The A-S501 is an integrated amplifier with built-in DAC by Yamaha that delivers 85 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 85 into 6 ohms. It was released in 2014. It is a 2-channel design using a Class A/B output stage. A minimum impedance of 4 ohms makes it compatible with a wide range of loudspeakers. It has a built-in DAC (Texas Instruments PCM5101), so you can play digital sources directly with no separate DAC unit needed. It also has a phono input, so a turntable can connect straight to it. The Yamaha A-S501 has an MSRP of $550.
Yamaha A-S501 Amplifier Internal View
There are 9 Yamaha amplifiers in our database. Below you can see the main specs of these amps.
Yamaha Integrated Amplifier Series
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Performance Specs
One of the most important factors when deciding on an integrated amplifier is its power ratings and compatibility with your speaker's impedance requirements. The Yamaha A-S501 is rated at 85 watts RMS into 8-ohms. Yamaha provides this wattage at a THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) of 0.019% which is an important indicator of distortion at the given values (lower THD is better).
Here are the main highlights of its performance specs:
- 85 watts into 8-ohms (20 Hz-20 kHz) at 0.019%
- 100 watts into 6-ohms
- 4-ohms Min Impedance (allows compatibility with a wide range of loudspeakers)
- 99dB Signal to Noise Ratio
How loud will 85 watts actually play in your room? →
Wiring more than one pair of speakers to it? Check the load first →
Which speakers suit the Yamaha A-S501?
85 W into 8 ohms, rated down to 4 ohms.
We rank every passive speaker we cover against it on power, impedance safety and current
delivery.
Need more power?
Yamaha A-S501 is rated at 85 watts into 8 ohms, which puts it in our 61 to 90 watts band. The next band up is 91 to 120 watts, which is worth about 1.5dB more output. That is a real difference in headroom on peaks, and a modest one in how loud the system plays - power and loudness are not the same thing.
Before buying watts, check what your speakers actually need: the amp and speaker matcher works it out from their sensitivity, impedance and your room. Plenty of systems are better served by the Up to 60 watts band and better speakers.
When pairing the Yamaha A-S501 with a passive Bookshelf (Stand mount) or Passive Floor Standing (Tower) speaker, you have to check if their Max Power Range is below the max wattage of the amp for the given impedance levels.
Operating your amp outside of this max range may damage the speakers.
What size of room is the Yamaha A-S501 Amplifier good for?
An essential deciding factor is the size of the room in which you intend to employ the Yamaha A-S501 amplifier. Here, taking into account its maximum power parameters, we analyzed its applicability to various size environments:
| Listening Environment |
Suitability |
| Near-field | Poor |
| Small Room | Average |
| Mid-size Room | Good |
| Large Room | Average |
| Very Large Room | Poor |
Inputs and Outputs
Besides the performance specs of the Yamaha A-S501, the next important feature set that you have to evaluate is the input and output selections that it offers.
Yamaha A-S501 has total of 6 Analog inputs including 1 Phono Input (MM).
Yamaha A-S501 Back View (Click the image for the larger version)
Inputs
- Total Number of Analog Inputs: 6
- Phono Input
- 1 Optical Digital Input
- 1 Coaxial Digital Input
Outputs
- Speaker Outputs (A/B switchable)
- Sub Preamp Outputs
- 1/4 Headphone Output
- Subwoofer Output (1)
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yamaha A-S501 doesn't have bluetooth connectivity feature. In order to stream your music via bluetooth, the easiest way is to connect an external bluetooth receiver to your Yamaha A-S501. Two bluetooth receivers that we recommend are the
iFi Zen Blue V2 and the
Audioengine B1.
Among the amps in the same price range, these are the 5 amps that have Bluetooth Connectivity:
Phono Input
Yamaha A-S501 features one Phono Input which is compatible with
MM (Moving Magnet) type of phono cartridges, you can connect your turntable with MM cartridges directly to this amp without the need for a phono preamp. If you are using an MC cartridge on your turntable, you need to use a phono preamp that has MC phono stage such as the
Cambridge Duo or the
iFi ZEN Phono.
