Thanks for your review. I'm actually about to purchase an A-S701. You offer an interesting perspective. While the 701 does have a dac, there are a lot of integrated amplifiers on the market that are sold without dacs for example the Cambridge Audio, Rotel A11, and the upper level Yamahas. The analog technology in all of these amplifiers is mature and isn't going to improve a whole lot over time. The digital technology in the dacs however will become outdated. With this in mind I think it makes sense to avoid the more expensive 801 because you're paying for something that will become outdated soon. I'm planning to buy a higher end dac to go with the 701. You'd probably be better off not selling your 701 and taking a loss and just get a really nice dac. Just a thought.
Is there really an audible difference between 24/192 files and those that are higher than this? FLAC files from my offline media player sound pretty amazing. Just asking because I too am considering the 701. Will I be missing out if I don't choose the 801?
I'd suggest doing the 701 and buying a nice dac if you're interested in digital files. If you don't want to deal with an extra dac the 801 would be better. @@Nanooky
I got my as-701 brand new for $679 plus tax in 2022. I never wanted the 801 because I did not want any chance of extra noise creeping through the USB and affecting the analogue outputs. I also felt that the USB DAC was already a bit dated compared with standalone DACs from Schitt, Pro-ject, Geshelli et al. Anyhow… happy with my 701 and for $700 and less, it is hard to beat.
One of the most enjoyable reviews (and rants) I've seen on the You...had me grinning the whole time. Allow me to answer your rhetorical question...why does Yamaha offer the 701 with a lower-performing DAC for $100 less? FOR ME. I listen to CDs and the occasional vinyl, and that's it. The 701 is identical to the 801 except for the USB port (which I would not use) and the DAC, which is not activated when using phono or CD player input. The reason I found your review is because I'm just about ready to buy, and I was comparing the 701 to the 801 and saw the same thing you saw, only I'm coming from a different perspective.
The DAC on the 801 does PCM which is for CD. It has USB,coax and toslink digital inputs that all go through a DAC. The DAC would not ever be used for phono as that is straight analog source. DAC stands for digital analog converter. It converts digital sources to analog
Thanks for the video. You sold me on the AS-701 second hand for a song. I have never bought any gadget new and saved myself 10's of thousands over the years.
I have mine paired with Kef q950 and Rel theater subwoofers, bought on clearance, and couldn't be happier . You can dial in the speakers with a loudness , treble ,and bass in addition to the volume control.
just picked up my AS-701 on amazon open box for $460 and used the money i saved to buy a nicer Cambridge audio dac,, works great on my computer with some ELAC reference 3 ways.. amazing that bookshelf speakers can put out bass i can actually feel in my chest when sitting at my pc, i will be buying another if i can get a similar deal.
I have a 701 for a secondary system. The reason I got it was that I already have a decent 700 dollar dac I'm not using in my mains systems. Why pay 100 bucks extra for a dac you don't need? So I got the 701.
I think I am in that strange 10% category! I just need a good amp to drive good speakers, but don't need a $2,000 integrated. I DJ, with turntables and digital media players. So my mixer is really my preamp, equalizer etc. The mixer also drives a sub directly. I have a Schiit Audio DAC which runs into the mixer. The DAC costs more than the 701 and is upgrade-able. My interest in the 701 and yes even the 501 is the need for good amplification, a balance control to shift from near field listening to full stereo from a listening position and basic room equalization. So perhaps I am in the 1% use model! For what I need, the 501 and 701 fit perfectly. I just wish the industry would get out of it's "Purist Way" and actually include useful preamp and amp features in their products as you go up the chain. Everyone does not have a perfect listening space or fit the standard consumer mold, or own a gold mine, but we still want high quality audio... and we just might not need a built in DAC either.
I think you are vasty underestimating the number of people who already own an external DAC. Why spend the extra $100 for something you'd never use? In fact, I'm willing to bet that those who would spend $900 on the 801 and don't already own some kind of DAC (be it stand-alone, network streamer, etc) are the ones in the small minority.
I would not worry about the bits, worry about the DAC quality. In a blind test, you would likely not be able to pick out a DAC running 16-bit, 48000 Hz vs one running at 32-bit, 48000. Not all DACs have the same sound quality, for example my better measuring Topping E50 (nearly $300.00 with a $ 60.00 upgraded power supply) does not sound as good as my older, much cheaper ($100) Khadas Tone Board 1 (USB bus powered). The E50 sounds lean and sterile, the Tone Board sounds punchy with less bright highs and deeper lows.
THAT is the main reason I have been on the fence with these Yamaha Amps. It's just silly. I also wished companies would just make a good integrated WITHOUT a DAC. My DAC costs more than this amp, so...
Thanks for your review. I'm actually about to purchase an A-S701. You offer an interesting perspective. While the 701 does have a dac, there are a lot of integrated amplifiers on the market that are sold without dacs for example the Cambridge Audio, Rotel A11, and the upper level Yamahas. The analog technology in all of these amplifiers is mature and isn't going to improve a whole lot over time. The digital technology in the dacs however will become outdated. With this in mind I think it makes sense to avoid the more expensive 801 because you're paying for something that will become outdated soon. I'm planning to buy a higher end dac to go with the 701. You'd probably be better off not selling your 701 and taking a loss and just get a really nice dac. Just a thought.
