Yamaha WXAD-10 MusicCast streamer

For reviewing the R-N602 receiver and its multi-room capabilities I was lent some other MusicCast devices by Yamaha, including the device on test here. At only € 150 it is about the same price as a Raspberry Pi setup with decent DAC board. Can it be just as good?
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Yamaha R N602 streaming MusicCast receiver: • Yamaha R N602 streamin...
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[@stevegibbs3943]

Thanks. I bought this based purely on the Hans Beekhuyzen review alone, mainly because of the the fact that I can use it via an app using Tidal. Previously I used a USB DAC on a laptop. It has given me the ease of use I expected from using the app and which I'm happy with. However, the way it's transformed the sound was unexpected and a bonus. I can't afford high end Hi Fi but the sound improvement was a revelation. Everything sounds more precise, more space, more open and more solid. I love this thing, it's amazing. As I said, I don't have the funds to buy top end or even mid range equipment at the moment, so for people who do, this is pretty ordinary but for me, it's changed my listening experience for the better. A lot better. Thank you :)

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Enjoy the music

[@langamlalazi6803]

Love your reviews! No fluff and brand bias! Clear and simple to understand explanations into the product strengths and weaknesses! Subscribed!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

🙏🏽

[@lovrosandev]

This should be a tutorial how to make a review. Informative, objective, accurate, great! Thanks

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

🙏🏽

[@ricardomaldini6508]

Is the yamaha better than the ifi zen blue?

[@timj.8056]

Very nice presentation! Hans is an expert on electronics and is well appreciated! Thank you!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Thanks for watching!

[@tonymousta502]

Excellent review

[@digitalcamera2915]

Hi Hans. Thanks for your helpful review. I can't get the wxad-10 to work. When I turn it on, all I get is a blinking central led, which then turns off after 30-40 seconds. Can you give any advice? Thanks in advance.

[@H4NDCRAFTED]

Great review. I’m looking at this to use as a receiver and have some powered studio monitors I want to connect. My Samsung tv can transmit Bluetooth, ive been looking for a device with an eq bc my monitors can have a lot of bass. I see the app has a rudimentary EQ and some voice settings. Do you think this will work as a setup with this. My tv has latency offset , but even with cheap receivers I’ve never had to use it. Any opinions, did you try out the software EQ ?

[@gratiancrasovean3160]

I know it is a silly question for you, but can I connect it to a pair of active speakers (Elac Navis Arb-51) and one active subwoofer? Thank you.

[@burakakpinar5739]

hi Hans, thanks for the review. I would like to know your opinion on WXAD-10 DAC chip compared to Yamaha AS701 internal DAC. Any significant difference or nothing? Because WXAD-10 doesnt have digital output, i was thinking to invest in something with a digital output

[@filofilo8127]

Thorough review..........thanks.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

My pleasure!

[@paulcathcart7896]

I’ve been using one of these for over two years now and today I noticed that it seems to have auto volume levelling - this must be a firmware update bug. Is anyone else having this problem?

[@CharlyDS]

Great review! Is it possible to connect to NAS sources directly (as samba mounts) instead of DLNA? That would be awesome.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

No,it needs DLNA to index and send the music.

[@nicolatamiozzo7820]

Very usefull review! Do you think that an August WR320 streamer with a DAC like Schiit Audio MODI could sound better than Yamaha WXAD-10?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I have not reviewed these products so I can’t say. Sorry.

[@Startshine01]

Thanks Hans !

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

My pleasure

[@Drd4all]

Hello Hans ! Looking for a hifi streamer similar to this, price/ feature wise to pair with my PM6006 from Marantz Would you pick this over an Allo Boss or even Digione for example ? (Techy checked of course 😅)

[@antoinesapin7549]

Hi Hans and thanks for this very detailed review. You talk in the video about the fact that you changed the power supply to improve sound quality, sorry i did not understand... What did you do and in what does such a change can improve the sound ? I am very interested. Thanks !

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I just connected a higher quality (lower noise) power supply and lower noise is better sound.

[@antoinesapin7549]

Thanks Hans for this quick answer. When you mean "better quality" do you just mean "from another manufacturer" or do you mean that you switched with one providing higher electric outputs ?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

When I say better quality, I mean better quality like the power supplies from sBooster and Wired4Sound. And certainly not a higher voltage.

[@antoinesapin7549]

Thank you it is very clear, and congratulations for the quality of your reviews

[@ricardop2185]

thank you hans for this good vidéo, can you tell me what external power supply audiophonics i can use for the yamaha?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

It needs a 5 Volt DC 1 amp power supply. I can't say what current Audiophonics power supply is most suited. I would ask them.

[@vgdemidov]

Hi all. I bought a used high speed usb cable and put it in place of the wxad- 10 power cable. The idea was to get good isolation and quality, since the wxad - 10 works with my sth-80 soundbase in the kitchen, a lot of interference. The result is wonderful! £15 invested in the cable gave a sound improvement of £150)))

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Thanks for the info!

[@eduard4045]

I m new to this and want to ask if i xan stream the lossles music in my phone memory or it works only with paid services loke spotify ..tidal ..etc?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I know little about streaming from phones, especially Android.

[@LLS1978]

Thanks for the excellent videos 👍 How does this Yamaha compare to the Raumfeld/Teufel Connector?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Please watch the reviews

[@LLS1978]

The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel I did already watch the reviews 😊 I’m very new to these players and am trying to find out which is the better one for sound and app quality? Thanks again 😊

[@alexandreleroy8060]

nice review ! do you think it's a good device with the yamaha stagepas 1k ? (sorry for my english, i'm french)

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Can't tell you. I don't know the gear you mention.