Subwoofer Output
Yamaha A-S501 has a dedicated subwoofer output which can be used to connect it directly to a powered subwoofer via an LFE(Low Frequency Effects) cable.
Check our
Powered Subwoofers page to find a subwoofer that will work with Yamaha A-S501 amp and your speakers.
DAC and Digital Music
The Yamaha A-S501's built-in DAC allows the connection of digital sources directly, eliminating the need for an external DAC. The DAC chip that is used in the A-S501 is the
Texas Instruments PCM5101, and supports resolutions up to
24-bit, 192KHZ.
Yamaha A-S501 Handheld Remote
Yamaha A-S501 External Dimensions and Weight
Yamaha A-S501 has external dimensions of (H x W x D) 6inch x 17-1/8inch x 15-7/16inch (153.0mm x 435.0mm x 393.0mm ). The unit weighs
10.32 kg (22.7 lbs).
Base Surface Area
Base surface area of an integrated amplifier may become an important decision factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base area of the Yamaha A-S501 is approximately 1709.6cm2 / 265.0inch2.
- Width: 435.0mm (17-1/8")
- Height: 153.0mm (6")
- Depth: 393.0mm (15-7/16")
- Weight: 10.32 kg (22.7 lbs)
- Base Surface Area: ~1709.6cm2 / 265.0inch2
- Volume: ~26.2 liter / 6.9 gallon
Available colors
Yamaha A-S501 is available in Black and Silver color options.
What's in the Box of Yamaha A-S501?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of A-S501:
- Stereo integrated amplifier
- Remote control (RAS13)
- 2 AA batteries
- Owners manual (En/ Fr)
- Warranty information (US/CA)
- On-line product registration information
- Yamaha Worldwide Representative Offices note
Official Product Page
Official manufacturer's product page for the Yamaha A-S501 Integrated Amplifier can be found below:
Official Product Page for Yamaha A-S501
Warranty
2 Years of parts warranty and 2 Years of labor warranty is generally provided for the Yamaha A-S501 by the manufacturer.
| General |
| Brand |
Yamaha |
| Full Model Name |
Yamaha A-S501 |
| Release Date |
2014 |
| Amplifier Type |
Integrated Amplifier |
| Number of Channels |
2 |
| Amp Class |
Class A/B |
| Amplifier Technology |
Solid State |
| Performance |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 8-ohms |
85 watts |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 6-ohms |
100 watts |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 4-ohms |
N/A |
| Frequency Bandwidth |
20 Hz-20 kHz |
| THD |
0.019% |
| Minimum Impedance |
4 |
| Signal to Noise Ratio |
99 dB |
| Digital Music |
| Built-in DAC |
Yes |
| DAC Specs |
Texas Instruments PCM5101 |
| Bluetooth |
No |
| WiFi |
|
| Ecosystem |
| Apple AirPlay |
No |
| Apple AirPlay2 |
No |
| DTS Play-Fi |
No |
| Chromecast built-in |
No |
| Roon |
No |
| HEOS |
No |
| BluOS |
No |
| CONNECTIONS |
| Total Analog Inputs |
6 |
| Phono Input |
Yes |
| Optical Digital Inputs |
1 |
| Coaxial Digital Inputs |
1 |
| USB Input |
No |
| Preamp Outputs |
Sub |
| Pre-out / Main-in Loop |
No |
| Headphone Output |
1/4 |
| Subwoofer Output |
Yes |
| Removable Power Cord |
No |
| PHYSICAL SPECS |
| Height |
153.0mm (6") |
| Width |
435.0mm (17-1/8") |
| Depth |
393.0mm (15-7/16") |
| Weight |
10.32 kg (22.7 lbs) |
| Available Colors |
Black,Silver |
| OTHER |
| Tone Controls |
Yes |
| Loudness Control |
Yes |
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |