USA
Catalog   /   Sound & Hi-Fi   /   Hi-Fi & Hi-End Components   /   Amplifiers

Comparison Cambridge AXA25 vs Yamaha A-S201

Add to comparison
Cambridge AXA25
Yamaha A-S201
Cambridge AXA25Yamaha A-S201
Compare prices 1Compare prices 1
TOP sellers
Main
ByPass Direct mode. 4 pairs of acoustic plugs. Recorder. Customizable standby.
Device typeintegrated amplifierintegrated amplifier
Element basetransistor
Amplifier parameters
Number of channels42
Frequency range
10 – 30000 Hz /-3 дБ/
20 – 20000 Hz /±0.5 дБ/
Power per channel (8Ω)25 W125 W
Power per channel (6Ω)150 W
Power per channel (4Ω)165 W
Power per channel (2Ω)180 W
Signal to noise ratio82 dB100 dB
Signal to noise ratio (Phono MM/MC)75 dB
Damping factor100
Harmonic distortion0.1 %0.2 %
Channel sensitivity / impedance
Line input
 
32 kOhm
500 mV
47 kOhm
Phono MM/MC
 
 
10 mV
47 kOhm
REC output
 
 
500 mV
2.2 kOhm
Connectors
Inputs
 
Phono
RCA4 pairs4 pairs
For acoustics2 шт4 шт
REC (to recorder)1 pairs1 pairs
Front panel
 
headphone output
display
headphone output
Features
Adjustments
bass control
treble adjustment
balance adjustment
level adjustment
bass control
treble adjustment
balance adjustment
level adjustment
More features
 
 
 
 
 
By-pass/Direct
auto power off
ММ phono stage
additional speaker connect
Bi-Wiring
General
Remote control
PSUinternalinternal
Power consumption180 W175 W
Standby consumption0.5 W
Dimensions (WxDxH)430x340x83 mm435х333х141 mm
Weight5.1 kg6.7 kg
Color
Added to E-Catalognovember 2019january 2014

Element base

transistor. The term "semiconductor" is also used, since it is on such materials that the operation of transistors is based. Such an element base is the most popular in modern amplifiers: transistors are able to provide high sound quality with a minimum of distortion, while they are inexpensive, unpretentious in use, do not require powerful cooling systems, and are also resistant to shock and shaking. However they can somewhat lose to lamps in terms of the “atmospheric” sound (for more details, see below); however, this is already a matter of personal tastes of each user.

Lamp. Element base built on radio tubes. Historically, this variant predates the transistor variant, but pure tube amps are now relatively rare. This is due not only to the high cost of such devices, but also to their large dimensions and some inconvenience in use: after switching on, it takes some time to “warm up”, and the lamps themselves have a relatively short service life. In addition, tube amplifiers are significantly inferior to transistor amplifiers in terms of signal purity (in particular, harmonic coefficient, see below); however, this point cannot be called a clear disadvantage. The fact is that distortion from tube circuits is much more pleasant to the ear than from transistor ones; moreover, they are one of the components of the notorious "warm tube sound". Therefore, most modern tube amplifiers belong to the Hi-E...nd category and are designed for lovers of such a sound.

Hybrid. Amplifiers that combine both of the above types of circuits in their design. Thanks to this, it becomes possible to achieve a characteristic "tube" sound at a relatively low cost and acceptable dimensions of the device. Most of these models are of the integrated type (see above) and combine a tube preamp with transistor output stages.

Number of channels

The maximum number of channels the amplifier can handle. The choice for this parameter depends primarily on the intended format of using the device.

Most modern amplifiers have two channels for normal stereo sound, which is enough for listening to music or radio programs. There are also models designed for multi-channel "surround" sound, but they are much less common. This is due to the fact that such sound is most often used as an accompaniment to high-quality video — and therefore a home theater receiver is usually used for processing, rather than a separate audio amplifier.

