Yamaha A-S2100From real comments

Verdict distilled from 26 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment64%
PROS 64%
CONS 36%

Rank based on 26 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a DAC-free amp to pair with your own external DAC of choice
  • You value heavy-duty, dual-mono balanced construction that should last for years
  • You need the built-in headphone amp that distinguishes the 2100 from the A-S1100

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You're sensitive to a bright treble presentation, especially before break-in
  • You want a loudness contour/variable loudness feature
  • You're on a tight budget, since some buyers call the price crazy compared to vintage gear

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Roland Blues Cube Artist
Lightweight and gig-friendlyTube-like tone and feelExcellent clean channelExpensive, hard-to-find Tone CapsulesInconsistent or harsh crunch channelNo included footswitch
Roland Blues Cube Artist
Lightweight and gig-friendly
Tube-like tone and feel
Excellent clean channel
Expensive, hard-to-find Tone Capsules
Inconsistent or harsh crunch channel
No included footswitch
2Premium
Friedman Little Sister
Exceptional tonal versatilityGreat cleanup via guitar volumeBig, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattageDark, bass-heavy voicing for somePrice relative to alternativesRequires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
Friedman Little Sister
Exceptional tonal versatility
Great cleanup via guitar volume
Big, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattage
Dark, bass-heavy voicing for some
Price relative to alternatives
Requires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
Best value
3Mid
Orange OR15
Exceptional versatilityGreat with pedals / clean platformLong-term keeper ampCleans not its strongest suitFizzy or excessive gain out of the boxStock preamp tubes considered weak
Orange OR15
Exceptional versatility
Great with pedals / clean platform
Long-term keeper amp
Cleans not its strongest suit
Fizzy or excessive gain out of the box
Stock preamp tubes considered weak
4Mid
Marantz PM7000N
Detailed, warm sound qualityGood speaker pairing versatilityHEOS streaming and internet radio convenienceAirPlay over Ethernet reliability issueDAC only active via optical/coaxial inputsLacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
Marantz PM7000N
Detailed, warm sound quality
Good speaker pairing versatility
HEOS streaming and internet radio convenience
AirPlay over Ethernet reliability issue
DAC only active via optical/coaxial inputs
Lacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
5Budget
TC Electronic BH250
Powerful for its sizeTonePrint effects built inClean, full, realistic toneAlways-lit tuner displayInsufficient power for loud full bandsSingle effect slot limitation
TC Electronic BH250
Powerful for its size
TonePrint effects built in
Clean, full, realistic tone
Always-lit tuner display
Insufficient power for loud full bands
Single effect slot limitation
6Premium
Mesa Boogie Badlander
Tight, modern high-gain toneBuilt-in CabClone IR / direct outBuild quality and versatility praised by ownersHigh priceMissing third channel and solo boostNo EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
Mesa Boogie Badlander
Tight, modern high-gain tone
Built-in CabClone IR / direct out
Build quality and versatility praised by owners
High price
Missing third channel and solo boost
No EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
7Mid
iFi xCAN
Strong power for demanding headphonesCompact, high-quality buildEnjoyable Bluetooth sound qualityEarly sound-mode switching bugLimited single-ended power for some planarsNot fully wireless
iFi xCAN
Strong power for demanding headphones
Compact, high-quality build
Enjoyable Bluetooth sound quality
Early sound-mode switching bug
Limited single-ended power for some planars
Not fully wireless
8Premium
Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
Exceptional tonal versatilityOwner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentimentSmooth, musical high-gain distortionHigh priceOverwhelming number of optionsSome find it too polished or lacking rawness
Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
Exceptional tonal versatility
Owner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentiment
Smooth, musical high-gain distortion
High price
Overwhelming number of options
Some find it too polished or lacking rawness
9Mid
Vox AC15CH
Built-in reactive attenuator
Vox AC15CH
Built-in reactive attenuator
10Mid
Roland JC-22
Great pedal platformLush onboard chorusExceptional clean toneBackground hiss/humWeak onboard distortionSome pedals don't pair well
Roland JC-22
Great pedal platform
Lush onboard chorus
Exceptional clean tone
Background hiss/hum
Weak onboard distortion
Some pedals don't pair well
You are here
31Premium
Yamaha A-S2100
Pairs well with a wide range of speakersPremium looks and finishTank-like build qualityCan sound brightHigh price outside the US / overall cost concernsNo variable loudness/loudness contour
Yamaha A-S2100
Pairs well with a wide range of speakers
Premium looks and finish
Tank-like build quality
Can sound bright
High price outside the US / overall cost concerns
No variable loudness/loudness contour

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Build quality and looks consistently win owners over. Multiple commenters call the A-S2100 gorgeous, bullet-proof, and built like a tank, highlighting its dual-mono, completely balanced construction and aluminium-faced remote. One reviewer notes these amps should give years of fine service, and another calls it a thing of beauty with a class the reviewer says has vanished from modern AVRs. Even critics of the styling acknowledge the equipment is great and worth the money.

Sound quality is rated between Rotel and Mcintosh by experienced listeners. One owner who A/B tested against Rotel, Accuphase, and Mcintosh found the Yamaha beat Rotel and Mcintosh integrateds and matched the Accuphase, though it fell short of Mcintosh separates in soundstage and volume. Another compares it to a Rotel but says it leans more toward Mcintosh's sound at half the cost. Several owners paired it happily with Klipsch, Dali, Infinity, Wharfedale, and Axiom speakers with strong results.

A few practical gripes temper the enthusiasm. Some listeners find the amp too bright, with one preferring a Rotel combo after trying it and another describing the A-S1200 sibling as bright before break-in. Buyers also flag the missing variable loudness/loudness contour feature as a dealbreaker for some, one reports an input selector starting to skip, and several note the price feels steep, especially outside the US or versus vintage alternatives.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?