Name: Yamaha A-S2100 Integrated Amplifier, Silver
Brand: Yamaha
SKU: YAAS2100SL
Price: 3499.95 USD
Availability: Discontinued
Rating: 5 (9 reviews)

Yamaha A-S2100 Integrated Amplifier, Silver

Yamaha A-S2100

Yamaha

Adorama

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Yamaha A-S2100 

Top Rated Gear: Yamaha A-S2100 Integrated Amplifier, Silver Buy now & save $500. Type: Equalizer

 Relentless Pursuit of Musicality Audio is not just sound. If there's music in it, that's an entirely different universe. For audio deserving the name "Hi-Fi" the need for high-definition sound is a given and even more than that, high expressive power is demanded. Supreme quality sound and dynamic expressive power are things we at Yamaha, as a premier musical instrument maker, have always pursued. This is the rich musicality of listening enjoyment. High-grade Hi-Fi components. The S2100 Series. An airy, open sound in which the most minute sounds reach the listener. Expressive power that conveys even the subtlest nuances which the artist pours into the music.&#149; Floating and balanced power amplifier with MOSFETs&#149; All-stage fully discrete construction, balanced transmission and low impedance design&#149; Superior quality electronic volume control for optimum sound&#149; Large capacity power supply unit delivers energetic, dynamic sound with fast response&#149; Symmetrical design in pursuit of ideal stereo reproduction&#149; Discretely configured phono amp&#149; Headphone amp with fully discrete configuration&#149; Level meters visually reflect the dynamics in the music&#149; Elegant design with luxurious real wood panels&#149; Original speaker terminals combine ease of use and beauty with high sound qualityA realistic sensation that you are directly in front of the performer. These are the goals and overriding philosophy behind the sound and sophisticated technologies inherited from the flagship S3000 Series. Emotional & Dynamic. The sound created by the S2100 Series, reverberating vibrantly in the ears and reverberating vibrantly in your ears and resonating in your heart. This high-grade integrated amplifier has inherited the natural sound of Yamaha in the pursuit of rich musicality. Advanced original amplifier circuitry and elimination of signal loss has resulted in a truly dynamic, affecting sound. Floating and Balanced Power Amplifier with MOSFETs The basic design of the power amp circuit adopts Yamaha's own uniquely developed floating and balanced power amplifier technology. Adopting output elements with the same polarity on the plus and minus sides of the output stage and also completely separating the NFB (negative feedback) circuit and power supply into a total of four plus and minus sides of the left and right channels, results in thoroughly symmetric push-pull operation of the output stage. Completely floating the entire power amp circuit from the ground removes any negative impact of minute voltage fluctuations or ground noise. Moreover, the output elements are comprised of MOSFETs, which provide a warm and natural sonic character. The use of MOSFETs, which have the same polarity on the plus and minus sides, further evolves the ideal of a complete symmetrical design by eliminating sound quality variations due to difference in polarity - a major distinguishing characteristic of the floating and balanced power amplifier - resulting in sound with a superior signal-to-noise ratio and superbly well-defined sound field.  All-stage Fully Discrete Construction, Balanced Transmission and Low Impedance Design The A-S2100 has achieved a fully discrete configuration during tone defeat by thoroughly separating the tone control circuit from the signal system. This not only increases response, but also improves slew rate and results in high range reproduction of greater vitality, richness and smoothness. Signal transmission and amplification features fully balanced transmission for thoroughly balanced operation, even of the control system circuitry. Signal loss through transmission has been significantly reduced through the application of screw clamp connections and thick cables between the preamp and power amp units. This is vital for signal transmission between the power amp units and the power step to the speaker terminals. This improves the damping factor and improves driver capacity and damping power of the speaker, resulting in vibrant and powerful bass reproduction. Superior Quality Electronic Volume Control for Optimum Sound We've utilized a high-quality digital volume control, specially designed by New Japan Radio Co., Ltd., which consists only of ladder-type resistance, removing the impact of slew rate decline or coloring of the sound, delivering higher purity in the sound and excellent, fast response to large volume changes and steep transients. Moreover, the tone controls employ a triple-parallel method, minimizing the detrimental impact on sound quality seen with