Review on YAMAHA A-S501BL: Powerful Natural Sound Integrated Stereo Amplifier in Black by Melissa Wilson

I don't review many products at all. But I had to make an exception for that. Holy cow! I was afraid to think that a more expensive receiver would actually make a difference. BUT it's like the group lives in your backyard. This backyard. Very large area with indoor pool, screen room and 24x24 basketball court. I have Polk 8 series speakers. 8sdi I think. I unplugged and plugged back in my two year old $225 Pioneer. Skeptical. Holy cow. I was never sure of the clarity of Syballs ets, now I am. Every instrument is crystal clear, as is every voice. No distortion or overlap of any kind. Even though I'm well into my fifties, I still like to get loud. It could be Van Halen, the 90's alternative, Bruno Mars or Post Malone. Uptown Funk was a test for loud volume. At 60% it was LOUD and very, very clear. Loud enough to make my neighbor yell 250ft away, turn the volume down. Your own music cannot be heard. It's extremely full and clear, it's a conversation at the volume of a campfire and it's like a live concert at a higher volume. I no longer blame the speakers and don't think about new ones. Put another in and throw out the $3,000 bose. This with Bose Cubes and a subwoofer will be nice to hear. My advice? Buy, buy, buy!