Among the top-class models, there may be single-channel amplifiers — they provide maximum opportunities for fine-tuning the sound, but you have to purchase several such devices, one per channel. Another specific variety is amplifiers designed to add a certain number of channels to those already available; the most popular of these options is 3-channel, capable of turning an existing stereo system into a multi-channel one.

Frequency range

The range of audio frequencies that the amplifier is capable of handling. The wider this range, the more complete the overall picture of the sound, the less likely it is that too high or low frequencies will be “cut off” by the output amplifier. However, note that the range of sound audible to a person is on average from 16 Hz to 20 kHz; There are some deviations from this norm, but they are small. At the same time, modern Hi-Fi and Hi-End technology can have a much wider range — most often it is a kind of "side effect" of high-end circuits. Some manufacturers may use this property for promotional purposes, but it does not carry practical value in itself.

Note that even within the audible range it does not always make sense to chase the maximum coverage. It is worth, for example, to take into account that the actually audible sound cannot be better than the speakers are capable of giving out; therefore, for a speaker system with a lower threshold of, say, 70 Hz, there is no need to look for an amplifier with this figure of 16 Hz. Also, do not forget that a wide frequency range in itself does not absolutely guarantee high sound quality — it is associated with a huge number of other factors.

Power per channel (8Ω)

The nominal sound power output by the amplifier per channel when operating with a load having a dynamic resistance (impedance) of 8 ohms. In our catalog, this parameter is indicated for the mode when all channels of the amplifier work under load (see "Number of channels"); in the presence of unused channels, the rated power may be slightly higher, but this mode cannot be called standard.

Rated power can be simply described as the highest output signal power at which the amplifier is able to work stably for a long time (at least an hour) without negative consequences. These are average figures, because in fact, the audio signal is by definition unstable, and individual level jumps can significantly exceed the rated power. However, it is she who is the main basis for assessing the overall loudness of the sound.

This indicator also determines which speakers can be connected to the amplifier: their rated power should not be lower than that of the amplifier.

According to the laws of electrodynamics, with different dynamic load resistance, the output power of the amplifier will also be different. In modern speakers, the standard values \u200b\u200bare 8, 6, 4 and 2 Ohms, and power levels are indicated for them.

Power per channel (6Ω)

The nominal sound power output by the amplifier per channel when a load with a dynamic resistance (impedance) of 6 ohms is connected to it. See Power per Channel (8Ω) for more information on power rating and its relationship to impedance.

Power per channel (4Ω)

The nominal sound power output by the amplifier per channel when a load with a dynamic resistance (impedance) of 4 ohms is connected to it. See Power per Channel (8Ω) for more information on power rating and its relationship to impedance.

Power per channel (2Ω)

The nominal sound power output by the amplifier per channel when a load with a dynamic resistance (impedance) of 2 ohms is connected to it. See Power per Channel (8Ω) for more information on power rating and its relationship to impedance.

Signal to noise ratio

In itself, the signal-to-noise ratio is the ratio of the level of pure sound produced by the amplifier to the level of extraneous noise that occurs during its operation. This parameter is the main indicator of the overall sound quality — and very clear, because. its measurement takes into account almost all the noise that affects the sound in normal operating conditions. A level of 70 – 80 dB in modern amplifiers can be considered acceptable, 80 – 90 dB is not bad, and for advanced audiophile-class devices, a signal-to-noise ratio of at least 100 dB is considered mandatory.

If the specifications do not specify for which output the signal-to-noise ratio is indicated, it usually means its value for the linear input (see "RCA (par)"). This is quite enough to evaluate the quality of the device for this parameter. However, some manufacturers indicate it for other inputs — Main, Phono; see below for more on this.

Signal to noise ratio (Phono MM/MC)

signal-to-noise ratio when the amplifier is driven through the Phono input. This interface is for connecting turntables; its features are described in the “Inputs” section below, and for the meaning of any signal-to-noise ratio, see the corresponding section above.
Cambridge AXA25 often compared
Yamaha A-S201 often compared