Yamaha WXC-50 MusicCast streamer/pre-amp
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- Опубліковано 30 лип 2024
- After reviewing the 150 euros costing Yamaha WXAD-10 streamer, I wondered what its bigger brother would offer. At least it is far more pleasing to the eye…
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Very nice review Hans ! I always enjoy watching your videos !!! Terrific !
Nice review. I have had this Yamaha device for almost a year now. It's very good for the money. No issues or problems with anything. Highly recommend for anyone on a budget.
excellent review .... this product goes very well with as 1100....thanks your reviews helped me get closer to musical nirvana!!!
Thank you, another great review simple and informative.
Great video as always! I was looking at this Yamaha unit online recently, as it's competitively priced and readily available in Australia. Very helpful to have a detailed review.
Dont get it its a shit product it always disconnects and i cant get it to connect again Cant use any features unless you use phone with app all fine till it dosent always work Biggest waste of time and disappointment this unit has been
Great review- I’ve just bought the WXA-50 and brand new to the world of amplifiers etc.
I know it’s not the exact model you reviewed but you’ve given me a lot of confidence in my choice!
Cool, thanks!
Excellent demo, i will use it with my Yamaha MX-1000 PA .
Excellent review!
Prima review van de Yamaha streamer and receiver van het originele piano merk met de gekruiste stemvorken waar Yamaha mee gestart is destijds.
great review!
Superb review, thank you.
I have a RX-A3060 and a WXAD-10 and I quite like the setup but what's holding me back from investing on more MusicCast products is the app itslef. There's no search support for local DLNA servers in the app. This is big oversight by Yamaha. I contacted Yamaha and they reported it's on the developers road map but no ETA. With no search for your DLNA server the DLNA server software you use can really make a big difference to the experience. I tried a few and it came done to JRiver or Illustrate's Asset. I went with Asset as it was simpler but also had sane default views that I liked. With Asset navigating a large library is very easy and quick but I mostly listen to whole albums rather than build big playlists from various albums & artists. A better feature would be to have a search in the app that searches all the sources you have enabled.
excellent and clear presentation
🙏🏽
Just got the WXC-50 and put most of my CDs into a USB for easy listening(MP3 is just not good enough ) ... I would surely be listening much often than before
To be very honest I just like this guy that's all. He is a very nice personality, the video is just soothing to watch
🙏🏻
I also feel the WXC-50 is an excellent preamplifier with low noise and excellent sound.
Enjoy the music.
hmm, is there enough room, to put some ssd disk in empty slot where amp is in other model?
When the switch on the back is set to pre-amp, the sample rate is always 48khz from the digital outputs. So set to player if you want to use this as transport or 'bridge '. (Is that the correct usage of bridge? I find the jargon in this area of Hifi confusing)
Brilliant as usual. You must have been a yogi in an earlier birth!
Your Yamaha R N602 review convinced me that I was indeed searching for it.
Now this review persuades me to go in for the amplified model WXA-50.
R N602, in India, is just $50 more. I know you haven't reviewed the WXA-50, and believing I know you (long time lurker!), you may refuse to make a recommendation.
No harm my trying nevertheless! Best regards.
You know me very well.😁
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thanks, anyway.
How does this compare to the Bluesound Node 2?
Thank you for a very informative video. Request you to review yamaha R-n803
I have made a note. No promises though.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thanks. Really appreciate that you spared time to read and reply to my comment.
Hi Hans,I am considering purchasing one of these,I currently stream from a google chrome cast audio linked by an optical input to a musical fidelity v90 DAC.Would this streamer (considering I would still stream via wifi)make a noticeable difference to sound quality in your opinion?
Hi Hans, Thank you for this great review. I am wondering if you are able to determine what the deal is with the two different DACs. To me this may be a game changer if the ESS is for one type of connection and the burr brown for another connection. Yamaha tech support has no information on the Bur Brown chip. I am connecting to a parasound 2100
Pre amp through rca cables, but not sure which dac is utilized with this set up. Any ideas
The main output - as I mentioned in the video - must be the ESS since it does DSD as where the Bur Brown doesnt'
Quick question about this streamer: Why is there an auxiliary out as well as a analogue pre-out? In everyday use wouldn't you just only be using the pre-out connection connected to your amp?
This is what the manual says: "AUX OUT jacks: For connecting to audio components (such as pre-main amplifiers) equipped with analog input." Perhaps for connecting a cassette deck. There are some people that want the cassette back (yeah, right).
