Yamaha R-N803 Smart Receiver Review

[popej]

I use AVR for music, it has build-in streamer and does all I need except playing multichannel music from local files. My cheap streamer is a solution for that one purpose - play multichannel audio without the involvement of the TV.

I'm using Chinese TV box Vontar X4 with CoreELEC (standalone Kodi derivative). TV box has USB 3.0 input and SD slot, both can be used for local media. Music is send to AVR by HDMI. Control is done by Kore app on smartphone. I can switch on TV and use BT/IR remote too. I have to say, that I don't like Kodi or Kore, but they work nevertheless.

VONTAR X4, with Amlogic S905X4 and 4GB of RAM, another bargain this 11.11

Great price this 11.11 of AliExpress for the Android Box VONTAR X4 that stays at $32.45 in its version with 4/64 GB thanks to the direct discount.

androidpctv.com

CoreELEC

A lightweight OS for Kodi

coreelec.org

Kore - Official Kodi Wiki

kodi.wiki

Out of curiosity, I checked what CoreELEC/Kodi offers to suit your needs and I have foud party mode:

Party Mode - Official Kodi Wiki

kodi.wiki

 

[catch22]

Any reason to switch R-N803 from WXA-50 for sound quality alone?

I don't listen loud, so the output power is already sufficient with WXA-50.
Also, I don't need the extra inputs the R-N803 provides; also, for this setup, no need to connect 2nd pair of speakers.

The WXA-50 measures well https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...urements-of-yamaha-wxa-50-streaming-amp.7964/
They both measure similar in terms of SINAD at least.
I am not that technically aware, maybe I am missing some important measurements? Where to look?

Any opinions welcome! Thank you!

 

[catch22]

My main source is a flac collection served from DLNA

 

[peng]

Any reason to switch R-N803 from WXA-50 for sound quality alone?

I don't listen loud, so the output power is already sufficient with WXA-50.
Also, I don't need the extra inputs the R-N803 provides; also, for this setup, no need to connect 2nd pair of speakers.

The WXA-50 measures well https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...urements-of-yamaha-wxa-50-streaming-amp.7964/
They both measure similar in terms of SINAD at least.
I am not that technically aware, maybe I am missing some important measurements? Where to look?

Any opinions welcome! Thank you!

I think the N803 has music cast and within that you could use some basic bass management, not sure if the WXA50 has such feature. Other than that the N803 has more output capabilities that may be a little future proof in case you get into speakers that needs more current.

 

[popej]

Any reason to switch R-N803 from WXA-50 for sound quality alone?

R-N803 has room correction - YPAO RSC. It can make a difference.

 

[ehabheikal]

R-N803 has room correction - YPAO RSC. It can make a difference.

i think the performance goes down when not in pure mode so ypao gives a hit in distortion

 

[peng]

i think the performance goes down when not in pure mode so ypao gives a hit in distortion

I don't think so, but if that's a concern for you, you could use non pure mode and still get the benefits of bass management such as setting crossover, for use with the subout.

 

[catch22]

I think the N803 has music cast and within that you could use some basic bass management, not sure if the WXA50 has such feature. Other than that the N803 has more output capabilities that may be a little future proof in case you get into speakers that needs more current.

WXA-50 is also a "Musiccast", there are some basic built-in bass management functions but seem quite limited. There are several profiles for Speakers (bookshelf, compact, floorstanding, in-ceiling, in-wall) maybe these settings do something with different low-cut filters, but there is little information about them. Also it is possible to fine-tune the sub-volume relative to speakers.

 

[catch22]

R-N803 has room correction - YPAO RSC. It can make a difference.

Yeah, might be a good thing. Only in the Amir's review is shown that SINAD drops sharply when not in Pure Direct mode (from 92dB to 72dB).
But maybe this drop is noticeable only on paper.

 

[popej]

SINAD drops sharply when not in Pure Direct mode (from 92dB to 72dB)

On analog input, probably because of ADC. Pity no measurements for digital inputs.

 

[peng]

Yeah, might be a good thing. Only in the Amir's review is shown that SINAD drops sharply when not in Pure Direct mode (from 92dB to 72dB).
But maybe this drop is noticeable only on paper.

As popej alluded to, for YPAO to work, the signal will get routed to the ADC/DAC and then DSP a bunch other stuff such as switches, so SINAD goes down naturally. Dropping 20 dB seems a bit much though -72 dB (0.02%) is mostly likely still below the threshold of audibility except in a very quiet room one may hear the noise, likely a faint hiss it you sit close to the speakers.

