Main trade-off
Yamaha A-S801
Network music still requires an external source, and room setup is manual.
Head-to-head
Yamaha A-S801 vs R-N800A: Recording feed or network music?
The short answer
Choose A-S801 when its fixed recorder output is needed for an existing recording setup, especially while someone else changes listening volume. Choose R-N800A when the room needs network music without the computer attached, or YPAO speaker and subwoofer setup. Both have computer USB and MM phono. R-N800A Bluetooth headphones leave speakers playing and cannot receive its AirPlay audio, so that feature needs a separate night-time check.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
A recording can outlast the room volume someone else wants
When records feed a separate recorder while another person lowers the room volume, A-S801 keeps the recorded source independent of its volume, tone and loudness controls. R-N800A offers PRE OUT instead of a dedicated REC output, and plugging in wired headphones mutes that PRE OUT. Moving the existing recorder there therefore does not preserve the same handoff. Choose A-S801 for that established recording chain and check recorder input compatibility. If no fixed feed is needed, this advantage disappears and R-N800A can be chosen for network playback or calibration.
What this is based on
An ongoing record transfer plus another listener changing room playback crossed with A-S801 p10 REC rules and R-N800A pp19-20 and 52 output behavior. No claim of USB recording or digitization inside either amplifier.
Main trade-off
Yamaha R-N800A
PRE OUT is not the same dedicated fixed recording path, and wired headphones mute it.
Yamaha A-S801
- Choose it for
- Feed a compatible recorder without tying the recording level to listening-volume changes.
- Keep computer USB and MM vinyl in a system whose streaming source is already sorted.
- Main trade-off
- Network music still requires an external source, and room setup is manual.
Yamaha R-N800A
- Choose it for
- Let another person start supported network music when the laptop is away.
- Use YPAO measurements and supported speaker/sub settings with Pure Direct switched off.
- Main trade-off
- PRE OUT is not the same dedicated fixed recording path, and wired headphones mute it.
About this comparison
Yamaha A-S801 vs R-N800A for computer audio, shared music and recording records. Compare fixed recorder outputs, MusicCast and YPAO mode limits.
Both accept computer USB audio and MM records through passive speakers. A-S801 preserves a traditional recording path, while R-N800A adds network playback and measured speaker setup for the same room.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
A recorder must keep running while room volume changes
A-S801 documents a REC feed independent of the listening controls. R-N800A PRE OUT is a different output and is muted by wired headphones.
- Yamaha A-S801
- Better fit
- Yamaha R-N800A
- Caution
Someone needs music after the USB laptop leaves home
R-N800A has its own network playback routes. A-S801 needs a separate source left in the room.
- Yamaha A-S801
- Caution
- Yamaha R-N800A
- Better fit
Speaker placement is fixed and I will use measured correction
R-N800A offers YPAO. Keep Pure Direct off to use those settings.
- Yamaha A-S801
- Caution
- Yamaha R-N800A
- Better fit
AirPlay must move straight to Bluetooth headphones at night
A-S801 has no built-in transmitter, and R-N800A excludes AirPlay from Bluetooth transmission.
- Yamaha A-S801
- Not suitable
- Yamaha R-N800A
- Not suitable
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
A recording can outlast the room volume someone else wants
When records feed a separate recorder while another person lowers the room volume, A-S801 keeps the recorded source independent of its volume, tone and loudness controls. R-N800A offers PRE OUT instead of a dedicated REC output, and plugging in wired headphones mutes that PRE OUT. Moving the existing recorder there therefore does not preserve the same handoff. Choose A-S801 for that established recording chain and check recorder input compatibility. If no fixed feed is needed, this advantage disappears and R-N800A can be chosen for network playback or calibration.
How we reached this conclusion
An ongoing record transfer plus another listener changing room playback crossed with A-S801 p10 REC rules and R-N800A pp19-20 and 52 output behavior. No claim of USB recording or digitization inside either amplifier.
The second listener should not lose music when the computer leaves for work
USB is useful while the computer is present, and both models provide it. The difference appears when that laptop leaves with its owner while somebody else stays home with the same speakers. R-N800A can take supported network music through MusicCast or AirPlay instead, without asking for the laptop back. A-S801 needs another source for that job. Choose R-N800A when independent access is missing. Keep or choose A-S801 when a separate streamer already stays in the room, since replacing that working route may add no useful independence.
