To follow up here - still really enjoying the Yamaha A-S801 amp for CD and Digital playing. Super clean and clear and detailed even at fairly quiet volumes. The DAC sounds good (optical) though i don't use it really. The remote works really well for adjusting the volume - doesn't jump around. Volume control in general is really smooth. It sounds great at all volumes and I don't suffer from that feeling that I always need to turn it up to hear more or turn it down because it sounds harsh. The Pure Direct mode is fantastic and jumps in your ear. If you want to have conversations or background music the tone controls and loudness dial are very helpful. My wife doesn't ask me "can we turn this down a little" anymore.
3 negs:
1) I thought I'd be able to charge my phone via the USB port but it doesn't work for some reason.
2) The phono input sounds a little sharp when in Pure Direct mode. Can take the edge off with the tone controls but that's not something I'd expect with vinyl... I don't listen to much vinyl so it's not a big deal, and it's doesn't sound horrible or anything. Could be that it's revealing the inadequacies of my turntable or stylus.
3) The "CD Direct" mode, which according to the manual should sound best, sounds harsh and "ouchy" (wife's description). But that's ok, I just don't use it.
Anybody else have one to share their experience?