2024 Yamaha A-S301 Integrated Amplifier replaces dying 1987 Yamaha Yamaha AX-500U.

 May 14, 2024

#478

Gentle reader,

Since I first began the quest to have the best sounding music I could afford on my budget in the mid-1970's, I can count very few components which I bought new. Certainly the kits to build a Dynaco PAT-5 preamplifier and a pair of SWTPC Tiger 0.1 mono block power amplifiers, and the B.I.C. 940 turntable were purchased new. But, the Dynaco A-25 speakers were "floor models" and a bargain at half price.

Fast-forward fifty years and only the Audio-Technica AT-LP120USB turntable to replace my long-in-the-tooth Denon 'table in the listening room, was my most recent new component. Several cartridges over the decades (some things, like socks and underwear must be purchased new) of course were new. OK, and the pair of AIYIMA T2 6K4 Tube Preamplifiers, which were the subject of my previous article (linked below) are about it. Until last Friday, that is.

(Image courtesy of Yamaha)

A few days ago, I was streaming a live performance from Vienna, Austria of a performance of Beethoven's 9th Symphony. The day was the 200th anniversary of it's first performance. I had started watching/listening to in the living room, but my wife got home ready to relax after a hard day at work. 

Ever supportive husband, as I am, I helped her get settled and told her what was happening in Vienna. I repaired to this room, which we have always referred to as "The Office", to watch the concert on my PC and listen to it via the 1980's vintage matching Yamaha component stack which sits within arm's reach of me. The left channel kept cutting out, I would turn off the amp, then turn it back on and it kept happening. So, I turned off the system altogether and plugged my headphones into the PC to listen to it.

Since everything in the stack above, including the OPPO universal player, was purchased "previously enjoyed" it was no surprise to me that something was dying. I originally had the matching Yamaha CD player in addition to the OPPO, but it had "issues" and I sold it some time ago.

Here is a photo I found online of one in much better condition than my "beater" AX-500U integrated amp to show to you. 

If you have been in this hobby for many years, like me, you are likely aware of this thing called "Home Theater" which, like crossovers and SUVs have taken over from sedans and station wagons (which we have one of each!) in the automotive world, OK, we have a crossover too, which my wife picked out back in 2017. ANYway, the point I am trying to make is that many electronics manufacturers seem to have mostly forgotten all about STEREO, except High End makers, of course. 

Our sleepers. No one would suspect a humble Volvo wagon or Cadillac sedan to be hiding performance engines, drivelines and suspensions! But these two do.

And, had we bought them new in 2005 and 2013, both would be red. But, both being used, I mean, previously enjoyed, cars which have rare features like these have, body color was the least of my concerns. Plus, they blend with all the other white, grey, silver and black vehicles out there.

BACK to my story. Since I have been happy with the Yamaha stack and many other Yamaha components over the decades, I started looking at vintage ones to replace my ailing 500U. Holy Mackerel, sellers are asking crazy money! Plus, what is the guarantee that they will also not break down? None whatsoever. To my delight, Yamaha makes three new ones! 

Don't you just love an unboxing?

All three are virtually identical. The '301 puts out 60 WPC, the '501: 85 WPC and top-of-the-line 701  puts out 105 WPC and has one more circuit and switch.

(Images courtesy of Yamaha)

We live in northern Virginia. In Charlottesville (Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, is nearby) which is in the middle of the state, is a company called Crutchfield.  My wife surprised me many years ago by buying a pair of BOSE 301 speakers which she purchased from Crutchfield. She was hoping that I would use them rather than the large speakers with 15" woofers I was using in the living room. I did not, but have been using them in this room for many years in this room. They sound surprisingly good in concert with my Klipsch KG4 speakers. The Bose' are mounted up by the ceiling. Directly above the KG4s. I wrote an article about that: The Robb Collections: A GREAT way to mount your BOSE 301 speakers for excellent sound!

I have to apologize for my going off on tangents. I have some OCD tendencies and maybe a little ADHD as well. "Look! A chicken!"