How we reached this conclusion
A shared room and a mobile computer crossed with identical USB capability and R-N800A network sources. Services, home networking and source-device availability remain requirements.
Fixed furniture gives YPAO a job, provided the chosen mode leaves it working
A room shared with a desk or walkway may leave little freedom to move the speakers or subwoofer. R-N800A gives that installation a measurement-based setup path, including speaker distance, level and supported crossover settings. A-S801 leaves those adjustments to its manual controls and the connected equipment. Choose R-N800A if you will measure the actual seating position and use the resulting settings. Pure Direct bypasses YPAO, so leaving that mode on removes this reason to upgrade. Calibration also does not stop sound passing into another room or replace a headphone routine.
How we reached this conclusion
Furniture-constrained placement and an existing subwoofer crossed with R-N800A pp44-46, 51 and 56. YPAO describes signal adjustment, not soundproofing or a guaranteed result at every seat.
Choice A
Yamaha, A-S801BL
Yamaha A-S801
Feed a compatible recorder without tying the recording level to listening-volume changes.
- Best matched use
- Feed a compatible recorder without tying the recording level to listening-volume changes.
Checked facts
- Music after the laptop leaves: USB computer playback plus wired source inputs.
- Recording a source: LINE 2/3 REC output is unaffected by volume and tone controls.
- Room and subwoofer setup: Manual bass, treble, balance and loudness controls.
- Bluetooth headphones: No built-in Bluetooth transmission.
Choice B
Yamaha, R-N800ABL
Yamaha R-N800A
Let another person start supported network music when the laptop is away.
- Best matched use
- Let another person start supported network music when the laptop is away.
Checked facts
- Music after the laptop leaves: USB computer playback, MusicCast and AirPlay 2.
- Recording a source: PRE OUT and sub output, with no dedicated REC output. Headphones mute PRE OUT.
- Room and subwoofer setup: YPAO measurement and app settings, bypassed by Pure Direct.
- Bluetooth headphones: Transmission leaves speakers playing and excludes AirPlay, DSD and PCM above 192 kHz.
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Yamaha A-S801 | Yamaha R-N800A | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Music after the laptop leaves | USB computer playback plus wired source inputs. | USB computer playback, MusicCast and AirPlay 2. | R-N800A supplies a network route when the computer that normally feeds USB is no longer in the room. |
| Recording a source | LINE 2/3 REC output is unaffected by volume and tone controls. | PRE OUT and sub output, with no dedicated REC output. Headphones mute PRE OUT. | A recorder already fed by A-S801 cannot be moved blindly to R-N800A PRE OUT while preserving the same behavior. |
| Room and subwoofer setup | Manual bass, treble, balance and loudness controls. | YPAO measurement and app settings, bypassed by Pure Direct. | A buyer planning to leave Pure Direct on would bypass the room-adjustment feature they bought. |
| Bluetooth headphones | No built-in Bluetooth transmission. | Transmission leaves speakers playing and excludes AirPlay, DSD and PCM above 192 kHz. | R-N800A needs source and output checks before a shared session becomes private listening. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Yamaha A-S801
- Any missing streamer takes another connection and may need its own power supply.
If you choose Yamaha R-N800A
- Calibration and wireless headphones add operating-mode checks rather than making every listening routine automatic.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
A fixed recorder feed matters and an external streamer already handles music
Choose Yamaha A-S801. A-S801 preserves the documented recording path without duplicating an existing streamer.
The laptop leaves and the remaining listener needs a built-in network source
Choose Yamaha R-N800A. R-N800A provides the independent playback route, with network and service setup required.
What matters in practice
Before you choose
Replacing a wired amplifier with a streaming receiver can remove the recording output that made changing room volume harmless to an archive.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- Neither offers HDMI ARC.
- YPAO is not soundproofing and no measured improvement is promised.
- Dedicated subwoofer muting with wired headphones remains unverified for R-N800A.
- A-S801 recorder outputs do not make its USB socket a computer recording interface.
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-S801 |
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| |
| Yamaha R-N800A |
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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-S801
Feed a compatible recorder without tying the recording level to listening-volume changes.
Keep computer USB and MM vinyl in a system whose streaming source is already sorted.
See price & reviews on AmazonYamaha R-N800A
Let another person start supported network music when the laptop is away.
Use YPAO measurements and supported speaker/sub settings with Pure Direct switched off.
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