Yamaha A-S701 Stereo Amplifier Review

[dualazmak]

If I had to choose between a brand with a long history in everything connected to audio / music like Yamaha or Denon (loudspeakers, cartridges, recording studios, instruments.. and decades of experience with this stuff) vs basically another OEM type manufacturer I would go with the Brand manufacturer.. but that’s just me. YMMV

A used A-S1000 / 1200 is also great option for a „statement“ piece of equipment without having to sell a kidney.

These Class D amps are well designed and got it’s benefits that I don’t want to deny but a great looking amplifier like a Yamaha is something if you also want to look at your equipment.

I too have similar preferences, "but that's just for me" too!

In my case, availabilities of enough domestic warranty as well as long-term (long-year) smooth and reasonable (acceptable cost) maintenance and repair-service availabilities are also indispensable factors for selection of amplifiers (ref. here #311 on my project thread).

My latest amplifiers etc., just for your possible interest and reference (ref. #931 on my project thread)...

 

[Spkrdctr]

I too have similar preferences, "but that's just for me" too!

In my case, availabilities of enough domestic warranty as well as long-term (long-year) smooth and reasonable (acceptable cost) maintenance and repair-service availabilities are also indispensable factors for selection of amplifiers (ref. here #311 on my project thread).

My latest amplifiers etc., just for your possible interest and reference (ref. #931 on my project thread)...
View attachment 423932

Wow, in looking at that set up I am hooked on the 12 VU meter display. Those VU meters are like heroin to my Junkie system. Love them!

 

[SigmaR1]

Since Yamaha A-S701 does not have PRE-OUT/MAIN-IN functionality/terminals, it cannot be used as pure power amp.

Within present-product-line Yamaha integrated amplifier series, A-S1200, A-S2200 and A-S3200 has PRE-OUT/MAIN-IN functionality/terminals to be used as power amplifier.

Interestingly, the R-S700 (basically a A-S700 including a FM/AM tuner card) does have PRE-OUT/MAIN-IN terminals (but no subwoofer outputs).

 

[Bernard23]

Interestingly, the R-S700 (basically a A-S700 including a FM/AM tuner card) does have PRE-OUT/MAIN-IN terminals (but no subwoofer outputs).

I need to have a sub out, otherwise it's not controlled by the Ultra / room correction

 

[early rejecter]

Interestingly, the R-S700 . . . does have PRE-OUT/MAIN-IN terminals (but no subwoofer outputs).

It does have a subwoofer output. I wasn’t familiar with that receiver until I read about it in this thread, but I picked one up a few months ago after seeing the comments on it here and discovering that it has not only pre-outs / main-ins, but also tape monitoring capability and switchable zone 2 output. I would’ve preferred the cleaner look of an integrated amp as I tend to stick with streaming for radio, but otherwise it’s pretty much the perfect component for my purposes. Hoping it’ll last as long as the integrated it’s replacing (an AMC 3050a, almost 30 years).

 

[early rejecter]

I need to have a sub out, otherwise it's not controlled by the Ultra / room correction

It does have a sub out as noted above — but aren’t you missing out on the Ultra’s ability to high pass the signal to your mains by not using the Wiim’s sub output?

 

[Bernard23]

It does have a sub out as noted above — but aren’t you missing out on the Ultra’s ability to high pass the signal to your mains by not using the Wiim’s sub output?

Ah, senior moment, yes that how it's setup. I'm thinking about the pro plus that I owned previously, which doesn't have a sub out. I used to use the PEQ to lift the bass output to msins and fill with the sub manually

 

[dualazmak]

Wow, in looking at that set up I am hooked on the 12 VU meter display. Those VU meters are like heroin to my Junkie system. Love them!

Thank you for your kind attention on my DIY-ed IEC 60286-17_balistic-behavior-compatible DIY-ed 12-VU-Meter Array.
In my post #535 on my project thread, you can find the details of my enthusiasm and efforts on that 12-VU-Meter Array.
- My nostalgia and preference for large glass-face VU meters: DIY of 12-VU-Meter Array in multichannel multi-SP-driver multi-way multi-amplifier stereo audio system: #535

And, furthermore...

