I've been considering getting a Yamaha A-S500 amp, but I've also been checking out used older models such as the AX-497 (or RX-497), or even the RX-596. I realize the RX models are receivers vs. the AX amps. I don't care about having a receiver--can live with or without it. But I notice that the RX-596 has almost the same specs as the newer A-S500. Besides the extra connections (IPod dock connector, etc.) on the S500, is there any considerable advantage to this newer model? Have the internal components really changed much between these models (over a span of 10+ years)? If anyone has insight to offer on this, it would be very appreciated.
Yamaha A-S500 compared to older models
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johnda
Addicted Member
Y'know I just looked at the specs and they do seem to be pretty close to each other, and the size is almost identical. Cutchfield has the AX-497 (Open Box, scratch & dent) for $319.95 and the A S500 for $399.95. I haven't heard them, though. It's the end of June, did you get anything yet?
johnda
Addicted Member
Oh my. That CA-1010 is a beauty! I really like the VU meters and saw one on EBay today, think it was around $200. Because I have my audio shelves across the room from where I sit, and have knee problems, I really need a unit with a remote. Still planning on getting an amp for my 75th birthday, if my wife doesn't kill me first!
johnda
Addicted Member
OK, the A-S500 has been installed, along with the KEF Q300's. Absolutely great, I listened to the Billy the Kid, Copeland album, Bernstein conducting last night, DenonDP 300F with Grado Green 1 cartridge. Perfect, and the gunfight with drums and snare drums was amazing. it's a keeper. The only thing that could use improvement was the powered volume control. It does not have a pointer that is illuminated, so it's impossible to see from a distance away. I used a stick on label maker to create a small white marker and placed it on the volume control. Now I can see where the dial is set to from across my study. The amp was clear, with solid bass and no harshness. Glad I got it
Nat King Cole's my favorite to crank, but I like "The Very Thought of You", "Nature Boy" and "Stardust". "Smile" is truly great, too.
Glad to hear it has phono. I was thinking it'd be a good amp for the price for some locations in the house. I like to keep phono wherever I put a system and find it annoying so many amps these days eliminate it. Nice to have a sub out, too, and two tape loops & an auxilliary.
Glad to hear it has phono. I was thinking it'd be a good amp for the price for some locations in the house. I like to keep phono wherever I put a system and find it annoying so many amps these days eliminate it. Nice to have a sub out, too, and two tape loops & an auxilliary.
johnda
Addicted Member
Not having a phono input is a downer for me, although you can get decent external phono preamps, I still prefer the phono input being built in. By the way, the sound is getting better as the system ages. Right now, I'm listening to "Autumn in NY", with Louie Armstrong singing. Jeez! he sounds like he's in the room with me!
TJLitt
Super Member
well, this thread, plus a few others and considerable study, resulted in me setting up a new A-S500 in the main system this evening. It replaces a very decent old Sansui 777 in the main rig. First impressions:
1. idiot-proof to set up. Lots of input options, seemingly put together in a very solid fashion with decent quality components(you can see into the top
of the case pretty well).
2. Sound is smooth even before the expected break-in point. Out of the box,
pretty good air around instruments, good(but not great) bass resolution and weight, clear highs and mids. I am pretty impressed, sonically, and all reports have that this unit will break in nicely.
3. seems to run cool.
4. thus far, I haven't thrown much other than mellow music at it, REM's
'Best of' CD and Dan Fogelberg on LP. Neither have I played around much with
'direct' setting or loudness controls. I will let it run in, listen to a whole mess of music and report back. Still, I suspect that I might well be very happy living with this Yammie for a good long time! Thanks to all who posted here and elsewhere about the Yamaha line of integrateds!!!
1. idiot-proof to set up. Lots of input options, seemingly put together in a very solid fashion with decent quality components(you can see into the top
of the case pretty well).
2. Sound is smooth even before the expected break-in point. Out of the box,
pretty good air around instruments, good(but not great) bass resolution and weight, clear highs and mids. I am pretty impressed, sonically, and all reports have that this unit will break in nicely.
3. seems to run cool.
4. thus far, I haven't thrown much other than mellow music at it, REM's
'Best of' CD and Dan Fogelberg on LP. Neither have I played around much with
'direct' setting or loudness controls. I will let it run in, listen to a whole mess of music and report back. Still, I suspect that I might well be very happy living with this Yammie for a good long time! Thanks to all who posted here and elsewhere about the Yamaha line of integrateds!!!
samosui
Well-Known Member
one day....
Congrats! And enjoy.
And as you experiment, read, wonder, enjoy, one day you may want to try something else waaaay down the road. Maybe vintage or maybe not, no mater. Again, enjoy what you have and hopefully you won't start collecting too soon. That's what some of us call it, 'collecting'.
Happy listening
samosui
Congrats! And enjoy.
And as you experiment, read, wonder, enjoy, one day you may want to try something else waaaay down the road. Maybe vintage or maybe not, no mater. Again, enjoy what you have and hopefully you won't start collecting too soon. That's what some of us call it, 'collecting'.
Happy listening
samosui
TJLitt
Super Member
oh, I have a bit of a 'collection' already. Luckily, I have two houses and about 4 systems going at times. I have a couple of other disc players, still have the Sansui I replaced with the Yamaha, another Denon, etc, etc, etc.
Don't even get me started on speakers......I have a pair probably a bit better than the 5.5's that I haven't set up with the right partners(yet). It's all good,
and finding a little gem like this recent purchase, or an old classic like the
Pioneer table I have as my best system table(35 bucks about 7 years ago) adds to the fun!
Don't even get me started on speakers......I have a pair probably a bit better than the 5.5's that I haven't set up with the right partners(yet). It's all good,
and finding a little gem like this recent purchase, or an old classic like the
Pioneer table I have as my best system table(35 bucks about 7 years ago) adds to the fun!
TJLitt
Super Member
well, I'm not much of a help. Never owned one of the older ones, nor am I one to use loudness controls much. Even though I often listen a very moderate volume levels, I generally prefer as little tone control as I can get away with. Maybe reflecting my ears, or my speakers, but I just haven't felt the need........One of these days, I will spend a few hours experimenting with the Yammie's loudness, as it does seem to be a modern design for such controls. If so, I will report back to you all.
I would think cutting the gain on the mid as the continuous loudness control does would be equally effective without adding the bit of distortion that upping the the gain on the bass does add. I think it's a cleaner approach. Not that I've ever used the "loudness contour" as I never listen at anything other than a level comparable to what the original performance would have been. I have compared the performance probably exactly once on every unit I've bought that has it and concluded it does the job better than upping the bass and treble slightly, but I prefer flat and whatever volume it takes to have that truly be flat.
2point1
Active Member
I would think cutting the gain on the mid as the continuous loudness control does would be equally effective
I have had 6 receivers. If I had to rank the Loudness Control of the six receivers Yamaha's "Continuously Variable Loudness Control" would rank 6th. It might work slightly better than turning down the Treble.
Not that I've ever used the "loudness contour" as I never listen at anything other than a level comparable to what the original performance would have been.
If there is a knob or button I set it to a level that makes me happy.
I have had 6 receivers. If I had to rank the Loudness Control of the six receivers Yamaha's "Continuously Variable Loudness Control" would rank 6th. It might work slightly better than turning down the Treble.
Not that I've ever used the "loudness contour" as I never listen at anything other than a level comparable to what the original performance would have been.
If there is a knob or button I set it to a level that makes me happy.