These look quite nice, but seem a bit pricey compared to what else is out there now...
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New Yamaha Compact Streamer and Streaming Amp - WXC-70A & WXA-70A
- Thread starter Berwhale
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OP
- Thread Starter
- #3
Gemini Pro Comparison of the amps...
TL;DR
- Yamaha WXA-70A is a true modernized successor to the original WXA-50, bringing critical 2026-era updates while maintaining the same compact, half-width footprint and core power output.
- Key Upgrades: Adds HDMI eARC for seamless TV integration, YPAO room acoustic calibration (with a dedicated microphone included), Google Cast, AirPlay, Roon Ready, and Qobuz/TIDAL Connect.
- Dimensions & Form: Keeps the compact dimensions (220 × 73 × 267 mm, 2.6 kg) of the classic WXA-50 chassis.
Yamaha WXA-50 vs. WXA-70A Comparison
| Feature / Specification | Yamaha WXA-50 (2016) | Yamaha WXA-70A (Current) |
| Power Output (8 Ω) | 55 W + 55 W (1 kHz, 0.9% THD) | 55 W + 55 W (20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.06% THD) |
| Power Output (4 Ω) | 105 W + 105 W | 105 W + 105 W (20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.06% THD) |
| TV Connectivity | Optical only (No ARC/eARC) | HDMI (CEC / eARC / ARC) |
| Room Calibration | None (Basic MusicCast EQ) | YPAO (PEQ, Reflected Sound Control, YPAO Volume + mic) |
| Streaming Ecosystem | MusicCast, AirPlay 1, Bluetooth 2.1 | MusicCast, AirPlay, Google Cast, Roon Ready, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect |
| Supported File Formats | MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, FLAC, ALAC, DSD | MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, DSD |
| Inputs | Analog RCA, Optical, USB-A | Analog RCA, Optical, HDMI, USB-A |
| Outputs | Speaker, Subwoofer Out, Pre/Line Out | Speaker, Subwoofer Out |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 215 × 51.5 × 251 mm (horiz.) | 220 × 73 × 267 mm |
| Weight | 1.94 kg | 2.6 kg |
Key Takeaways from the WXA-70A Specs
- Refined Amplification & Lower Distortion: While the nominal power specs (55W into 8Ω / 105W into 4Ω) look identical on paper, Yamaha has drastically cleaned up the THD rating (down to a tight 0.06% from 20 Hz–20 kHz compared to the older model's higher percentage at 1 kHz).
- YPAO Integration: The inclusion of full YPAO room correction (complete with a 6-meter measurement microphone) bridges the gap between compact lifestyle streaming amps and traditional high-end AV/Hi-Fi receivers.
- Modern Protocol Support: Dropping AirPlay 1 in favor of modern Google Cast, Roon Ready, and Qobuz/TIDAL Connect eliminates the streaming bottlenecks of the original generation.
OP
- Thread Starter
- #4
I like how Yamaha has pictures of the underneath of the amp and pre-amp on their website 
If the $1000 streamer had balanced outputs and a color display, I might consider it
Eq, measurement mike, hdmi: looks like a well thought out product.
The trouble is, we now have the WiiM ultra streamer and amp, at about half the price...
The trouble is, we now have the WiiM ultra streamer and amp, at about half the price...
I have been using WXC-50 and RXV- series with diy active speakers for many years. Also MusicCast app on phone.
I welcome eArc and most likely the wifi can now use 5G and the streamer https sources. YPAO is fine. Too many dsp options can be confusing.
I welcome eArc and most likely the wifi can now use 5G and the streamer https sources. YPAO is fine. Too many dsp options can be confusing.
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BitPerfect_
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I am interested in using this new WXC streamer as a transport in Player mode, mainly to get access to Qobuz Connect, but I noticed the following:
WXC-50 > Digital Output, Optical/Coax, Supported sampling freq. 32-192 kHz (see page 46)
WXC-70 > Digital Output, Optical/Coax, 2-channel PCM, Supported sampling freq. 48 kHz (?!) (see page 85)
Hopefully, this 48 kHz limitation applies only when the unit is used in Pre-amp mode, but the manual is not very clear on this point.
I still use the WXC-50 despite its limitations by today’s standards.
WXC-50 > Digital Output, Optical/Coax, Supported sampling freq. 32-192 kHz (see page 46)
WXC-70 > Digital Output, Optical/Coax, 2-channel PCM, Supported sampling freq. 48 kHz (?!) (see page 85)
Hopefully, this 48 kHz limitation applies only when the unit is used in Pre-amp mode, but the manual is not very clear on this point.
I still use the WXC-50 despite its limitations by today’s standards.
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HeadBanger
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These look lovely. Looking at the manual, these properly high pass to the mains when integrating a sub along with YPAO. Neither of which the old 50 series did/had unfortunately.
Agree that the price is high though. From experience Yamaha gear is always beautifully engineered and this is usually worth the additional cost vs the competition for me. However, I’m not sure how they can justify over double the cost of their old 50 series.
HB
Agree that the price is high though. From experience Yamaha gear is always beautifully engineered and this is usually worth the additional cost vs the competition for me. However, I’m not sure how they can justify over double the cost of their old 50 series.
HB
OP
- Thread Starter
- #14
Well this is annoying I like MusicCast but it’s been moribund for literally years and now these come along…
However the price has been driven up by the inclusion of HDMI and room correction.
For my use case suspect it’s still better to detect to Cambridge Audio Stream Magic as a standalone streamer the MXN10 is under half the price of the WXN-70
However the price has been driven up by the inclusion of HDMI and room correction.
For my use case suspect it’s still better to detect to Cambridge Audio Stream Magic as a standalone streamer the MXN10 is under half the price of the WXN-70
I switched from the WXC-50 to the WiiM Ultra. The reason for the switch was the lack of support for Spotify Lossless. While I had the WXA-50, I thought I didn't really need a display. But the display turned out to be very convenient. Countless times, it has saved me from asking, “What is this song?” when my wife streams Spotify, as I can see it immediately myself.
One thing I miss is the build quality. The WXA/WXC-50 is rock solid, while the WiiM is all plastic. [ Edit: feels plastic. It appears that the side panels are aluminium, and the top is a sort of polymer.]
Now, the WXC-70 does support Spotify Lossless, and I'm sure the build quality will be great. But the display is still steps behind the WiiM's, and the price is way too high. The WiiM Ultra remains unbeatable value, at least to me. I have no experience with Cambridge Audio, though.
One thing I miss is the build quality. The WXA/WXC-50 is rock solid, while the WiiM is all plastic. [ Edit: feels plastic. It appears that the side panels are aluminium, and the top is a sort of polymer.]
Now, the WXC-70 does support Spotify Lossless, and I'm sure the build quality will be great. But the display is still steps behind the WiiM's, and the price is way too high. The WiiM Ultra remains unbeatable value, at least to me. I have no experience with Cambridge Audio, though.
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The majority of the Ultra casing is made of aluminium is it not?
Now, as you asked, I have doubts
It didn't feel that way to me, at least not the top.This review also mentions a polymer:
"To underline this premium positioning, the polymer chassis of the WiiM Pro gives way to aluminum side panels, offering a more sophisticated look. While the top is still in polymer with an imitation-metal finish, the build quality is such that it’s hard to tell at first glance. "
https://blog.son-video.com/en/2024/...e-ultra-versatile-audio-streamer-to-the-test/
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WXC-50 was nice as one of the few streaming integrateds to incorporate some loudness compensation. But IMO if they're going to more than double the price they also should've upgraded the amp module. Based on the power output spec it still looks like Ice 125ASX2.
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