Yamaha A-S701 Stereo Amplifier Review

[Zek]

Very strange indeed. All pictures are identical to the A-S701, no MkII markings anywhere.

 

[Mschn]

Very strange indeed. All pictures are identical to the A-S701, no MkII markings anywhere.

Which is why I posted my question here.
/Martin

 

[JSmith]

Strange. Looks like the regular A-S 701.

Look, I'm just glad the model # is not ASS-701.


JSmith

 

[direwolf08]

As a long time A-S801 owner, so cool to see this review. Would have loved to see the 801 and its USB input measured and/or seen the toslink>amplifier path measured with “Pure Direct” engaged, but I would imagine you’d only get a few dB improvement. Also good to see that my choice to replace the inbuilt phone stage with an Emotiva phono preamp was the right one. Either way, I love my Yamaha and I think it sounds great. Thank you for your service @amirm !

 

[Mschn]

I realized one of the Swedish retailers carrying the A-S701 has a shop close by. I passed on my way to the grocery shop today. The guy I talked to noted that he very seldom is impressed by the built-in phono amplifiers in today's integrated amplifiers. I forgot to ask about the MK I / Mk II riddle.

/Martin

 

[DMill]

I realized one of the Swedish retailers carrying the A-S701 has a shop close by. I passed on my way to the grocery shop today. The guy I talked to noted that he very seldom is impressed by the built-in phono amplifiers in today's integrated amplifiers. I forgot to ask about the MK I / Mk II riddle.

/Martin

Do you mean he was impressed by the built in phono pre-amp of the 701 or not? I have absolutely no doubt there are cleaner pre-amps on the market. But the million dollar question is how much it matters? It’s a completely flawed medium compared to digital solutions. I completely understand people’s love for vinyl. I miss it sometimes myself. I just think pursuing absolute fidelity in a turntable is a bit like bringing a knife to gunfight with today’s technology and the 701’s preamp is perfectly fine if you choose to enjoy vinyl.

 

[Mschn]

Do you mean he was impressed by the built in phono pre-amp of the 701 or not? I have absolutely no doubt there are cleaner pre-amps on the market. But the million dollar question is how much it matters? It’s a completely flawed medium compared to digital solutions. I completely understand people’s love for vinyl. I miss it sometimes myself. I just think pursuing absolute fidelity in a turntable is a bit like bringing a knife to gunfight with today’s technology and the 701’s preamp is perfectly fine if you choose to enjoy vinyl.

He was not surprised to hear the phono stage under-performed.

I still own a fair number of LPs. I don't play them often (not at all right now since the analog inputs of my current amplifier are broken) but I want to be able to play them in the future. There is some music/artist combos there that are not available digitally unless I digitize them myself.

I do own a 20 year old Pro-Ject The Phono Box. I don't know if that one is better than the phono pre-amp in the 701.

I also want to hook up a computer to the amplifier to be able to play digitized LPs and other music I have on file. Currently I do this by using a ~15 year old NAD USB-Wifi DAC thing. Again, I don't know if this one is better than the DAC of the 701.

What about other 'mainstream' amplifiers, are their DACs and phono pre-amps likely to be better? Do the perform the amplifier function as well as the 701? I am thinking NAD C368 and Rotel A14 mk II for instance.

(Then we have the Audiophonics/Fosi/Topping/... crowd but that is a subject for another thread.)

/Martin

 

[tsfreo]

He was not surprised to hear the phono stage under-performed.

I still own a fair number of LPs. I don't play them often (not at all right now since the analog inputs of my current amplifier are broken) but I want to be able to play them in the future. There is some music/artist combos there that are not available digitally unless I digitize them myself.

I do own a 20 year old Pro-Ject The Phono Box. I don't know if that one is better than the phono pre-amp in the 701.

I also want to hook up a computer to the amplifier to be able to play digitized LPs and other music I have on file. Currently I do this by using a ~15 year old NAD USB-Wifi DAC thing. Again, I don't know if this one is better than the DAC of the 701.

