Yamaha A-S801SL Review: Not a Turntable

Who Should Buy It

Key Specifications

Overview

The Yamaha A-S801SL is listed as a Natural Sound integrated stereo amplifier, not a turntable or record player. The product listing includes several amplifier specifications, such as 100 watts per channel, a USB DAC, digital inputs, and a phono input. This review evaluates the product as listed, but readers should know that it cannot spin a record or play vinyl on its own. The category mismatch is the most important fact to understand before buying.

In a normal turntable review, we would discuss the platter, tonearm, cartridge, and speed accuracy. None of those parts exist in this product. The Yamaha A-S801SL is a stereo integrated amplifier that can power passive speakers and accept sources, including a turntable with a moving magnet cartridge. The listing does not state any turntable specifications, so any attempt to score it as a record player must note the missing elements.

Because the product is not a turntable, the usual scoring categories for sound, build, features, setup, speeds, and value as a record player are mostly not applicable. The score in this review reflects that mismatch. The amplifier itself may be a capable component, but it cannot be judged as a turntable.

Sound and Cartridge

There is no cartridge on the Yamaha A-S801SL because it is not a turntable. The listing does not describe a moving magnet or moving coil cartridge, a stylus, or a headshell. Sound quality from vinyl cannot be assessed from this product alone. Buyers who want to hear records will need a separate turntable with its own cartridge and tonearm.

The listing does mention a phono input among its gold plated analog inputs. This means the amplifier includes a phono stage for a turntable with a moving magnet cartridge, but the listing does not specify the phono stage gain, loading, or signal to noise ratio. This is an amplifier feature, not a turntable sound characteristic. The published specification does not state the sound signature of the phono section.

On paper, the amplifier section is rated at 100 watts per channel from 20 Hz to 20 kHz with 0.019 percent total harmonic distortion. That figure relates to amplifier power output and is not a measure of turntable sound. Without a platter, bearing, tonearm, or cartridge, no meaningful assessment of record playback is possible.

Build, Platter and Tonearm

The Yamaha A-S801SL has no platter, no plinth for a record, and no tonearm. The listing describes a silver integrated amplifier, but it does not publish a platter material, weight, or damping design. There is no tonearm length, bearing type, or effective mass to evaluate. These are essential parts of a turntable, and their absence is definitive.

Build quality for the amplifier chassis may be inferred from the feature list, which includes gold plated inputs and a digital signal indicator. However, the listing does not provide dimensions, weight, or chassis material. As a turntable review, this is not relevant because the product does not have a spindle, motor, or platter bearing to assess.

The front panel shown in typical listings of this model includes a volume control, input selector, and speaker switching, but this review only uses the facts supplied. The listing describes speaker A, B, and A plus B operation, which indicates a stereo amplifier architecture. It does not mention a dust cover, feet, or isolation, all of which are typical turntable build concerns.

Features and Connectivity

The listing describes several amplifier features. It states 100 watts plus 100 watts at 20 Hz to 20 kHz with 0.019 percent THD. It also lists a USB DAC function that supports DSD at 2.8 MHz or 5.6 MHz and PCM at 384 kHz or 32-bit, with WAV and FLAC playback. These are digital audio features for a computer or source, not turntable features.

Connectivity includes gold plated digital coax input, TOSLINK optical input, and gold plated analog inputs including phono. The presence of a phono input means a turntable with a moving magnet cartridge can be connected directly. The listing does not mention a moving coil phono input, nor does it state whether the phono input has adjustable capacitance or loading.

The unit also has speaker A, B, and A plus B switching, which allows two pairs of speakers to be connected. A digital signal indicator shows DSD and PCM playback formats and sampling frequencies on the front panel. Bluetooth is not mentioned in the listing. This is a connectivity set typical of a stereo integrated amplifier, not a turntable.

• 100 watts per channel at 20 Hz to 20 kHz with 0.019 percent THD
• USB DAC with DSD 2.8 MHz and 5.6 MHz plus PCM 384 kHz and 32-bit
• Gold plated digital coax and TOSLINK optical inputs
• Gold plated analog inputs including phono
• Speaker A, B, and A plus B switching
• Digital signal indicator for DSD and PCM

Setup and Ease of Use

Setting up this product as a turntable is not possible because it is not a turntable. You cannot mount a cartridge, set tracking force, adjust anti-skate, or place a record on any platter. The listing does not include setup instructions for a turntable, because there is no turntable mechanism to set up.

