Main trade-off
Yamaha A-S501
Only one optical input and Pure Direct bypasses the loudness adjustment.
Head-to-head
Yamaha A-S501 vs Marantz PM6007: Low-volume control or two optical sources?
The short answer
Choose A-S501 when variable loudness control is useful and one optical source is enough. Choose PM6007 when two optical sources need to remain connected. Both accept appropriate MM phono and stereo digital audio, but neither provides HDMI or computer USB input. Follow Yamaha’s volume warning before enabling Pure Direct, and turn PM6007’s speaker output off for private headphones.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
The second optical input matters when the TV is not the only digital source
A TV and an older CD transport may both offer optical but no usable alternative for the intended setup. PM6007 can leave both connected. A-S501 has one optical input, so that exact combination requires a switch, a cable swap or another supported output from one source. If the transport has coaxial, the conflict disappears because both amplifiers have a coaxial input. Check actual source sockets before paying for a workaround. The extra PM6007 input is valuable only when it removes a real occupancy problem.
What this is based on
Two fixed household sources behind an awkward cabinet crossed with exact optical/coaxial counts. Alternative source outputs can reverse the recommendation.
Main trade-off
Marantz PM6007
No variable loudness control, and headphones need the separate speaker-off step.
Yamaha A-S501
- Choose it for
- Adjust its variable loudness control for the intended low-volume routine.
- Keep a straightforward MM plus one-optical-source system.
- Main trade-off
- Only one optical input and Pure Direct bypasses the loudness adjustment.
Marantz PM6007
- Choose it for
- Keep a TV and a second optical-only source connected without swapping cables.
- Use the wired MM and digital setup with its manual speaker-off routine understood.
- Main trade-off
- No variable loudness control, and headphones need the separate speaker-off step.
About this comparison
Yamaha A-S501 vs Marantz PM6007 for records, TV and quiet evenings. Compare optical input conflicts, loudness settings and the manual headphone handoff.
Buyers repeatedly cross-shop these traditional integrated amplifiers for MM vinyl and passive speakers. Source occupancy and evening control produce stronger decision boundaries than unsupported brand sound descriptions.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
Variable loudness is useful and one optical source is enough
A-S501 provides that specific adjustment.
- Yamaha A-S501
- Better fit
- Marantz PM6007
- Good
Two optical-only sources must stay connected
PM6007 has two optical inputs.
- Yamaha A-S501
- Caution
- Marantz PM6007
- Better fit
A PC must connect directly through USB
Neither is a computer USB DAC.
- Yamaha A-S501
- Caution
- Marantz PM6007
- Caution
Headphone insertion must prove every room output is silent
Verify the complete routine rather than assuming automatic silence.
- Yamaha A-S501
- Caution
- Marantz PM6007
- Caution
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
The second optical input matters when the TV is not the only digital source
A TV and an older CD transport may both offer optical but no usable alternative for the intended setup. PM6007 can leave both connected. A-S501 has one optical input, so that exact combination requires a switch, a cable swap or another supported output from one source. If the transport has coaxial, the conflict disappears because both amplifiers have a coaxial input. Check actual source sockets before paying for a workaround. The extra PM6007 input is valuable only when it removes a real occupancy problem.
How we reached this conclusion
Two fixed household sources behind an awkward cabinet crossed with exact optical/coaxial counts. Alternative source outputs can reverse the recommendation.
A quiet-evening setting needs a safe return to the next session
A-S501’s variable loudness can be useful when a household intentionally listens at a lower level, but Pure Direct bypasses that attenuation. Yamaha warns about the volume change when switching direct mode after adjusting loudness. Lower the main volume as instructed before the next person changes the mode. PM6007 lacks the variable loudness control, so choose it for its source arrangement rather than expecting that exact adjustment. Neither control establishes what neighbors will hear or guarantees intelligible speech at a particular level.
How we reached this conclusion
Lower-level evening use followed by another person changing modes crossed with the manufacturer’s bypass and volume warning. No acoustic isolation or health promise.
Headphones are a routine to rehearse, not just a socket to count
PM6007’s instructions require the speaker output to be turned off for headphone listening. A-S501 also has a speaker selector, and the checked manual does not establish every automatic subwoofer-muting condition. For a room shared with a sleeping partner, connect the actual headphones and check speakers and sub before relying on the change. Keep the selector step visible to everyone using the system. If an automatic complete handoff is essential, a different amplifier with explicit speaker and sub muting may suit the household better than either of these.
How we reached this conclusion
Private listening with an attached powered sub and multiple users crossed with explicit manual speaker-off steps and a documented evidence limit.
Choice A
Yamaha, A-S501BL
Yamaha A-S501
Adjust its variable loudness control for the intended low-volume routine.
- Best matched use
- Adjust its variable loudness control for the intended low-volume routine.
Checked facts
- Optical occupancy: One optical and one coaxial input.
- Low-volume adjustment: Variable loudness, bypassed by Pure Direct.
- Headphone transition: Headphone socket and speaker selector. Verify complete output behavior.
- Computer and TV control: Power-only DC OUT, no PC USB or HDMI.
Choice B
Marantz, PM6007
Marantz PM6007
Keep a TV and a second optical-only source connected without swapping cables.
- Best matched use
- Keep a TV and a second optical-only source connected without swapping cables.
Checked facts
- Optical occupancy: Two optical and one coaxial input.
- Low-volume adjustment: Tone controls and Source Direct, no variable loudness control.
- Headphone transition: Manual instructs turning speaker output off.
- Computer and TV control: No PC USB or HDMI, digital inputs require supported PCM.
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Yamaha A-S501 | Marantz PM6007 | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optical occupancy | One optical and one coaxial input. | Two optical and one coaxial input. | Two optical-only devices favor PM6007 without a switch. |
| Low-volume adjustment | Variable loudness, bypassed by Pure Direct. | Tone controls and Source Direct, no variable loudness control. | The useful control is the one the household will leave configured correctly. |
| Headphone transition | Headphone socket and speaker selector. Verify complete output behavior. | Manual instructs turning speaker output off. | A headphone plug alone is not proof that all room outputs stop. |
| Computer and TV control | Power-only DC OUT, no PC USB or HDMI. | No PC USB or HDMI, digital inputs require supported PCM. | Neither replaces a computer DAC or provides ARC just by accepting optical audio. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Yamaha A-S501
- A second optical-only device may need a switch or another compatible output.
If you choose Marantz PM6007
- Check the speakers and subwoofer before assuming the room is quiet.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
The low-volume adjustment is useful and digital occupancy is simple
Choose Yamaha A-S501. A-S501 supplies variable loudness with the direct-mode warning.
Two optical-only sources need permanent connections
Choose Marantz PM6007. PM6007 removes that cable conflict.
What matters in practice
Before you choose
The amplifier with the preferred quiet-listening controls may leave a TV and disc transport competing for one digital input.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- No invented warm or bright sound ranking.
- No measured quiet-listening performance.
- No HDMI control from optical connection alone.
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-S501 |
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| Marantz PM6007 |
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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-S501
Adjust its variable loudness control for the intended low-volume routine.
Keep a straightforward MM plus one-optical-source system.
See price & reviews on AmazonMarantz PM6007
Keep a TV and a second optical-only source connected without swapping cables.
Use the wired MM and digital setup with its manual speaker-off routine understood.
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.