kenwood finally bit the dust! Thank you Crutchfield! Thank you Yamaha!
Pros: simple controls, high quality, clear distortion free sound, plenty of power
Cons: none
2 of 2 found this helpful
Highly recommend
Crutchfield customer from Mill Valley, CA on 11/3/2021
Full, clean/clear. Big improvement replaced NAD. Sounds great at any volume without any tonal mod. I mostly use for optical out from TV sports and analog music (records). Small room driving Martin Logan Frescos that can handle up to 150 so perfectly matched in terms of power.
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0 of 0 found this helpful
PHILADELPHIA
David from PHILADELPHIA on 11/1/2021
The sound quality is awesome from what I was looking for I wanted this receiver for music and it delivered
Pros: Sound quality
Cons: None
1 of 1 found this helpful
Listen to me
Crutchfield customer from Columbia Fls, MT on 10/31/2021
Rich elegant warm and detailed What a beautiful sound for an integrated solid state with superb Sabre DAC OH and drop dead quiet ! You could spend much much more but I doubt your ears would hear any difference and more power than one really needs Listen to your music Life is short
Pros: Rock solid construction is a sign of heritage and pride Performance is very impressive for cost
Cons: 2000 dollars more for VU meters I can't hear those
1 of 1 found this helpful
Great Amp
Crutchfield customer from Coventry, CT on 10/28/2021
Yamaha A-S801. Very impressed with this Yamaha. Plenty of Power. Very easy setup. works flawlessly so far.
Pros: Great power, has the "A" and "B"
Cons: would like to see another optical input, only has the one and I have two devices that have the optical out.
0 of 0 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Collin from Fargo, ND on 10/17/2021
This has been a wonderful amp for me so far. The primary thing that drew me to this amp was the USB hookup for the DAC to run my computer through and run my desktop system; it's done that flawlessly to date. I wish Yamaha had the USB/DAC on a model with VU meters, but that isn't an issue of this amp itself.
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Best I've owned
Crutchfield customer from Bogart, GA on 10/4/2021
I've been buying Yamaha receivers over the course of many years. The quality of design, construction and sound has always been a good fit for me and the music I listen to. Having finally been able to set up a listening room in my home, I realized I needed a bit more openness in sound and more power to assist. Finally decided on Yamaha's A - S801. No regrets at all. It was exactly what I was looking for and more. For what it offers, and at a really reasonable price, I couldn't be more pleased.
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2 of 3 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Crutchfield customer from Tulare, CA on 9/27/2021
Great Yamaha sound, high quality construction, simply put it sounds great.
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2 of 2 found this helpful
Major Disappointment
Crutchfield customer from Pasadena, CA on 9/14/2021
The variable Loudness control acts like a secondary volume control. As it is turned to "boost" the bass & treble at your desired lower listening level, it lowers the output volume all the way to being silent. Then, it is up to you to bring up the volume to the level you wanted when you started turning the Loudness control. Not enough? Increase the Loudness, volume goes down again, turn volume back up, retry the Loudness control, volume goes down... it's a constant back & forth game that is frustrating and useless in that this could have been designed like the variable Loudness controls of 40 - 50 years ago - straightforward and simple, which this is not. The connectivity is excellent and is clearly diagramed in the manual. It was because of that and the promise of a variable Loudness control that I bought this. Having lost 50% of my reason for buying - and the sound is nothing to write home about - this is going back.
Pros: Good build quality. Excellent connectivity options on the back
Cons: They screwed the buyer with their "reimagining" of what a variable Loudness control should be.
4 of 16 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Crutchfield customer from New Albany, IN on 9/11/2021
Replaced 75 w/ch Yamaha receiver w/ the 801 & couldn't be happier (within my budget). My B&W 606 S2 speakers sound noticably better! I couldn't justify the hefty price tag on the Yamaha 1200, but am quite pleased nonetheless. Illumination on volume knob would be nice, but not a big deal.
Pros: Old school controls w/ power aplenty!
Cons: Volume knob needs illumination.
3 of 3 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Crutchfield customer from Stowe, VT on 9/9/2021
Great amplifier. Big improvement replacing and AVR for a 2.1 channel music system. Vinyl, cd and streaming sound great. Plenty of power. Rich, detailed sound with warm lows, crisp highs. Pairs very well with B&W 607 and a sub.
Pros: Just fantastic sound. Competes with much more expensive amps. Love the vintage stye without controls hiding in menus.
Cons: none so far
1 of 1 found this helpful
Excellent "Old School" Amplifier
Tony R. from Guam, USA on 9/7/2021
I currently own the NAD Masters M33, and the Cambridge CXA -81. The M33 is a true reference piece, and for the price it should be. While the M33 will reveal the true flavor of whatever speakers you connect to it.I feel it lacks explosiveness, and some emotion ( I think the class D build is overly efficient. No HEAT - No EMOTION .lol!). This is a critical listening hobbyist amp. The CXA-81 is a fun punchy amp. It has slightly boosted treble, and is enjoyable to listen to. Plenty of emotion involved when listening, No listening fatigue and just fun (class AB sound). IMO It is worth the price. My only want is for more power! Enter the Yamaha A-S801. Many things I love about it.first the styling is classic Old School. .lol I am 52 years old. As a middle age guy it fits my wants and needs. I truly love the fact that there is ... No bluetooth, No wifi, No touch screen, just the stuff I use and plenty of POWER!!!! I am using the Steinberg USB driver from my PC with J-River media player. OMG the power.. Is AMAZING pure class AB sound. Deep STRONG low end with a PUNCH! High end freqs a smooth and extended (never harsh). For the price this amp is a STEAL! It is pure. I love this amp! My others will go in alternate rooms. The A-S801 is my primary system now. A word on speakers..so I used the A-S801 with my Denton 85, PSB Imagine X1T, and Klipsch RP-160M. They all sound good! However, I feel the RP-160M bookshelf were made especially for the A-S801 amp.
Pros: No frills basic integrated amp with excellent sound and build quality.
Cons: No frills amp. For some this is lacking bluetooth, wifi and streaming options.
6 of 6 found this helpful
Yamaha AS 801 delivers!
Jonathan from Burke, VA on 8/30/2021
This is my second proper 2 channel integrated amp. This thing in my opinion is excellent. It has a nice DAC for the digital needs. Eliminates a lot of the hissing. It also has a subwoofer output which suffices extra need for bass. Also the classic vintage looks. Can't go wrong with it. I'm not parting with this at all. If you're considering, than do it. Don't hesitate. Pair with Klipsch reference line speakers and the sound is sublime. It does have a break in period. So give it time and you'll notice a change in sound over time. It's beautiful!
Pros: Good looks Great sound Great choice for proper 2 channel listening
Cons: I can't think of none but wish it had an output for a power amp.
2 of 2 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Crutchfield customer from Lexington, KY on 8/16/2021
Bright, simple layout, well built. All the features I need.