If I only need a streamer (not a preamp) it's better to buy the NP-S303? What are the differences? (I like better the style of the NP-S303 that resembles an hi-fi component)
I can't comment on products I haven't reviewed. Sorry.
Thank you for this review. You also reviewed the Auralic Aries Mini a while back. Which of the two would you prefer and why? What are the differences?
Hi Hans,
This question is would be also intersting. You told in your review that wxc-50 was in your setup1 and if I remember right Auralic mini was at upper region of your setup2.
How are the sonic differences?
Hi HansAny chance you will be reviewing the yamaha np-s303. I would love to know how this new Yamaha streamer compares to the CA CXNv2
I have not planned it yet but I'll put it on the list.
If I connect the tv to the digital input, will the same sound will be heard trough the whole network? Like MusicCast 20?
I haven't tried but the documentation says it will.
i was about to buy it .. thanks for youre time .
My pleasure
Hi Hans, I was wondering if you plan on reviewing the Nano iDSD Black Label at all? Thanks
perhaps, not sure
Thank your review.
Did you tried Wxc50 as a streamer on its USB output to one of your DACs?
Is yes what was your experience against sms200 or the airalic mini?
These two devices you didnot mention in the review and they are in our intressting.
Thanks a lot for your work!
May i form my Question other way in wich of your sets would you put this wxc50 of yamaha with your hugo dac on its usb?
I wanted to compare this with bluesound node 2i. Hope it could've been more detailed! Thanks anyways.
You find the review of the Node 2i here: ua-cam.com/video/LIWkeXPjvyw/v-deo.html
the volume control on this unit is digital (based on the ESS Sabre dac), but I dont understand how is the analog input volume controlled.
I can't check since it's too long ago and I returned the unit to the distributor.
Hans, I'm trying to decide between this unit and the Bluesound Node 2i. Your thoughts on which is the better of the two would be much appreciated!
I have reviewed both so check out the reviews.
Great review! With the DLNA server connection can you control playback from the server side or does it have to be from MusicCast app? For instance, running a Plex server connected to wxc-50 with dlna can I stay in the Plex app and play to the wxc-50? Plex has a better UI for a large volume of music. Also same question but regarding the toslink input (I can set up a RPi4 with a toslink out).
You can use the Yamaha as DLNA renderer so indeed control it from the computer. Or Control the DLNA server (Plex) from a tablet or smartphone while using the Yamaha as renderer. For music I prefer MinimServer (free/donationware)
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel THANK YOU for that info! I will definitely check that one out. I was also looking at Audivarna. Whatever I go with I'll have around 3TB of music so I need something that catalogs, metatage, etc automatically....I really wanted roon but it seems like the only way to use it is Airplay, but I have a lot of high res that was sacd and such so I dont want to use Airplay.
Anyway....THANK You for that helpful info. Greatly appreciate you and all the effort you put into your channel!
Hello Hans thank you for great review, I’m looking for a advice and I hope you will have a answer. Currently I’m using my laptop via usb to Smsl su9 DAC and RCA to my power amplifier Where should I put Yamaha wxc 50 to get the most of it Before my DAC or between DAC and Amplifier If I will put wxc 50 between DAC and amplifier then my DAC is pointless? Thank you
If you want to use the Yamaha, your DAC is becoming obsolete.
Hi Hans
Can I ask a couple of questions please?
(a) Does this do gapless playback? My NAIM streamer does and the first (Western Digital) streamer I had didn't - so I know how important this is.
(b) Are there any issues in using this with MinimServer? I noticed in the video that you used this most excellent product and it all looked seamless but was it.
A) yes, B) no problems noted.
Thanks Hans.
Hello hans...I have just a question but it's about the musiccast app. If i control the device from two staffs, ex.. tablet and smartphone,it's bettere to logoff always the other staff i am not using or it can remain connected anyways? Thank's!
I don't know. It's been a long time since I made that review and I have no way of checking it now. Sorry.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Ah ok. than'k anyways! ;)
They should have make this also without streaming option, as a DAC with Bass Boost, EQ and loudness setting. Quite unique..
Unique indeed....
Yeah.. I almost have to get them for my active speakers.. I use the headphone jack of the tv, which for sure is not optimal. But the tv has an optical digital output. With this nice Yamaha I I have a great DAC, I have EQ, I have Bass Boost (or Extension) you can select different speaker sizes, and the famous Yamaha Loudness.. Which I really miss because I dont listen with high volumes mostly.. Getting a preamp with these features is almost impossible.. so Yamaha has a very strong product..
