Review on Yamaha A-S301BL Integrated Stereo Amplifier - Enhanced Natural Sound | Black by John Hashman

This review is for the A-S301BL (I noticed that most of the reviews in this section are for other, more expensive models). I'm using this on a system designed to play vinyl. Thorens TD 160 MkII turntable with superior Audio Technica cartridge; Klipsch RB-61 II speakers (6.5" mid/woofer and horn tweeter); Subwoofer Klipsch R-110SW (10 inch, 450 W). When I first installed it I used an old Denon AV receiver (100 watts per channel). I thought that all sounded pretty good. Then the Denon died and I replaced it with the A-S301. I didn't expect the amp to make a significant difference, but my goodness, it actually did! Most noticeable was the low frequency response. At first I couldn't even turn it up that high because the turntable was making a bass hum that was going back to the subwoofer and moving the cone too much. After doing a few things to isolate the player, I was able to turn it on as many times as I wanted. I hear things in music, especially high and low frequencies, that I've never heard before! I had some concerns that this amp was "only" 60 watts per channel. However, I found the performance adequate for my taste and settings. I haven't turned the volume up after 12pm because it's LOUD! (It's true that Klipsch are very efficient speakers and therefore require less power than most to play loud, but it's also a big basement room.) I can't imagine needing more power. It's definitely louder than my old 100 watt amp. I am enthusiastic about this amplifier and can only recommend it!