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1 of 2 found this helpful
just a old man in a garage with a cold beer and Bob Segers Greatest
Crutchfield customer from Mountain View, OK on 7/29/2021
dont hesitate to long, another fine choice from yamaha, i dont use the knobs to change anything, just pure direct . i have a rx-a1010 for home theater and the 801 is in the man cave, simply a great amp
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0 of 0 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Crutchfield customer from Myrtle Beach, SC on 7/25/2021
Guess my review didn't send. I wrote that it matches my system great. Good Fit!
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0 of 0 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Crutchfield customer from Gold Beach, OR on 7/13/2021
Replaced my old Yamaha of 18 years. Sounds awesome even with old speakers
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0 of 1 found this helpful
N\A
Crutchfield customer from Hercules, CA on 7/13/2021
Clean and Simple Love it thanks Crutchfield. ??
Pros: Awesome
Cons: None
0 of 0 found this helpful
Solid amp with a dynamic sound
Crutchfield customer from Conroe, TX on 7/2/2021
I was considering between this amp (A-S801) and the A-S1200. I kept going back and forth between the two. I knew the A-S1200 had the larger power supply with almost three times the total capacitance as the A-S801 and had a higher signal to noise ratio. However there is nothing technically wrong with 24,000 uF total capacitance for a 100 watt 2 ch- amp and the difference between the S-N ratio may no be all that noticeable. I finally decided that I would go ahead and purchase the A-S801 silver and try it out, knowing Crutchfield has a solid return policy. First impressions, the build quality of the A-S801 is solid, all the controls knobs and switches feel good and have the right amount of resistance. I thought from reading from Yamaha web site that all of the knobs ( balance, loudness, bass, treble, selector and volume) would all be aluminum. They were not, only the volume and selector were. However the other knobs still felt that they were well made. For speakers, I'm using the recently purchased RP-8000F Klipsch. From a stereo forum, I read from one user that he had a bass response issue with the A-S801 and RP8000F speakers. Well after several week and a lot a music playing through my speakers, I did not have any issues with the bass response. I found the bass to be solid, full, and w/ a quick reaction. No issues with me. The overall sound from this combination was awesome, the amp delivered bright highs, deep lows and a very dynamic sound, I recommend this amp.
Pros: Build quality, classic silver finish, clean and dynamic sound
Cons: No VU meters
7 of 7 found this helpful
Pairing with RP-8000F
Chris from Hudson, MA on 5/10/2021
I auditioned this amp alongside the Denon PMA-600ne driving Klipsch RP-8000F speakers. Initially I chose the Yamaha as the better sounding amp, and it is for the correct source material. There is no question the Yamaha has greater clarity than the Denon on very well produced tracks with lots of space and strong bass like "Game of Love" by Daft Punk or "Untitled #2" by Sigur Ros, but for the majority of music I threw at it, the Yamaha's extra clarity started to become annoying. Albums like "OK Computer" by Radiohead sounded harsh -- pretty much anything with a lot of distorted guitars and complexity sounded worse on the Yamaha. I found the Denon to be warmer and more musical for most tracks, and the Denon produced a lot more bass, maybe too much at times. The loudness control on the Yamaha definitely helps, but it still wasn't enough to justify the cost over the Denon. Perhaps it's the paring with the Klipsch speakers, too much of a good thing. I think this is the classic, "this amp will let you hear how bad your favorite albums really are" situation. For analyzing great recordings, the Yamaha + RP-8000F combo is very good, but for more relaxed listening, it wasn't making me happy. I ended up returning the amp. Aside from the sound, I was not happy at all with the build quality. The cheep plastic tone control knobs are a big let down if you've ever used a vintage Yamaha amp with metal knobs, and the flimsy binding posts are unacceptable on a product at this price.
Pros: Clarity
Cons: Weak bass at times Cheep plastic knobs Flimsy binding posts
12 of 16 found this helpful
My first Yamaha and it does not disappoint!!!
James from RATHDRUM, ID on 5/1/2021
Replaced a 90's Luxman receiver that finally gave up the ghost. I have this integrated amp pushing a pair of ELAC Debut 2.0 F6.2's along with a Jamo Jamo C 910 powered subwoofer. This set up fills my living room with crystal clear distortion free sound. I don't just hear the music, I experience it. Easy to use and straight forward. Sounds as good if not better than my old Luxman. That is saying something.
Pros: Straight forward and easy to use. Crystal clear and distortion free. I couldn't care less that the volume knob has no indicator light. Perfect as far as I am concerned.
Cons: None that I know of..
6 of 6 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Kevin from PARADISE VALLEY, AZ on 4/27/2021
Love this amp. Using it drive refurbished vintage KLH Model Sixes and KLH Model Twenty Three speakers. This amp gets it done very well.Vintag
Pros: Vintage look and ease of use
Cons: Wish it had power meters Having to manually change speaker impedance when playing A+B speakers
2 of 2 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Crutchfield customer from Reedsville, WI on 4/18/2021
1 of 2 found this helpful
totally pleased.
Crutchfield customer from Soldiers Grove, WI on 4/17/2021
Always wanted a nice integrated system. This has enhanced my music pleasure.
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Great amp
Michael from PEA RIDGE, AR on 3/5/2021
I replaced a 20+ year old JVC AVR with this Yamaha. The sound is clean, dynamic and powerful. My music collection has never sounded so good !!
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3 of 3 found this helpful
Understated excellence
Colin from Ashland, OR on 3/4/2021
The sound produced by this amp, when paired with my new Wharfdale Evo 4.2 speakers is simply delicious. I have a portable Sony hi-res music player and lots of high end ear buds and a couple high end headphones, which is what started my passion for great quality sound. I had only recently thought to migrate this to my office (Where I now spend a lot more time) and have a better 2 channel music set up. I had been using a Denon AVR x4200w receiver with older AR bookshelf speakers and a Sony Blu-ray for CDS's with average results. I decided to upgrade. Bring in Zac from Crutchfield who spent some time with me helping me to understand my needs and navigate the difference between power amps, integrated amps, Pre amps and more. I certainly wasn't ready to get into the $15k range of a Macintosh system, but I knew I wanted more than what I was getting. After my call with Zac, I spent more time pouring over reviews and technology features and settled on this Yamaha. My first Yamaha product ever....and man was I blown away. Moving up to a Denon CD player and the aforementioned Wharfdale EVO 4.2s AND the Audiogene b1 APTx Bluetooth connector was beyond my expectations. The amp has all the technology and none of the flash. Sound is amazing, responsive and for me, it was adjustable using the bass, tone and loudness controls, but honestly I have been enjoying the pure settings the best. I couldn't recommend this more highly for it's price point, and as always, Zac and the team!
Pros: Crisp, powerful sound. Simple, yet sophisticated. Incredible soundstage when paired with great speakers. Bi amp/wire capable...not to be underestimated
Cons: None. Others have complained about no led on volume dial, I honestly wouldn't have noticed if it wasn't mentioned. I used a sharpie in the little groove and all is well.
6 of 6 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Crutchfield customer from Wolfeboro, NH on 2/28/2021
I was so impressed with the performance, I purchased one for my son.
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1 of 3 found this helpful
Great aound
Crutchfield customer from Antioch, CA on 2/21/2021
The sound is incredible, this is the "brightest" sounding amp I've have ever heard.