As an amplifier, setup would involve connecting speakers to the binding posts and sources to the analog or digital inputs. The listing does not specify whether binding posts accept banana plugs or bare wire, nor does it mention a remote control. However, the front panel indicator for DSD and PCM suggests a display for digital input status.

If you connect a turntable to the phono input, you would need to set the turntable's tracking force and anti-skate on that separate turntable. The Yamaha A-S801SL does not contribute to that process. Buyers should treat this product as an amplifier, not as a plug and play record player.

Speeds, Playback and Automation

The Yamaha A-S801SL has no 33 1/3 RPM, 45 RPM, or 78 RPM speed settings. It has no motor, no belt, no direct drive, and no pitch control. The listing does not publish any turntable speed specifications. A product that cannot rotate a record cannot offer playback speed accuracy.

There is no automation. No auto start, auto stop, auto return, or cueing lever is described. The listing does not mention a start button, stop button, or any record handling feature. This is typical for an integrated amplifier, which is not designed to play records.

The only playback related function is the digital signal indicator that shows DSD and PCM formats when using the USB DAC. That is for digital music files, not for vinyl playback. The speeds category is not applicable for this product.

Daily Use and Record Care

Because the Yamaha A-S801SL cannot play records, there is no daily use as a record player. You will not need to clean a stylus, brush a record, or replace a belt. The product does not include a dust cover or a felt mat. Record care is irrelevant to this amplifier.

Daily use as an amplifier would involve selecting a source, adjusting volume, and perhaps switching between speaker pairs. The front panel digital signal indicator may be useful for confirming the sample rate of a connected USB source. However, the listing does not state the volume control type or whether it is motorized.

If you are building a system around a turntable, you would still need to maintain the separate turntable's stylus and records. The A-S801SL has no impact on record wear because it does not touch the record. This section serves as a reminder that the product is not a turntable.

Who Should Buy It

This product is not for someone who wants a turntable or record player. If you want to play vinyl records, you need a different product, such as the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X or AT-LP120XUSB, the Fluance RT81, the U-Turn Orbit, or the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO. Those are actual turntables with platters and tonearms.

The Yamaha A-S801SL is appropriate for a buyer who already has a turntable and needs a stereo integrated amplifier with a phono input. It may also suit a listener who wants USB DAC functionality, digital inputs, and speaker switching in one component. The listing suggests a buyer who is building a separates system rather than buying a single record player.

If you are specifically shopping for a turntable, this listing should be skipped. The product category is wrong. A turntable buyer should look for a model that includes a platter, tonearm, cartridge, and specified speed accuracy. The A-S801SL does not provide any of those things.

Alternatives Worth Considering

For an actual budget turntable, the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X is a common automatic belt drive model. It is not the same as this amplifier, but it is a true record player with a built in phono preamp. Another step up is the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB, a direct drive turntable with USB output and pitch control. These are different product categories.

The Fluance RT81 is an entry level belt drive turntable with a built in phono preamp and a solid plinth. The U-Turn Orbit is a simple manual turntable often configurable with different cartridges and acrylic platters. The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO is a higher end belt drive turntable popular with enthusiasts. Each of these has a platter and tonearm, unlike the Yamaha A-S801SL.

If you need an amplifier to pair with one of those turntables, the Yamaha A-S801SL might be a good match because of its phono input. But if you are trying to decide between the Yamaha and a turntable, you are comparing two different components. The alternatives above are the ones to consider for vinyl playback.

Verdict

The Yamaha A-S801SL is not a turntable or record player. It is a Natural Sound integrated stereo amplifier. The listing's specifications, including 100 watts per channel, USB DAC, digital inputs, and phono input, describe an amplifier, not a record player. For a turntable review, this product fails the most basic requirement: it cannot spin a record.

The score reflects that category mismatch. Every turntable-specific category, including sound and cartridge, build platter and tonearm, speeds, and daily record care, is either not applicable or not published. The only relevant feature for a vinyl listener is the phono input, which is useful but does not make this a turntable. No amount of amplifier power can play a record.

If you are looking for an integrated amplifier for a separates system, the A-S801SL may be worth considering, but that is outside the scope of a turntable review. Buyers should verify the product title and category before purchase. For vinyl playback, choose an actual turntable and add this amplifier only if you need it.

Strengths and Limitations

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-S801BL

Buyers seeking an upper mid-range integrated amplifier with phono and USB DAC inputs, not a standalone turntable.

Read the Yamaha A-S801BL review →

Questions Buyers Ask