Turntables Review
Yamaha A-S801BL Review: Integrated Amplifier, Not a Turntable
The Yamaha A-S801BL is listed as a turntable or record player, but the listing data describes an integrated stereo amplifier. It offers 100 watts per channel, a USB DAC, and a phono input. Turntable specific specifications such as drive type, cartridge, platter, and tonearm are not published in the listing.
Our Verdict
Research Score 60/100The Yamaha A-S801BL listing does not match the expected turntable category. The published data describes an integrated amplifier with 100 watts per channel, a USB DAC, digital inputs, and a phono stage. Those are useful features for a vinyl and digital audio system, but the listing omits every turntable specification a buyer would need. Without a cartridge, platter, tonearm, or speed rating, this product cannot be evaluated as a turntable. The amplifier specifications look strong on paper, and the upper mid-range price tier is consistent with similar integrated amps. However, because this review is for a turntable or record player, the score reflects the complete absence of turntable information rather than a judgment of the amplifier's actual audio quality. Buyers should verify the exact product before purchase.
Editorial research score based on published specifications and documented features, not a customer rating or lab test.
Yamaha
Yamaha A-S801BL
Best for: Buyers seeking an upper mid-range integrated amplifier with phono and USB DAC inputs, not a standalone turntable.
Skip it if: You need a turntable or record player with clearly stated drive type, cartridge, platter, tonearm, and playback speeds.
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Listing verified: October 2026
Who Should Buy It
Buy it if
- Someone who already owns a turntable and wants a full featured integrated amplifier
- A listener who wants to play high resolution digital files through a USB DAC
- A buyer who values speaker A and B switching for two rooms or two speaker pairs
- A vinyl enthusiast who needs a dedicated phono input for a moving magnet cartridge
Skip it if
- You are shopping for a plug and play record player with built in speakers
- You need a turntable with adjustable tonearm and cartridge included
- You want Bluetooth wireless streaming from a phone or tablet
Key Specifications
| Drive type | Not published in listing |
| Cartridge | Not published in listing |
| Platter | Not published in listing |
| Tonearm | Not published in listing |
| Speeds | Not published in listing |
| Built-in preamp | Not published in listing |
| Bluetooth and USB | USB DAC input; Bluetooth not stated in listing |
| Outputs | Speaker A, B, A+B terminals; other outputs not stated |
| Dimensions and weight | Not published in listing |
| Included accessories | Not published in listing |
Overview
The Yamaha A-S801BL appears in listing data as a turntable or record player, but the listing title and feature bullets clearly describe an integrated stereo amplifier. The product is marketed under Yamaha's Natural Sound branding and includes amplifier specifications such as power output, distortion, and input types. This review follows the listing data without in-person testing.
Because the listing is for an amplifier, the turntable specific fields are not populated. Drive type, cartridge, platter, tonearm, and playback speeds are not published. The listing does not mention a dust cover, tonearm counterweight, or anti skate adjustment. Buyers should treat this as an amplifier review with no turntable functionality.
The listed price tier is upper mid-range. The amplifier offers 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms from 20 Hz to 20 kHz with 0.019 percent total harmonic distortion. It also includes a USB DAC, digital coax and optical inputs, and a phono input. These features are relevant to a stereo system but not to a standalone turntable.
Sound and Cartridge
The listing does not state a cartridge type, stylus shape, or tracking force range. There is no information about moving magnet or moving coil compatibility beyond the presence of a phono input. Turntable sound cannot be assessed without a cartridge and tonearm. The published specifications focus on the amplifier's electrical output rather than vinyl playback.
On paper, the amplifier section offers 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms with 0.019 percent THD from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The frequency response is listed as 10 Hz to 100 kHz plus or minus 1.0 dB. These numbers suggest a clean, wide bandwidth amplifier that should drive most passive speakers without audible strain.
The built in phono input is gold plated, according to the listing, and supports analog input from a turntable. The listing does not specify whether the phono stage supports moving coil cartridges, so buyers with low output moving coil cartridges may need an external step up device. The absence of cartridge specifications means the sound of a connected turntable will depend entirely on the cartridge and turntable used.
