Yamaha A-S500From real comments

Verdict distilled from 26 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment65%
PROS 65%
CONS 35%

Rank based on 26 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want strong sound quality at a budget-friendly price point
  • You're pairing with bookshelf speakers like Monitor Audio, B&W, or Focal
  • You prefer a warm, musical sound signature over strict neutrality

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You want a fully neutral, uncolored amp sound
  • You dislike plastic control knobs or non-round tone dials
  • You need a detachable/upgradable power cord

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Roland Blues Cube Artist~$999 · 1.8× pricier
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~$999 · 1.8× pricier
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
2Value
Roland JC-22~$699 · 1.3× pricier
Great pedal platformLush onboard chorusExceptional clean toneBackground hiss/humWeak onboard distortionSome pedals don't pair well
Roland JC-22~$699 · 1.3× pricier
Great pedal platform
Lush onboard chorus
Exceptional clean tone
Background hiss/hum
Weak onboard distortion
Some pedals don't pair well
3Budget
TC Electronic BH250~$299 · 1.8× cheaper
Powerful for its sizeTonePrint effects built inClean, full, realistic toneAlways-lit tuner displayInsufficient power for loud full bandsSingle effect slot limitation
TC Electronic BH250~$299 · 1.8× cheaper
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
4Value
Yamaha THR30II~$599 · similar price
Versatile connectivity (line out, USB, Bluetooth)Portability and battery powerDeep tone-shaping via appHigh price for the categoryWireless (Line 6) reliability issuesOccasional boxy/metallic or erratic tone
Yamaha THR30II~$599 · similar price
Versatile connectivity (line out, USB, Bluetooth)
Portability and battery power
Deep tone-shaping via app
High price for the category
Wireless (Line 6) reliability issues
Occasional boxy/metallic or erratic tone
Best value
5Budget
Orange Crush 35~$319 · 1.7× cheaper
Louder and more gig-capable than expectedExcellent clean channelGreat value for moneyFuzzy or boxy dirty channelVery loud even at low settings, annoying for quiet practiceLimited versatility compared to modeling amps
Orange Crush 35~$319 · 1.7× cheaper
Louder and more gig-capable than expected
Excellent clean channel
Great value for money
Fuzzy or boxy dirty channel
Very loud even at low settings, annoying for quiet practice
Limited versatility compared to modeling amps
6Budget
Fender Champion 100~$399 · 1.4× cheaper
Excellent clean toneGreat value for moneyVery loud outputFizzy or muddy overdrive tonesBoomy bass responseCompression choking volume at high settings
Fender Champion 100~$399 · 1.4× cheaper
Excellent clean tone
Great value for money
Very loud output
Fizzy or muddy overdrive tones
Boomy bass response
Compression choking volume at high settings
7Budget
iFi xCAN~$299 · 1.8× cheaper
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~$299 · 1.8× cheaper
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
8Budget
Vox Mini SuperBeetle~$399 · 1.4× cheaper
Classic Vox AC toneExcellent at bedroom/low volumeGig-capable with bigger cab or micStock cab/speaker seen as limitingNo stereo or matching second cabinetNot loud enough alone for full band gigging
Vox Mini SuperBeetle~$399 · 1.4× cheaper
Classic Vox AC tone
Excellent at bedroom/low volume
Gig-capable with bigger cab or mic
Stock cab/speaker seen as limiting
No stereo or matching second cabinet
Not loud enough alone for full band gigging
9Budget
Fender Rumble 100~$449 · 1.2× cheaper
Lightweight and portableClean, warm toneGood value for priceNot enough power for large venuesStruggles with loud, hard-hitting drummersDemo videos misrepresent the speaker sound
Fender Rumble 100~$449 · 1.2× cheaper
Lightweight and portable
Clean, warm tone
Good value for price
Not enough power for large venues
Struggles with loud, hard-hitting drummers
Demo videos misrepresent the speaker sound
10Budget
Orange Micro Dark~$299 · 1.8× cheaper
Excellent pedal platform / effects loopSounds huge through bigger cabsVersatile across genresMatching 8-inch cabinet sounds poorStock distortion can sound fizzy or gravellyClean tone can be too quiet or buzzy for some
Orange Micro Dark~$299 · 1.8× cheaper
Excellent pedal platform / effects loop
Sounds huge through bigger cabs
Versatile across genres
Matching 8-inch cabinet sounds poor
Stock distortion can sound fizzy or gravelly
Clean tone can be too quiet or buzzy for some
You are here
11Value
Yamaha A-S500~$549
Strong pairing with quality speakersExcellent value for moneyDetailed sound with warm characterBass can feel lacking with some speaker pairingsNot neutral enough for some critical listening usesPlastic control knobs
Yamaha A-S500~$549
Strong pairing with quality speakers
Excellent value for money
Detailed sound with warm character
Bass can feel lacking with some speaker pairings
Not neutral enough for some critical listening uses
Plastic control knobs

Who wins on what (similar price)

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Exceptional value for money at its price point. Multiple commenters emphasize that the A-S500 punches above its price, with one calling it the best budget amp up to £500 and a 2010 What Hi-Fi award winner. Comparisons to the pricier NAD C326BEE note the Yamaha offers more power for less money. Several owners say they highly recommend it and that you 'can't be wrong' buying it, citing solid build quality and good speaker pairing versatility across various price-conscious hi-fi setups.

Sound signature is warm and detailed, though opinions on tonal character diverge sharply. Many describe the amp as warm and detailed, pairing beautifully with speakers like B&W, Monitor Audio, Focal, and Tannoy for an addictive, world-champion sound. However, some users found it harsh with certain speakers or missing bass with Klipsch monitors. A minority strongly disliked it, calling it bright, sterile, and lifeless, while others preferred more neutral alternatives like NAD for critical listening or dance music.

Physical controls and build details spark mixed but minor complaints. The plastic knobs are noted by multiple users, with reactions ranging from nostalgic complaint to genuine appreciation for their creamy turning feel. The redesigned tone control shape (non-round knobs) irritated one long-time Yamaha fan's OCD sensibilities. The integrated, non-removable power cord is flagged as a drawback, though one user argues aftermarket power cords often do more harm than good anyway.

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