Pros: Great sound Easy to setup
Cons: None
1 of 1 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
James from DAHLONEGA, GA on 1/28/2021
As of a 26 Life Time Member/ Plus with Bill Crutchfied. And The People. Never have been Disappointed. Yahama Never Left. They Have Always Evolved. All Priceless Good Things ?
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2 of 3 found this helpful
Power makes a difference.
Crutchfield customer from Haverhill, MA on 1/17/2021
I had upgraded to new B&W 607 speakers a few months ago, but even after a long break-in period, my 15 year old 80 wpc receiver didn't seem to be getting everything it could from them, especially compared with the showroom performance of the speakers. I was amazed at the difference in clarity and detail and the more consistent volume (or presence) I heard with the Yamaha A-S801. I probably could have saved some money by getting one of the other Yamaha less powerful integrated amps, but the USB input was only available on this model. The built-in DAC definitely adds a lot to Apple lossless files streamed from my iMac, so the extra cost for the USB input was worth it. Software installation and set up was fairly easy too.
Pros: Power, versatility, elegant appearance.
Cons: I'll have to repeat the complaint I read in so many reviews before purchase: the volume control knob needs an LED indicator. The almost invisible notch on the knob just doesn't cut it.
5 of 5 found this helpful
An excellent, high performance amplifier
Crutchfield customer from Joliet, IL on 1/1/2021
First, and most important, this is a terrific sounding amplifier. I am not a professional reviewer, and with the demise of brick and mortar audio stores, I don't have the opportunity to listen to and compare a lot of audio equipment. But I can say without hesitation that the combination of this amp with my Magnepan MMGs (which are known for their neutral and transparent character, but difficult-to-drive design) is the best that I have ever heard in my home, and comparable to anything I heard > ~ $20K at the last Axpona convention. Gripes? Only two reasons I don't give it a full 5 star rating: 1. the instruction manual is poor. It provides minimal information or explanation about the amp's design, features, and operation. For example, the amp has two direct amplification circuits to provide the cleanest, least altered connection from source to speakers. I still don't understand why it has two (one for the CD source and one for all sources(?) The manual doesn't address this question; 2. the volume knob really, really needs a position indicator light. With regular daily usage, it slowly but surely becomes incredibly annoying not to be able to see where the volume level is set.
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11 of 11 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Crutchfield customer from New Orleans, LA on 12/28/2020
Exceptional sound quality. Perfect delivery. Only wish to be able to control the front panel with the remote, but at the end of the day no a big deal,
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1 of 1 found this helpful
The Right Choice.
Andy from Holly, MI on 12/20/2020
Love this Yamaha 801 Amp.! Powerful, Solid, Clean uncluttered design. I could write a book about this purchase but I've decided to keep it short and sweet; It has everything you need and nothin' you don't want. ...short of "Mosfet's and VU Meter's" of course. Made this choice based on many comparisons in this price range with similar features and power ratings. I was on the hunt for a 2 Chanel Amp from a Company with a History and a reputation who could back it up. So for $900 bucks I got something to brag about. Matched this brute with my Infinity 150 Studio Monitors, Paradigm Monitor 11 V.4s and a Velodyne Servo FSX 12" 120 watt Powered Sub. Turn it on, Turn it up, It Rocks! I will own a 2nd Yamaha in the near future and blow the extra stash for the VU Meters; ...Why you ask? Because sometimes "Staring at a thing of beauty". just makes me smile. One other detail I feel the need to mention; My experience with Customer service and Tech Support at Crutchfield was amazing!
Pros: Very Satisfied for the money. Great purchase!
Cons: A lighted Volume Knob would have been a functional element. ...Minor detail.
2 of 2 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Crutchfield customer from Cheyenne, WY on 12/19/2020
This is the best amp I have ever owned. Very crisp and clean sound. Plenty of power.
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Crutchfield customer from Thornville, OH on 12/16/2020
1 of 1 found this helpful
High quality
Crutchfield customer from Hattiesburg, MS on 12/12/2020
Very high quality unit for the money. Really heavy so you need a strong base to place it on . Very easy to set up and operate .
Pros: Easy set up and great performance.
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4 of 5 found this helpful
Sleek and versatile
Crutchfield customer from Rockport, TX on 11/21/2020
I chose this amp for its looks, power, and versatility. Fits great into my room, powers my Jamo S809 and sub beautifully, sound fills the room just like I want. I have it set up to my Bluetooth, PC, and still have room for more if i wanted. If you're wondering what the loudness dial does, it adjusts your mid frequencies. Remote layout is nice, no complaints there, easy to use.
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4 of 5 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Crutchfield customer from Graham, NC on 11/19/2020
I spent a lot of time researching for an amp to power my klipsch heresy iv's and decided on this Yamaha. You can spend any number of dollars and I'm sure some are better but I'm satisfied with this one. It's clean and powerful and does not get hot at all, I feel like it will be trouble free for a long time. Currently running a marantz CD player and a turntable through the amp and working fine.
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3 of 3 found this helpful
Powerful, detailed, beautiful
Crutchfield customer from Caguas, PR on 11/17/2020
Powerful, detailed, beautiful sounding. Laid back in its presentation. Internal dac works great streaming high res files from my MacBook Pro with Qobuz.
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5 of 5 found this helpful
Great Yamaha product.
Crutchfield customer from West Fargo, ND on 11/16/2020
Fantastic integrated amp for the money. Always been a fan of Yamaha since buying my first receiver in 1984 (still using this receiver in my garage). Plenty of power and inputs.
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2 of 2 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Crutchfield customer from Oviedo, FL on 11/12/2020
Great sound quality. Very clean and powerful. Hookups and switches logical. Remote control is awesome.
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2 of 3 found this helpful
Replacement for Yamaha A-1 Integrated Amplifier
Crutchfield customer from Los Alamos, NM on 10/29/2020
This was to replace the original Yamaha A-1, which finally broke down after forty years. It's as good as the original.
Pros: It has a built-in equalizer and separate knobs for volume and speaker balance, a real plus
Cons: The width and length dimensions are like the original but it is one inch higher, which might be a problem if you want to put it into a space that just holds the original.
7 of 7 found this helpful
Wow
Crutchfield customer from Minneapolis, MN on 10/21/2020
Wow! Great product, sound quality, design and features make it an amazing option at that price.
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1 of 1 found this helpful
HUGE upgrade -
Crutchfield customer from Midlothian, VA on 9/28/2020
I was using a Pioneer receiver from the mid 90's rated at 100 watts / channel. I mainly stream AmazonHD from a desktop, had been using a Schiit Modi 3 DAC with USB input. I wasn't sure if going to a modern Integrated amp would really make much difference but decided to give it a shot. Grabbed one from the scratch & dent outlet, no scratches & no dents, just a bit of damaged styrofoam packing as far as I can tell. Got it set up & connected & BOOM!!! What a difference - much cleaner, more detailed sound & a lot more bass than with my old receiver. Cleaned up the high end also. A tip if you stream from Windows to the amp without an external DAC: even after successfully installing the Steinberg driver I wasn't getting higher resolutions from Amazon. It took a lot of digging to find a couple of settings that need to be tweaked in the control panel & driver settings, otherwise it was limited to 16 bit / 44.1 khz. As always I got very fast delivery from Crutchfield - can't say enuf about them.
