Yamaha A-S701 Stereo Amplifier Review

[LoFiAudiophile]

Not *directly* underneath, as in one sat directly on top of the other?

I appreciate the (rather nice) SL1800 has a substantial metal suspended under-tray and solid top casting, but the pickup really will appreciate some distance from the amp if possible (blasted equipment 'vertical shelving' racks with the turntable perched on the top - not always the best way to use gear - and it took me many years to fully discover this too )

What’s a good reason apart from aesthetics? My 501 served as platform for my Vinyl player for a while and I noticed nothing as expected. The 501 doesn’t exactly vibrate and hence for all intents and purposes is just a warm brick.

 

[Mschn]

Hmm, right, you can't do that with a class-D, chip-amp
/Martin

 

[WDeranged]

What’s a good reason apart from aesthetics? My 501 served as platform for my Vinyl player for a while and I noticed nothing as expected. The 501 doesn’t exactly vibrate and hence for all intents and purposes is just a warm brick.

My VM95 picks up transformer hum from my A-S301 so that's definitely a factor. It's below the inherent noise floor of vinyl so it isn't a big issue.

 

[DSJR]

What’s a good reason apart from aesthetics? My 501 served as platform for my Vinyl player for a while and I noticed nothing as expected. The 501 doesn’t exactly vibrate and hence for all intents and purposes is just a warm brick.

Hum fields from the transformer picked up by the pickup cartridge. Also, turntables should be properly sited for subjective reasons, but I'm not going there in this thread

 

[LoFiAudiophile]

Hum fields from the transformer picked up by the pickup cartridge. Also, turntables should be properly sited for subjective reasons, but I'm not going there in this thread

Pickup is across from the transformer with a metal sheet (the case of 501 in between).

For sure I can’t hear anything except the usual noise floor even if unnaturally bring the pickup right above the transformer of the 501. Can you?

Sorry but the 4in or so between them any induced current is going to be in nano/pico amps region. Vinyl is an extremely robust medium - it’s eyesore but audibly fine

 

[SigmaR1]

Basically yes. The R-S700 and A-S701 are essentially the same power stage. The 501 has the same boards, but one set of outputs instead of two and a less capable transformer. The 300/301 takes smaller filter caps and a less capable transformer. Yamaha is the master of this type of design- they've been doing it for decades.

The economies of scale make for incredible value across the entire range.

Bear in mind, the R-S700 is an older model with support for an "ipod" external dock and standard RCA inputs. If you're using an external D/A converter of course, that's a moot point.

I've been using a R S700 for two years and it's a great, transparent and powerfull receiver. I was wondering wether R S700 and A S700 share the same kind of "putrid " AVR tone and volume controls as those implemented in the A S701 and further series?

I would greatly appreciate if one could explain in what way these AVR control chips degrade the audio signals. Thanks a lot!

By the way, nice to read these objective reviews on HiFi gear from very competent people!