Yamaha WXA-50chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Multiple users describe the MusicCast software as buggy and not very intuitive, with complicated navigation for DLNA and missing key streaming services like Google Play Music and YouTube Music.

@IsaMichas-gf6kq

I could forgive the buggy software and muddy flat sound stage for the price but the unforgivable thing is if the firmware gets corrupted it can cause failure of your amplifier as it did with mine.I think it's best to keep this device as a streamer and use a separate preamp given how bad the musiccast software is.with the firmware being corrupted so was the volume control and the gain. If you are relying on this device alone for control of volume you are taking a risk.launch

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December 22, 2023

@swenak

Few days ago I sold this Yamaha after 3,5 years of usage. Big mistake! I replaced it with Harman Kardon Citation Amp (was not delivered, when I sold Yamaha). Connected to KEF Q300 is it like day and night. HK is flat, without dynamic, without bass. But, Yamaha have problems too. I had problems with overheating, better cooling pads dont help (HK have problem with cooling too, each few sec turning on/off), loud cooler (external small fan help sound, but still sometimes was problems overheating). Yamaha cant turn on/off with optical input and dont have HDMI for TV connect for ARC/CEC using. Using Music Cast App was not simple (too complex path for DLNA, not simple switching input, playlist clearing, ...). Yamaha have external IrDa input, but they dont produce it and is hard to buy functionaly version (it must be powered, not passive). But sound was great compare to HK (and not only, I comparing it with Onkyo R-N855, older Sonos Connect:Amp (not actual Sonos Amp), Denon DRA-N4). It seems, that I buy this Yamaha again.launch

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September 10, 2021

@CareyVandenberg

Sure the hardware is good but not so the software to run it. I have had the Yamaha Musiccast system for almost a year and it's buggy and not very intuitive. Also, they don't offer Google Play Music nor Youtube Music as a streaming service. This is insane. One of the most widely used music services in the world and it isn't included in the app. I'm a huge fan of all Yamaha products (from motorcycles, to instruments and audio) however, I am really disappointed in Musiccast.launch

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October 11, 2020

Reports include overheating problems even with added cooling, a loud fan, random cutouts lasting seconds to needing a restart, and one case of corrupted firmware disabling volume and gain control entirely.

@IsaMichas-gf6kq

I could forgive the buggy software and muddy flat sound stage for the price but the unforgivable thing is if the firmware gets corrupted it can cause failure of your amplifier as it did with mine.I think it's best to keep this device as a streamer and use a separate preamp given how bad the musiccast software is.with the firmware being corrupted so was the volume control and the gain. If you are relying on this device alone for control of volume you are taking a risk.launch

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December 22, 2023

@duncan.scobie

I have this unit but sadly I am here on YouTube trying to find out more as to why my unit I'd faulty ....had 13 months now and finding it keeps cutting out , sometimes for a few seconds, other times until I restart it. Bit fed up as I love music to work to and the of being without a streaming amp is disappointing. It seems a problem that lots have !launch

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March 27, 2022

@swenak

Few days ago I sold this Yamaha after 3,5 years of usage. Big mistake! I replaced it with Harman Kardon Citation Amp (was not delivered, when I sold Yamaha). Connected to KEF Q300 is it like day and night. HK is flat, without dynamic, without bass. But, Yamaha have problems too. I had problems with overheating, better cooling pads dont help (HK have problem with cooling too, each few sec turning on/off), loud cooler (external small fan help sound, but still sometimes was problems overheating). Yamaha cant turn on/off with optical input and dont have HDMI for TV connect for ARC/CEC using. Using Music Cast App was not simple (too complex path for DLNA, not simple switching input, playlist clearing, ...). Yamaha have external IrDa input, but they dont produce it and is hard to buy functionaly version (it must be powered, not passive). But sound was great compare to HK (and not only, I comparing it with Onkyo R-N855, older Sonos Connect:Amp (not actual Sonos Amp), Denon DRA-N4). It seems, that I buy this Yamaha again.launch

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September 10, 2021

The unit has only one optical (Toslink) input with no RCA S/PDIF, no HDMI for TV ARC/CEC, and no USB-host connection for a computer, limiting integration options compared to rivals.

@swenak

Few days ago I sold this Yamaha after 3,5 years of usage. Big mistake! I replaced it with Harman Kardon Citation Amp (was not delivered, when I sold Yamaha). Connected to KEF Q300 is it like day and night. HK is flat, without dynamic, without bass. But, Yamaha have problems too. I had problems with overheating, better cooling pads dont help (HK have problem with cooling too, each few sec turning on/off), loud cooler (external small fan help sound, but still sometimes was problems overheating). Yamaha cant turn on/off with optical input and dont have HDMI for TV connect for ARC/CEC using. Using Music Cast App was not simple (too complex path for DLNA, not simple switching input, playlist clearing, ...). Yamaha have external IrDa input, but they dont produce it and is hard to buy functionaly version (it must be powered, not passive). But sound was great compare to HK (and not only, I comparing it with Onkyo R-N855, older Sonos Connect:Amp (not actual Sonos Amp), Denon DRA-N4). It seems, that I buy this Yamaha again.launch

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September 10, 2021

@berkut6313

(Edit) A few things you need to know about this formidable amp : only Airplay1, in Bluetooth receives SBC/AAC but only transmits SBC, only one digital (toslink) in ; no RCA S/Pdif (i use a CYP AU-D2 or D21 to switch - the D41 has 4 inputs), no usb to host to hook up with a computer (only mass storage, but you can play file as a upnp through your home network)... One year in retrospect, I hooked it to pretty much any source you might think off. I’m not using the mass storage stuff so much, found out to be a bit cumbersome and had no time to rip my CDs to such an external hard drive. It has Spotify connect....BUT I’m mostly using Deezer, and the « do-it-all » musiccast app is okay, (said to be better than Denon&Marantz HEOS, not as great as blueOS)...but not that great. They included Amazon HD for other musiccast products, but not than one (yet).launch

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May 2, 2021

Some reviewers argue that for the same money, full-size receivers like the Marantz NR1509/1609 or separate component setups offer more power, flexibility, and features, making the WXA-50 feel overpriced for what it delivers.