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4 of 4 found this helpful
Yahoo I Get To Listen
Crutchfield customer from Port Richey, FL on 9/24/2020
I have been buyingYamaha Integrated amplifiers Since 1971. I bought my Klipsch La Scala's in 1988 and have used three different Yamaha Integrated Amplifiers on them. The 801 is by far the greatest sounding amplifier with the greatest power.The colors of tone quality sparkle with crisp clarity that give me an incredible sound stage. Mixed with an extreme dynamic range the increased passion of the same old music has became more engaging than ever before. Great bass. Which was lacking in some of the older Yamaha's. I bought my La Scala's new but they have never sounded this good ever, till now, with the 801. In fact they sound so good that I am now buying an SVS SB-2000 PRO sub to keep up with what the 801 has done with my La Scala's. Yahoo! I get to listen.
Pros: everything
Cons: nothing lacking
6 of 6 found this helpful
Right on
Crutchfield customer from Phoenix, AZ on 8/27/2020
It's what I was looking for and I am happy with it it brought those Polk speakers alive and I already have a hundred W Onkyo no comparison
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13 of 13 found this helpful
rock solid amp
furtherwest from solana beach on 8/15/2020
Great amp. I have a yamaha 5CD player running in thru "CD"; an NAD single CD player running in thru "optical," and my computer/phone running in thru USB. It is really easy to use. The USB/built-in DAC lets my computer sound great (playing Spotify or mp3s or internet). The build is very solid. It's heavy and looks tough. I play two large-ish bookshelf speakers and they sound fantastic. I have no doubt this would power larger speakers. I went thru a lot of system ideas (separates; DACs; streamers; all-that) before pulling the trigger and buying this. This is so versatile and nice that I've had zero regrets. One additional thing... it has a loudness knob and 'pure direct' and 'cd direct' and you don't need to use any of them, but they are fun to change up one in awhile to subtlety change the sound. If you're looking for a powerful, versatile, 2 channel amp to drive your system for a long-time, this is a great choice.
Pros: versatile; clean look and sound; solid power
Cons: none to note of
2 of 3 found this helpful
Simple two channel excellence
Crutchfield customer from Manchester, NH on 8/2/2020
Two channel heaven. For years I've been using surround sound receivers as the center of my music system. Because I'm mostly a two channel listener, it's always bothered me that I was using just a small percentage of the receiver. I though that if I bought an expensive receiver I would get both great two channel and multi channel sound. When you pay $2000.00 for a receiver you have high expectations. I had been using a Yamaha A-3020 I bought from Crutchfield years ago and have always been happy. This time around I decided to go back to two channel and forgo all the features I really haven't been using. The A-S801 is an excellent amplifier and sounds superior to my receiver. It only has what you need and meets my expectations and more. Very detailed and open soundstage from the internal ESS DAC. For computer audio you have to use the Yamaha Steinberg driver which uses ASIO. You also need a music player that supports ASIO for best results. I found MusicBee to work best so far. If you're looking for an integrated amplifier, and don't want to pay thousands more for Rotel or Parasound, which are excellent, I don't think you can beat this amp for the price.
Pros: Price/Performance Vintage Yamaha looks. Like an amp I had in the 80's. I have a silver one.
Cons: Some people have complained about the lack of an LED on the volume knob. I have to agree, it would be nice to see the volume level from a distance, but this is minor.
6 of 7 found this helpful
Replacement up to standard
Crutchfield customer from Saint Cloud, MN on 7/22/2020
This amp is just what I needed after my old one was fried by a lightning strike which set fire to the house. It is exactly the same size, all the connections are in the same location, it is easy to use and the sound is even better than the the 17 year old one it replaced. I was ecstatic to fine a replacement to easily and quickly.
Pros: It is easy to connect, all connections are well marked. The fidelity is superb for its cost.
Cons: There are no tape decklocation marks, but there are sufficient clues to make connection understandable.
6 of 6 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Crutchfield customer from Seattle, WA on 7/5/2020
This is by far the best stereo amp I've ever owned. I've always had Yamaha receivers in the past, so I'm familiar with the Yamaha sound. This replaces an ancient RX-497 which is still functioning fine, but I wanted something a bit better. I'm slowly putting together a new system since my old Boston Acoustics sub died after 20 years of service. In these times we spend a lot more time at home, and music has always been my first love. I loaded the drivers for the built-in DAC on my MacBook, not a complicated process, and music from iTunes has never sounded better -- the recent remaster of The Beatles White Album has some serious punch to it. CD's also sound great. I have not tried out the phono stage yet. I considered one of the lesser (cheaper) options, but in the end decided this one would be worth the additional expense. It does not disappoint. As always, buying from Crutchfield is a simple experience and the two day shipping is awesome.
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4 of 4 found this helpful
YAMAHA A-S801 ... Very Pleased
Crutchfield customer from Honolulu, HI on 6/24/2020
I was looking for a reputable Solid State Integrated Amplifier as an alternative to my TUBE Amps and TUBE Pre Amps. There were many top name choices. and, several that I really wanted. Since I had TUBE Gear already, I went for the "Natural Sound" that everybody say YAMAHA has. The YAMAHA A-S801 was the best choice for me. The A-S801 sounded "Bright", compared to my other TUBE Gear. > "Bright/Clean", not sure what to use to describe. Not the "warm sound" that are used to describe the "Marantz/Denon" Sound, that many prefer. I prefer the YAMAHA for listening/ watching YOU TUBE, or watching "TV/Cable"/Movies/DVD.. I guess it is that "Natural Sound " that makes the YAMAHA overall better than the TUBE gear for those. Was well worth the price, and, with Free Shipping from Crutchfield.. They made this a super deal.. Controls/knobs feel silky smooth to operate. The A & B Speaker selector is a cool feature, in that, you can have two pairs of speakers and try each, or, play both of them together. Very pleased with the YAMAHA A-S801.
Pros: "Natural Sound" is what I was "Looking for" > (Listening for) Control knobs feel smooth and precise. Built-in DAC for convenient Hook -Up. 100 Watts . A lot of Power.
