Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Culture

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Hi-Fi Corner: Yamaha’s A-S2100 is a lean, mean, music-making machine

By

hi fi corner yamaha as2100 integrated amplifier a s2100
Image used with permission by copyright holder
These days, you can get an excellent-sounding stereo integrated amplifier for about $1,000 — the Peachtree Nova65se is a great example, as is the NAD D 7050, both of which offer digital inputs, on-board DACs and a respectable amount of power. So why in the world would one entertain the idea of investing four times that — $4,000 — into an integrated amp like Yamaha’s A-S2100, which doesn’t have any digital inputs or Bluetooth for wireless music streaming?

Simply put: Because it is Bad. Ass.

Recommended Videos

We’re not fooling around here, folks. What the A-S2100 lacks in modern conveniences and all-in-wonder appeal, it makes for with bullet-proof build quality, wicked-smart design, and a healthy dose of good-God-I’ve-just-gotta-have-that allure.

The A-S2100 is is 51.6 pounds of lean, mean, gorgeous audio-making machine. If you don’t feel a surge of pride in ownership when you pull it from its box, then you’re involved in the wrong hobby, my friend. This is a gear-nut’s integrated amp; a music-lover’s integrated amp; and yes, an audiophile’s integrated amp. It has no on-board DAC, because the person who buys it will probably want to keep that separate anyway. It doesn’t come with Bluetooth because the person who buys it would use a high-end network media receiver for that sort of thing, never a tossed-in add-on feature.

Equipped with balanced XLR inputs with reversible polarity, a top-notch phono pre-amp (both MM and MC cartridges welcome) and a discreet headphone output with adjustable trim, the A-S2100 is outfitted with everything a serious audio nutjob (like myself) is prone to salivate over.

As much a trophy as it is a music maker, this latest integrated amp delivers a lot for its $4,000 asking price, not the least of which is a healthy serving of cool by way of its dual VU meters. The Yamaha that ruled in the late 1970’s is back, folks, and it is back in a big way.

Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’re going to go spend a few days in a room with the A-S2100 and let it shower us with audio awesome. We’ll be back to tell you all about how it went.

This story originally appeared on The Manual’s brother site, Digital Trends.

Caleb Denison
Caleb Denison
A legendary boy band is about to get the biopic treatment
Boyz II Men is making a biopic about their own story, and it's currently on the fast track toward production.
The members of Boyz II Men.

One of the most successful boy bands of all time is about to get the biopic treatment. Variety is reporting that Boyz II Men is developing a biopic that will chronicle their 30-year career. The group is working with Compelling Pictures and Primary Wave, and Nathan Morris, Shawn Stockman, and Wanya Morris, the three members of the group, are set to serve as executive producers.

Boyz II Men has had a number of hits over the course of its 30-year career, including "End of the Road," "It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday," and "One Sweet Day." Compelling Pictures is also set to begin production on a documentary that focuses on the group's career in the 1990s and 2000s.

Read more
Disney+ is going to start adding free ESPN content to the streaming service
The move is part of Disney's broader effort to consolidate its various streaming services
ESPN Plus logo on smartphone.

Disney is about to make a subscription to Disney+ even more enticing. Reporting suggests that Disney+ will add a new tile to the streaming service beginning in December that has content from ESPN. The company will reportedly add some live sporting events as well as some ESPN shows to Disney+, even for those who don't subscribe to ESPN+.

The change will be implemented on Dec. 4, and the new title will allow people who subscribe to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+  “full access to all of the ESPN+ sports content they love while inside Disney+, similar to the experience we offer bundle subscribers with Hulu on Disney+,” CEO Bob Iger and CFO Hugh Johnston said in commentary provided with the September quarterly results.

Read more
The next Patrick Bateman? 8 actors who could nail the role
Whoever gets the role will be compared to Christian Bale
Christian Bale in American Psycho

Luca Guadagnino has become one of the most effective storytellers in Hollywood in the last decade. Usually focusing on LGBTQ+ films, Guadagnino is creative and willing to take chances that other directors shy away from. He previously made Challengers, Call Me by Your Name, and Bones and All, but perhaps his biggest swing for the fences yet will be a remake of the cult classic circa Y2K, American Psycho. It has been leaked that the Italian filmmaker will reboot the serial killer crime drama about a seemingly normal and incredibly handsome late-20s man who hides horrific murders from his peers.

Christian Bale made Patrick Bateman an iconic character at the turn of the century, and it's a role that is hard to imagine being recast. Now in his 50s, Bale is too old to reprise Bateman and a new actor will be thrust into his big shoes. Allow us to throw our hat in the ring and brainstorm the next American Psycho star.
Robert Pattinson

Read more