Yamaha a-s501 vs r-s500

[johnsmith221]

I've been searching for hours now and there seems to be an unending debate between integrated amps and receivers.

So let's focus on the two above mentioned.

They have similar specs but the a-s501 costs between $100 to $150 more (contrarily the r-s500 seems to have more bells & whistles).

Simply put what does the extra money get you if anything?

does the a-s501 really sound better?

 

[iMark]

We have had a R-S500 for three years and we really like it. I haven't heard the A-S501, so I can't comment on that.

R-S500: FM/AM tuner, rec out selector.

A-S501: No tuner (obviously) and no rec out selector but an onboard DAC.

We wanted a stereo receiver for listening to FM radio, signal supplied by the cable company. Getting a receiver rather than an integrated amp means one less box in the rack. I also wanted the rec out selector so I can record LPs to the computer while listening to another source like the TV. We don't miss a DAC in the receiver because we already had one.

For us the R-S500 was an outstanding solution, especially because it also had A/B speakers that can be controlled by the remote control. Our R-S500 can power two pairs of speakers, one in the living room, the other in the kitchen. It replaced a Denon DRA-1000 that had packed in after 13 years of outstanding service.

The A-S501 costs more at the moment because the R-S500 has been around for quite a few years and will most ikely be replaced by another receiver or will be phased out. Recent Yamaha models tend to be more expensive than older models. If you don't need the DAC, I don't think you can go wrong with the R-S500. I think the R-S500 was introduced in June 2012.