Cons: Actually none.. Maybe.. Volume Control Knob is close to the Input Selector Knob. With both being easy to turn and being Silky Smooth, you can easily bump the INPUT Selector Knob when changing the volume. Actually, an Operator Problem. LOL NO METERS ... :(
5 of 6 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Crutchfield customer from San Francisco, CA on 6/5/2020
This is a great integrated amp. The look reminds me of a Kenwood anodized silver amp I owned in the 70's. Minimalist controls and ez set-up. Great sound. The lack of bluetooth was initially off-putting, but Oliver hooked me up with and Audiengine B1 external BT (you give up one input, but there are plenty). Very happy overall
Pros: Great sound and look Easy to set up and operate Lots of inputs
Cons: No built-in bluetooth, but can add on
3 of 3 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Crutchfield customer from Tucson, AZ on 6/4/2020
Was impressed with the integrated amp and it's ESS 32 bit Sabre DAC...Bluetooth through this system is pristine if the right equipment connected properly.... Spotify,tidal, iHeartRadio if premium member and running 320 kbits .... the optical cable toslink is great also
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1 of 1 found this helpful
801 Yamaha integrated amp.
DLL from Scituate, MA on 6/1/2020
I have a pair of the Klipsch Palladium 17 bookshelf speakers, now discontinued unfortunately. They were a high end design like the Klipsch Heritage line. I knew I had an exceptional set of these 3 way bookshelf speakers and they needed an exceptional amp to bring them out fully. The Yamaha amp is this amp,I have a large cd collection and I like to listen to my iPod Apple Music. The Yamaha 300 CD player I also bought for use with this amplifier. The combination of these components is exceptional. Yamaha is simply a phenomenal audio company. So is Klipsch. I have all the options I need for high quality listening in stereo. This is a system to build on. Paul Klipsch said we live mostly in the midrange in our listening experience but this amplifier reproduction is accurate in the bass response and treble. There is enough bass to satisfy me. I admit I am not a subwoofer fan. I don't feel I need one. Good bass needs very accurate reproductive. I hear it now with the 801.
Pros: Options and high end sound quality.
Cons: None
2 of 2 found this helpful
A most pleasant surprise....
Crutchfield customer from Larchmont, NY on 5/25/2020
An excellent value. Replaces some Adcom gear and is an upgrade in every way. As this is my first integrated amp after 40 years of separates I was a bit apprehensive (a lack of space was a factor) but Eddie T at Crutchfield made a great suggestion. It drives my old Apogee Centaur/subwoofer combo with ease. Tight, focused sound throughout the audio spectrum with superb dynamics. The Loudness function works well to adjust tonal balance for lower volume listening; for listening at higher volumes the Pure Direct and CD Direct functions eliminate various controls from the preamp circuit and deliver a little extra space and clarity through the Apogees. I've yet to "clip" the amplifier section at high levels. Plenty of inputs, the Phono stage sounds quite good with my JBE/Grace747/ShureV15 xMR. It is physically well made with good connectors. In all, I suspect one would need to spend many multiples of cost to gain appreciable improvements in sound quality.
Pros: Easy to set up and use, excellent sound quality at all volumes, versatility, remote control a nice addition.
Cons: Volume knob could be easier to read so you can see where it is "set". A clipping indicator would be nice, but then again it has enough power so that you'll be unlikely to need it unless the speakers are very inefficient and the room very large...
1 of 2 found this helpful
Beautiful Audio
Dustin from COLORADO SPGS, CO on 3/19/2020
Bought to replace an 18 yr old high res JVC receiver. First, I love the way it looks - simple and functional. Next is the audio quality - wow! Crystal clear, crisp, warm, and bass is tight. I connect a desktop to it with optical cable and listen to Amazon Music HD and iTunes lossless files. Only regret is not buying earlier. As a remote worker this makes everyday brighter.
Pros: Sound, easy to hookup, looks great
Cons: None
5 of 5 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Crutchfield customer from Colfax, WI on 3/12/2020
Love the Amp!!! I did the reseach thing for couple of months. For me ... this amp has everything I was looking for. I have LP's, Cd's and 900gb of music so the built in DAC was one of the main selling points. I own a Yamaha home theater reciever and have been very happy with it. Give this amp at least 30 hours of burn in time ... I wanted to use the pure direct but was not getting much bass so I would turn that option off and the amp gave me the sound I was looking for. After a month of playing ... I just leave the pure direct on and love the sound I am getting out of my Polk Monitor 10b's that had the crossovers recapped last year. Yes, it would be nice to have a couple of peak meters and yes, the volume knob should of come with a LED on it but to me this amp is built to last. I have owned Kenwood and Onkyo amps before and loved both. I feel this 801 might be the last amp I will have to buy. The silver looks sharp. Ordering from here made it easy and it arrived at the house here in two days.
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1 of 2 found this helpful
Incredible value for under $1000
Patrick from RUSHFORD, MN on 2/16/2020
This amp does everything I need it to do. The built in DAC does a great job at making digital files on my computer sound incredible (connected by USB). That was the main option setting this apart from the competition. The amp has great power reserves and plays back music lively. The loudness control, once understood, does a great job of maintaining dynamics at any volume listening level. I primarily listen to vinyl and this has a MM phono preamp on-board, although I have yet to use it. Compared to the Yamaha AV receiver I had prior that was also rated 100w/ch (2 channels driven), this thing blows that out of the water for both clarity and power. It weighs nearly twice as much, which is largely attributed to the power supply that delivers that power. I fully recommend this amp to anyone that is looking for clean power to drive their speakers for music playback.
Pros: Onboard DAC with USB, Coaxial, and Optical Input. On-board preamp for turntables. Loudness control for dynamic listening at all levels of volume.
Cons: The volume knob has no lighted indicator to tell what volume level you are at. The notch is hard to see. Remedied with a small white piece of tape. That is my only gripe, and it is a small one.
4 of 5 found this helpful
Great System for Classical Piano
Crutchfield customer from Tipp City, OH on 2/9/2020
Very Nice. I'm a classical pianist, and listen primarily to classical piano and piano concertos. I was looking for a stereo system that could accurately reproduce these piano settings. I purchased this Yamaha A-S801 integrated amp, the Yamaha CD-S1000 cd player (very nice), a pair of Polk Audio LSiM703 speakers, and the Sennheiser HD 600 HiRes Headphones. I already own a Sony Subwoofer. I also subscribed to and connected Amazon's HD streaming audio via Yamaha's Steinberg USB Driver on a Windows 10 PC. This is an awesome setup for my purposes. Great realistic piano sound.
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0 of 0 found this helpful
Definitely recommend
Crutchfield customer from New Boston, MI on 1/28/2020
I was shocked by all the details I could hear. Tone and loudness controls are a really good addition. Very powerful. Nice balanced sound. Very happy with purchase. Paired with Klipsch RP-280F.
Pros: Clarity, tons of power, looks good
Cons: None
2 of 2 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Guest from Midddletown, NY on 10/26/2019
Idk if this will help a lot people, but you can directly connect the newer iPad pros with usb-c to the amp without downloading any software. Thought that was kinda cool. Other than that, the amp is great overall. Easy to switch between channels with the remote. Makes my speakers sound good. It's very large and wish it was slightly smaller to fit in my media stand, but not a big deal. I bought the Yamaha YBA-11 as well to play Bluetooth audio.
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5 of 5 found this helpful
Great Integrated Amp!
Crutchfield customer from Beachwood, OH on 10/8/2019
It's great that I can play iTunes & audio from youtube music videos from my Apple laptop direct through my system with the Yamaha A-S801. The people I dealt with at Crutchfield were most knowledgeable & helpful. If you want good sound, don't try to save money by spending less on an amplifier.
Pros: Direct hook-up from laptop.
Cons: It would be nice to have some sort of a volume indicator level.
