Name: Yamaha A-S500 Integrated Amplifier Receiver, 85W x 2 Power Output, Built-In iPod Dock Port, Black
Brand: Yamaha
SKU: YAAS500BL
Price: 399.95 USD
Availability: Discontinued
Rating: 4.76 (17 reviews)

Yamaha A-S500 Integrated Amplifier Receiver, 85W x 2 Power Output, Built-In iPod Dock Port, Black

Yamaha A-S500

Yamaha

Yamaha A-S500 Integrated Amplifier Receiver, Black

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Yamaha A-S500 

Top Rated Gear: Yamaha A-S500 Integrated Amplifier Receiver, 85W x 2 Power Output, Built-In iPod Dock Port, Black Buy now & save $50.

I was looking for an amplifier I could connect with my 160GB iPod. Apple quietly discontinued making these iPods, but they are a great way to manage your music collection. With the Yamaha dock accessory I can control the iPod with the remote, and the sound is great.

iPod Connectivity

I owned the cousin of this amplifier, the Yamaha R-S500 receiver. Though it was a great sounding receiver, I was curious if the A-S500 would be an improvement. I found an A-S500 for an unbeatable price and decided to take a gamble on what I worried might be a completely lateral move in sound quality. 

My worries were quelled, because I was simply blown away by the A-S500's sound quality. Even though it's rated with only a minor power increase over the R-S500, those 20 watts of difference are huge through my speakers. It was slightly bright at first, but after about 10 hours of use, the sound warmed up and the dynamics improved a lot. I would gladly buy this amp all over again, even at it's MSRP. I think one would probably have to spend over 1000 bones to get something even slightly better. 
Some reviewers have mentioned that the knobs feel cheap. I do not agree with that view. Yes they are plastic, and metal knobs would of course give a more "premium" feel, but at this price level, they are perfectly acceptable. I'm glad that Yamaha focused more on the sound quality than the knob material.

Great Amplifier at a Great Price

I like home theatre as much as the next guy- all the bells and whistles and wireless technology- but for my audio system, I prefer pure and simple. So when I decided to replace my old system earlier this year, the primary goal was to 
assemble a set of components that would play CD-encoded music as clearly and accurately as possible. And so I bought a pair of Polk RTiA7 towers and a Polk PSW125 subwoofer to go with my Yamaha CD player and vintage Denon receiver. I knew that the Denon was just a temporary solution- the Polk's being hungry for power- so I began to search for an amplifier to drive this system to its full potential.

There didn't seem to be many choices. Online forums were steering me to big-buck separates- a pre-amp and tube amplifier that were going to cost thousands of dollars. And although the array of A/V receivers out there is mind-boggling, they were all loaded with features that I didn't need. Doesn't anybody make a great stereo amplifier with plenty of power for listening to music anymore?
Well yes, Yamaha does. The Yamaha A-S500 integrated amplifier had great reviews online, and it had all the features I needed, but none that I didn't. Generally available for about $400, it seemed like a steal.
It has turned out even better than I expected. I was absolutely blown away by the sound of this system once my A-S500 arrived. The Polk towers were impressive enough with my old Denon receiver, but with the Yamaha A-S500 they absolutely came to life! A month later, properly broken in, this system produces sound that is simply staggering. The stereo imaging is fabulous, the sound is precise and crisp at all volume levels, and the accuracy of the sound reproduction is nothing short of astounding. I especially like the 'Pure Direct' feature of the A-S500, which bypasses all of the usual bass/treble/loudness controls.
I've listened to many systems that cost far more than my current setup, but I have rarely heard one that sounded substantially better. All told, an investment of just over $2000 provided a system that is so accurate that I sometimes think Helen Jane Long is playing her baby grand in my living room. It's that good.
From those of us who really care about music, faithfully reproduced to a high standard- and at a reasonable price- thank you Yamaha for not forgetting us. The A-S500 is simply fabulous.

Fabulous. Absolutely Fabulous.

Currently using the Yamaha amplifier with a 2.1 system. This is an exciting amplifier for listening. It is very engaging and will make you feel like tapping your feet and really get into the music. My previous integrated amplifier was boring to listen to. The Yamaha has plenty of power for my Dali Ikon 2 speakers. Puts out a very forceful bass, a mid range that gives vocals a sense of presence and very delicate, crystal clear highs. In my opinion you would need to spend several times the price of this amplifier to get anything comparable. This is a sleeper in the HiFi world.

Audiophile Level Performance

I primarily needed an amplifier for my turntable so I could continue to enjoy my record collection. The built in phono preamp gets the job done! I also connected a CD player and am/fm tuner and all sound great through the Yamaha AS500!

Great Amplifier

This replaces an Emotiva USP-1 Preamp which failed so decided to consolidate with just an integrated amplifier. The A-S500 has a better sound stage and tonal balance (to my ears). Also tried an NAD C316BEE which was good but just not as good to my ears. It also doesn't have a phono input and the A-S500 does.

Great Bang for the Buck

cheap made piece of junk! thought I would try something new since my hybrid tube amp turned 30 years old. WOW what a GIANT disappointment! don't waist a penny on this piece of garbage for sure! back in the '70s and '80s Yamaha made nice stuff, but not anymore. Keep your money and ad a few more $ to it and buy something better!

cheap sounding piece of junk!

I've always known about Yamaha. Back in the 70s, I was an audio tech for a local rock club and we used a Yamaha PM-1000 mixing console. Even then, Yamaha products were very quiet and capable. When my 14-year old H-K started to die, I shopped around for a basic 2-channel integrated stereo amp and the Yamaha was the best of the best. It is so smooth and clean.

A True Audiophile Bargan

Great replacement on my old school component system. Only using to pump out music and this integrated amp does just that. Sound is clear and can rock the speakers. Replaced and old JVC with built in equalizer... no worries with this new one.

Great integrated amplifier

I have been very satisfied with the unit.

Nice Amp

I find this product to be smooth as silk both in operation and in listening. Seems to be built to last with a layout that is easy to understand and make adjustments to.
I would make one suggestion and that would be to put a mark on the Volume control to make it easier to see where you are in terms of low, medium, and full output.

Yamaha A-S500 Integrated Amplifier

I feel Yamaha did a great job on this entire series of integrated amplifiers, from A-S 300 through A-S 2000. This model A-S 500 works perfect for me, really a good value for the quality, except for the plastic knobs.

I like this Intergrated Amplifier

I purchased the A-S500 (along with the T-S500) and am very satisfied with the sound. Easily able to drive a pair of JBL ES30CH speakers whn bi-amped. The remote isn't very ergonomic (a design like what the RX-497 used for a remote would have been better), but that is a minor niggle. Clean, pure sound is what you can expect from this Integrated Amplifier.

Excellent Amplifier

I listen to music via records, FM and the internet. The quality of sound is perfect, and the variable loudness control works beautifully. To see the volume control position better from across my study, I added a white marker, suggest you make the markings more visible.

An Excellent Integrated Amplifier

Sold my Adcom separates to simplify, and ended up with a better sounding system. Better soundstage...

Great integrated ampligier!

By far, the BEST home audio amp I've ever owned. The sound & clarity is remarkable. I am very pleased with the A-S500 Yamaha purchase.

A-S500 +++A !!FABULOUS!! A+++

Great Intergrated Amplifier

Great sound
Great for cd music