Main trade-off
Yamaha A-S301
The 387 mm body is deeper and phone Bluetooth needs a separate receiver or another source route.
Head-to-head
Yamaha A-S301 vs Sony STR-DH190: Optical TV or a shallower box?
The short answer
Choose A-S301 for direct optical TV audio or the documented use of two 8-ohm speaker pairs together with its impedance selector correctly set. Choose STR-DH190 for MM records, phone Bluetooth and FM when its supported speaker load and shallower body fit the system. Sony is 103 mm less deep before installation space. Neither has HDMI ARC, and Sony Bluetooth receives phone audio rather than sending it to headphones.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
An optical-only TV changes the size of the complete record system
An MM turntable can connect to either model, so records alone do not settle the choice. Add a television whose only usable audio output is optical and the setup changes: A-S301 accepts that signal directly, while STR-DH190 needs a compatible external converter to reach its analog input. That brings another component and possibly another power supply into the furniture plan. Choose Yamaha if avoiding that extra equipment matters. Choose Sony when the TV already has a suitable analog output, or television is outside the system and built-in phone Bluetooth is the more useful connection.
What this is based on
MM vinyl, an optical-only TV and limited room for accessories crossed with complete input inventories. Yamaha digital input requires supported PCM. Neither has HDMI ARC.
Main trade-off
Sony STR-DH190
No optical input, and simultaneous A+B speaker use has a higher impedance requirement than two ordinary 8-ohm pairs.
Yamaha A-S301
- Choose it for
- Connect a compatible optical-output TV while keeping an MM turntable plugged in.
- Reuse two 8-ohm speaker pairs together under Yamaha’s documented LOW-selector setup.
- Main trade-off
- The 387 mm body is deeper and phone Bluetooth needs a separate receiver or another source route.
Sony STR-DH190
- Choose it for
- Use built-in Bluetooth reception and FM without adding a separate source box.
- Save 103 mm of body depth on suitable open furniture, while allowing cables and ventilation.
- Main trade-off
- No optical input, and simultaneous A+B speaker use has a higher impedance requirement than two ordinary 8-ohm pairs.
About this comparison
Yamaha A-S301 vs Sony STR-DH190 for records, optical TV and phone music. Check the 103 mm depth difference and the limits on reusing two speaker pairs.
Both are conventional MM-phono stereo choices for someone keeping passive speakers. Yamaha covers optical television and a different permitted speaker-load range, while Sony combines phone Bluetooth and FM in a shallower body.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
An optical-only TV and MM turntable share the speakers
Yamaha accepts both directly with supported PCM from the TV. Sony needs an additional compatible optical-to-analog route.
- Yamaha A-S301
- Better fit
- Sony STR-DH190
- Caution
Shallow open furniture holds records and phone music
Sony is 103 mm shallower and has Bluetooth reception. Allow cable room, ventilation and proper support.
- Yamaha A-S301
- Caution
- Sony STR-DH190
- Better fit
Two existing 8-ohm pairs must play together
Yamaha permits this A+B setup at LOW. Sony’s simultaneous A+B impedance requirements exclude two 8-ohm pairs.
- Yamaha A-S301
- Better fit
- Sony STR-DH190
- Not suitable
The amplifier must send phone music to Bluetooth headphones
Neither has built-in Bluetooth transmission. Sony Bluetooth receives music from the phone.
- Yamaha A-S301
- Not suitable
- Sony STR-DH190
- Not suitable
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
An optical-only TV changes the size of the complete record system
An MM turntable can connect to either model, so records alone do not settle the choice. Add a television whose only usable audio output is optical and the setup changes: A-S301 accepts that signal directly, while STR-DH190 needs a compatible external converter to reach its analog input. That brings another component and possibly another power supply into the furniture plan. Choose Yamaha if avoiding that extra equipment matters. Choose Sony when the TV already has a suitable analog output, or television is outside the system and built-in phone Bluetooth is the more useful connection.
How we reached this conclusion
MM vinyl, an optical-only TV and limited room for accessories crossed with complete input inventories. Yamaha digital input requires supported PCM. Neither has HDMI ARC.
A shallow open shelf and phone-only music can favor Sony twice
STR-DH190 is 284 mm deep against A-S301 at 387 mm, a 103 mm body-depth difference. If the record setup sits on shallow open furniture and most other music comes from a phone, Sony also supplies Bluetooth reception without another receiver box. Those two constraints reinforce the same choice. Check rear plugs, support and ventilation before treating the body measurement as a fit. The advantage can reverse when an optical-only TV joins the system, because Sony then needs extra conversion equipment while Yamaha already accepts that source.