straight-line tone controls. In addition, the bass, treble and common circuits each utilize simple construction in which the NFB of the amp is not used and the CR elements are simply fixed in a straight line. This ensures exceptionally pure sound reproduction, even when tone control is applied and super response to audio signal transients. When tone defeat is applied, straight signal flow from only one volume circuit to a discrete configuration buffer amp is realized. Large Capacity Power Supply Unit Delivers Energetic, Dynamic Sound with Fast Response The A-S2100 employs an original EI transformer, carefully customized for optimum compatibility with the chassis. Combining four large capacity carbon sheath block capacitors delivers an energetic sound - even during high volume - that is possible with the A-S2100. Moreover, since the control amp and control system is equipped with 12 shunt-type local regulators that prevent deterioration caused by currency fluctuation, a clean and stable power supply is achieved. The EI transformer is mounted on the chassis using a brass washer, restricting internal vibration that would result in noise. Symmetrical Design in Pursuit of Ideal Stereo Reproduction The left-right symmetrical construction, with the power supply in the center and the power amp blocks on the ends, achieves greater separation of the left and right channels - necessary for proper two-channel stereo reproduction - and ideal weight balance. Fine tuning by a center frame, which extends from the front to the back of the casing and specially made metal legs (selectable as spike or pad), gives the A-S2100 superb mechanical rigidity and installation stability that dramatically lessens the impact of external vibrations on sound quality. Discretely Configured Phono Amp The phono amp is comprised of an MC head amp and an equalizer amp, each of which are discretely configured, resulting in a rich sound with pronounced musicality when playing vinyl records with both MC and MM phono cartridges. Headphone Amp with Fully Discrete Configuration The headphone amp is also equipped with fully discrete configuration for preeminent drivability and damping properties. Included, as well, is a specialized level trimmer that responds to various load impedances. The superior quality sound that only the A-S2100 can attain is yours to enjoy, even when listening on headphones. Level Meters Visually Reflect the Dynamics in the Music The center of the main unit features level meters that provide visual enjoyment of the music as well, with the rapid and delicate movement of the needles. The meter is illuminated softly from inside by LED, giving a warm, beautiful lamplight look. The meter indicators can, along with VU display, be switched to peak display and can be selected according to your preferences. The window of the meters has been precision-fit to the panel - completely flat, with no gaps - for an elegantly beautiful appearance. Elegant Design with Luxurious Real Wood Panels The refined design and construction of the A-S2100 reflects Yamaha's commitment to fine craftsmanship and art, uniquely drawing on its long experience as a world-class musical instrument maker. The metal front panel and the side wood panels have been beautifully integrated by the masterful use of advanced processing technology. Moreover, the dials and tone controls are machined aluminum knobs for a richly textured finish and graceful touch. Original Speaker Terminals Combine Ease of Use and Beauty with High Sound Quality Our meticulous obsession with quality continues through to the speaker terminals, which are the last and crucial link in the audio chain. Screw-type terminals, with originally designed handles created by cutting pure brass, enable a secure connection with no reduction in sound quality. Contoured to the shape of human fingers, they not only look beautiful, but can be turned easily and fastened tightly with minimal effort. They are also compatible with connections using banana plugs. Insulators Allow Use of Spikes or Pads The insulators are crucial parts that block outside vibrations. They adopt Yamaha's original metal legs in order to maximize vibration and control performance. The user can select point installation by applying the supplied spikes or plane insulation with the supplied pads and use these combined with an interlocking rack if desired. Remote Control with Simple Design and Superior Texture The supplied remote control features a design complementary to the aluminum panel of the amplifier itself, with a simple, easy-to-understand button layout and gorgeous metallic texture. In addition to the basic volume adjustment and input switching controls of the A-S2100, it can also be used for operation of the companion CD-S2100.

I use this to power Kef R11s. If you have a balanced DAC, it has plenty of loudness to knock your socks off. I upgraded from a Cambridge CXA80. The Yammy was a big upgrade.

