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A little puzzled by my newly acquired Yamaha A-S801

Picked up a Yamaha A S801 integrated, sounds clear and ’light’ if that makes sense. Nothing else in system has changed, same speakers, Epos Elan 10 and refurbished JR149s.

What’s bothering me is two-fold: 1. LOW frequencies seem a little pale (yes I know both speakers have limited extension, but did not hear this same effect on older 60 watt Rotel that is now defunct and irreparable) and,2. interestingly, 9 o’clock on volume control knob gives roughly the same volume level to my ears as the previously mentioned 60 watt only Rotel RA 1060.

Can anyone shed some light on this? Source is CD Onkyo C7030, virtually same whether or not I’m using ’CD DIRECT’ or PURE SOUND’ setting. Thoughts?

(Should mention I tried a Rotel A11 MK2 earlier, did not like at all and bore no resemblance in my system to the Rotel of old)

sifter
fthompson251's avatar
fthompson251
487 posts
 

Buy an SVS sub on sale right now.

secretguy
1,761 posts
 

On brand for Yamaha.

sifter OP
77 posts
 

Glenewdick, yes you are quite correct about the volume gain. So hard to trust reviews, and not always able to audition in person, the preferred way. This amp has a degree of clarity that is inviting, but if I had to describe the sound in one word, I'd use the word 'shallow'. I see offerings from Marantz, Arcam, or if I can find perhaps a used Primare 130 they seem to be well regarded as well.

decooney
2,211 posts
 

I've read these comments before on the 801, then people moving up the stack to 2200, or even the venerable AS3200 for the newer designs.  A friend is trying the new R-N2000A with tone controls and room correction, and he's a diehard tube amp guy. He has it now, burning it in, and i'm wondering if he will keep or return it. We both confirmed it does take about 100hrs on the new Yamaha upper end units to settle in and smooth out more for a little more warmth. Many comment it takes several weeks for this change to occur on the 2200, 3200 etc. Not sure about the 801 though, worth checking maybe, report back after more time. Best of Luck.

erik_squires
16,393 posts
 

Its too expensive,  but the extension and smoothness of a Luxman integrated is hard to beat.  Arcam is another integrated line I really like

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