What about other 'mainstream' amplifiers, are their DACs and phono pre-amps likely to be better? Do the perform the amplifier function as well as the 701? I am thinking NAD C368 and Rotel A14 mk II for instance.

(Then we have the Audiophonics/Fosi/Topping/... crowd but that is a subject for another thread.)

/Martin

I own the 701. It is an excellent integrated amp. In fact this thread has prompted me to take it off my storage shelf and set it up in my study again.
For what it is worth, on the phono stage I can say that I tried it when a friend was trying to get me into vinyl and found it to be pretty ordinary (admittedly I was only using an entry level Rega P1 turntable too). I picked up a Zen Phono preamp (by iFi) which is very affordable and that dedicated phono made a big difference, Rega - Zen Phono - AS701. I get what you are saying about vinyl. I rarely turn to it myself. My take though is that there are a few affordable bits of kits (like the Zen) which do make a difference and are worth it even if you are just playing vinyl every now and then. Given how much a new record costs just a little careful investment in the kit to play it makes sense.
I've also owned the NAD C368 and I found its phono stage much better than the one in the AS701.
But I will say that I've since sold the NAD and I've kept the Yamaha. I don't think I will ever sell the Yamaha.

 

[dualazmak]

I also want to hook up a computer to the amplifier to be able to play digitized LPs and other music I have on file. Currently I do this by using a ~15 year old NAD USB-Wifi DAC thing. Again, I don't know if this one is better than the DAC of the 701.

What about other 'mainstream' amplifiers, are their DACs and phono pre-amps likely to be better? Do the perform the amplifier function as well as the 701? I am thinking NAD C368 and Rotel A14 mk II for instance.

I assume you would be interested in my recent revival story of TT (DENON DP-57L+MC DL-301MkII) onto my DSP-based multichannel multi-SP-driver multi-amplifier fully active stereo system for live (real time on-the-fly) vinyl listening ceremonies (I use simple and affordable AUDIO-TECHNICA AT-PEQ30 phono preamp and TASCAM US-1x2HR audio interface); the story includes my procedures on digitization of vinyl LP into digital music library on SSD.

- Revival of analog LP player (MC cartridge) in my DSP multichannel multi-driver multi-amplifier fully active stereo system for real time on-the-fly vinyl LP listening (and digital recording, if needed): #688

- Inside of Audio-Technica AT-PEQ30 phono preamplifier, and successful DIY suppression of inaudible EMF (electro-magnetic field) interference noise: #697

- Another comparative listening, on-the-fly vinyl LP vs. Remastered CD: analog piano solo recorded in 1967: #722

- Another comparative listening; on-the-fly remastered vinyl LP vs. remastered CD: Bill Evans jazz piano trio, analog recorded in 1977; remastered (2021) vinyl LP (45-RPM 188-gram) vs. its CD release: #740

- Summary of my motivations reviving vinyl TT (turntable) in DSP-based multichannel time-aligned multi-SP-driver multi-amplifier fully active stereo audio setup: #758, #1,262(remote thread)

Oh, this thread is on amplifier YAMAHA A-S701, very nicely designed/built robust durable amplifier of high CP, and with excellent service/repair availabilities!

Just for your reference, in my multichannel multi-amplifier system, I presently use YAMAHA A-S3000 (driving woofers), ACCUPHASE E-460 (driving Beryllium-dome-midranges), SONY TA-A1ES (driving Beryllium-dome-tweeters) and YAMAHA A-S301 (driving metal-horn super-teeters), plus L&R large-heavy active subwoofer YAMAHA YST-SW1000.

If you would like to see inside and outside photos of the four integrated amplifiers, i.e. YAMAHA A-S3000, ACCUPHASE E-460, SONY TA-A1ES and YAMAHA A-S301, please visit my post #38 on a remote thread.

 

[Mschn]

I assume you would be interested in my recent revival story of TT (DENON DP-57L+MC DL-301MkII) onto my DSP-based multichannel multi-SP-driver multi-amplifier fully active stereo system for live (real time on-the-fly) vinyl listening ceremonies (I use simple and affordable AUDIO-TECHNICA AT-PEQ30 phono preamp and TASCAM US-1x2HR audio interface); the story includes my procedures on digitization of vinyl LP into digital music library on SSD.

