Yamaha R-N803 Smart Receiver Review

[ZolaIII]

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.

Main difference from functional standpoint is Music cast which by all means is rather good and not all that different visualy from WiiM or Sonos App. Regarding performance R-S/A-S 7xx and 8xx are better on high loads (over 60W 8 Ohms). Denon AVR ain't that good as streamer but it has better room correction.
In the end it's what you really need and fits the need and bill (along with desired Aesthetics).
For example if you want just old chunky power amplifier A-S/R-S 700 is hard to beat regarding price as second hand (hard but possible to find A-S and as new, never used).
If you want AiO newer R-N 800A and up is probably worth mentioning. If you want solo with look's A-S 1200 second hand is worth looking at.

 

[ehabheikal]

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

Second that

 

[Bumer]

I've been watching this thread for a long time. Great information. Is the R-N803 still worth getting today? Looks like a solid amplifier when using direct mode. Just would like to get some idea is it still worth a $600 price like this listing from a US seller? Other sellers especially from Japan are much more. What do we get going to the new model R-N800A from R-N803? If not that much of an improvement I would just find a used R-N803 instead of the pricey N800A. I see some sellers in ebay from Japan selling them with even a higher price. I usually do not go for any of the overseas electronics since our power is different from the rest of the world. But just curious, why so many listings of R-N803's from japan than in US.

Oh I forgot to ask is the R-N803 and R-N800A equivalent to A-S701 or A-S801?

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[SloPoke]

I've been watching this thread for a long time. Great information. Is the R-N803 still worth getting today? Looks like a solid amplifier when using direct mode. Just would like to get some idea is it still worth a $600 price like this listing from a US seller? Other sellers especially from Japan are much more. What do we get going to the new model R-N800A from R-N803? If not that much of an improvement I would just find a used R-N803 instead of the pricey N800A. I see some sellers in ebay from Japan selling them with even a higher price. I usually do not go for any of the overseas electronics since our power is different from the rest of the world. But just curious, why so many listings of R-N803's from japan than in US.

Oh I forgot to ask is the R-N803 and R-N800A equivalent to A-S701 or A-S801?

Pardon Our Interruption...

Here's a Yamaha A-S701 at Adorma for $479 w/shipping included (40% off): Yamaha A-S701 Adorma

I haven't used the 800 series or the 700 series, but guessing they're broadly similar?

 

[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.

True, no DR measurement there, but you can at least look at the two FFT graphs, it clearly show a big difference in noises. The SNR at 5 W also can tell part of the story.

 

[peng]

Oh I forgot to ask is the R-N803 and R-N800A equivalent to A-S701 or A-S801?

Pardon Our Interruption...

Equivalent in what way?

Anyway, I read the specs, and I can tell at least one thing, the N800A uses better (based on specs) DACs than those used in the A-S801, and much better than the A-S701's.

 

[Bumer]

Oh I forgot to ask is the R-N803 and R-N800A equivalent to A-S701 or A-S801?

Here's a Yamaha A-S701 at Adorma for $479 w/shipping included (40% off): Yamaha A-S701 Adorma

I haven't used the 800 series or the 700 series, but guessing they're broadly similar?

Thanks for that link. But with this amp I will need to add a streamer. Decisions... decisions...

 

[Bumer]

Equivalent in what way?

Anyway, I read the specs, and I can tell at least one thing, the N800A uses better (based on specs) DACs than those used in the A-S801, and much better than the A-S701's.

Thanks, I was looking for amp sections and DAC comparison. Is the RN803 DAC better than the one in S701? Probably they don't make much of a difference sonically I guess. Yamaha has many products that output the same power but have a few changes features like DACs on them and they don't publish all specifics which makes it difficult to compare and make a decision. Its not like other manufacturers who has a tier that output 60 watts and the next 80 watts and the high end 100 watt. Anyways, doing my own research.

 

[peng]

Thanks, I was looking for amp sections and DAC comparison. Is the RN803 DAC better than the one in S701? Probably they don't make much of a difference sonically I guess.

The R-N803 uses the Sabre ES9006, vs the A-S701 that uses TI’s PCM5102A.