3 of 3 found this helpful
na
bd from North Vernon, IN on 10/1/2019
This is a really solid amp lots of power & headroom. I am really glad to be able to quickly adjust the sound. The direct button is what ya got is what ya got..good & bad ..i am running pc- ttable & yamaha bluray as source.. bp 10 s sounds like some of my old amps before surround sound ..So far so good
Pros: solid build --good clean power--jazz & open music are the best..This amp runs really cool as well..
Cons: volume control --fast -hard to see ---a bit congested with busy music
13 of 17 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Crutchfield customer from Shoreline, WA on 8/10/2019
I cannot render any kind of expert opinion as far as performance parameters go. I will say it works for me. Running through Polk Rti a7s, I find you get a lot of bass at modest volumes.
Pros: Build quality; controls are smooth, generally good feel.
Cons: Remote quit being able to turn amp on and off although the remote volume control (more important) works well.
4 of 4 found this helpful
This could be all the amp you ever need!
Crutchfield customer from North Andover, MA on 8/6/2019
I purchased the A-S801 to replace my Harman/Kardon HK990 integrated amp, which died too soon. I needed power output close to the HK, phono, DAC, sub out and Rec In/Out. I was lucky enough to get a scratch/dent unit from Crutchfield (which in my case, incidentally, was neither scratched nor dented - everything was perfect) and saved about $175.00. But even at full price, this amp is a great performer. Phono section is clean and uncolored, the amp section drives my NHT Classic Three/CS-10 subwoofer with no problem at all, and the sound comes pretty close to the HK (which is something, since the HK has an outstanding power section). Source switching is clean, and the DAC is fantastic - it accepts the digital signal from my Sonos Connect, and the Sonos has never sounded better. Plus, the Rec In/Out terminals still allow me to digitally record my vinyl finds (though a tape monitor feature - while hard to find these days - would be welcome.) Last but not least, the classic Yamaha style looks great in my listening room. At this price, this amp is an absolute steal. Build quality is great, and the switches and dials all have a good, positive feel. It has lots of clean power for your 2.1 system, all the inputs you would likely need, and a great phono section.
Pros: Build quality is great; switches and buttons are robust and have great feel; amp section has plenty of power and a nice, warm sound; awesome DAC!
Cons: No tape monitor; LEDs and volume dial position can be difficult to see in bright ambient light;
2 of 2 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
David from Olympia, WA on 6/26/2019
I ordered the A-S801 after the failure of a Cambridge Audio CXA-60 integrated amp after eight days of use. Crutchfield was great about the exchange. The CXA-60 was probably faulty, but I did some research and learned that the nominal 4-ohm impedance of my Elac UF5 floor-standing speakers can dip as low as 3.2 ohms, lower than Cambridge recommends with any of their amps. I needed an integrated amp with a good DAC and 60-100 Watts of power that's comfortable with a low-impedance load. USB connectivity is a bonus since I don't currently stream music but it's there for future use. I read the many reviews at Crutchfield and Amazon, and decided to give the Yamaha a shot. I was a bit leery, since my last integrated amp purchase 20 years ago was also a Yamaha and it had an over-bright sound that didn't compare with the lower-powered Onkyo it replaced. I needn't have worried, the A-S801 is mellow and pretty refined. It's possibly not quite as revealing as the CXA-60 but it makes up for this in other arenas. It's got loads of power-I've got it set for 4-ohm speakers yet rarely turn the volume past 9 o'clock. Several reviewers say the 4-ohm setting is a power-robbing feature but I don't want to risk roasting another amp so I'm staying with it. The A-S801 is a good buy at $900. Are there more-refined, smoother-sounding amps out there? Sure, but not at this price with this set of features--you'd have to spend $1500 for something comparable. I'm happy with
Pros: Bullet-proof 27-pound construction, good power, good with difficult loads. Electric volume control--the knob moves when you use the remote. ESS Sabre DAC is good quality. Good sound quality, not overly-bright. Excellent features and sound for this price point.
Cons: Just two digital inputs (I added a $22 Amazon gizmo, the dSynic 3-port Toslink switch, which allows me to run three optical inputs into the single optical port). The Standby switch is funky, only controllable from the remote and it doesn't kick off when a signal is applied. CD Direct feature only works with the analog inputs, meaning you bypass the Yamaha DAC.
9 of 9 found this helpful
Cardes
Crutchfield customer from Butler, PA on 6/10/2019
Great amp for under 1k does all I need with my Polk lsim703. All though at high output it can get warm after extended time. Very good sound characteristics at high and low volume
Pros: Very versatile and powerful. Quality sound
Cons: Tuning and volume knobs hard to see position cause all black
1 of 1 found this helpful
Quality!
Crutchfield customer from Gretna, LA on 6/5/2019
Clear sounding powerful performer packaged in a classically elegant design with simple set-up and operation.
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6 of 6 found this helpful
Excellent, but a minor caveat or two
Greg from Richlands, VA on 5/26/2019
I bought this amp for the performance, and I'll have to say it sounds fantastic--clear, clean, and powerful. To be fair, that's why I'm giving it five stars. Likewise, it delivers more than adequate power to my large Polk towers, so unless you're trying to power a stadium show, I doubt power will be an issue. However, after having lived with it for two months, I do wish it had two things--VU meters and more visible indicator lights. The on/off switch and source indicator are lighted, but only faintly. They're difficult to see, and if this is something you care about, it is a consideration. If you're looking for those glowy 70's-era aesthetics, this is not the amp for you. It's basically a black box with some knobs. Nonetheless, to my ears you won't find a better sounding, more powerful integrated 2-channel amp for under $1000. Although I use mine primarily for listening to vinyl and find the phono pre-amp to be more than adequate, I also think the DAC sounds very clean and detailed. You probably won't find the loudness feature particularly useful, but if you're looking at an amp that's this powerful, you probably don't listen at very low volumes anyway. I often listen to records using the "Pure Direct" bypass mode and find that even at low volumes the Yamaha sounds balanced and details without using the loudness knob.
Pros: Monster power, clean sound, very good DAC
Cons: Difficult to see on/off, volume settings
5 of 6 found this helpful
Great piece to build upon
Crutchfield customer from Atlanta, GA on 5/2/2019
I've had this unit for a few weeks now and I am very impressed with it. I'm running it with a pair of Polk Audio Monitor 10's. I intend to upgrade them at some point but I have an emotional attachment to them, plus I love the way they sound. I have a decent CD collection and that's always been the focus of my music listening. Along with CD's, I also have quite a few tracks saved on my PC and in recent times, I've found myself streaming quite a bit. So I wanted something that would maintain the sound of my speakers while also offering me some digital options to play music from different sources. This amp does everything that I want. It has the connections that I need but most importantly, the sound is beautiful. My speakers are full of life, even more so than they were before. What I love is that I don't have to use much gain to get volume. This amp gets very loud, very quick and my old Polks take it in stride. I also like that I don't have to adjust the tone controls much to tweak the sound to my liking. By comparison, I initially bought the Cambridge Audio CX080, a fine piece in it's own right. The sound signature though was a bit too warm for me. If all I listened to was classical or traditional jazz, the CA would have worked but my tastes are wide and varied so I needed something that could deliver a punch while also being clear and accurate at the same time. This amp does it. I believe this amp will serve me well even when i upgrade my speakers.