Is there really an audible difference between 24/192 files and those that are higher than this? FLAC files from my offline media player sound pretty amazing. Just asking because I too am considering the 701. Will I be missing out if I don't choose the 801?
I'd suggest doing the 701 and buying a nice dac if you're interested in digital files. If you don't want to deal with an extra dac the 801 would be better.
@@Nanooky
I got my as-701 brand new for $679 plus tax in 2022. I never wanted the 801 because I did not want any chance of extra noise creeping through the USB and affecting the analogue outputs. I also felt that the USB DAC was already a bit dated compared with standalone DACs from Schitt, Pro-ject, Geshelli et al. Anyhow… happy with my 701 and for $700 and less, it is hard to beat.
One of the most enjoyable reviews (and rants) I've seen on the You...had me grinning the whole time. Allow me to answer your rhetorical question...why does Yamaha offer the 701 with a lower-performing DAC for $100 less? FOR ME. I listen to CDs and the occasional vinyl, and that's it. The 701 is identical to the 801 except for the USB port (which I would not use) and the DAC, which is not activated when using phono or CD player input. The reason I found your review is because I'm just about ready to buy, and I was comparing the 701 to the 801 and saw the same thing you saw, only I'm coming from a different perspective.
The DAC on the 801 does PCM which is for CD. It has USB,coax and toslink digital inputs that all go through a DAC. The DAC would not ever be used for phono as that is straight analog source. DAC stands for digital analog converter. It converts digital sources to analog
Yes, but CD players have their own internal DACS, so again, I wouldn't need one in my amp.@@bigmacfullerton7870
Thanks for the video. You sold me on the AS-701 second hand for a song. I have never bought any gadget new and saved myself 10's of thousands over the years.
I have mine paired with Kef q950 and Rel theater subwoofers, bought on clearance, and couldn't be happier . You can dial in the speakers with a loudness , treble ,and bass in addition to the volume control.
I am actually thinking about getting the 701 used for 350 with an external dac because I cant find an used 801
just picked up my AS-701 on amazon open box for $460 and used the money i saved to buy a nicer Cambridge audio dac,, works great on my computer with some ELAC reference 3 ways.. amazing that bookshelf speakers can put out bass i can actually feel in my chest when sitting at my pc, i will be buying another if i can get a similar deal.
Would this amplifier work well with the ELAC Debut Reference B6s for spacious electronic music?
I have a 701 for a secondary system. The reason I got it was that I already have a decent 700 dollar dac I'm not using in my mains systems. Why pay 100 bucks extra for a dac you don't need? So I got the 701.
I really wanted one, but (settled) (upgraded) depending on ones option to Cambridge ARX100, and only paid $339 😁 very happy
I have a CA axr100 and am underfukinwhelmed. I’m about to try the 701 and hope it’s better
I think I am in that strange 10% category! I just need a good amp to drive good speakers, but don't need a $2,000 integrated. I DJ, with turntables and digital media players. So my mixer is really my preamp, equalizer etc. The mixer also drives a sub directly. I have a Schiit Audio DAC which runs into the mixer. The DAC costs more than the 701 and is upgrade-able. My interest in the 701 and yes even the 501 is the need for good amplification, a balance control to shift from near field listening to full stereo from a listening position and basic room equalization. So perhaps I am in the 1% use model! For what I need, the 501 and 701 fit perfectly. I just wish the industry would get out of it's "Purist Way" and actually include useful preamp and amp features in their products as you go up the chain. Everyone does not have a perfect listening space or fit the standard consumer mold, or own a gold mine, but we still want high quality audio... and we just might not need a built in DAC either.
Dude that sucks, I'm sorry man. Did you end up returning the 701?
I think you are vasty underestimating the number of people who already own an external DAC. Why spend the extra $100 for something you'd never use? In fact, I'm willing to bet that those who would spend $900 on the 801 and don't already own some kind of DAC (be it stand-alone, network streamer, etc) are the ones in the small minority.
They only sell the 701 in the UK which sucks!
Can one hear the difference between the 24 bit vs the 32 bit DAC (801)?
I would not worry about the bits, worry about the DAC quality. In a blind test, you would likely not be able to pick out a DAC running 16-bit, 48000 Hz vs one running at 32-bit, 48000. Not all DACs have the same sound quality, for example my better measuring Topping E50 (nearly $300.00 with a $ 60.00 upgraded power supply) does not sound as good as my older, much cheaper ($100) Khadas Tone Board 1 (USB bus powered). The E50 sounds lean and sterile, the Tone Board sounds punchy with less bright highs and deeper lows.
Why not round EQ knobs? You turn these rectangular things, and you break the symmetry of the amp. Just dumb.
THAT is the main reason I have been on the fence with these Yamaha Amps. It's just silly. I also wished companies would just make a good integrated WITHOUT a DAC. My DAC costs more than this amp, so...
@@McBeakerson LOL. Thanks. I will do some more research.
The 801 has not been available in Europe for years...
The 801 didn't sell well here at all. Too much money for a integrated usb dac for a very specific audio format which almost noone used.
Willing to pay 100$ more for an amp w/ dac chip that cost manufacturer sub 3.5$, such a great deal ¯\_(ツ)_/¯