Yamaha A-S801SL Review: A Classic Stereo Amp With Phono and USB DAC

Who Should Buy It

Key Specifications

Overview

The Yamaha A-S801SL is a 2 channel integrated stereo amplifier built around 100 watts plus 100 watts of output at a notably low 0.019 percent THD. It combines a traditional analogue amplifier design with a built in USB DAC, aimed at listeners who want both a phono input and digital connectivity in one unit.

There is no HDMI switching, surround sound processing, or network streaming here, since this is a dedicated stereo amplifier rather than a home theater receiver. The feature set instead focuses on amplifier performance, digital and analogue input flexibility, and support for running two pairs of speakers.

Buyers drawn to this amplifier are typically those who have already decided they want a 2 channel system rather than a multichannel receiver, and who value a dedicated phono input and a quality USB DAC over the broader but less specialized feature set of a home theater focused product.

Power and Sound Quality

The amplifier is rated at 100 watts plus 100 watts across 20Hz to 20kHz with 0.019 percent THD, a genuinely low distortion figure for an integrated amplifier in this tier. That rating suggests a clean, accurate output across the full range of bookshelf and floorstanding speakers most buyers would pair with it.

A built in USB DAC supports PCM playback up to 384kHz and 32-bit resolution, along with DSD playback at 2.8MHz and 5.6MHz, covering both common high resolution PCM files and the DSD format used by some high resolution digital releases. WAV and FLAC file playback are also supported through this same USB connection.

A digital signal indicator on the unit shows which format and sampling frequency is currently playing, whether DSD or PCM, giving a direct visual confirmation of what the amplifier is actually receiving from a connected source rather than leaving that information hidden.

Buyers who care about measured performance over marketing claims should note that a 0.019 percent THD figure is genuinely strong for this product tier, and it is specified across the full 20Hz to 20kHz audible range rather than at a single convenient frequency, which is a more demanding way to measure distortion.

Connectivity and Inputs

Analogue connectivity includes gold plated inputs with a dedicated phono input among them, letting turntable owners connect directly without needing a separate external phono preamp. Digital connectivity adds a gold plated coaxial input and a TOSLINK optical input, both useful for connecting a television, disc player, or other digital source.

The USB DAC input rounds out connectivity for computer based playback, supporting the high resolution PCM and DSD formats described above. There is no HDMI input or output on this amplifier, and the listing does not describe Wi-Fi or Bluetooth wireless connectivity, so streaming from a phone or network source is not part of this unit's feature set.

Buyers with a mixed source collection, such as a turntable, a television, and a computer, can connect all three simultaneously through the phono, TOSLINK, and USB inputs respectively, switching between them from the amplifier's front panel rather than needing an external switcher.

The coaxial digital input adds a fourth connection option for sources that output a digital coaxial signal rather than optical, such as certain older disc players or set top boxes, giving buyers a bit more flexibility than an amplifier that only offers a single digital input type.

Formats, Processing and Room Correction

As a 2 channel stereo amplifier, the A-S801SL has no object based surround formats like Dolby Atmos or DTS:X to process, since those require a multichannel AV receiver rather than a 2 channel integrated amplifier. Its format strengths are entirely on the digital audio side through the built in USB DAC.

There is no automated room correction feature described in the listing, which is typical for a stereo integrated amplifier at this level rather than a full home theater receiver. The digital signal indicator functions more as playback confirmation than as a processing feature, simply showing what format and sample rate is currently active.

Listeners who care specifically about DSD playback should note that support goes up to 5.6MHz, covering both of the two common DSD sample rates in wide circulation, rather than stopping at the lower 2.8MHz rate that some less capable USB DACs are limited to.

• USB DAC supporting PCM up to 384kHz, 32-bit and DSD up to 5.6MHz
• WAV and FLAC file playback through the USB input
• Gold plated phono input for turntable connection
• Gold plated digital coaxial and TOSLINK optical inputs
• Speaker A, B, and A plus B switching

Features, Streaming and Apps

The listing does not describe Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or any network streaming app for this amplifier, so buyers wanting wireless playback from a phone would need an external Bluetooth receiver or similar add on device connected to one of the available inputs. The amplifier's feature set is focused instead on wired analogue and digital connectivity.

