The A-S700 is a very capable amp with a neutral and detailed sound. It works best with fairly fast sounding speakers - think in terms of Quad 11Ls, Mordaunt-Short Aviano 2s or Epos M5i. Partnered in this way you'll get good rhythmic performance and an amp that gives equal respect to most types of music. It is also easy to listen to over longer periods of time, although it can sound slightly safe with some material. Build quality is generally very good although the binding posts at the back and the controls on the front could feel a little more solid. Overall, a fine piece of kit that with careful partnering provides a very neutral way of listening to music.
I don't agree with the What Hi-fi? review; I've compared the A-S700 with several other rivals (also with the Marantz PM 6003) and I think this piece of an amp is a great one! Ok, you have to partner it with decent interconnects, speaker cables and fine speakers (Monitor Audio Bronze 2 are in my living room). The result is a fine, detailed and neutral sound; a sound as a sound should be! Why was the
A-S700 the award winner 2009 in an other big English hifi magazine?
Comments
whaagen - you'll need to ask that other magazine why.
We've highly rated (and given Awards to) other Yamaha products, but this amp doesn't do it for us.
Glad you love it, though - which is why we always suggest you should audition kit before you buy.
The A-S700 is a very capable amp with a neutral and detailed sound. It works best with fairly fast sounding speakers - think in terms of Quad 11Ls, Mordaunt-Short Aviano 2s or Epos M5i. Partnered in this way you'll get good rhythmic performance and an amp that gives equal respect to most types of music. It is also easy to listen to over longer periods of time, although it can sound slightly safe with some material. Build quality is generally very good although the binding posts at the back and the controls on the front could feel a little more solid. Overall, a fine piece of kit that with careful partnering provides a very neutral way of listening to music.
I don't agree with the What Hi-fi? review; I've compared the A-S700 with several other rivals (also with the Marantz PM 6003) and I think this piece of an amp is a great one! Ok, you have to partner it with decent interconnects, speaker cables and fine speakers (Monitor Audio Bronze 2 are in my living room). The result is a fine, detailed and neutral sound; a sound as a sound should be! Why was the
A-S700 the award winner 2009 in an other big English hifi magazine?