Yamaha A-S701 Stereo Amplifier Review

[mike70]

Of course, it is up to yourself and you have complete freedom to go your own way, I believe.

At least for me myself, however, my way (and policy) are somewhat different from yours, as I recently wrote here.

This is one of the many reasons for my careful selection and utilization of YAMAHA A-S3000, ACCUPHSE E-460, SONY TA-A1ES and YAMAHA A-301 as well as YAMAHA YST-SW1000 in my PC-DSP-based multichannel multi-SP-driver multi-amplifier fully active audio setup (ref. posts #931 and #1,009 on my project thread). Yes, ACCUPHASE E-460 was comparably rather expensive, but other three amplifiers were not so expensive when I have purchased brand new ones, in Japan.

If you would be interested, you can see the outside and inside photos of these four (4) amplifiers here in my post #38.

Totally agree. What I was trying to say, is "today electronic engineering have high performance products at price tags you never had before"
Today, you don't need to buy a 4k amplifier to have hifi sound. That's all.

It's weird, because now "anyone" can buy a hifi system, but it seems we're in a smaller and smaller niche. Sad really.

 

[Deleted member 88178]

Just out of curiosity I am comparing these measurements with the ones published by Audioholics on the Yamaha R-N1000A

Yamaha R-N1000A Network Receiver Bench Test Results

The Yamaha R-N1000A is a 2CH Network AV receiver rated at 100 watts/ch and has features most stereo receivers don’t. Our bench test report determines if it lives up to their prestigious Top-Art reputation.

www.audioholics.com

Considering the similarities, would it be reasonable to infere that both share the same amp section?

Thanks for reading

 

[antcollinet]

Just out of curiosity I am comparing these measurements with the ones published by Audioholics on the Yamaha R-N1000A

Yamaha R-N1000A Network Receiver Bench Test Results

The Yamaha R-N1000A is a 2CH Network AV receiver rated at 100 watts/ch and has features most stereo receivers don’t. Our bench test report determines if it lives up to their prestigious Top-Art reputation.

www.audioholics.com

Considering the similarities, would it be reasonable to infere that both share the same amp section?

Thanks for reading

It's possible, but not a given. The only way to know would be to open one up.

 

[trl]

Yes, indeed, the output stage and preamp are basically the same, although volume control mihht differ a bit.

 

[antcollinet]

Yes, indeed, the output stage and preamp are basically the same, although volume control mihht differ a bit.

Out of interest, where is that stated?

 

[trl]

Check the schematics, most of these amps (entire series) are sharing the same DNA. Transformers are differrent, DAC and BT modules too.

 

[antcollinet]

most of these amps (entire series) are sharing the same DNA

Same DNA wouldn't surprise me. Exact same circuits - not only schematic, but components, layout etc..... still wouldn't surprise me for amps with the same power rating. But is a different level of similarity.

 

[Randolf]

Just out of curiosity I am comparing these measurements with the ones published by Audioholics on the Yamaha R-N1000A

Yamaha R-N1000A Network Receiver Bench Test Results

The Yamaha R-N1000A is a 2CH Network AV receiver rated at 100 watts/ch and has features most stereo receivers don’t. Our bench test report determines if it lives up to their prestigious Top-Art reputation.

www.audioholics.com

Considering the similarities, would it be reasonable to infere that both share the same amp section?

Thanks for reading

The power amp section of the actual R-N1000A, R-N800A, A-S701 is used by Yamaha since decades, I think the first one was the AX-570 from 1993. Of course there had been some refinements/improvements over he decades but the basic layout is still very similar. The pre amp section has changed quite significantly, e.g. digital volume control vs. analog potentiometer as used in the early models. The power amp of my R-N803D and AX-590 (22 years apart) look very similar:

Lookily you can find the service manuals of most Yamaha equipment online to lookup the actual differences.

 

[900SL]

Just bought a 701 at 20% discount and partly on the review and comments here.
I wanted a traditional stereo amp that wasn't a relaunched made in China product trading on the cachet of old hifi names at a premium price.
I also wanted something that will be reliable, repairable, drive 4 ohm speakers at reasonable levels, and have tone controls. I don't use the phono stage, sources will be CD or digital streaming.

Speakers are Wharfedale Aura 2's. I'm hoping that the 701 quoted damping factor of 240 gives a combo with tight control on bass and midrange.

Looking forward to hearing how it all sounds.

 

[gasolin75]

wiim amp ultra or the ultra streamer + vibelink amp

Might cost the same + you get a streamer and room correction

 

[900SL]

wiim amp ultra or the ultra streamer + vibelink amp

Might cost the same + you get a streamer and room correction

Doesn't meet my criteria .. but Wiim streamer is one source. I also have two old Moto Guzzis.

