Notes on Vintage Gear
- We're still updating pictures. If you want more pictures, just text us with the model number you're looking for (616-369-8366)
- Speakers & Turntables are in-store only in Grand Rapids, MI (they're delicate!)
- 1-year warranty on anything over $500. 30-day warranty on anything under $500. Excludes user error (ie if you blow it up). Return shipping responsibility of customer.
Yamaha
Yamaha A-S501
Yamaha A-S501
Overview
The Yamaha A-S501 is a full-size integrated amplifier that blends the company’s traditional stereo layout with the connections expected in a modern system. Rated at 85 watts per channel into 8 ohms, it provides enough power for a wide range of bookshelf and floorstanding speakers while retaining the large knobs, source selector, tone controls, and speaker switching associated with classic Yamaha amplifiers.
Its analog section includes a moving-magnet phono input, multiple line-level connections, recording outputs, and Yamaha’s continuously variable loudness control. Optical and coaxial digital inputs allow a television, disc player, or streamer to use the amplifier’s internal DAC, while a subwoofer output makes it easier to build a full-range 2.1-channel system.
Why This Model Matters
The A-S501 has become one of Yamaha’s better-known contemporary integrated amplifiers because it offers substantial power and genuinely useful features without abandoning conventional two-channel operation. It sits above the entry-level A-S301 and below the more powerful A-S701 and A-S801, making it the practical center of the range.
Yamaha’s ToP-ART construction uses a symmetrical signal layout and a rigid anti-resonance chassis. Pure Direct bypasses the tone, balance, and loudness circuits, while CD Direct Amplification provides a shorter signal path and additional gain for the CD input. These are functional engineering features rather than cosmetic modes.
Highlights
- 85 watts per channel into 8 ohms
- Moving-magnet phono input
- Optical and coaxial digital inputs
- Pure Direct and CD Direct Amplification modes
- Variable loudness, bass, treble, and balance controls
- A/B speaker switching and dedicated subwoofer output
- Remote control included with this unit
Who It’s For
The A-S501 is a strong choice for someone who wants a powerful, traditional stereo amplifier that can handle both vinyl and digital sources. Its straightforward controls also make it appealing to listeners who prefer hardware operation over apps, menus, and network setup.
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