- Revival of analog LP player (MC cartridge) in my DSP multichannel multi-driver multi-amplifier fully active stereo system for real time on-the-fly vinyl LP listening (and digital recording, if needed): #688

- Inside of Audio-Technica AT-PEQ30 phono preamplifier, and successful DIY suppression of inaudible EMF (electro-magnetic field) interference noise: #697

- Another comparative listening, on-the-fly vinyl LP vs. Remastered CD: analog piano solo recorded in 1967: #722

- Another comparative listening; on-the-fly remastered vinyl LP vs. remastered CD: Bill Evans jazz piano trio, analog recorded in 1977; remastered (2021) vinyl LP (45-RPM 188-gram) vs. its CD release: #740

- Summary of my motivations reviving vinyl TT (turntable) in DSP-based multichannel time-aligned multi-SP-driver multi-amplifier fully active stereo audio setup: #758, #1,262(remote thread)

Oh, this thread is on amplifier YAMAHA A-S701, very nicely designed/built robust durable amplifier of high CP, and with excellent service/repair availabilities!

Just for your reference, in my multichannel multi-amplifier system, I presently use YAMAHA A-S3000 (driving woofers), ACCUPHASE E-460 (driving Beryllium-dome-midranges), SONY TA-A1ES (driving Beryllium-dome-tweeters) and YAMAHA A-S301 (driving metal-horn super-teeters), plus L&R large-heavy active subwoofer YAMAHA YST-SW1000.

If you would like to see inside and outside photos of the four integrated amplifiers, i.e. YAMAHA A-S3000, ACCUPHASE E-460, SONY TA-A1ES and YAMAHA A-S301, please visit my post #38 on a remote thread.

Thanks. I need a few rainy days to read all that

"high CP"?

/Martin

 

[dualazmak]

"high CP"?

Sorry, it's "high Cost-Performance"; more properly, I should say "high Cost-Benefit Performance"!

 

[DSJR]

I own the 701. It is an excellent integrated amp. In fact this thread has prompted me to take it off my storage shelf and set it up in my study again.
For what it is worth, on the phono stage I can say that I tried it when a friend was trying to get me into vinyl and found it to be pretty ordinary (admittedly I was only using an entry level Rega P1 turntable too). I picked up a Zen Phono preamp (by iFi) which is very affordable and that dedicated phono made a big difference, Rega - Zen Phono - AS701. I get what you are saying about vinyl. I rarely turn to it myself. My take though is that there are a few affordable bits of kits (like the Zen) which do make a difference and are worth it even if you are just playing vinyl every now and then. Given how much a new record costs just a little careful investment in the kit to play it makes sense.
I've also owned the NAD C368 and I found its phono stage much better than the one in the AS701.
But I will say that I've since sold the NAD and I've kept the Yamaha. I don't think I will ever sell the Yamaha.

If the Rega has the 'Carbon' cartridge fitted (posh AT91), you'd do a lot worse in investigating a Thakker EPO-E/Dual DN251E stylus for it, which will lift the 'sonics' to AT95E level (I don't think AT do an elliptical for it themselves, but the EPO-E I have works fine and has a similarly well finished diamond for it).

AT pickups are generally good for cheaper phono stages, as the output is 2/3 the nominal level (3mV rather than 5mV at 5cm/s) so less likelihood of overloading them. Do make sure the difference you've heard isn't just gain (the Zen may simply be 'louder' for a given volume control position).

In the UK, we have the Spartan 15 which I'm sure is as good as the subjective reviews suggest and I still rate the Rega Fono as it's a hell of a lot cheaper here than in the US. I did hear a slim iFi phono stage (with dip switches underneath for loading) but ten years ago it was £300 and not at all competitive over here...

With this Yamaha chassis, the line, phono and dac stages are basically modular daughter boards, so maybe ripe for further refinement maybe? Would be cool if there was a possibility of a 'raw' line stage amp with cusomer options of buying a decent dac module and phono stage perhaps? That way, better quality daughter boards could be an option?