 

[SorenTyson]

wiim amp ultra or the ultra streamer + vibelink amp

Might cost the same + you get a streamer and room correction

Great username, greetings from a fellow Dane

For the rest of you, try out Gas 5 by Gasolin. If you can deal with Danish vocals, then it's a great '70s rock album

 

[mooseandbeau]

I have an opportunity to pick up a like new A-S701 for $450. Seems like a no brainer to me.

Hoping it will power my totem arros nicely in my small office space

 

[mike70]

With 500 usd you can get a wiim amp with the same power, led screen, streamer, phono input, bluetooth, whatever.

You need to like very (very) much the Yamaha to prefer it. Obviously, we can't discuss taste, it's only my opinion.

 

[mooseandbeau]

I have a wiim streamer right now connected to my rogue sphinx on my main system in the living room. The concept of having these 2 units connected is intriguing to me.

I feel nostalgia towards yahama as it was my first component I had in high school.

Go ahead, sell me on why I should buy the Wiim

 

[catch22]

I have a wiim streamer right now connected to my rogue sphinx on my main system in the living room. The concept of having these 2 units connected is intriguing to me.

I feel nostalgia towards yahama as it was my first component I had in high school.

Go ahead, sell me on why I should buy the Wiim

No need to sell anything, both approaches have their own merits

I have a WiiM Amp Ultra, and I like it a lot—full disclosure.

But I also get the point of separates, and this is my approach for a second system:

• The streaming component gets obsolete much quicker than amp hardware (e.g., the recent rollout of Spotify Lossless , Tidal Connect not supported by a whole bunch of older streamers).
• It's a shame to discard a full all-in-one device because the software part is obsolete.
• Therefore, get a streamer (disposable) + a good amp (that stays).

 

[MAB]

I have a wiim streamer right now connected to my rogue sphinx on my main system in the living room. The concept of having these 2 units connected is intriguing to me.

I feel nostalgia towards yahama as it was my first component I had in high school.

Go ahead, sell me on why I should buy the Wiim

I use a WiiM streamer with my ancient Yamaha integrated amp. It sounds great. I get the Loudness control from the Yamaha, combined with the PEQ for room and speaker correction on the WiiM.

 

[mooseandbeau]

No need to sell anything, both approaches have their own merits

I have a WiiM Amp Ultra, and I like it a lot—full disclosure.

But I also get the point of separates, and this is my approach for a second system:

• The streaming component gets obsolete much quicker than amp hardware (e.g., the recent rollout of Spotify Lossless , Tidal Connect not supported by a whole bunch of older streamers).
• It's a shame to discard a full all-in-one device because the software part is obsolete.
• Therefore, get a streamer (disposable) + a good amp (that stays).

What is your setup with the ultra?

What are some things you really like about it?

Thanks!

 

[mike70]

No need to sell anything, both approaches have their own merits

I have a WiiM Amp Ultra, and I like it a lot—full disclosure.

But I also get the point of separates, and this is my approach for a second system:

• The streaming component gets obsolete much quicker than amp hardware (e.g., the recent rollout of Spotify Lossless , Tidal Connect not supported by a whole bunch of older streamers).
• It's a shame to discard a full all-in-one device because the software part is obsolete.
• Therefore, get a streamer (disposable) + a good amp (that stays).

Remember that Wiim have a great support and the software changes are resolved with firmware upgrades

 

[catch22]

What is your setup with the ultra?

What are some things you really like about it?

Thanks!

WiiM Amp Ultra with Elac DBR62

I like:

1. Small footprint for smaller spaces.
2. Super simple usability: Auto-switches on with any signal – from Spotify Connect, from Tidal Connect, from TV (HDMI ARC). High WAF.
3. Versatility with TV: Just switch the TV on, and sound automatically goes through the Elac speakers. Can even use the TV remote control for volume. Again, very high WAF.
4. Nice display, easy to see what song is playing, including the bitrate.
5. Some complain that the volume level is not always visible on the display, but I like how it is temporarily shown full screen when adjusted.
6. Smart remote control (not IR), no need to point directly at the amp.
7. Last but not least – it sounds/measures good (not just my subjective opinion, but per Amir's review).

Not a sales pitch. I'm a big Yamaha fan and own several Yamaha integrated amps (too many, actually ). But the streamer part of the WiiM is awesome for me. So for a second setup, I ordered a WiiM Ultra streamer to use with a Yamaha amp.