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Is this just marketing or is one better than the other?

Desmoface

Desmoface

Member
Hello everyone,

So I'm looking for an integrated amp to power some Kef Q300s and I stumbled upon this:

https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-S701B...&qid=1490012436&sr=8-1&keywords=yamaha+a-s701

Then I find this:

https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-R-S70...&qid=1490012365&sr=8-1&keywords=yamaha+r-s700

The specs look identical aside from one being a receiver and the other an integrated amp - Ironically, the more feature packed receiver is substantially less expensive. I could be wrong, and I probably am, but something tells me these two have the same amplifier section and one is marketed to more of an audiophile (the integrated amp), someone who is willing to pay more for better.

What do you think; is the integrated amp made with better components or is this just an exercise in marketing by Yamaha?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Steve
 
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Desmoface said:
What do you think; is the integrated amp made with better components or is this just an exercise in marketing by Yamaha?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Steve
Click to expand...

I think it's neither. They are different units with different features.

Weight-wise they appear same/similar so the amp sections may well be same/similar.

However, the 701 has built-in DAC whereas the 700 does not, and the 700 has built-in tuner whereas the 701 does not. There may be other differences too.

You need to consider all the features relative to each other, not just the raw numbers.
 
I'm with you, but for the price difference I'll go with the receiver...even though I'm only using the amp.

Steve

ferninando said:
comparing grapes to cherries?
both are good but 1 cannot do things the other 1 can.
I like that amp tho. IMO receivers are a waste of money.
Click to expand...
 
Yes, there is quite a price difference in favor of the receiver...I'm trying to figure out what I'm missing as you'd think the receiver would be more $$ but it's $300 less than the Integrated Amp...hmmm..

Steve
 
I'm not too sure the amp has a built in dac: http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/hifi-components/amps/a-s701/

I think you have to step up to the 801 for that: http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/hifi-components/amps/a-s801/

So, with no dac, I can't see why the amp is $300 more than the receiver..the specs are pretty much identical for the amp section, at least on paper.

If I go with the 801 to get the onboard dac, were talking $900...for that money I could do this:

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=2PAC275V2 along with this: http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=2PAC2100 ; I wouldn't have a dac, but I'd have arguably a better settup for audio, or would I?

By the way, what do you all think about parasound refurb'ed (b-stock) stuff..is it worth the risk?

Thanks again.

Steve
 
Desmoface said:
I'm not too sure the amp has a built in dac: http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/hifi-components/amps/a-s701/

I think you have to step up to the 801 for that: http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/hifi-components/amps/a-s801/

So, with no dac, I can't see why the amp is $300 more than the receiver..the specs are pretty much identical for the amp section, at least on paper.

If I go with the 801 to get the onboard dac, were talking $900...for that money I could do this:

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=2PAC275V2 along with this: http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=2PAC2100 ; I wouldn't have a dac, but I'd have arguably a better settup for audio, or would I?

By the way, what do you all think about parasound refurb'ed (b-stock) stuff..is it worth the risk?

Thanks again.

Steve
Click to expand...

The 701 absolutely, positively, has a DAC, while the 700 does not.

Do yourself a favor and look at the actual product manuals rather than the half-baked sales and marketing fluff.
 
Hi Whoaru, I just browsed through the 701 manual and no mention of a DAC, but I do see it on the product page as having one..I'm sure I'm overlooking it. That said, if the 701 and 801 both have dac's, what does the 801 offer over the 701 (other than being more expensive)? To be honest, I'm not going to hook it up using the dac function but it's nice to have that option available. Thanks again.

Steve

Edit, ok, I guess the big difference between the 801 and 701 is the 801 adds bluetoofs for $100.
 
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Hey everyone,

I just wanted to thank you all for the responses...in the end I went the Parasound Route...I purchased a Refurb'ed; a 2100 Preamp and 275 v2 amp. What swayed me was the ability to set a high pass filter for the main speakers when using a sub. While the yamaha integrated amp had a sub out, it didn't have the bass management provisions - meaning the main's still received a full range signal. I'm surprised Yamaha included a sub out without the ability to appropriately adjust the mains...I guess they are trying to get to a price point..