How we reached this conclusion
Limited furniture depth plus phone-sourced listening crossed with body dimensions and Bluetooth reception. Calculation is 387 minus 284 equals 103 mm. Sony manual excludes confined installation, so this is no enclosed-cabinet approval.
Two pairs of inherited speakers can decide the purchase before watts do
If two existing 8-ohm speaker pairs must play together in adjoining areas, A-S301 documents an A+B setup with each pair rated 8 ohms or higher and its selector set to LOW. Sony’s simultaneous A+B requirements start at 12 ohms per speaker with the specified setting, so those two 8-ohm pairs do not meet that arrangement. Choose Yamaha if keeping both pairs active is essential and the full installation follows its instructions. If only one supported pair will play, the constraint falls away and Sony can win on phone playback or furniture depth. A/B still plays the same stereo program rather than creating independent room sources.
How we reached this conclusion
Two already owned 8-ohm pairs plus simultaneous listening crossed with Yamaha p5 and Sony pp20 and 38 impedance tables. No output-power-to-loudness conversion or independent-zone claim.
Choice A
Yamaha, A-S301BL
Yamaha A-S301
Connect a compatible optical-output TV while keeping an MM turntable plugged in.
- Best matched use
- Connect a compatible optical-output TV while keeping an MM turntable plugged in.
Checked facts
- TV beside the turntable: Optical/coaxial digital input plus MM phono.
- Phone music and radio: Wired source inputs. Bluetooth or radio needs external equipment.
- Body depth: 387 mm, about 15.24 inches.
- Two existing 8-ohm pairs together: A+B permits 8-ohm-or-higher speakers with the selector at LOW.
Choice B
Sony, STRDH190
Sony STR-DH190
Use built-in Bluetooth reception and FM without adding a separate source box.
- Best matched use
- Use built-in Bluetooth reception and FM without adding a separate source box.
Checked facts
- TV beside the turntable: Analog inputs and MM phono, without optical or HDMI.
- Phone music and radio: Bluetooth reception and FM tuner built in.
- Body depth: 284 mm, about 11.18 inches.
- Two existing 8-ohm pairs together: A+B requires 12 ohms or higher with the appropriate SP IMP. setting.
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Yamaha A-S301 | Sony STR-DH190 | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| TV beside the turntable | Optical/coaxial digital input plus MM phono. | Analog inputs and MM phono, without optical or HDMI. | Yamaha can take compatible optical TV audio directly. Sony needs a usable analog route or external conversion. |
| Phone music and radio | Wired source inputs. Bluetooth or radio needs external equipment. | Bluetooth reception and FM tuner built in. | Sony can cover a records-and-phone routine without adding a separate Bluetooth box. |
| Body depth | 387 mm, about 15.24 inches. | 284 mm, about 11.18 inches. | Sony saves 103 mm, about 4.06 inches, before cables and the required ventilation are considered. |
| Two existing 8-ohm pairs together | A+B permits 8-ohm-or-higher speakers with the selector at LOW. | A+B requires 12 ohms or higher with the appropriate SP IMP. setting. | Two 8-ohm pairs are not an interchangeable A+B setup across these receivers. Follow each manual before wiring. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Yamaha A-S301
- A shallow furniture plan must accommodate the amplifier and any separate phone-music hardware.
If you choose Sony STR-DH190
- An optical-only TV requires an additional compatible converter or a different amplifier.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
Optical TV or simultaneous reuse of two 8-ohm pairs is essential
Choose Yamaha A-S301. A-S301 supplies the direct TV input and the documented A+B arrangement when correctly configured.
One supported speaker pair, phone music and shallow open furniture define the system
Choose Sony STR-DH190. STR-DH190 combines Bluetooth reception with the shallower body, provided installation clearance is adequate.
What matters in practice
Before you choose
A shallower receiver can fit the furniture better while failing the existing TV connection or two-pair speaker plan.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- No comparable listening test or sound-quality ranking.
- Body depth does not establish safe enclosed-cabinet fit.
- Neither provides HDMI ARC or Bluetooth headphone transmission.
- Two speaker sets do not establish two independently controlled source zones.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current stereo amplifiers comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
See the checked facts and calculation notes
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha A-S301 |
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| Sony STR-DH190 |
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Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Yamaha A-S301
Connect a compatible optical-output TV while keeping an MM turntable plugged in.
Reuse two 8-ohm speaker pairs together under Yamaha’s documented LOW-selector setup.
See price & reviews on AmazonSony STR-DH190
Use built-in Bluetooth reception and FM without adding a separate source box.
Save 103 mm of body depth on suitable open furniture, while allowing cables and ventilation.
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.