Review and Measurements of Yamaha WXA-50 Streaming Amp

[AJM1981]

quite so, that's on WXC-50. Funny enough, WXC is a WXA, but in some ways WXC is far better. Lacking power amp of course.

The wxa50 is a fine integrated digital amp & streamer. The wxc50 is a fine pre-amp & streamer. If I would like to use another main amp permanently I would have gone for the wxc, but I like the wxa as my main amp.

The fact the wxa has aux-out is a big “hidden” plus of this amp in my opinion. Functions more than well as a streamer or hub.

There are obviously downsides to using the ‘Wxa50’ instead of the wxc50 as a pre-amp. I know this above kind of contradicts, but ok.
-volume control needs to be done from the main amp and does not do anything on the wxa (so don’t crank it up with the remote and forget it is cranked up when you use it as the main amp again)
- it only passes the direct signal, no influence in EQ, enhancer etc
- a subwoofer will not be equally on par in gain

But not having a sub and for those who only want to use the controls of a master-amp, the wxa is a fine slave-hub /streamer too.

 

[BitPerfect_]

I’m just curious, using the speaker output, Enhancer, EQ works, .. right?

 

[AJM1981]

I’m just curious, using the speaker output, Enhancer, EQ works, .. right?

If you have the Wxa50 everything works when connecting loudspeakers directly.

 

[Gyosa1]

There are no ‘Pre Out’ RCA’s on WXA-50.

My bad , sorry… didn’t read close enough… thought he was referencing the WXC ..

BK

 

[servit00]

Good morning. I used always class d amplifier and last device was wiim amp. now with WXA-50 i listen a poor equalizer effect. the 3 bands are very insufficient. seems like missed a loudness button, i need help for best settings or adding an external app for solve this problem that in wiim amp or smsl devices is absolutely missing. the source is spotify or analog. i hope from you because yamaha assistance is not present for solve problems. thanks

 

[AJM1981]

Good morning. I used always class d amplifier and last device was wiim amp. now with WXA-50 i listen a poor equalizer effect. the 3 bands are very insufficient. seems like missed a loudness button, i need help for best settings or adding an external app for solve this problem that in wiim amp or smsl devices is absolutely missing. the source is spotify or analog. i hope from you because yamaha assistance is not present for solve problems. thanks

The WXA50 does not have a loudness button, but I think the auto-equalizer (I always use it on bypass) does what loudness does. In other words, it offers more presence at low volumes by bumping the low and high frequencies slightly.

 

[Ze Frog]

Bit late to the party here, but still interesting.

For what it was and in 2019 I should imagine this was pretty decent considering the cost. The heat thing seems to be a theme of older all in one streaming boxes, remember the HK Citation getting good praise but a rather high failure rate and longevity, which was a shame really.

 

[blastro]

Sorry for the necro-post, but I wanted to add my thoughts.

I've owned this unit for a number of years and have been very happy with it with one exception.

I am using a pair of Q Acoustics 3020 bookshelf speakers and a Mirage subwoofer. I also connect a Synology NAS, Sony cassette player, and a NAD CD player. I've been really happy with the connectivity options, especially AirPlay which I use frequently.

The exception is that when I have a chance to push the volume in my small 8' x 9' office, I really feel that lack of headroom. The amplifier seems to be struggling and the sound gets a little harsh. The volume also plateaus.

I have been considering an external amp, but this perhaps defeats the purpose of this type of unit.

Just not sure what to do, if anything.

 

[pseudoid]

Sorry for the necro-post, but I wanted to add my thoughts.

I have been considering an external amp, but this perhaps defeats the purpose of this type of unit.
Just not sure what to do, if anything.

"necro-post" was funny!
If you have developed an attachment to the way the Yamaha agrees with your workflow, would a used Yamaha WXC-50 (sans power amps) be an alternative to consider for you?

Of course, you will (still) need to get a separate power amp, but that's what ASR reviews are for.
Again, ASR also has many reasonably priced integrated (pre+power) audio hardware that surpass either of the Yamahas, as the technology and capabilities have advanced far (and inexpensively) since this series was introduced (circa ~2016).

 

[GiBo61]

Sorry for the necro-post, but I wanted to add my thoughts.

I've owned this unit for a number of years and have been very happy with it with one exception.

