Integrated Amplifiers on the cheap, is there no rest for the weary?

[lifestyle]

If you just want a technical review here is one from Australia with bench tests.

http://www.avhub.com.au/product-reviews/hi-fi/yamaha-a-s500-amplifier-review-test-395710

Thank you Anamorph (if I may), this will help tremendously!

 

[lifestyle]

If you just want a technical review here is one from Australia with bench tests.

http://www.avhub.com.au/product-reviews/hi-fi/yamaha-a-s500-amplifier-review-test-395710

Here is one for it's big (and older) brother, the AS700. Not sure how relevant it is to the 501.
http://www.avhub.com.au/product-reviews/hi-fi/yamaha-a-s700-integrated-amplifier-393552
Unfortunately, the link to the pdf file with measurements does not seem to exist any longer, but they did pretty well cover it in the discussion.

Thank you KEW, this will help tremendously! Kurt...

 

[big O]

if you are not concerned about the pre and amp being in one box,

buy the preamp - last time it was listed at the same price of $75 it did not sell so I would imagine you could get it now for that or close

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sherwood-Newcastle-AVP-9080R-Audiophile-A-V-Tuner-Preamp-w-V-768-DVD-player-/191619328984?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c9d66ebd8

add this stereo amp

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hafler-DH-200-amplifier-/271918769510?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f4f9f2566

and you have about $200 left over to add to speaker budget, and a matching dvd player to go with the preamp.

keep in mind you just spent $300 for $2000 worth of gear

 

[big O]

or get a matching poweramp and 5 channels
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sherwood-Newcastle-AM-9080-5-channel-amplifier/321795766944?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIC.MBE&ao=1&asc=32222&meid=b568d9fe4cec4c8ebc29b30ff765f64c&pid=100005&rk=1&rkt=6&sd=191619328984&rt=nc

 

[lifestyle]

if you are not concerned about the pre and amp being in one box,

buy the preamp - last time it was listed at the same price of $75 it did not sell so I would imagine you could get it now for that or close

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sherwood-Newcastle-AVP-9080R-Audiophile-A-V-Tuner-Preamp-w-V-768-DVD-player-/191619328984?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c9d66ebd8

add this stereo amp

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hafler-DH-200-amplifier-/271918769510?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f4f9f2566

and you have about $200 left over to add to speaker budget, and a matching dvd player to go with the preamp.

keep in mind you just spent $300 for $2000 worth of gear

Thank you "Big O" (THEE Big O?), I just have this thing about going "new", it's a weakness of mine. Seeing that there's so much value in the items you paste'd, i'm sure i'm missing out...

 

[big O]

everyone has their opinion, and good reason for it. so i wont try to change your mind, and instead wish you the best luck and success in your search