Pros: Powerful, Clear, Accurate. Offers modern connections.
Cons: No XLR connections.
4 of 4 found this helpful
wonderful sounding amp
Crutchfield customer from Homer, AK on 4/22/2019
Wow. So happy with my new Yamaha. Pure, clean power with deep black silence in between, a pleasure to listen to. Seems to function effortlessly. Any reasonably efficient speakers will pair well, but it can definitely push the electrons. I will never be able to afford any of the big brothers in this line, but this amp provides a great value for your investment. You can easily spend many times the price of the 801, and be hard pressed to discern a equivalent increase in fidelity. If it had big VU meters, it would be close to ideal for me. Above average phono and headphone stages, but the cd direct setting is something very special. The soundstage in this mode is the best I've ever heard in person. Paired with new blue jeans cables and interconnects, 1990's Klipsch RF-3's, oppo 203 it can really sing.
Pros: Power Clarity Build quality Cd direct amp setting Looks fantastic Design appeals to my Luddite heart Outstanding value
Cons: No VU meters
11 of 11 found this helpful
Hang on
Crutchfield customer from Oswego, NY on 4/22/2019
My second one love them I can make things fall off the shelves and walls
Pros: Great CLEAN power
Cons: None
3 of 8 found this helpful
Excellent AMP
Crutchfield customer from Springfield, MA on 4/20/2019
Nice, I have a R-S500 Receiver which is great , but decided to upgrade to a separate amp. I did some research regarding the High - Low Impedance switch setting. I have Martin Logan Motion 16 speakers with a 5 OHM impedance. According to the owners manual the impedance switch should be set to low, without getting technical you don't need to do this with this amp. I hooked everything up and WOW what a difference! Crutchfield delivered promptly but I wish they had not used the original Yamaha packaging since I was interrogated by my wife as to what I bought. All in all a great purchase !!
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4 of 5 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Crutchfield customer from Teton Village, WY on 4/18/2019
6 of 6 found this helpful
Big quality intergrated amp.
Charles from Miami, FL on 4/6/2019
Guess I'm old school not wanting a home theater system. This was the Best choice available. I Wanted a power amp with 120 watts x 2 after loosing a channel in one of mine. This was close and priced well. I actually fixed my power amp finding I opened a fuse inside when I lost a speaker. I'm running this amp off a NAD preamp and it's running 4 Martin Logan bookshelf speakers. Since it has a sub out I have it running a JL sub. It would make a wonderful stand alone system just like that. 4 bookshelf speakers and a sub. 100-120 watts per side could run many tower types. I ran a small pair of Polk towers with it for a bit. I hav Ran it all day not even warm. It's a nice simple two channel 4 speaker amp with a sub out. Built in DAC is probably nice but I'm running an external DAC/streamer for that. The Bluesound. Seems most amps with DACS have the same problem being up to date. Modern features like LPF and HPF and a preamp Out would have been nice and only a single phono input. But the pure direct modes makes it work like a pure power amp like I wanted but it would make a system by itself. My photos shows it with the ML speakers it's driving. The Bluesound DAC. Turntable. 240 watt power amp and older Klipsch. Would recommend to a friend.
Pros: Good power more is always better. Nice audiophile specs reputation and features. Good inputs outputs.
Cons: none noteworthy
2 of 2 found this helpful
Amp of a lifetime
Axel from Laurel, MD on 3/13/2019
This thing puts out more power than I know what to do with, I wanted an amp that I can grow with, right now I have some Klipsch RP-600M bookshelf speakers but in the future I may want to upgrade to floor standing models. I do not think I will ever outgrow this amp. It has every type of connector I could want.
Pros: Power, clean sound, connection types
Cons: Bluetooth should be built in like on the receiver. VU meters would be nice. the Volume knob needs some sort of light so you can see that you are turning it up when you use the remote.
0 of 1 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Donna from Rosemount, MN on 3/9/2019
I bought this product primarily for listening to CDs and vinyl. I have been using it for less than a week and could not be more pleased with the performance. Warm, rich, full bodied sound. And plenty of power. I am using the built in DAC to decode the CDs and turntable is connected to the built in phonoamp. Both are high quality and as I said previously the sound is great. I would recommend leaving the ohm selector switch on the back panel set on high regardless of the nominal impedance rating of the speakers you are using. This amp has plenty of power and you would be hard pressed to find a stereo speaker it couldn't drive. I am using Polk Audio Lsi9's rated at 4 ohms and the amp drives them without breaking a sweat. I highly recommend this product.
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3 of 3 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Crutchfield customer from Lake, WV on 12/10/2018
Pairing the 801 with my Yamaha R S700, I was able to configure playback of all of my devices through my Bose 901 active equalizer instead of just one device. Working with Deane and Casey in tech support was a great experience in resolving the configuration issues. So far, the 801 surpasses my sound quality goals. I would recommend this unit to anyone interested in upgrading.
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4 of 5 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Lori from Billings, MT on 12/4/2018
Just want I wanted, paired with Buchardt S300 MKII SE White speakers. I wanted hi end audio at a good price and this Yamaha delivered. I am still breaking in both the amp and speakers. Everyday the sound gets better and better. I recommend this amp if you are on a budget but want a that audiophile quality sound.
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6 of 6 found this helpful
Superior product regardless of price
John from Spring, TX on 10/10/2018
Best amp I have owned in 30 years! Superior connections, inputs/outputs. Made my speakers come alive. I am enjoying music like never before.
Pros: Plenty of power, excellent controls allow tuning to individual taste. Got rid of my graphic eq. Silver finish makes it easy to operate in dim lighting.
Cons: None
5 of 5 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Crutchfield customer from Charleston, SC on 9/3/2018
So far so good Replaced a late 70s Denon And pleased with power and balance Will review later after break in One reason for not rating 5 is the loudness feature They are never good for fidelity but this one is really inadequate Best to use the tone controls and adjust as you see fit Despite the 100watts struggles a bit with low volume reproduction with my Polk 10 Overall for the money believe value is good
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8 of 11 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Crutchfield customer from Haiku, HI on 8/28/2018
Great amp, clean and powerful. Drives my ADS 810 like my old Phase Linear 700.
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9 of 9 found this helpful
Strong Integrated Amp
Mark from Houston, TX on 7/22/2018
I listen to hard rock. This is a fantastic integrated amplifier for that type of music. It delivers sound that is very crisp and clear and very loud without distortion. A lot of power for a very reasonable price. I am extremel with the A-S801.
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17 of 18 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Crutchfield customer from Shreveport, LA on 7/9/2018
I have a top notch pair of Klipsch Heresy 2s, but before I bought this amp, I was playing my turntable through another retailer's stereo I probably payed $100 or less for. Even with a Shure cartridge on my turntable and a Cambridge phono preamp, my setup still sounded like crap. It was very disappointing. Getting rid of the Storebrand stereo and upgrading to this Yamaha was the best thing I could have possibly done. My speakers sound like they should and my records sound amazing. Very clear defined tone. This integrated amp has very few bells and whistles, but the sound quality is fantastic! Definitely top notch. I highly recommend this Amp.