 

[catch22]

As popej alluded to, for YPAO to work, the signal will get routed to the ADC/DAC and then DSP a bunch other stuff such as switches, so SINAD goes down naturally. Dropping 20 dB seems a bit much though -72 dB (0.02%) is mostly likely still below the threshold of audibility except in a very quiet room one may hear the noise, likely a faint hiss it you sit close to the speakers.

Speaking of room correction: before trying Musiccast, I was using PEQ in CamillaDSP/Moode (on a Raspberry).
Connected to a decent AB amp, I was fully happy with the audio quality. I decided try the Musiccast for streaming, and I like it for its simplicity. For example, the ability to control basic functions like play/pause/next from a remote control. Which I missed when was using Moode -> DAC -> amp.

By the way, has Yamaha dropped support of DLNA in newer models?
DLNA 1.5 is mentioned for R-N803D (which is discontinued)

MusicCast R-N803D - Specs - Yamaha - Other European Countries

Created by tradition and progress

europe.yamaha.com

but not anymore for R-N800A/1000A/2000A

R-N800A - Specs - Yamaha - Other European Countries

The Yamaha R-N800A delivers music enjoyment with a modern HiFi style. It includes our original YPAO™ technology to create an ideal listening environment. From streaming services to high-resolution sound sources, you can immerse yourself in superb sound quality.

europe.yamaha.com

R-N1000A - Specs - Yamaha - Other European Countries

The Yamaha R-N1000A delivers crafted sound for your listening lifestyle. Authentic HiFi quality with high-resolution music streaming compatibility and HDMI connection. It offers effortless ideal room acoustic adjustment (YPAO™)

europe.yamaha.com

R-N2000A - Specs - Yamaha - Other European Countries

With its authentic Hi-Fi quality, the Yamaha R-N2000A is a next-generation Network HiFi Receiver, compatible with lossless and high-resolution music sources, including streaming services. It offers effortless ideal room acoustic adjustment (YPAO™)

europe.yamaha.com

 

[popej]

likely a faint hiss it you sit close to the speakers.

Or maybe not. SINAD is a sum of noise and distortions, which is not a good measure to estimate noise alone. Dynamic range would be better, but we don't have this measurements.

 

[GiBo61]

Any reason to switch R-N803 from WXA-50 for sound quality alone?

I don't listen loud, so the output power is already sufficient with WXA-50.
Also, I don't need the extra inputs the R-N803 provides; also, for this setup, no need to connect 2nd pair of speakers.

The WXA-50 measures well https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...urements-of-yamaha-wxa-50-streaming-amp.7964/
They both measure similar in terms of SINAD at least.
I am not that technically aware, maybe I am missing some important measurements? Where to look?

Any opinions welcome! Thank you!

If you need more functions and better instrumental measurements you should consider the WiiM Amp Pro Streaming Stereo Amplifier just reviewed by Amir (at $379 it's a bargain). However I'm not shure you will be able to perceive a better sound quality (the same goes for the Yamaha R-N803).

 

[catch22]

If you need more functions and better instrumental measurements you should consider the WiiM Amp Pro Streaming Stereo Amplifier just reviewed by Amir (at $379 it's a bargain). However I'm not shure you will be able to perceive a better sound quality (the same goes for the Yamaha R-N803).

Thanks, I saw that, will need to investigate if Wiim supports DLNA storage (NAS), and how user-friendly are the basic controls when music is streamed from a NAS.
So far I like Musiccast for this simplicity.

 

[peng]

Or maybe not. SINAD is a sum of noise and distortions, which is not a good measure to estimate noise alone. Dynamic range would be better, but we don't have this measurements.

You can sort of get a good idea (not directly from the single SINAD number) from the 2 FFTs, SNR graphs.

 

[ehabheikal]

Can anybody post the pictures of the calibration mic. I have lost mine and would like to be sure of what i buy on ebay.

 

[popej]

You can sort of get a good idea (not directly from the single SINAD number) from the 2 FFTs, SNR graphs.

Yes, looks suspicious, but we don't know, what was the level of input signal. If I understand correctly, it was about 0.17V for pure config. If it was the same for ADC, then extra 20dB of noise can be explained.

 

[funkera91]

how is that amp compared to Denon AVR x3600h and Yamaha A-S801?
I am about to choose one of them and don't know which model to be.

 

[Willem]

How about the alternative of a WiiM Ultra and a Hypex power amp?