Spoiler: Dancing videos of my IEC 60268-17 compatible 12-VU-Meter Array

- Dancing video of my IEC 60268-17 compatible large glass-face DIY 12-VU-Meter Array
_____Part-1: with "High Frequency Linearity Check Track" of Sony Super Audio Check CD: #750
_____Part-2: with typical "Full Orchestra Music"-1: #751
_____Part-3: with typical "Full Orchestra Music"-2: #752
_____Part-4: with typical "Jazz Piano Trio Music": #753

- New video clips of dancing 12-VU-Meter Array (IEC60268-17 compatible) together with all the on-screen Peak Meters of audio software tools while playing reference/sampler music tracks by JRiver MC, ADOBE Audition 3.0.1 and MusicScope 2.1.0:
Part-1: using a typical reference/sampler music track suitable for high-Fq (treble) transient music sound: #974
Part-2: using a typical reference/sampler music track suitable for mainly checking and tuning of low Fq (bass) transient music sound as well as total tonality Fq-SPL balance all over 15 Hz to 22 kHz: #975

 

[SigmaR1]

It does have a subwoofer output. I wasn’t familiar with that receiver until I read about it in this thread, but I picked one up a few months ago after seeing the comments on it here and discovering that it has not only pre-outs / main-ins, but also tape monitoring capability and switchable zone 2 output. I would’ve preferred the cleaner look of an integrated amp as I tend to stick with streaming for radio, but otherwise it’s pretty much the perfect component for my purposes. Hoping it’ll last as long as the integrated it’s replacing (an AMC 3050a, almost 30 years).

This receiver is indeed a real bargain, even if one is not interested in the FM implémentation. I was looking for an A S70x and foud the receiver for next to nothing. I've been using it for a while now: all facilities are included and nothing to complain about.

 

[Victorr]

I'm thinking of getting the A-S701 and would appreciate any suggestions for a pair of floor-standing speakers that would be commensurate to the amplifier, both in terms of quality and cost. The system will be mostly used to listen to jazz and classical music, but with frequent excursions into heavier rock and electronic (in a space for around 30 m2, 320 sq ft, and rather high ceilings).

If you have similar suggestions for A-S1200 -in case that I convince myself that it is essential for my well-being- I'll be thankful!

 

[Overseas]

Triangle Borea
Wharfedale floorstanders
Look for 3 way speakers

 

[Overseas]

Look for AS1100, should be cheaper than 1200.

 

[khaliss]

hi all... been an on/off forum lurker for awhile now. I'm just a casual/mild enthusiast with a modest budget for audio gear. Thanks for this review, this affirms my A-S701 purchase last year (got a fantastic Amazon lightning deal on it). I have just pieced together a new listening setup in my den/exercise/game room, setup pictured below:
*Receiver/AMP = Yamaha A-S701
*Speakers = Mordaunt Short MS-912 bookshelves (bi-wired)
*Subwoofer = JBL Studio 550p 10" 300W-rms
*Visual = BDS PP-31 Digital Audio Spectrum Analyzer Display VU Meter
*DAC = LavaAudio DS-600 (USB connection, set to 32-bit/384Kbps PCM)
*Streamer-Player = 8th-gen i5 Win-11 laptop (mostly stream with Youtube Music Premium, set to "High"=256kbps)
*Streamer-Controller = Samsung Galaxy tablet (Remote Desktop to the laptop)

Rather pleased with this setup... but of course, I'm already itching for the next upgrade (speakers), I'm eyeing the JBL HDL-3600

 

[Bernard23]

Arguably there's little point in a separate DAC if you're only streaming from YT at 256kbs. That's your limiting factor. Spotify highest rate is 320kbs and some can distinguish between that and CDA, which is around 1000kbs.

 

[Overseas]

Try Tidal MAX and upgrade speakers to Focal/ Triangle if in Europe.
Must have: Room Correction with Wiim, lowest price.

 

[Bernard23]

Try Tidal MAX and upgrade speakers to Focal/ Triangle if in Europe.
Must have: Room Correction with Wiim, lowest price.

The Wiim also has a perfectly good DAC for everyone too. I do love how the audiophile community though listen with their wallets, the Wiim is often described as great for the money, but still just an entry grade device.

 

[khaliss]

I had Tidal before, but stopped the sub since I didn't have a dedicated listening room... so I didn't really get to enjoy my previous setup, there wasn't much point to subbing. However, Youtube Music Premium comes with my family's Youtube Premium subscription (zero ads, etc), so that's why I've always had it. Once I get my setup dialed-in and if I end up spending more time listening/enjoying music (rather than watching TV most of the time), then I will re-sub Tidal and get the true HiFi bitrates. For now, I just want a system that's ready for anything, while still enjoying what I already have on tap =)

 

[Doodski]

Youtube Music Premium comes with my family's Youtube Premium subscription (zero ads, etc), so that's why I've always had it.

The better sound recordings on YouTube sound comparable to flac. So you'll do well with YouTube.

 

[Zek]

*Receiver/AMP = Yamaha A-S701
*Speakers = Mordaunt Short MS-912 bookshelves (bi-amped)

How did you achieve this kind of connection with just one stereo amplifier?

 

[khaliss]

How did you achieve this kind of connection with just one stereo amplifier?

sorry, I meant Bi-Wire! LOL