An absolute beast

Great base and warm natural sound. Love it match with my cds3000 and auralic streamer and technics so 1200, nice phono stage too... its a great deal.

Great deal of an integrated amp

I did a lot of research before splurging on this integrated amplifier. Fortunately it lives up to my requirements and more. I have some B&W speakers which reveal any high end brightness almost too much. This amplifier has full bodied sound and is well matched to those speakers. Even with the volume turned up with no input source there is no background hiss. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this amplifier also has a set of balanced XLR inputs that work well with the XLR outputs of my phono preamplifier.
The unit has a solid feel and heft and the quality of the connectors, knobs and switches are first class.
I would recommend this amplifier to anyone looking for high quality stereo sound.

Excellent integrated Amplifier

My setup:  Yamaha A-S2100 and the matching CD-S2100
This two channel Integrated Amp is really amazing.  Build quality is unquestionable and sound is fantastic.  There are not many reviews on line about this product but most of them are positive and I agree with those.  This is a type A/B amp which was also hard to find online.  Plenty of power, beautiful aesthetics and musicality.
Also bought the Adorama VIP360 and got on time delivery with no issues.  Adorama is a great store and will stand behind their products and services.
Very satisfied overall with my purchasing experience and the product.

Excellent Product

Not that it's important, but my system consists of the following...Dynavector 10/5 cartridge,Technics SL1600 MK2 turntable,Yamaha CD-S300 cd player,Klipsch Cornwall 3 speakers. I have had the amplifier for 2 months now and can't say enough good things about it, it's warm powerful sound. To it's great looks and personality.
Great amp need look no further than this to build a really good sounding system.

Powerhouse of and Amp.

I mainly listen to classic jazz recorded by Rudy VanGelder. I have a Rega turntable (RP6) and high end Sony CD player with Paradigm Studio 100 speakers.

The sound via this amp is great. It sounds more like a tube amp than solid state but what I really like is the headroom even at low volumes. This amp could easily compete with amps costing thousands more and is a great choice for someone who wants to listen to great music. I highly recommend

Welcome Back Yamaha

I splurged and paid for the AS2100 and matching SACD. After a month of waiting I brought the units home, set them up and Holy Cow, they sounds as good as the McIntosh MC302 300W and C2500 tube pre amp combo I have been saving 12,000 for. I did consider the AS3000, but it was not available at the time, and many reviewers commented no difference in sound quality. So, how does it sound? Well, all the positive comments on the AS2100 are true. It is a close as you will get to being in a live performance. In fact it is a little too real! With my 12 year old Sony SACD player, Denon receiver and Axiom M60 speakers, I could hear a jazz singer breathing, but now I hear foot movement, and musicians shifting position on their chairs. The AS2100 is not only accurate in treble, Midrange, and bass reproduction, it also envelopes you with its broad soundstage, and completely black background. Its imaging is holographic and immerses you in an out of body tube experience. This combo is the best bang for the buck. You could spend 12K for the McIntosh and it will play the same or you can spend 30K for a boutique and get the same; but why? For now I'm in heaven. I would have gotten the McIntosh, if I could get it to Europe without paying the VAT (value added tax). What a laugh! But now I won't have to worry about it. So about that sound, well, from the AS300 to the AS2100, the sound is consistently audiophile grade; low budget audiophile to high budget audiophile that is. What you sacrifice for the price is mostly cosmetics; plastic or aluminum knobs, solid or flimsy casing shell and lacquered wood panels and beautiful meters; none of which add to its ability to reproduce great music, because all the A-S models from 300 to 3000 do exactly that: PRODUCE GREAT MUSIC and it does it very well. Concerning power, most of my listening is at 9 o'clock, but at 12 o'clock it rocks my house! What do you get when going from AS300 to AS2100 is more power, more sound stage, and more clearly defined instruments, and vocals and their location? The return on investment for AS3000 is poor in that you spent nearly 10 times more for it than you would for the AS300, but the music is not 10 times better. On an audiophile scale of 1 - 10 the AS300 is 6 the AS500 is 7 the AS1000 is 8, the AS2000 is 8.5 and the AS2100 is 9 and the AS3000 is 9.5. Trying to reach the elusive 10, well the sky's the limit; around 30 to 300k, but why? The negatives are the SACD player is dead quiet except when opening; it sounds like a slab of marble sliding on the floor. The knobs on the amplifier should have indicator markings painted. I used a white Sharpie marker! And last, the remote is stunning, but the volume should be on top; its bottom location is awkward on my hand, and not balanced.