Is this something that I could use, if I'd want to use active subwoofer on home theater system and also that same subwoofer with pair of active Genelec speakers for music listening? I've tried my Genelec sub on my home theater and it works well. But it also works well with my small active genelec speaker pairs. It would be nice to use subwoofer conveniently for both usage.
It will always be a matter of plugging the sub to the system in use. I don't see how the WXC-50 could change that.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thanks for answering. I was speculating that if it could be possible to get ie. optical out from home theater amplifier to input of this device and connect sub to this Yamaha. I know only very basics of audio systems and don't have any knowledge if something like this is possible. I assume this kinda usage is quite niche and there aren't any "standard" options for it.
Can you confirm if this one unfolds full MQA on Tidal? BlueSound does right?
Yamaha doesn't, BlueSound does.
Thank you for your great review Mr. Beekhuyzen. Did you tested any external HDD, 1T or above FAT32 formatted with Hi-res files? I suppose that the producer, doesn't recommend external HDD's because they are usually NTFS but there are different methods to format large capacity storage media like HDD's in FAT32. It's pretty interesting to know that ... BR
You can only use FAC16 and FAT32 USB drives, not NTFS or ExFAT
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thanks, I know that but the question is, how about HDD 1TB or above, FAT32?
The FAT32 standard works up to 4TB...
Uh oh. I didn't know you had reviewed this as well. This looks like a very good unit and would give me upgrade options in the future. I've gone ahead and ordered the Connector 2, but no matter they offer that 8 week trial period. Does the Raumfeld have the same DAC chip as the Yamaha, do you know Hans?
Wether it has the same DAC chip is of no (or little) importance. It's like asking if a Honda Civic has the same tires as the Porche 911. Even if it had, the Civic wouldn't drive like a Porche. It is the total design. An old design DAC chip that is well implemented will sound much better than the newest and hottest DAC chip in a poor design. PCB layout, power supply, crystal oscillator and so on all have their influence. The Yamaha sounds clearly superior to the Raumfeld.
OK thanks for that Hans. Going to have a listen to the Yamaha today if possible.
In the review of the WXAD-10 you mentioned it did NOT support gapless playback. Does the same restriction apply to this preamp ?
I didn't notice any gaps during the tests but to be sure I checked the manual: gapless playback is supported for WAV, FLAC, ALAC and AIFF.
So that's all lossless, but possibly not on lossy such as spotify ?
Andy Foster I don’t know, I use Tidal. Sorry
I understand, I use Tidal myself, but only because of Roon, prefer Qobuz. But I have many friends who are Spotify and occasionally have to go there myself to fill Tidal's catalogue gaps.
did you check out the limetree network from Lindemann?
I'm still trying to get a review sample.....
I'm building a new system from scratch. Do you think the Yamaha WXA-50 would work well in combination with the Kef Q350's? I mainly use streaming services like Spotify, but I would also like to connect a CD player TV to it. Would there maybe something else that might work better?
Please watch ua-cam.com/video/kfJYHhONdSI/v-deo.html
Thank you for your response. I forgot to mention that the system I'm building is for my sister. She is not as tech savvy as me, so I thought a simple integrated system might be better. Convenience is therefore more imporatant. The total budget is around €1000, so that limits the available options a bit as well.
Do you think this setup would be a good fit for the described user scenario? Your opinion is much appreciated.
I have this streamer. I was mad Yamaha is misleading regarding the sample rate. it only does 48khz in Preout mode, but it supports higher sampling rates in Player mode. In player mode many of the features are disabled. (think Direct Mode or Pure Mode on many receivers) I really wish they would update MusicCast app. It's slow and has no search option when searching for music on your network. On a plus side, it did get Tidal and Deezer Hifi support with the current firmware update. And I like how it can transmit bluetooth to my wireless headphones, but its limited to SBC, no AptX.
Steven Dean - what I meant was when its in Pre Amp mode the digital outputs only output 48hz as detected by my external dac. In player mode it outs 44.1 to 192khz. In Player mode the amp section is disabled. So the volume control, equalizer and sound enhancements are disabled.
Well it has anolog and digital outs that can be controlled with the volume knob in Pre Amp mode, maybe I'm confusing the terms
Well yes, but I don't like it to resample my music, and I wanted to be able to at least use the volume control from the remote control.