I am using a pair of Q Acoustics 3020 bookshelf speakers and a Mirage subwoofer. I also connect a Synology NAS, Sony cassette player, and a NAD CD player. I've been really happy with the connectivity options, especially AirPlay which I use frequently.

The exception is that when I have a chance to push the volume in my small 8' x 9' office, I really feel that lack of headroom. The amplifier seems to be struggling and the sound gets a little harsh. The volume also plateaus.

I have been considering an external amp, but this perhaps defeats the purpose of this type of unit.

Just not sure what to do, if anything.

I have a Sabaj A30a (about 450 Dollars on hifiexpress) connected to a Wiim streamer. The Sabaj Is a full digital amplifier with 100 W on 8 ohms and 200 W on 4 ohms. There Is a thread on It on ASR. Plenty of power for my Elac FS247.4 (around 85 db sensitivity) in a 30 sqm room.

 

[blastro]

would a used Yamaha WXC-50 (sans power amps) be an alternative to consider for you?

I though about that. A used WXC-50 is about $300. I would expect about the same (after selling fees) if I sold my WXA-50, so aside from my time, it would be a wash.

I spend a couple of hours last looking researching whether I could output the WXA-50 to a separate power amp. There are RCA outputs that Yamaha describes in the manual as "pre-main amplifier" outputs. I have no idea what that means and the internet doesn't seem to either.

Would this allow me send the output to an amplifier or would i also need a preamp?

 

[blastro]

Sabaj A30a

Nice unit. I'd be looking for 2 TOSLINK, once for the CD playing and one for the WiiM.

I have a WiiM mini for my headphone setup and it is a stellar unit.

 

[Gyosa1]

I though about that. A used WXC-50 is about $300. I would expect about the same (after selling fees) if I sold my WXA-50, so aside from my time, it would be a wash.

I spend a couple of hours last looking researching whether I could output the WXA-50 to a separate power amp. There are RCA outputs that Yamaha describes in the manual as "pre-main amplifier" outputs. I have no idea what that means and the internet doesn't seem to either.

Would this allow me send the output to an amplifier or would i also need a preamp?

I’ve been using a few wxc-50’s straight into power amps for several years now , in pre-amp mode …. Works great …

I have an extra one if you’re interested.

Bk

 

[Jazz]

I really enjoy playing records, but I don't use my Yamaha WXA with it. My personal opinion is to go analog all the way or go digital all the way, don't do the hybrid thing. So get a dedicated amp - or the Sony STR-DH190 (available from Crutchfield for $198 with a dedicated phono input), and enjoy your records without the digital conversion.

You don't really notice it. Also, most records have a digital file at some point in the production process before they are pressed. Even back to the 1960s but, especially 1980s onward. The alternative is wearing out the master mix over and over to make analog tapes of the mix to send to the many record factories around the world. So, sorry. Your albums are mostly digital at some point and, you did not notice it!

 

[Jimster480]

You don't really notice it. Also, most records have a digital file at some point in the production process before they are pressed. Even back to the 1960s but, especially 1980s onward. The alternative is wearing out the master mix over and over to make analog tapes of the mix to send to the many record factories around the world. So, sorry. Your albums are mostly digital at some point and, you did not notice it!

Yeah, it's true that everything from the 1980s onward was basically digital in some form. And everything that you are playing today, unless it's an original record from 60 to 80 years ago, then it's still going to be a digital copy.

 

[Jazz]

Picked one up yesterday and I'm really disappointed. No amazon music, no aptx, and the net radio play in crappy 44 khz even when there are better quality bitrates available for the particular station.

I've wanted this amp for years. I can't believe how disappointing it is. Going straight on ebay.

In USA: It has Amazon Music, Qobuz, Deezer, etc. All of them. I think it all got added eventually. You set it all up from the app. Of course, none have Apple Music except Apple speakers, Apple TV, iOS, and mac devices, and LG HDTVs. Maybe a few others. However, usually the interface and user experience is better from the app on a device like an iPhone or Android. Not the component makers app. Although, I find MusicCast to be fine.
Nobody, I think, has YouTube Music…

 

[Jazz]

Any recommendation of radio stations higher than mp3?

If you go to net radio on the app, and choose the High Quality folder, there are more. But in general, any FLAC or lossless (if that is what you are looking for) internet radio will be via the station itself on a web site. Like The Jazz Groove.