Yamaha Introduces A-S Series Integrated Amps

Back in fall 2019, Yamaha took a page from the Technics playbook and introduced a series of upscale components aimed squarely at audiophiles. The 5000 series it rolled out consisted of speakers, a preamp/amp, and a belt-drive turntable, each sporting a design that referenced the golden age of hi-fi and a price tag typical of much high-end gear. Yamaha has now added a trio of integrated amplifiers, the A-S series, to its Hi-Fi component lineup, providing audiophiles with a somewhat less pricey, though no less premium, system-building option.

The new amps are available in a black or silver finish and feature piano black side panels, chunky front-panel control knobs and switches, and LED-lit level meters that emit a warm vintage-y glow. Each model features a phono input compatible with moving magnet and moving coil cartridges and dual speaker output terminals “cut directly from pure brass.” According to Yamaha, meticulous attention has been paid to the design of the A-S series, with features such as fully balanced circuitry and mechanical grounding to suppress vibrations setting the amps apart.

“Music lovers deserve a rewarding and authentic reproduction of their favorite tunes. A pure and truly moving listening experience is never the result of just one component,” said Alex Sadeghian, director, Consumer Audio, Yamaha Corporation of America. “These new amplifiers combine years of customer feedback, research and development to deliver a reinvented line of amp technology, with many engineering and patented features directly carried over from our 5000 Series.”

Here are details on the individual models:

A-S3200 ($7,499.95)

  • 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms or 150 watts in to 4 ohms with 0.07% THD (20 Hz-20 kHz)
  • Fully discrete headphone amplifier
  • Connections: Balanced XLR (2), RCA (4), Phono (MM/MC) inputs; and outputs; RCA record and preamp outputs
  • High quality polyphenylene sulfide film capacitors
  • Brass screws and gilding oxygen free copper terminals for block capacitor terminals
  • Larger level meters

A-S2200 ($3,999.95)

  • 90 watts per channel into 8 ohms or 150 watts in to 4 ohms with 0.07% THD (20 Hz-20 kHz)
  • Fully discrete headphone amplifier
  • Connections: Balanced XLR, RCA (4), Phono (MM/MC) inputs; and outputs; RCA record and preamp outputs
  • silver-plated brass feet

A-S1200 ($2,799.95)

  • 90 watts per channel into 8 ohms or 150 watts in to 4 ohms with 0.07% THD (20 Hz-20 kHz)
  • Fully discrete headphone amplifier
  • Connections: Balanced XLR, RCA (4), Phono (MM/MC) inputs; and outputs; RCA record and preamp outputs

All three A-S series integrated amplifiers are available now. For the full story, check out Yamaha’s website

Related:

Yamaha Targets Audiophiles with Upscale Hi-Fi Series

COMMENTS
John_Werner's picture

In the 70's Yamaha made an impact with excellent sonic engineering, clean/functional Bauhaus inspired metalwork, and, importantly, only slightly higher pricing than their mass-market Japanese competitors. At least in the US Yamaha audio components seem to largely disappear sometime in the 2000's. Ahem, shame because they were hi-fi overachievers and quite beautiful to gaze upon. It's wonderful to have Yamaha making a comeback within the U.S. audio scene. The thing, perhaps, many like myself have noticed is the prices when even adjusted for inflation may be a bit shy of what one would call readily affordable. It's also true that within electronics retail industry one could expect more performance per dollar over time often keeping pricing of consumer electronics rising at rates less than many other consumer goods. This seems not to be case here as these new Yamaha components have what approaches luxury pricing. My first thought is I can't believe in the age where Millenials prefer portable BT based audio Yamaha re-emerged with their evolved yet traditional audio range. Bravo I must say, and then it hit me. Without the large market of yore and the resulting economies of scale these kind of components will never sell in the numbers they did in the 70's heyday of component Hi-Fi. That explains the pricing of these as well as Technics recent quite higher priced turntables. We should simply be glad they exist and remember that some of the best of the chase to audio supremacy always involved striving to one day afford coveted gear. Therefore the intrinsic value is quite high on these beautiful audio components.

SuicideSquid's picture

Pricing on these has absolutely nothing to do with cost or economy of scale. It's entirely about Yamaha identifying a market with way too much money and way too little sense.

Bosshog7_2000's picture

These Yamaha components are not your run of the mill amps. If you want a $800 integrated you can buy one from Yamaha's lower tier collection. These top of the line pieces are something to offer those willing to pay for that next level of performance.

I have the AS-2100which is last year's version of the AS-2200. It is absolutely brilliant, sounds amazing. Is it expensive, sure but I bought mine used and saved 40% off the list price. You saying this is for a market with 'too much money and too little sense' is insulting. Is it because you think it is crazy to spemd thousands on something with 'just' the Yamaha name or because you yourself see no value in higher end audio gear? In either case that can be your opinion but nobody tells you how to spend your money so don't begrudge those with the income to buy what they want.

SuicideSquid's picture

You are free to spend your money on whatever you like, and I am free to think you are a fool if you spend it on these.

There is almost certainly little to no audible difference between these integrated amps and an integrated amp costing 1/4 the price, in spite of all the buzz words.

Bosshog7_2000's picture

If you aren't into spending money on gear why are you even on this site? If you're happy with a $250 integrated from Walmart than all the more power to you.

You're probably the type of person who drives a 2003 Toyota Corolla because 'it gets me from point A to point B just like your $85k Audi RS5'. That's cool we get it, you're not in to nice things but maybe hang out on the Target forums instead.

SuicideSquid's picture

Dude why so insecure and defensive? It's almost like spending $7,000 on an IC is compensating for something...

Olaf the Snowman's picture

For $8,500, we can buy the Mark Levinson 5805 integrated amp/DAC/with phono-stage, reviewed by Stereophile ...... Close in price with the top model Yamaha A-S3200 integrated amp :-) .......

brenro's picture

..with a Yamaha engineer at a high-fi shop many moons ago. Learned a lot about critical listening. That being said in this day and age an integrated amp without a built in DAC seems like an oversight although to be fair it would make it an easier thing to upgrade down the line.

Bosshog7_2000's picture

The built in DAC seems like an obvious thing to include on an integrated amp. That said, I have a Yamaha AS-2100 with a Sony HAPS1 as my DAC and the combination is brilliant.

Bosshog7_2000's picture

As others have noted the cost of these A-S series components is not cheap. I have the AS-2100 from last year and admittedly would not have paid $4k for a new one. I was lucky to get a used one and saved a pile of money and I have to say I love it; it really does sound great.

I think it's too bad that people are quick to write these components off because they are 'just' Yamaha. The build quality of these are superb. If it said Luxman, McIntosh or Mark Levinson on the chassis instead of Yamaha no one would think twice about the pricing.

That said....for the kind of money that a AS-3200 costs, I would be hard pressed to buy it instead of say a Luxman L509X. For me personally, the Luxman is the complete package, beautiful aesthetics and brilliant sound.

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