Speaker A, B, and A plus B switching is a practical feature for listeners running two separate speaker pairs, such as a main listening pair and a second pair in another part of the same room, letting either or both play simultaneously without needing a separate speaker selector box.

Buyers who want a wireless option alongside this amplifier's wired strengths can typically add a small external Bluetooth receiver connected to one of the analogue inputs, though that would be an added component rather than a feature built into the A-S801SL itself.

Build, Design and Controls

The listing describes the amplifier in a silver finish, consistent with Yamaha's traditional integrated amplifier styling. Exact dimensions and weight are not given in the available feature data, so buyers should confirm physical fit on a shelf or rack separately before purchase.

Physical controls likely follow the traditional layout typical of Yamaha integrated amplifiers, with the digital signal indicator providing visual feedback on currently playing format and sample rate. The gold plated inputs throughout are a build quality detail aimed at maintaining a stable, low resistance connection over time.

That attention to connector quality across both analogue and digital inputs suggests a build philosophy focused on long term reliability rather than cutting costs on physical connections, which matters most for buyers who plan to keep an amplifier in regular use for many years rather than replacing it quickly.

Setup and Daily Use

Setup involves connecting speakers to the A, B, or both outputs and choosing from the available phono, digital coaxial, TOSLINK, or USB inputs depending on the source being used. Turntable owners can connect directly to the dedicated phono input without needing a separate preamp box.

Day to day, the digital signal indicator offers a quick way to confirm that a connected digital source is actually being read correctly, showing the active format and sample rate. Switching between speaker pairs using the A, B, and A plus B controls is a simple physical toggle rather than requiring a menu or app.

Listeners moving a laptop between desks or rooms can simply reconnect the USB cable to resume high resolution playback, since the amplifier's USB DAC input does not require any special pairing or app based setup each time a source is plugged back in.

Who Should Buy It

This amplifier suits stereo listeners who want a dedicated phono input alongside solid digital connectivity, particularly buyers who split time between vinyl and digital sources like a computer or disc player. The low 0.019 percent THD rating also appeals to listeners who prioritize measured amplifier performance.

Buyers running two speaker pairs in the same or adjoining rooms benefit from the A, B, and A plus B switching, and anyone wanting a USB DAC capable of high resolution DSD and PCM playback gets that built directly into the amplifier rather than needing a separate external DAC.

Alternatives Worth Considering

Buyers who want network streaming built into the amplifier rather than relying purely on wired digital and USB inputs could consider a streaming amplifier platform such as a WiiM Amp, trading away the dedicated phono input and gold plated analogue connectivity found here for added wireless convenience.

Listeners who want a similar stereo focused layout with network features built in, rather than a USB only digital approach, might look at something like a Yamaha R-N303, which adds network streaming to a broadly similar integrated amplifier concept.

Buyers wanting full home theater surround sound rather than 2 channel stereo should look toward a dedicated AV receiver such as a Denon AVR-S760H, which handles HDMI switching and object based surround formats entirely outside this amplifier's stereo only design.

Verdict

The Yamaha A-S801SL combines a genuinely low distortion 100 watt plus 100 watt amplifier with a dedicated phono input and a capable USB DAC supporting high resolution PCM and DSD playback. For stereo listeners who want both vinyl and digital sources covered without network streaming complexity, that combination is well judged.

It offers no wireless connectivity, HDMI switching, or surround sound processing, and some physical details like exact dimensions are not published. For buyers focused on wired, phono inclusive 2 channel listening with strong measured performance, it remains a solid and fairly straightforward choice.

Strengths and Limitations

Alternatives to Consider

JBL RallyBar XL

Outdoor vehicle owners who want a rugged, powerful, light-up soundbar for off-road, marine, or powersports use.

Read the JBL RallyBar XL review →

Cambridge Audio CXN100 SE Gen 4

Hi-fi listeners who already own or plan to buy a separate amplifier and want a feature rich streaming source with a named reference DAC and broad service support.

Read the Cambridge Audio CXN100 SE Gen 4 review →

Yamaha A-S801BL

Stereo and vinyl focused listeners who want a two channel integrated amplifier with a built in USB DAC and a genuinely substantial internal build.

Read the Yamaha A-S801BL review →

Questions Buyers Ask