 

[tsfreo]

If the Rega has the 'Carbon' cartridge fitted (posh AT91), you'd do a lot worse in investigating a Thakker EPO-E/Dual DN251E stylus for it, which will lift the 'sonics' to AT95E level (I don't think AT do an elliptical for it themselves, but the EPO-E I have works fine and has a similarly well finished diamond for it).

It did have that cartridge. I'll check out your suggestion. Although, I am not really a big vinyl guy anyway. Cheers

 

[DMill]

I own the 701. It is an excellent integrated amp. In fact this thread has prompted me to take it off my storage shelf and set it up in my study again.
For what it is worth, on the phono stage I can say that I tried it when a friend was trying to get me into vinyl and found it to be pretty ordinary (admittedly I was only using an entry level Rega P1 turntable too). I picked up a Zen Phono preamp (by iFi) which is very affordable and that dedicated phono made a big difference, Rega - Zen Phono - AS701. I get what you are saying about vinyl. I rarely turn to it myself. My take though is that there are a few affordable bits of kits (like the Zen) which do make a difference and are worth it even if you are just playing vinyl every now and then. Given how much a new record costs just a little careful investment in the kit to play it makes sense.
I've also owned the NAD C368 and I found its phono stage much better than the one in the AS701.
But I will say that I've since sold the NAD and I've kept the Yamaha. I don't think I will ever sell the Yamaha.

I have little doubt the phono stage in the Yamaha is very ordinary. It is basically a throw away by Yamaha to make their integrated look more appealing. That said, I wouldn’t be so sure it is less good than the NAD or Project dedicated preamps the previous poster mentioned without some sort of verified measurements. I’d add that if you are hearing noise it could from anything in the chain. Dragging a rock through a plastic groove with the slightest bit of dust could be it too? As romantic and fun as vinyl is. (And I honestly do miss it sometimes) it’s a difficult path if you want perfect fidelity.

 

[Mschn]

I have little doubt the phono stage in the Yamaha is very ordinary. It is basically a throw away by Yamaha to make their integrated look more appealing. That said, I wouldn’t be so sure it is less good than the NAD or Project dedicated preamps the previous poster mentioned without some sort of verified measurements. I’d add that if you are hearing noise it could from anything in the chain. Dragging a rock through a plastic groove with the slightest bit of dust could be it too? As romantic and fun as vinyl is. (And I honestly do miss it sometimes) it’s difficult path if you want perfect fidelity.

Certainly! As I have stated in another thread: I digitize my vinyl using the abovementioned old Pro-Ject The Phono Box, basic cables and the motherboard audio of my stationary computer. As far as I can judge it is the quality of the vinyl that limits the quality of the end result.

Also, every time you play a vinyl you are wearing it down. Hence, my project of digitizing what is unique in my collection.

/Martin

 

[tsfreo]

I have little doubt the phono stage in the Yamaha is very ordinary. It is basically a throw away by Yamaha to make their integrated look more appealing. That said, I wouldn’t be so sure it is less good than the NAD or Project dedicated preamps the previous poster mentioned without some sort of verified measurements.

That is a completely fair call. I don't play vinyl much and my comment was just based on the impression I had having used the AS701 and NAD at different times (although in the same room and with the same deck). By no means a scientific effort.

 

[keith_h]

Yamaha have the knack of hitting the price/performance sweet spot. I have long been a fan and have a Yamaha system in my office and another two retired, boxed in the shed. I had thought Yamaha changed the last digit for a model update, but apparently not for this amp.

 

[Head_Unit]

Amplifier Reactive Load Stress Tests
Let's use the loadbox to simulate resistive and non-resistive peak power going all the way down to 2 ohms:

What the heck is the scale here? Volts it would seem?

 

[Head_Unit]

Look, I'm just glad the model # is not ASS-701.

Once upon a time, Alpine radios had Auto Self Setup and Programmable Music Search. Yes, A.S.S. and P.M.S.

 

[LoFiAudiophile]

What the heck is the scale here? Volts it would seem?

Watts/channel.

Never mind. Yes it’s Volts. (34*34/8 = 144)