Old School
From a distance I could easily mistake it for my old Harman Kardon—a stern black box with few ornaments. There’s a large volume dial on the right with a small notch in it, just so you can feel your way around without looking. Same as the HK.
Feels like I never left home.
The loudness control has its fans and detractors. I'm very much a fan. At night, when everyone's asleep, I turn this way down and the sound remains rich and full. The dial acts as a volume for low-level music listening, creating a curve in the midrange that boosts the perception of treble and bass frequencies. In this small room, sitting comfortably between two speakers, it works wonders.
I read a post comparing the A-S301 to an espresso. I get it. There's warmth, depth, and simplicity here. No frills, no glitz.
Just enough power, and inky smooth sounds.
