A little puzzled by my newly acquired Yamaha A-S801

Glenewdick, yes you are quite correct about the volume gain. So hard to trust reviews, and not always able to audition in person, the preferred way. This amp has a degree of clarity that is inviting, but if I had to describe the sound in one word, I'd use the word 'shallow'. I see offerings from Marantz, Arcam, or if I can find perhaps a used Primare 130 they seem to be well regarded as well.

Any reliability issues, or am I confusing that with something I read about Bel Canto? don't remember exactly which.

I am very interested also in the Quad Vena (II?) I want to audition, but I understand there might be some concerns about reliability/quality? In any event, likely need a bit more power, especially for the JRs.

May I ask, out of curiosity, what speakers you found them to be synergistic with?  

A few years ago when I picked up the Epos Elan's the seller was kind enough to include a MAC Sound Pipe, which I felt offered a subtle but noticeable improvement in what I was playing at the time, as far as power cord is concerned. I was using either NAC A5 wire, good but difficult due to its rigidity, or more recently some SIGNAL cable, where I have not noticed any downgrade at all, and possibly an upgrade. I tend to keep things minimalist if possible. Yes, my budget isn't ideal, I realize that. I like some of the ideas posted above I 'll check them out.

Well, this weekend I acquired a pre-driven NAD C375BEE, initial listening is very positive. Definitely more immediacy and more satisfying low end. I do, however, plan on doing some comparison listening on a few tracks to see what I think both overall and regarding the upper midrange/top end as well.  NAD heats up a bit more but I have several inches of ventilation space above so hopefully not an issue. 

So, very very close, yet different. To my ears, the NAD offers more detail retrieval, a bit more oomph, piano sounds more real, and a tad more immediacy. The Yamaha, however, has grown on me. The hand clapping on ’Low spark of high heeled boys’ sounds like its in the room, and the highs are more refined, possibly a bit more airy. In the end, as well all know, it comes down to what trade offs we are willing to live with.    I now believe I’d be happy with either one.    I am still leaning, however, toward the NAD. I understand Yamaha has a better reputation for parts quality if that is correct. But while I’m finding the Yamaha a bit more clear and ephemeral, the NAD sounds more live to me, and that is important to my listening experience. Thanks to all of your for your recommendations and suggestions.