ES9006 specs: SINAD 106 dB, DR 120 dB
PCM5102A has SINAD 93 dB, DR 112 dB

They likely don't make much differences sonically, especially when they are receivers, so the power amp section is most likely the bottleneck.

Even the more expensive A-S801, at rated output of 100 W, SINAD as measured by Gene, Audioholics.com, was about 83-84 dB into 4 ohms, or about 90 dB into 8 ohms.

Having said that, I would have no reason to not prefer the R-N803 or the R-N800A that uses the much better IC, that is the ES9080Q.

The ES9080Q's SINAD specs: 108 dB, DR 125 dB, that's much better than the DAC used in the A-S801, that is the ES9010K2M (SINAD: 106 dB, DNR: 116 ).

ES9010K2M PDF

Part #: ES9010K2M. Description: Premier Stereo Mobile Audio DAC. File Size: 48.23 Kbytes. Manufacturer: ESS Technology,Inc.

www.alldatasheet.com

ESS Technology Announces the world’s first high performance 8 channel DAC with built-in 2VrmsLine Drivers – ESS Technology, Inc.

www.esstech.com

R-N800A - Overview - Yamaha - Canada - English

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.

ca.yamaha.com

Yamaha has many products that output the same power but have a few changes features like DACs on them and they don't publish all specifics which makes it difficult to compare and make a decision. Its not like other manufacturers who has a tier that output 60 watts and the next 80 watts and the high end 100 watt. Anyways, doing my own research.

You can search for reviews that include bench measurements, and/or purchase the service manuals, though they are not always available especially for the current models. Other than that, you are right, it is difficult to compare.

 

[ZolaIII]

Oh I forgot to ask is the R-N803 and R-N800A equivalent to A-S701 or A-S801?

Thanks for that link. But with this amp I will need to add a streamer. Decisions... decisions...

Nope more to the A-S50x, R-N1000A is to it and R-N2000A should be towards A-S1100 regarding power amplifier stages. The A-S701 is fine as amplifier only and that's a good price. You are better off investing into DSP and even basic streamer like WiiM mini will do (and when it doesn't you buy another one).

 

[Papa]

Just curious is anyone added a Wiim pro(+) or Ultra to use as streamer vs using Musiccast? Currently streaming Tidal and using coax from blue ray to play cd’s. Trying to decide if GAS to add a separate streamer is worth it. Wiim seems like a better solution to add to other areas of house and workshop

 

[ioskyr]

Hello,
I have a question and I would appreciate if someone could help me. I have the R-N803D bi-wired to my speakers. I changed speakers to a pair that cannot not be by-wired. But I would like to keep my by-wire speaker wires (they have each 4 banana blugs factory mounted, and I do not want to cut them, on the amp side and bare wires on the speaker sides). And my question is:
Can I connect the wire on the amp, A+B speaker output selected, and drive the 4 cables (of each speaker cable) to the pair of outposts on the speaker, by doing so bridge the two outputs of the amp A & B on the speaker side?
Thank you

 

[peng]

Hello,
I have a question and I would appreciate if someone could help me. I have the R-N803D bi-wired to my speakers. I changed speakers to a pair that cannot not be by-wired. But I would like to keep my by-wire speaker wires (they have each 4 banana blugs factory mounted, and I do not want to cut them, on the amp side and bare wires on the speaker sides). And my question is:
Can I connect the wire on the amp, A+B speaker output selected, and drive the 4 cables (of each speaker cable) to the pair of outposts on the speaker, by doing so bridge the two outputs of the amp A & B on the speaker side?
Thank you

As long as you make your connections right so that you won't accidentally shorted the + and - at the speakers end, then using A+B selection you are effectively using two pairs of wires for one speaker, not a good way to do it.

Bi-wire usually makes little sense (I do it for other reasons), doing it with speakers not even designed for by-wire/bi-amp makes no sense at all but I think you know that already.

 

[Bumer]

Just to give you an update to you all. I first bought the R-N803 and had it for 6 months. It was all good except it cannot play high bit rate DSD files and a few other Hi-Res files from my NAS (Natively does not support those bit rate files and formats). Also it was unable to play a few formats like APE which I had a collection of audiophile tracks and test tracks. This was the case with any other streamers I have tried in the past including Cambridge Audio, WiiM etc. Also, I was using the Topping D10 as the USB receiver and Coax Digital to the R-N803 for all my iPad contents including Apple Music Lossless.