So, anyway, Crutchfield, which does NOT sell crutches, had the Yamaha A-S301 units for fifty dollars below retail at $349 with free shipping. To my delight, it arrived the next day! Take THAT, Jeff Bezos!

Cameras and stereo components, whether silver or black, are difficult to photograph because their surfaces are so susceptible to reflections of light sources. This is the best of many attempts to capture the stack.

This is what the vintage Yamaha TX-500U tuner looks like when it is on and receiving. It is THE best tuner I have ever tried. On that subject, the remote which accompanies this Yamaha series of integrated amplifier also controls their matching tuner and CD player. I could not find even a photo of said tuner! This is the first integrated amplifier I have owned which can use a remote control. My 1990's Dynaco PAT-6 Preamp/Tuner is also the first preamplifier I have ever owned with a remote controller. It comes in handy since I can't reach it without getting up and walking across the room.

The angle at which this photo was taken exaggerates the size difference. New one is atop the old.

AS you can see here, they are the same size, except the '301 is deeper. Now, let's compare the business ends of both units. I put the '301 underneath the 500U, this time.

They both have the same number and types of inputs and outputs. Just different names. The exception being that the 500U has terminals titled: ACCESSORY for an equalizer or other such device. I used them with a tube buffer. The funny looking silver things in the phono inputs of the 500U are called "Shorting Plugs". In said inputs, they prevent RFI signals from being picked up by the much more sensitive (and open) phono inputs. I moved them to the '301's phono inputs, since I do not have a place (or need) for a turntable in this room. The listening room is right next door...

Both units have well made three-way binding/banana plug speaker terminals. There is an Ohms setting switch on the '301. The new unit lacks AC plugs which the 500U does have. Fortunately, the vintage tuner stores the saved stations for a while when unplugged.

Also, the '301 has a USB 5 volt DC outlet (not used for digital inputs) and a toslink optical input and RCA digital input which I could use with the OPPO player, should I chose to. It would be interesting to hear if there is an audible difference...

For the final comparison, the insides of new verses old. The photo above is of a silver unit and is courtesy of Yamaha.

The 37-year-old Yamaha is quite nasty inside. Not surprising at all. It is also quite simple compared to the 21st Century unit. Both do the same job well, however. Note the size difference of the heatsinks for the power transistors. 

I don't see any type of temperature sensor on the 500U's heatsink, unless this is it (below).

See the folded piece of copper holding two tiny objects against the heatsink? They look more like transistors to me.

So, the REAL question which I am certain is in your mind, "How does the new one sound compared to the old?" Why, I am glad you asked. Night and Day! 

Immediately, as the first tune began to play, I was stunned and pleased to hear JUST how much better the new one sounded! The sound is more open, airy and it's easier to pick out each instrument or voice on the audible soundstage. I could NOT be happier!

One one little nitpick is the LEDs around the Source knob are very tiny and not very bright. I have to be looking straight at it to see what I am selecting. A good thing is that Yamaha has kept the same font and size of the lettering over the many decades. So, aside from it being SO clean compared to all the other equipment, it looks right at home.

Were I not SO happy with the components in the listening room system (above) and I wanted to spend a lot of money (which I do not!) I would look into Yamaha preamplifiers and power amps, if they make them.

I just went through my list of integrated amps and receivers to see how many I have owned: One integrated amp: A-700. And seven receivers of various sizes and abilities. likely nothing made in this Century. 

Oh, I just remembered, here is the link to my previous article about upgrading the cheap Chinese DIY tube buffer to an AIYIMA preamp which uses "better" tubes. The Robb Collections: Review of AIYIMA T2 6K4 Tube Preamplifier Can this Solid Little Asian Beauty Sing? 

Thank you SO much for taking the time to read this lengthy article. I no longer belong to any Facebook audio/stereo groups except Dynaco ones. So, I don't know how many of you will see this. My most popular article by far, is this one: The Robb Collections: PROTON Audio, NAD and Dynaco are Cousins. Inventor of Dynamic Power on Demand Amplifiers. 

Feel free to leave a comment below or on Facebook. 

Scott Robb

May 14, 2024

#478