Yamaha A-S801 Solid State Integrated Amplifier - Has The Goods!

Yamaha A-S801

The A-S801 is a throwback to vintage audio updated to the 21st century.

From the moment we plugged in this Yamaha A-S801 integrated amp, we realized we was dealing with a serious product that would earn many points with audiophiles.  From its sturdy construction and thick brushed aluminum faceplate, anti-resonance double body chassis design, to its simplistic, yet elegant front panel knobs reminiscent of Yamaha integrated amps from a few decades ago, to its gold-plated speaker terminals and RCA connections, this baby means business. 

You're probably wondering what makes this integrated amp stand out compared to a typical AV receiver.  Well for one, the A-S801 gives up some bells and whistles and instead puts more meat into the pot, if you will.  No it doesn't have DSP modes to make your speakers sound like they are in a German Cathedral.  You can't bounce sound up at the ceiling to create an "immersive effect."  But, the A-S801 can drive a 4-ohm load with more ease and finesse than most comparably priced multi-channel AV receivers.  This is thanks to lots of heat dissipation provided by dual heatsinks (one for each channel), 4 output devices per channel to source more current, a large E-Core transformer to supply the necessary power and 2x12,000uF capacitor bank for reserves.  If you look at how Yamaha specs the power of this amplifier, it's done at 8 ohms, full bandwidth, both channels driven and at a very low distortion level of .019%.  Alas, we are looking at a real 100wpc amp the way amplifiers used to be spec'ed before the AV receiver power inflation wars at the local box stores took over to impress the uninitiated. So to summarize, right in our audio lane!