Zacch78, do you know whether limited frequency output also occurs via optical & S/PDIF out on Audiolab M-DAC(+)s; which also utilise Sabre family DACs?
No, they’re identical
which mode to choose at the rear panel is the best for preamp or player？
thanks
I don't recall. that review was done 5 years ago. Sorry.
I can use an external HDD in a USB port?
Yes, you can.
Hey Hans, thank you for the great review! I started watching your videos because of the great raspberry pi reviews and stayed because of your great explanations on digital audio and digital-analog conversion. Keep up the good work! :) With this device though, I made a different experience. I bought the streamer to connect my active speakers (monkey banana turbo 8) over spdif to the network. But I noticed, that when the LAN cable is hook up, there is A LOT of noise on my speakers when no music is playing. Have you used your units spdif coax port? Yamaha is offering a volume control for the digital output. What are your thoughts on volume control for digital outputs in general?
It's not a design fault of the Yamaha but sounds like a earth potential problem. You might try a LAN isolator like I described in ua-cam.com/video/tPWS3Lk6y1g/v-deo.html. But I can't guarantee anything.
Thank you the tip! The LAN isolator might be awesome for high-end setups but in proportion to the to the Yamaha WXC-50 it is just too expensive. I decided to replaced the Yamaha with a Raspberry Pi and a hifiberry digi pro and got rid of the problem for good.
the BB chip is for optical
Does it have Network capabilities like streaming Net radio stations from different countries?
A lot of streaming options have been added since I reviewed it. See: europe.yamaha.com/en/products/audio_visual/wireless_streaming_amplifiers/wxc-50/downloads.html
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thank you!!
Nice review. I decided to buy it! But a question came to my mind: is it possible to connect the wxc to home internet via Wi-Fi? I mean without plugging the Lan wire. So it needs to get wifi from air as well getting input from musicast from air..
It comes with a wifi dongle that plugs in the rear. So, yes, it does wifi.
The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel thank you for kind reply. I saw the antenna and also the lan socket. I suppose I have to connect the wxc via lan and then connect my devices (i.e. Phone or laptop) via wifi. But may I connect everything via wifi?
You can connect the WXC via Lan or wifi, both is supported. So if you don't have wired LAN, you can still use the WXC. And indeed, you connect the smartphone/tablet to your wifi network too.
can I use the line output and the variable line out at the same time. Mayby line out to headphoneamp and variable lineout to active monitors?
Yes you can.
Thks for this review. I wonder what the difference is with NP-S303?
I haven't reviewed it so I can't tell. Sorry.
No prob Hans!
not many reviews on that one...
Can I plug the TV through an optical cable, then plug an exit optical cable to a random sound bar (NO MUSICCAST), and join some musiccast speakers such WX-03 or the last Musiccast 50? I would like to know if they can sound combined, like a real surround system!
thanks
I really don't know. I'm not into soundbars.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel It doesn't matter if it is a sound bar or not. My question is if I can use the wxc50 for combine a musiccast speaker with a non musiccast speaker
Hi Hans.
Do you know if there is a sound difference between the Yamaha NP-303 and the WXC-50?
I haven't reviewed the NP-303 so I can't say.
what do you think of the soundenhancer? my bass gets funny.
I would never use it.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Agree. I hate it, IT completely messes my lows up.
What about the iEast M30 StreamPro? Read positive reviews on this streamer. Priced between the WXAD-10 and WXC-50.
I can't comment on products I haven't reviewed. Sorry.
Hi Hans, if I choose to use as preamp, the streaming mode still funtion?
Yes it is
Can i ask 3 questions? Im interested in this as it seems to do everything i need.
1. Can you browse usb folders/files thru the app?
2. Can i use it as a preamp for power amplifier?
3. Can i use external dac to input and out to preamp?
Thank you in advance
1) I don't know, 2) yes and 3) yes
The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel thanks for the response sir. Will be looking at it next week. Stay safe.
You can browse folders through the app with the restriction of 200 files per folder i think
somehow...everybody is forgetting something...on player mode the volume can't be controlled! the gain in player mode is substantially improved! as a preout is not such a good device! the sound level of it's output can't drive my amplifier!
on digital part...the DSD format can't be output.
for the rest...for me gets 10+
Thanks for the info!
Remote control is a sorry piece of work. Otherwise a good device.
agreed
Excellent review!
Thanks!