Awesome amplifier

The Yamaha A-S2100 (purchased in May 2015) is for lack of better words, Totally Awesome!! The Bass is tight, clean and powerful. Mids and Highs are smooth as silk. The Soundstage is Deep and Wide. 

I also own the Yamaha A-S2000 (Please see my review on the A-S2000) which I purchased in May of 2014. This unit is also exceptional. Bass is comparable to the A-S2100. However, when it comes to the Mids, Highs and Soundstage, this is where the A-S2100 really excels over the A-S2000, and significantly! I would attribute this to the fact that the A-S2100 is using MOSFETS (same as the flagship A-S3000) and has also carried over other attributes from the A-S3000. 

I have Hi-End $4K/Pair Speakers and I'm now bi-amping my system: using the new A-S2100 for Mid-Bass, Mids & Highs and the A-S2000 to drive the bass. The performance is unbelievable! 

Additionally, the VU meters and high gloss real wood sides of the A-S2100 are "icing on the cake" 

You'd have to spend $10k+ from the "boutique" manufacturers to get comparable performance and build quality that you get from Yamaha for the A-S2100. 

Pros: Flawless Sound. Exceptional Build Quality. Solid, "Built Like a Tank!" Construction.

Cons: No tape loop for EQ.

Yamaha A-S2100 Integrated Amplifier - ROCKS!

YAMAHA A-S2100 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER
By definition, it is virtually impossible to write a consumer review of a stereo component that has real value to another consumer. The number of variables are staggering, including equipment, listening environment, type of music, media format, bias toward playback musical ranges, the current state of a person's God-given hearing, and vocabulary. 
So, why bother? Simply stated, because few non-technical commentaries on the Yamaha A-S2100 integrated amp exist. Quite a conundrum, when a person is exploring spending over $3,000 for a stereo 2-channel amplifier. 
The reader can view the on-line photos, specifications, marketing materials, owner's manual, technical reviews, and blogs to their heart's content. If you are fortunate to have a hi fi store nearby, you might even be able to compare equipment in a comfortable setting. My review offers none of these elements. It only purports to answer one simple question: "How does the A-S2100 make your music sound?" The answer: "Really, really dandy!"
The sound produced through the A-S2100 is warm, engaging, honest, and effortless. Using headphones and towers, silver CDs, vinyl LPs, and even a vintage Sony AM/FM tuner is a joy. All of my component connections are unbalanced RCA, and speakers (including the subwoofer via the Pre-Out) are connected with 10AWG banana plugs. I won't bore the reader with citing my equipment models and cables. I will tell you that everything in my pure 2-channel stereo system has been acquired within the last 2 years. Both the MM and MC cartridges dedicated to 2 separate turntables love their alliance to the A-S2100. Like I stated before, everything is just dandy!
Prior to acquiring the A-S2100, the most I paid for any single music component was $1800. Trust me when I proclaim that the notion of spending in excess of $3K for an amplifier is something heretofore unimaginable. Hundreds of hours were invested in research, examining specifications and features. The ultimate questions boiled down to what amplifier features I would actually use, what sounds and textures I yearn to hear, and recognition that I am driven by functionality and ease of use. I do not possess 11.2 ears, do not watch movies, am not a gamer, and not titillated by digital evolutionary advancements. My perspective is heavily influenced by the 33 years I spent with the defense department and NASA, where I wrestled with engineers and technologists who had a propensity to forget their mission was to design affordable, reliable, producible, and user-friendly products that responded to needs of operational personnel and astronauts. 
The A-S2100 meets my needs in fine fashion. I wholeheartedly recommend the A-S2100. It is ... well, really, really dandy!

Yamaha A-S2100 Integrated Amplifier, Silver

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