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Thread: Just bought a Yamaha A-S500 amplifier -Any views on this amp

  1. #11
    Join Date: Jul 2014

    Location: Shropshire

    Posts: 2,420
    I'm Anto.

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    Fetched it last night and fired her up this lunch time !
    Quite minty . As Sherwood said , probably too expensive really , tried talking it down a bit , but it was from a really tidy home and careful owner who showed me it in action .

    Bit of a false impression in some ways as he was running through a pair of Polkaudio floorstanders ,and a pair of Mordant Short on stands too, sexy setup , in a room that probably was an ideal shape ,with no clutter in it, nevertheless , sounded really good to my heathen ears
    So today am I sort of impressed or wowed or not ?? Middle for diddle really !! Brightish sound , which is never a real negative for me as I love an extra bit of treble! The remote function is a bonus for an idle sod like me
    I expect it will grow on me , and I have yet to try the sub hooked up to it !
    When putting the Technics SU VX700 away , I was stuck by how it was 25% heavier than the Yam !! wooo
    I only ride 'em, I don't know what makes 'em work

  2. #12
    Join Date: Mar 2017

    Location: West Sūžsēaxe

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    I'm Edward.

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    Give it a few days to settle in. I always find new items need some time - and my ears to tune into the sound.

    And after a while switch back temporarily to the Technics (if you still have it) which will give you a much better idea of differences.
    Current: [P20] Roon/Tidal > Custom PC> Chevron Paradox NDF16 > Phast Pre > Neuro. 686 > Tannoy Berkley (RFC tweaks)


  3. #13
    Join Date: Jul 2014

    Location: Shropshire

    Posts: 2,420
    I'm Anto.

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    Thanks Edward . To be honest I was not expecting a sea change in sound !! Similar power amps and the Technics has more punch I think.

    The Yamaha has a single rca female for the sub out . I used to run the Rel Q50 sub with the aux rca's x 2 ,from the Technics to the 2 rca's on the line level input on the Rel.
    How will I need to wire it up with just the one rca out of the amp and not 2 ??
    I only ride 'em, I don't know what makes 'em work

  4. #14
    Join Date: Jul 2014

    Location: Shropshire

    Posts: 2,420
    I'm Anto.

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    Found the instructions . Just connected the one red rca to red rca ,and shes away now !
    Compliments it ,and seems to function better in this amp , with a dedicated subwoofer output than in the old Technics , not sure why ?

    Anyway , using the power direct switch , and very very pleased with it !!
    I only ride 'em, I don't know what makes 'em work

  5. #15
    Join Date: May 2016

    Location: Birmingham, U.K

    Posts: 351
    I'm Taz.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Oddball View Post
    Found the instructions . Just connected the one red rca to red rca ,and shes away now !
    Compliments it ,and seems to function better in this amp , with a dedicated subwoofer output than in the old Technics , not sure why ?

    Anyway , using the power direct switch , and very very pleased with it !!
    The pure direct switch disables any interference from the amp and outputs the source as it receives it. Don't think the bass or treble adjustments work in this mode either.
    On my Yamaha rxv 675 the whole front of the amp will turn off of I turn on pure direct

  6. #16
    Join Date: Nov 2011

    Location: Wakefield west yorkshire

    Posts: 1,930
    I'm James.

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    I'm surprised you've found it bright sounding, perhaps the as500 and 501 are quite different
    novafidelity x40 music server/pre/dac, Arcam A39, roksan k3 power amp,Monitor Audio Monitor 50, Dali spektor 1, van damme interconnects and speaker cable, roskan k3 CD player

  7. #17
    Join Date: Jul 2014

    Location: Shropshire

    Posts: 2,420
    I'm Anto.

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    Not really fair to say bright . I think my first impressions were coloured by the Technics sounding a tad deeper.
    I am not good at giving really good illustrations of the sounds of my system ,but I do know I like his amp a lot ,and am now pleased I got it !

    Thats probably, the main thing!
    I only ride 'em, I don't know what makes 'em work

  8. #18
    Join Date: Nov 2011

    Location: Wakefield west yorkshire

    Posts: 1,930
    I'm James.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Oddball View Post
    Not really fair to say bright . I think my first impressions were coloured by the Technics sounding a tad deeper.
    I am not good at giving really good illustrations of the sounds of my system ,but I do know I like his amp a lot ,and am now pleased I got it !

    Thats probably, the main thing!
    It most definitely is the main thing,you certainly get a nice chunk of Hifi for not a lot of money
    novafidelity x40 music server/pre/dac, Arcam A39, roksan k3 power amp,Monitor Audio Monitor 50, Dali spektor 1, van damme interconnects and speaker cable, roskan k3 CD player

  9. #19
    Join Date: Jul 2014

    Location: Shropshire

    Posts: 2,420
    I'm Anto.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Pieoftheday View Post
    I'm surprised you've found it bright sounding, perhaps the as500 and 501 are quite different
    I read , they are exactly the same but the i has the DAC !
    I might just have to buy myself a DAC , but dont have the foggiest what an entry level one would cost me .
    I only ride 'em, I don't know what makes 'em work

  10. #20
    Join Date: Mar 2013

    Location: nottingham

    Posts: 328
    I'm nigel.

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    A SMSL Sanscrit mk6 from Amazon will cost you just under a hundred quid and is a major step up from the built in DAC aboard the 501.
    I ran the above amp until quite recently, I'm afraid the DAC is pretty limited for critical listening....ok for TV hookup or set top box.

    The Sanscrit for the money is a steal. It betters the DAC on-board my Roksan CDP and is built to the same standard...SMSL even offer a regulated power supply upgrade for well under a ton.

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