Yamaha WXC-50 – Alexa compatible wireless streaming pre-amplifier with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth – Black

Until recently, most of the music I streamed was pulled – via Airplay – through one of two dedicated old Apple Airport Expresses (one for speakers; one for headphones) into similarly-aged DACs. The sound was good: but not as good as I knew it could be (having started using Qobuz, via Ethernet, then USB – via a dedicated iPhone XR – into a DacMagic 200M, for the more important headphone side of things). I therefore wanted a reasonably-priced streamer to pump my eclectic musical selections into my old TEAC system (into Kef Q4s), that preferably could be controlled via Alexa (as most things in the house now are… – unfortunately excluding the cat…).I spent a lot of time looking at the options available; and – although I know I’m not (yet) making the most of its abilities – as a streamer/player (especially in conjunction with the MusicCast app), as well as an occasional DAC, it does exactly what I need. And very well, too. I am now therefore seriously thinking of buying one for the office, as well (or perhaps the WXA-50 amplifier version).Finally… as well as being exactly the same standard width as most of my other current equipment, it’s a fantastic, apparently effortless, piece of industrial design. I would not be without it.

I purchased this to complement my existng Hi-fi. I have a Cyrus-based system but couldn't justify @ £1,500 for the Cyrus model. I have used this purely as a player so I cannot review the pre-amp function as I have never used it.One of the reasons I looked to this was it's compact size, it fits a space in my existing rack when a "full sized" unit would be too big. I have a NAS drive with TwonkyServer Premium 7.1 software for streaming music, Spotify, and I wanted to use Internet Radio, the bitrates are often much higher than the DAB equivalent stations.There is a basic User manual included it the box, a small remote control, a power cable, a Wi-fi aerial, and stands for mounting the unit vertically. There are no interconnecting cables these must be purchased seperately. Fortunately I have a box full of interconnects, so not a problem for me.Initial set up was quick, I have used the digital coaxial cable to connect to one of the digital inputs on my Cyrus Pre-amp and once I connected the aerial and switched the unit on, connecting the unit to my router was quite literally pressing two buttons. Press and hold the Input button for three seconds on the Unit until the Network LED starts to flash and then press the WPS button on the router. After a minute or two they link up.There are two ways to control the unit, from an IOS or Android device, or via a web browser. The app is great for operating the unit, the web browser for configuring. I also downloaded the Advanced User Manual from the Yamaha web site, which gives much more detail on configuring the Unit and the advanced options. I think whilst it is useful to have, most options won't be changed from the default.Overall, for what I need, this fits the bill perfectly.

Great solution for what I needed. I actually ordered the WXAD10 first and preferred the sound, but I needed the EQ as I have it attached to bi amped studio monitors and needed to roll of the bottom end so I don’t annoy my neighbours.I mainly got it for the optical for use with my TV as I think most sound bars are over priced. This s now the hub of my lounge. I have the TV on optical, a USB stick with.Flac files in the back and can stream Spotify,net stations and air play any of my Apple devices without turning on the TV.The app and browser controls are solid and intuitive , however a compression or limiter mode to balance TV and Movie volumes would be an attractive option for buyers.The app lets you set offsets for each input, so you can level your sound between devices.Remember to set the latency if you want to use with TV otherwise you will get lag. You can prioritise whether multicast or external devices have priority, although when switched to multicast, there was still lag. So for get using Bluetooth headphones for TV and Movies. Luckily the Bluetooth on my Samsung MU6400 TV is extremely good when it comes to latency.Overall a modern way to control a rooms media with great sound quality, if you don’t need the other functions, I think the DAC in the WXAD10 sound more pleasing, the one in the WXC50 sounds more sterile and true though, but that isn’t what you may want at home.App is great but needs that compression mode for visual media’s sound for watching TV at night etc. Yamaha certainly has the DSP so would be great to see this in an update!

I was using a idock prior to buying g this streamer and the quality of sounds dues not compare. Built in pre amp makes signal to main amp great and sound quality streaming direct from Spotify is very good. Easy to use straight from Spotify app but initially fiddly to setup to Wi-Fi router. I don’t really use the Yamaha app they recommend as not needed using Spotify as you just select the streamer output from there. I now make better full use of my full Yamaha setup and changing volume and tracks is easy direct from your phone or iPad via Spotify. Compact enough to be tucked away or stood up vertically.Well made unit at but pity it does not match the very dark grey of my main system but seeing at that’s a lot older I can’t really complain too much as it’s tucked up in my unit