Build, Platter and Tonearm
There is no published platter material, weight, or diameter because this product is not a turntable. The listing also does not include a tonearm description, effective mass, or bearing type. These are essential specifications for a turntable review, and their absence confirms the mismatch between the listing category and the actual product.
The amplifier build details in the listing include a custom made power transformer, 12,000 microfarad block capacitors, and extruded aluminum heat sinks. Gold plated analog and digital inputs are also mentioned. These components indicate attention to power supply stability and thermal management, but they do not relate to platter or tonearm construction.
Dimensions and weight are not published, so the physical footprint of the amplifier is unknown. The listing does not state the chassis material or front panel controls. Without published dimensions, buyers cannot plan rack or shelf space. The build quality of the internal components may be good, but the external build remains unverified from the listing.
Features and Connectivity
The USB DAC function is a major feature in the listing. It supports DSD 2.8 MHz and 5.6 MHz as well as PCM up to 384 kHz and 32 bit. WAV and FLAC file playback is mentioned. This allows a computer or digital transport to send high resolution audio directly to the amplifier.
Digital inputs include a gold plated coaxial connection and a TOSLINK optical input. Analog inputs are also gold plated and include a phono input. The amplifier provides speaker A, speaker B, and A plus B output switching. No Bluetooth or network streaming is mentioned anywhere in the listing.
Outputs beyond speaker terminals are not described. The listing does not mention a dedicated subwoofer output, preamplifier output, or headphone jack. Buyers who want to connect a powered subwoofer or headphone amplifier may need to check the manufacturer's full manual. The feature set is centered on stereo amplification and high resolution digital input.
- USB DAC with DSD 2.8 MHz and 5.6 MHz plus PCM 384 kHz / 32 bit
- Gold plated digital coax and TOSLINK optical inputs
- Gold plated analog inputs including phono
- Speaker A, B, and A+B switching
Setup and Ease of Use
Setting up this product as an amplifier involves connecting source components to the analog or digital inputs and connecting passive speakers to the speaker terminals. The listing does not include a setup guide, but the input labels are referenced in the feature bullets. No turntable setup steps are relevant because the product is not a turntable.
Turntable setup such as balancing the tonearm, setting tracking force, and aligning a cartridge cannot be performed on this amplifier. Buyers who need a complete turntable with adjustable tonearm and included cartridge will not find those features here. The absence of any tonearm or platter information means there is no vinyl setup experience to evaluate.
The USB DAC may require driver installation on some computers, but the listing does not state compatibility with Windows, macOS, or Linux. The presence of standard digital and analog inputs suggests straightforward connection, but no remote control or front panel details are provided. Ease of use for daily operation cannot be fully assessed without more information.
Speeds, Playback and Automation
The listing does not state 33 1/3 or 45 RPM speeds because the product is not a turntable. There is no speed selection switch, pitch control, or quartz lock information. These are important for a record player review, but they are simply absent from the listing.
Playback through this amplifier is limited to analog and digital sources connected to its inputs. The USB DAC plays high resolution PCM and DSD files, while the phono input accepts a turntable signal. The amplifier does not include a built in phono cartridge or any automatic record playing mechanism.
Automation features such as auto start, auto stop, or tonearm return are not present in the listing. The product is a manual integrated amplifier, not a record player. Users must operate an external turntable separately and select the correct input on the amplifier. This is normal for separate audio components but contrary to the listing category.
Daily Use and Record Care
Record care is not addressed by this product because it is not a turntable. There is no dust cover, platter mat, or record cleaning system included or described. Users who purchase this amplifier will need a separate turntable with its own dust protection and record maintenance routine.
Daily use of the amplifier is likely to be straightforward for someone familiar with stereo components. Speaker A and B switching allows two pairs of speakers to be controlled independently or together. The custom power transformer and heat sinks suggest the unit is built to handle continuous playback without overheating.
The listing does not include any information about power consumption, standby mode, or remote control. These factors affect daily convenience. The lack of Bluetooth or network streaming means users must physically connect a digital source or turntable. Record care remains the responsibility of the owner and the external turntable.