Anyway, it looks like my new equipment already shipped..should be receiving my new Kef Q300's tomorrow.. WOOHOO!

Anyway, thanks again for all the replies and advice.

Steve
 
Desmoface said:
Hi Whoaru, I just browsed through the 701 manual and no mention of a DAC, but I do see it on the product page as having one..I'm sure I'm overlooking it.
Click to expand...

The (optical and coaxial) digital inputs and the positions thereof on the source selector knob tell you it has a built-in DAC.
 
Desmoface said:
The specs look identical aside from one being a receiver and the other an integrated amp - Ironically, the more feature packed receiver is substantially less expensive. I could be wrong, and I probably am, but something tells me these two have the same amplifier section and one is marketed to more of an audiophile (the integrated amp), someone who is willing to pay more for better.

What do you think; is the integrated amp made with better components or is this just an exercise in marketing by Yamaha?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Click to expand...

l have wondered the same thing for a few years Desmoface as before the A-S701 (pre DAC) the R-S700 used to sell alongside the A-S700 and it was also cheaper back then so all l can think of is that the integrated amp sections are slightly better. This is hard to determine though thanks to Yamaha's usual vague specification figures.
 
Ahhh...good to know that I'm not the only one, Oldsansui. I suspect it's all marketing, Yamaha is marketing the Integrated Amp to someone who cares more bout quality so they think they can charge more. All speculation on my part, of course, but I'd love to get a peak inside of both, side by side.

Nice looking pup, by the way..pitty? Me too:


Steve
 
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Ahh...yes...there is a lot of media hype surrounding the breed..almost to the point of mass hysteria..tis a shame really, they are just like any other dog..not unlike the black lab we had before him. That said, nobody's messin' with my Mother In Law, LOL:



Steve
 
My son has a pit mix. Mostly Pit. He protects the grand-kids like a squad of Recon Marine's. I pull up to the house and he's right at the door barking his fool head off even tho I go over every week and won't stop until I tell him to STFU! Then he's the gentlest dog I've ever seen around kids in 62 years. But someone he don't know comes in the back yard when the kids are out there and he's all over them like white on rice. Doesn't get to the point where he's teeth buried in muscle but he gets close enough to scare a few K-9 cops that work with my son. All Andy has to do is tell Achilles, "He's OK, Achilles, and he backs off and lets you pet him and play with him. But he's always on guard with the grand-kids. "Don't get close to my kids" or "I'll rip the gourd off your stacking swivel and sh** down your fore stock!!!"
 
Hi Larry,

They are great dogs but they posses a fierce loyalty to their owners; I think that's what sometimes gets them in trouble. We take our boy with us everywhere and he's a big baby but if someone knocks on his front door of his home or delivers the mail, he's all bidness, LOL.

On a side note, I received my new Parasound gear..I was a bit tentative as it's b-stock but I'm happy to report that it looks and plays like new - shout out to Tim at Audio Advisor.

I also received my new Kef q300 speakers to go along with the audio gear..they also look and sound fantastic. The only problem is I ordered white and received black, LOL. I actually wanted black originally but the Wife wanted white...you know who wins those contests, LOL. Anyway, I guess I got what I wanted in the end because I don't want to deal with returning them. Wife seems to be taking it well, LOL.

Steve
 
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larryderouin said:
"He's OK, Achilles, and he backs off and lets you pet him and play with him. But he's always on guard with the grand-kids. "Don't get close to my kids" or "I'll rip the gourd off your stacking swivel and sh** down your fore stock!!!"
Click to expand...

Yes they certainly have two sides to them and are very protective. I like your descriptions there Larry, made me laugh.

Desmoface said:
big baby but if someone knocks on his front door of his home or delivers the mail, he's all bidness, LOL.
Click to expand...

Yes ours was like this also Steve, she would go off at the postman and the garbage truck.


All the best with your new gear, sounds like it will be very nice.
 
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