I switched to the R-N800A a few months back and I'm very happy about the switch. Firstly, this thing can play every single file format and bit rates possibly available. Yes, all my file collection can play now. Also, I can connect my iPad directly to the USB input in R-N800A eliminating a conversion device in the middle. As far as sound goes, both R-N803 and R-N800A are similar. I'm even hearing some better details from R-N800A. Only gripe is I was able to pair the R-N803 with my AV Receiver RX-V6A for multi room audio. But that now seems to not work from the app. May be some of the components or app needs an update need to spend some time on it.

I bought my R-N800A open box from this seller and it was in brand new condition for a good price. Looks like they still have some units if you are looking for some.

Yamaha R-N800A Network Receiver Stereo Amplifier Silver BRAND NEW IN SEALED BOX | eBay

ESS SABRE ES9080Q Ultra DAC for superior S/N performance. High-performance USB DAC function supports DSD 11.2 MHz native playback and 384 kHz playback. Yamaha R-N800A Network Receiver with Phono and Built-in DAC, Silver.

www.ebay.com

Yamaha R-N800A Network Receiver Stereo Amplifier YPAO Room Correction Silver | eBay

High-performance USB DAC function supports DSD 11.2 MHz native playback and 384 kHz playback. Yamaha R-N800A Network Receiver with Phono and Built-in DAC, Silver. Details like thick wires for the ground connection and screw connections for the power amplifier section contribute to increased S/N...

www.ebay.com

 

[ZolaIII]

@Bumer reason for R-N803 not being able to pay DSD is pretty basic TI (BurrBrown) DAC it has dosent support it. I never heard that for APE, even old R-N402D could do both (BurrBrown DAC with DSD front end). You really shouldn't had to do literally almost same post 7x across the board.

 

[gendish]

If you are like me and still using this amp I got this answer from Yamaha regarding Spotify Lossless:

Spotify Lossless is unfortunately not supported on your MusicCast product.

To provide full transparency:

MusicCast products produces between 2015–2018 were designed with a hardware standard that met the requirements at the time. New features such as Spotify Lossless require significantly higher memory requirements, which these models cannot provide due to their hardware design.

Because these requirements are hardware-dependent, support for Spotify Lossless cannot be added through a firmware update.
Standard Spotify playback via Spotify Connect remains available.

Below is a link to a compatibility chart for all Yamaha Spotify connect devices and the functions and features that they do or do not support:

https://download.yamaha.com/download/files/2916045


We understand your frustrations, as we too are owners and users of these products and we are affected in the same way, the only other work around we have found is if you have a MusicCast device that does support Spotify Lossless, you can play to this from the Spotify App and then link this to your Yamaha (non-Spotify Lossless supporting device), this will allow you to play Spotify Lossless through your product.

Hope this helps and if you have any further questions or queries, please do not hesitate to ask.

Many thanks

Yamaha Technical A/V

 

[catch22]

If you are like me and still using this amp I got this answer from Yamaha regarding Spotify Lossless:

Thank you for sharing this. I like their well written and informative answer, and a useful consolidated spreadsheet.

 

[catch22]

The rollout of Spotify Lossless and Tidal (Connect) made lots of great Yamahas, such as WXC/WXA-50 and R-N602/803, obsolete. Or at least "limited".
I like a lot the convenience of all in one, especially for limited spaces. But I am more than before inclined to decouple the amp from the streamer.
Keep a timeless amp like the A-S700 for example, + a streamer that may be replaced every few years (e.g., Wiim Ultra).

 

[Willem]

The rollout of Spotify Lossless and Tidal (Connect) made lots of great Yamahas, such as WXC/WXA-50 and R-N602/803, obsolete. Or at least "limited".
I like a lot the convenience of all in one, especially for limited spaces. But I am more than before inclined to decouple the amp from the streamer.
Keep a timeless amp like the A-S700 for example, + a streamer that may be replaced every few years (e.g., Wiim Ultra).

Unfortunately the Chromecast Audio currently does not support Spotify lossless either, but that is just because the Spotify app does not support it for the CCA. The good news is that it is unlikely to be audible.