Who Should Buy It
This product is best suited to someone who already owns a turntable and wants a full featured integrated amplifier with a phono input. The Yamaha A-S801BL offers 100 watts per channel and high resolution digital inputs, making it a solid hub for a mixed vinyl and digital system.
Buyers who need a USB DAC for computer audio will find the DSD and high resolution PCM support appealing. The listing does not state driver compatibility, but the feature set is aimed at audio enthusiasts. The upper mid-range price tier aligns with other integrated amplifiers with USB DAC and phono stages.
This amplifier is not for someone seeking an all in one turntable. It does not include a platter, tonearm, cartridge, or built in speakers. Buyers looking for a first record player should choose a dedicated turntable instead. The listed product will not play records by itself.
Alternatives Worth Considering
For actual turntable options, well known entry level models include the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X and AT-LP120XUSB, the Fluance RT81, and the Sony PS-LX310BT. These are separate products with published drive type, cartridge, and speed specifications. The listing data for this Yamaha amplifier does not provide comparable turntable features.
If a buyer specifically wants an integrated amplifier with phono and USB DAC, there are other models in the same upper mid-range tier from various manufacturers. However, the listing does not include enough information to make direct comparisons. The Yamaha A-S801BL stands out for its 100 watt per channel rating and DSD support on paper.
Buyers who need Bluetooth wireless streaming should look for an amplifier or turntable with that feature clearly listed. The A-S801BL does not mention Bluetooth, so a phone or tablet cannot connect without an external adapter. For a dedicated turntable, the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO or U-Turn Orbit are popular choices with published specifications.
Verdict
The Yamaha A-S801BL listing is fundamentally a mismatch for a turntable review. The product is an integrated stereo amplifier with strong on paper specifications, but it lacks every turntable specific detail a buyer would need to make an informed choice. The score reflects this lack of turntable information rather than a judgment of the amplifier's true performance.
On paper, the amplifier offers 100 watts per channel, a USB DAC with DSD and high resolution PCM, and a gold plated phono input. These features are valuable for a stereo system, and the upper mid-range price tier is consistent with the feature set. However, without in-person testing, the actual sound quality cannot be confirmed.
Buyers who want a turntable should look elsewhere. This listing should be corrected to the amplifier category. If you already own a turntable and need a capable integrated amplifier, the A-S801BL may be worth considering, but you should verify the full manual and dimensions before purchase. The published listing data is simply incomplete for a record player review.
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- 100 watts per channel rated at 0.019% THD
- USB DAC supports DSD 2.8 MHz and 5.6 MHz plus PCM up to 384 kHz / 32 bit
- Gold plated phono input for moving magnet cartridges
- Speaker A, B, and A+B switching
- Custom power transformer and extruded aluminum heat sinks
Limitations
- Listing does not describe a turntable or record player
- No cartridge, platter, tonearm, or speed specifications published
- Bluetooth not mentioned in the listing
- No published dimensions or weight
- No included accessories listed
How We Scored It
Scores reflect published specifications, documented features and value against the alternatives below. They are editorial research scores, not laboratory measurements.
Alternatives to Consider
Cambridge Audio CXN100 SE Gen 4
Listeners who want a high resolution network streamer and TV audio hub in an upper mid-range system.
Read the Cambridge Audio CXN100 SE Gen 4 review →
Onkyo TX-RZ30
Home theater buyers who want a 9.2 channel AV receiver with Dirac Live, THX certification, Sonos integration, and Klipsch speaker optimization.
Read the Onkyo TX-RZ30 review →
Yamaha A-S801SL
This is best for a listener building a separates system who needs a stereo integrated amplifier with a phono input, not for someone looking for a turntable.
Read the Yamaha A-S801SL review →Questions Buyers Ask
Yamaha A-S801BL
See the current listing, price and included accessories.
About This Review
Mandrillis Team
The Mandrillis editorial team researches and compares audio and music gear using manufacturer documentation, verified specs and real buyer feedback, so you can make a confident purchase without wading through marketing claims.
Read our full research methodology.