Yamaha A-S701From real comments

Verdict distilled from 39 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment79%
PROS 79%
CONS 21%

Rank based on 39 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want strong, clean power for demanding speakers at a reasonable price
  • You already own or plan to use an external DAC instead of paying extra for one
  • You value solid build quality and features like Pure Direct and tone controls

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need a built-in high-resolution USB DAC (better served by the A-S801)
  • You are sensitive to bright-leaning treble without carefully matched warm speakers
  • You want deep, prominent bass out of the box without tone adjustment

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
31Mid
Yamaha A-S701
Great value for moneySmart DAC omission saves money for those with external DACsClean, natural sound with good separationDAC and phono stage only mediocreBright treble tendencyMidrange could be better
Yamaha A-S701
Great value for money
Smart DAC omission saves money for those with external DACs
Clean, natural sound with good separation
DAC and phono stage only mediocre
Bright treble tendency
Midrange could be better

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Build quality and power delivery consistently impress owners. Multiple users describe the A-S701 as a 'beast' with heaps of power, capable of driving inefficient or large speakers cleanly at high volumes. One cites third-party measurements showing 110W into 8 ohms and stability into 2 ohm loads. Long-term Yamaha owners note the brand's amps last decades, reinforcing confidence in this unit's durability and solid construction.

The DAC and price positioning versus the A-S801 is a recurring debate. Many buyers deliberately chose the 701 over the 801 to save $100, reasoning that DAC technology ages faster than analog amp design and that they already own external DACs like Schiit or Cambridge Audio units. Others felt the onboard Sabre DAC and phono stage were merely mediocre or a bit dated, while some praised the DAC as excellent after warm-up.

Sound character pleases most, though a few flag brightness or thin bass. Owners paired the amp successfully with speakers like Wharfedale, Q Acoustics, KEF, and Triangle, reporting neutral, dynamic, precise sound with excellent channel separation. However, some note the amp leans bright and can sound harsh with already-bright speakers, one found bass weak, and another felt the midrange could be better, suggesting careful speaker pairing matters.

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