@Yiannis2112

Great review! No other such as this one, on the WXA50. In my country it goes for 455 euros. I tried to see if it can be done with seperates. It can and you get Class AB amps plus phono ins, a radio and more power from some of them. Lets see: \nA Yamaha RS202D for 210 euros. A Yamaha WXAD-10 DAC/streamer, for 150. Another 25 for a pair of decent rca interconnects. Total 385 euros.\nAlternatively, a Yamaha A670 at 230 euros or an AS201 for 280 euros. Also a Pioneer SX-20 at 220 or an A-20 at 260 euros. May be a Tangent Exeo Amp at 300 euros. Total 300+150+25 = 475 euros.launch

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May 3, 2021

@matthewgaines10

Yeah but at this moment, you can get a slimline Marantz NR1609 right now for the same price from Amazon. The NR1509 is $100 cheaper. Both are not as small but are slimline designs with more HDMI ports, speaker outputs, 2 zones, DV and HDR10 passthrough and possibilities for future upgrades. \n\nYou could save $100 to put towards some bookshelves and get HDMI passthrough for more devices with the NR1509. If you don't mind jumping up in size, there are more and better options below the $499 price point. \n\nIf the Yamaha were $299, I would say it makes sense. $500 can buy a fair amount more receiver from various brands. More output power, more flexibility, more capability, just more everything. It could also buy a fair amount of soundbar too if object based sound isn't your goal.\n\nI understand that the idea is simplicity and better sound. But for less money, I'd go two channel with the Marantz NR 1509 and pocket the savings. The same benefits (excluding size) but with more features.\n\nThe pricing isn't worth the compact size. Pioneer, Marantz, and Yamaha all offer slimline receivers if size is an issue. If simplicity is your goal, a soundbar will be better at the sacrifice of sound quality. This in between product just costs too much for what it offers. I like the idea of it but the numbers just don't work out for it.launch

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September 3, 2019

The analog input is converted through an ADC and digitally controlled switches before reaching the DAC, meaning it is not a pure analog path, which purists may find disappointing.

@NikiDorian

Thank you for the review, especially about mentioning speaker parings, very valuable! \nBtw, even the analog input goes thru ADC(pcm9211), various digitally controlled analog switches, and out thru the DAC(sabre9006). So, it's not a direct, analog only connection. I would not recommend it to purists!launch

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March 25, 2022

@berkut6313

I own this one powering a pair of Focal Chorus-706 with a Yamaha NS-SW200, and the wxc preamp version hooked to a pair of (also Yamy) MSP-5 class A/B powered monitors. They Both thrive in my living room and my Homestudio. With the sub out (not an LFE channel), you can send more bass to it and less to your speakers, which can be a very good thing if you must stick your speakers into corners or up against a wall (especially if they are rear-ported). Doing this can also save WXA extra Watts for mids and trebles. Make no mistake, the analog input IS converted into digital signal (If you’re a Vinyl lover, don’t expect a full analog path, even in direct mode : this is a digital volume control) and the REC (constant volume) output uses a different DAC chip from the ESS sabre that goes to the Amp/Preamp output.launch

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May 2, 2021

At least one user found sound separation poor with blurry drum highs and harsh sibilance using Elac speakers, and another preferred a cheaper Amazon Echo Amp's clarity and power, showing results are speaker-dependent.

@teemup1234

Just bought this amp trough good reviews. Its functions are good BUT there is a major draw back. The Sound which I think is the main thing that matters here is nothing special. The sound separation is not good when there is lot going on and highs are terrible all the time. Drum highs sound blurry and in speech the letter s sounds 5x s. Think I need to return and think about nad c700. Pure little bit better but still awful. Speakers are Elac BS243 don't know if its just a miss match.launch

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September 5, 2023

@DirectX3

I put this Yamaha side by side with the Amazon echo amplifier and I found the echo sounds better with the clarity and soundstage, plus more power to push my Elac B6 speakers. I was really surprised by that because to me Amazon only makes cheap stuff.launch

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October 16, 2022

Unlike competing streaming amps such as Sonos Connect:Amp, HEOS Amp, NAD, and Onkyo units, the WXA-50 requires manually pressing a button to wake from standby before playback starts.

@rotatingfan7971

It does not have 'auto on from standby', as competitions Sonos Connect: Amp en de HEOS Amp, NAD, Onkyo streaming amps have. So you will always need to press 1 button (remote or device) to play.launch

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September 12, 2018

Without using the app, it's hard to tell which input is selected from LED colors alone, and losing the tiny included remote compounds the issue.

@dannyo1471

This is a great amp for the price and versatility! Love the form factor! The \"enhancer\" function is somewhat like moving from Class D to Class A/B sound character. From clinical and dry to fuller and warmer sound. \n\nMy only gripe with this is that without using the app to switch source, it's hard to know what to switch to by the LED colors. I no longer have the remote 🤣launch

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May 4, 2021