ELAC Discovery Series DS-A101-G vs Yamaha A-S801 Detailed Comparison

ELAC Discovery Series DS-A101-G vs Yamaha A-S801

Amp to replace

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ELAC DS-A101-G

Integrated Amplifier | 40 watts RMS into 8-ohms

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Yamaha A-S801

Integrated Amplifier | 100 watts RMS into 8-ohms

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ELAC DS-A101-G

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Yamaha A-S801

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ELAC DS-A101-G

See at AMAZON

Yamaha A-S801

See at AMAZON

ELAC DS-A101-G vs Yamaha A-S801 Integrated Amplifier Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers . ELAC Discovery Series DS-A101-G is a Streaming Integrated Amplifier speaker whereas the A-S801 is a Integrated Amplifier with built-in DAC speaker.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of ELAC DS-A101-G and Yamaha A-S801 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

ELAC DS-A101-G Key Specs

40 watts RMS into 8-ohms

Built-in DAC

Bluetooth v4.0

Weight: 4.80 lbs / 2.18 kg

Dimensions (H x W x D):2-1/2inch x 8-7/16inch x 13-5/8inch

Yamaha A-S801 Key Specs

100 watts RMS into 8-ohms

Built-in DAC

Phono Input

USB Input

Weight: 26.70 lbs / 12.14 kg

Dimensions (H x W x D):6inch x 17-1/8inch x 16-3/16inch

What size room are the ELAC DS-A101-G and Yamaha A-S801 Amplifiers good for?

The size of the room in which you are planning to use these amplifiers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their max power parameters:

Listening Environment	ELAC DS-A101-G	Yamaha A-S801
Near-field	Good	Poor
Small Room	Good	Poor
Mid-size Room	Average	Good
Large Room	Poor	Good
Very Large Room	No way	Average

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to understand how ELAC DS-A101-G and Yamaha A-S801 compares and end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these amplifiers is the better choice for you.

**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Reasons to choose ELAC Discovery Series DS-A101-G over Yamaha A-S801

MSRP Price(*)	850USD vs 900USD	costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
App-Based Control	Yes vs None	Control the amplifier via an app
Signal to Noise Ratio	101 dB vs 99 dB	Higher ratings results in cleaner sound
Minimum Impedance	2 ohms vs 4 ohms	Compatible with 2-ohms speakers
Bluetooth	Yes vs No	Stream music via Bluetooth devices
Wi-Fi	Yes vs No	High quality streaming over WiFi
Roon	Ready vs No	Roon Compatibility
Base Surface Area	746.1cm²/ 115.6inch² vs 1792.2cm²/ 277.8inch²	takes less space in your room
Height	64mm vs 153mm	Easier to fit in smaller spaces

Reasons to choose Yamaha A-S801 over ELAC Discovery Series DS-A101-G

Watts into 8-ohms	100 watts vs 40 watts	Delivers higher power into 8-ohms speakers
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)	0.019% vs 0.03%	Less Harmonic Distortion
Total Analog Inputs	6 vs 2	More options for connecting Analog sources
PhonoInput	Yes vs No	Connect a turntable directly to your amp
USB Input	Yes vs No	Connect Sources via USB
Headphone Output	1/4 vs No	Connect your headphone to the amplifier
Max Bit Depth	32-bit vs 24-bit	Play higher resolution range media
Max Sample Rate	384kHz vs 192kHz	Play higher resolution media

Inputs and Outputs

The input and output selections that are offered is an important factor when comparing two amplifiers. Here you can find how the I/O selections of the ELAC DS-A101-G and Yamaha A-S801 differs from each other.

ELAC DS-A101-G Inputs

Total Number of Analog Inputs: 2
1 Optical Digital Input
1 Coaxial Digital Input
Ethernet Port

Yamaha A-S801 Inputs

Total Number of Analog Inputs: 6
Phono Input
1 Optical Digital Input
1 Coaxial Digital Input
USB Input:
- USB-B(connect to your computer for playback)
- USB-A(charging only)

ELAC DS-A101-G Back View (Click the image for the larger version)

Outputs

Stereo RCA Preamp Outputs
Subwoofer Output

Outputs

Sub Preamp Outputs
1/4 Headphone Output
Subwoofer Output

Yamaha A-S801 Back View (Click the image for the larger version)

What's in the Box of ELAC DS-A101-G?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of DS-A101-G:

Integrated amplifier

4-feet AC power cord

Remote control

2 AAA batteries

4 Banana-connectors

Operating Instructions

What's in the Box of Yamaha A-S801?

Here are the items that come with the A-S801:

Stereo integrated amplifier

6.5-feet AC power cord

Remote control (RAS15)

2 AA batteries

Owners manual (En/ Fr)

Warranty information (US/CA)

On-line product registration information

Yamaha Worldwide Representative Offices note