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4 of 5 found this helpful
Yamaha the best
Carlos from San Juan, PR on 6/30/2018
Wow what can I said about this bad boy.After many search and many test i finally found one of the best if not the best integrated amp to run my Klipsch forte iii. With this Yamaha integrated amp my speakers sound clear with power. By far this is the best integrated amp i ever had, no doubt about it. It runs cool, i play for around 2 hours 4 times a week and it doesnt get that warm like others i had before. Thks Crutchfield for the excellent advise
Pros: Plenty of power clear sound. It sounds like it has 200 watts x 2 channels and 100 excellent. If i have to make up my mind again i will go with out any doubt with this integrated amp
Cons: None
6 of 7 found this helpful
Lots of power and good sound
Jeff from Michigan on 5/30/2018
Main thing -- I'm enjoying the sound of this a great deal. Simple. Powerful. Solid.
Pros: Plenty of power ... a big step up from my previous sony receiver. Very pleasing to my ear. Simple -- doesn't have a ton of things on it that I never use Nice A or B or A+B speaker selection Like the simple bass and treble and loudness controls Sub-out works great for my polk subwoofer -- like it much better than my previous setup with sub inline with speaker wires. Looks solid and well built Most importantly, makes my speakers sound much better than my previous receiver.
Cons: Windows 10 automatically installs driver for the usb connection to the yamaha DAC but then volume control in windows doesn't work (it's either mute or 100% and nothing between with this driver.) Yamaha driver on website is over a year older... would like additional documentation there. Would like led light on the volume knob so you know where it's set ... can only see the marking if I'm right in front of it. Would love remote to control other dial functions too such as bass/treble/loudness
9 of 11 found this helpful
Real Nice
David Booker from Blacklick, OH on 4/25/2018
Nice inter grated amp with a good phono connection. Very good at this price point!!!
Pros: Great intergrated amp!
Cons: None.
4 of 15 found this helpful
Puts a smile on your face
Paul from Rochester, MN on 4/14/2018
Awesome, big sound, amazing clarity, running this 2 channel amp fills the room with more sound and presence than my avr hooked up as 5.2. I can push my speakers so much harder with zero distortion. This is a true 100 wpc amp, no BS like many models advertise. I love my music loud and and i don't need more than 50% volume with this. This is an accurately rated amp with awesome quality. Go to audioholics.com to see a review of it with true output numbers from a bench test.
Pros: Sound quality, feel, huge power, looks awesome
Cons: If it had vu meters it would be perfect.
5 of 5 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Crutchfield customer from Spokane, WA on 4/2/2018
works well for me.. mix of digital sources from SONOS - coaxial and Compute - USB and for my TT for playing vinyl.. still awaiting Klipsch Forte III's to pair with the amp.... interim use with NHT SB2s will do until then... Nice piece -- takes me back to my first receiver in late 70's early 80's which was a nice silver fronted Yamaha
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2 of 2 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Crutchfield customer from Lake Worth, FL on 3/21/2018
Reciever is amazing, didn't realize how much of my favorite music I've been missing, highly recommended, and crutchfield is awesome, very helpful and knowledgeable
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2 of 3 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Crutchfield customer from Valencia, CA on 3/5/2018
I'm more than impressed with the sound of this amp. The built in DAC makes my CD's (connected via toslink) and Hi Res audio files (connected via USB) sound incredible. I also play a lot of vinyl and have my Rega P3 connected to the phono input instead of using an external pre-amp, and I'm more than satisfied with the result. My one complaint about this amp is the lack of an amber light on the volume knob. It's impossible to see the indented notched in the volume knob from across the room, and amber light (which most amps have) would make it easier to see what your volume level is. All around a great unit.
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7 of 8 found this helpful
Great sound
Frank from Mendota Heights, MN on 2/7/2018
This amplifier is a really good sounding equipment for the price. It is clear, no back ground noise. Has good dynamics and stereo separation. The phono stage is also good. The DAC from ESS Tech is another addition that puts this amplifier above the price point from competition. With hi-res audio it sounds wonderfull. Power is good to drive my Infinity RS 6 Kappa with the selector set LOW. I know this lowers watage, current or voltage in rail, but I don´t want to fry output transistors in medium to long time, and still have good dynamics to enjoy music from low to decent loud volume. Reviews alone dont tell everything or anything at all. Given that it is possible to buy with possibility to return, I will suggest to give it a try. Take time to place speakers right, and do some hearing with quiet ambient, great chances you keep it. There are a lot of options out there which sure will be also very good, I have hear this Yamaha A-S801 and liked a lot.
Pros: Great sound, good price.
Cons: I have to say non to mention...
7 of 8 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Crutchfield customer from Port Neches, TX on 1/7/2018
everything I was looking for in an amp to drive my new bookshelf speakers.
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3 of 4 found this helpful
A wonderful buy
Rick from Chandler, AZ on 1/3/2018
I purchased the A-S801 to replace my A-S500 which is going to be used elsewhere in the house. I did not expect a big bump up in performance but I was wrong. My Paradigm Titan Monitors are loving the added power. On this system, I listen exclusively to 2-channel music and could not be happier with the upgrade. You can never go wrong with Yamaha!
Pros: Clean, clean power and well, it's a Yamaha!
Cons: No visual volume levels on the unit itself or the volume control and of course the remote is useless in a darkened room, but being a longtime Yamaha fan, I knew that.
10 of 10 found this helpful
Great Sound at Great Price Range!
Darryl from Cedar City, UT on 1/2/2018
Perfect amp with many features to bring me back into time. My old Yamaha CA-1000 needed repairs and could not do without sounds. I wanted to upgrade to a higher quality amp but was out of stock and a little more than budget aloud. I purchased with Pay Pal that gave me credit line for enough to buy upgraded amp, so can I trade in for higher unit. All and all you cant get a better value for price and better have good speakers that this baby can drive. My 40 years old Ess amt1b sound so good and i couldn't be happier.
Pros: Great value
Cons: Remote does not turn off Yamaha T-S500 tuner off. Only controls stations
2 of 28 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Terry from Nashville, AR on 12/13/2017
Hard to know where to begin this review, but first Crutchfield. Great company, great advisors and great advice, fast delivery. Quality of this integrated amp: Replaced an old Dynaco preamp, power amp package that I love and still do love: however, the Yamaha does outperform the Dynaco. Undistorted highs and midrange sound, and, okay, I will go ahead and say it, lows that I have never before experienced. With its fancy integrated DAC it makes using a computer, although it is not necessarily built for using a computer as a music server, but it definitely has all the features needed for that. Totally unnecessary to have a stand alone DAC. Also it's wonderful to have a remote to handle the varying volume of ripped music files. Could say more, but that would be redundant. Folks, you can't go wrong buying this.
Pros: Absolutely does what it is supposed to do.
Cons: None
2 of 2 found this helpful
Yamaha A-S801
Joe from Kansas City, KS on 12/4/2017
Excellent amp. Vintage Yamaha looks and warm sound. My only gripe is the volume knob.. it needs an amber or red led so you can see where the volumes at from across the room.
Pros:
Cons:
13 of 13 found this helpful