An integrated amplifier is a single box that combines two jobs that used to require separate components: choosing your source and boosting the signal to drive your speakers. The A-S801 takes the quiet electrical signal from a music source, whether that is a turntable, a streamer, or your computer, and amplifies it to a level strong enough to move the drivers inside your loudspeakers. Because everything lives in one chassis, you get a clean, simple setup that still delivers serious sound quality.
Where does the A-S801 fit in a home audio system?
The A-S801 sits at the center of a stereo system, acting as the hub that everything else connects to. You plug your sources into its inputs and your speakers into its outputs, and it handles the rest. It is a great fit for someone building their first high quality two channel setup, since it includes a built in digital to analog converter and a phono stage, meaning you can connect modern digital gear and a traditional record player without buying extra boxes.
Power and Performance
How much power does the A-S801 produce?
The A-S801 delivers 100 watts per channel into 8 ohm speakers, measured across the full range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz at very low distortion with both channels working. In everyday terms, that is plenty of power for the vast majority of home speakers and rooms, giving you comfortable listening levels with headroom to spare. If your speakers dip to a 4 ohm load, the amplifier provides 120 watts per channel, so it can handle more demanding speakers as well.
What does dynamic power mean for me?
Dynamic power, rated here at 130 watts per channel into 8 ohms, is the short burst of extra power the amplifier can supply during sudden loud moments in music. Music is not a steady tone; it has quiet passages and sudden peaks like a drum hit or an orchestral swell. This reserve of power lets those peaks come through cleanly without the sound flattening out or distorting, which is what makes music feel alive and effortless.
What does the THD figure tell you?
THD, or total harmonic distortion, is rated at 0.019% for the A-S801, which is a very low number. Distortion measures how much the amplifier changes or colors the signal it is supposed to reproduce faithfully. A low figure like this means the music you hear is very close to what was originally recorded, without added harshness or grain. In daily listening, that translates to clean, natural sound even during complex passages.
Why does the frequency response range matter?
The frequency response of 10 Hz to 100 kHz means the amplifier can reproduce sounds from far below what you can hear to far above it. The range of human hearing tops out around 20 kHz, so this wide window ensures that everything within your hearing is handled comfortably and consistently. A generous range like this helps the amplifier stay accurate right up to the edges of the audible band, so bass feels solid and treble stays smooth.
What is the signal-to-noise ratio and why should you care?
The signal-to-noise ratio of 99 dB describes how much louder the music is compared to any background hiss or hum produced by the amplifier itself. A higher number means a quieter background, so during soft passages or in the silence between tracks, you hear music rather than noise. This contributes to a clean, black background that lets fine details emerge.
What does damping factor do for your speakers?
The damping factor of 240 or greater describes how tightly the amplifier controls the movement of your speaker cones. When a speaker driver moves to produce sound, it needs to stop precisely when the signal tells it to. A high damping factor gives the amplifier firm grip over the driver, which usually results in tighter, more controlled bass and cleaner overall sound.
Digital Connections
What is the built in DAC and what can it handle?
The A-S801 includes an ESS SABRE ES9010K2M digital to analog converter, a well regarded chip that turns digital audio files back into the analog signal your speakers can play. It supports PCM audio up to 384 kHz and 32 bit, and DSD up to 5.6 MHz over USB, which covers standard streaming files all the way up to high resolution audio. This means you can feed it modern digital sources and hear the detail those higher quality files contain.
How do the digital inputs work?
The A-S801 offers a USB Type B input plus one optical and one coaxial digital input. The USB Type B connection links directly to a computer, letting the amplifier act as your computer's high quality sound system. The optical and coaxial inputs accept digital signals from devices like a CD player or television, sending the audio into the internal DAC so it can be converted with the amplifier's own high quality electronics rather than the source device's.
Analog Connections
What can you connect to the analog inputs?
The A-S801 provides five line level analog inputs plus a dedicated moving magnet phono input. The five line inputs accept standard analog sources such as a tuner or an external streamer. The phono input is specially designed for a turntable fitted with a moving magnet cartridge, boosting and correcting its very small signal so records play at the proper volume and tonal balance without needing a separate phono preamp.
Outputs and Controls
What do the speaker A and B outputs let you do?
The A-S801 has two sets of speaker terminals, labeled A and B, which give you flexibility in how you connect speakers. You can run a single pair of speakers, use two pairs in different areas, or switch between two sets to compare them. This is handy if you want sound in more than one spot or like to experiment with different loudspeakers.
What is the subwoofer output for?
The subwoofer output sends a signal to a powered subwoofer so you can add deep bass to your system. If you enjoy movies or bass heavy music, or if your main speakers are compact, a subwoofer fills in the lowest notes. This dedicated output makes adding one straightforward.
Why is there a headphone jack?
The headphone jack lets you enjoy your entire system privately through headphones. It draws on the same quality electronics inside the amplifier, so you get satisfying sound for late night listening or whenever you want to keep things quiet without switching to a separate device.
Build Quality and Who It Suits
Why does Yamaha build quality matter here?
Yamaha has a long history of building audio equipment, and that experience shows in the A-S801's solid construction. At 12.1 kg and measuring 435 x 152 x 387 mm, this is a substantial, well made unit whose weight reflects a robust power supply and sturdy internal layout. A well built amplifier tends to run reliably for years and delivers consistent performance, which is reassuring when you are investing in a component you plan to keep.
Who is the A-S801 a good fit for?
The A-S801 suits anyone stepping into high quality audio who wants one capable box that covers both digital and analog sources. Because it includes a built in DAC, a phono stage, digital and analog inputs, dual speaker outputs, a subwoofer output, and a headphone jack, it can grow with you as your collection and tastes expand. If you want a clean, flexible foundation for great sound without juggling many separate components, this is an excellent place to begin.