[@pblporto]

Hello Mr. Hans Excellent review, congratulations. I am using an old yamaha rx-v692 r driving two monitor audio speakers as a secondary system, at my office. I stream from from iTunes with an Airport Express connected to the amplifier (3.5 jack tó RCA) and I'm not happy. After watching your reviews I don't know whether to choose the WXAD-10 or if I will have a real advantage on the WXC-50. Will the difference in benefits be worth the money to use in such an old system? My 250 euros question. Your opinion would be greatly appreciated. Regards from Portugal.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I have no way of knowing what you would appreciate. I can only advise you to watch the reviews and make your own decisions. Sorry.

[@pblporto]

Thanks for your kind advice!

[@crnamrlja]

Hello Hans, this device seems pretty close to what I need. Just one clarification, have you used it (or, can it be used) to directly play files stored on a NAS, without a computer in the same network being turned on?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Yes it can. From a NAS, from a share on a computer or from a USB drive directly connected.

[@crnamrlja]

Thank you very much!

[@MichaelGreco]

Thank you for another great video Hans! Would you be so kind as to let me know if musiccast supports gapless playback? Thanks in advance

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

It’s been a while but I would have mentioned it if it didn’t.

[@MichaelGreco]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel thank you for the reply!

[@jules153]

In the video he mentions that it does NOT have gapless playback unfortunately...

[@achim3503]

My remark seems to be a little late....BUT: I use this little box only as streamer for Qobuz and via Android and BubbleUpNp or iOs and McConnect it's GAPLESS.

[@tpmbe]

Hans, what happens when you lose your Internet signal , do you lose the music streaming as well?.. my internet cut out and I had no sound ... I thought it would work standalone, but seems it needs the internet to work with the app. ,,So I got a shock when my internet went down, and I lost the music system connections. I thought it would work with house wifi standalone, I have it with the Yamaha WX C50 streamer and It stops. playing Cheers

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

That's what I would think too. The WXAD-10 was a loaner so I can't try it here. Sorry.

[@carthage7757]

Nice review. I love Yamaha but what if I’m to use my external DAC with the streamer. Do I still need the WXC50 to get the best sound quality of the house or the WXAD-10 in this particular case is just fine. I have no need for a preamp section. W.H.R

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

The Digital output of the WXC50 has lower jitter and thus will be the better choice.

[@carthage7757]

Hans Beekhuyzen Tank you for the answer.

[@goldenears9748]

It looks very good for the money, I don't think it would be Roon compatible though which is what I am looking for to improve sound on my Naim Muso QB

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

It is nice for the money and that is just what it is. But it is in a different league than the Naim products. You could use it with Roon since it is Airplay compatible but then you're limited to 48 kHz.

[@izoyt]

one quick question: does this thing works with nas (synolgy in my case) with mp3 and flac storage for example? looking for something like this, this yamaha looks nice to me: affordable, no bs, simple and audio quality is nice too, they say.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Yes, it does.

[@izoyt]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel great, thank you. i'm even thinking about integrating this little thing in some classic turntable with installed amplifier , wgere's usually more than enough room for that (to be exact, something like braun audio from 60-ties etc, which have rca input plugs, maybe even later atelier line, i do have p1 turntable).

[@EG-po7nx]

Hi. Thnx for the review. There's a point that i cannot understant. This streamear is said to have DLNA and PC/NAS support. However, I use a macbook air. So, can i stream the audio files in my macbook's hdd or an external HDD attached to macbook, without using airplay? or the yamaha only supports PC base? Thank you.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

All personal computers (PC’s) running Windows, MAC OS and Linux can be used.

[@EG-po7nx]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel thanks for the quick reply.

[@EG-po7nx]

The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel hi again. I read the user manuel. And under PC header page 20, a pc with windows media player 11/12 is mentioned. This means, a macbook cant be streamed. Doesnt it?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

@@EG-po7nx I have tested all MusicCast streamers, including this one, using a Mac. You need to install a DLNA/UPnP AV server program like Minim Server (minimserver.com - free).

[@B17NNS]

Hi Hans, I'm a JRiver user too on an iMac. I'm currently using a Denon AVR-X2400H as a DNLA renderer. I am however unable to fast scrub using either JRiver of JRemote. Could you tell me if this device allows full functionality of JRiver and JRemote (particularly fast scrubbing). Also how would you compare the DAC in this with the DAC in the Denon.Thanks :)

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I have no hands on experience with the Denon so I really can't tell.

[@B17NNS]

Regarding the WAXD-10's compatibility with JRiver and JRemote does fast scrubbing work?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I really didn't try. Sorry.

[@B17NNS]

Ah, okay, no problem. What DNLA renderers do use that you know do work?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I personally don't use DLNA but Roon or self indexing devices like Bluesound. But if I need to use DNLA I found MinimServer to make life a lot more pleasing. Just install MinimServer (minimserver.com - it's free) and point it to the JRiver music map. DLNA renderers depend heavily on the features of the DLNA server software so it might be sufficient for your Denon.

[@kerwinwade1884]

Tidal has recently added Tidal Connect which is similar to Spotify Connect but I am not sure if the Yamaha WXAD-10 is/will be compatible with Tidal Connect, I would like to cast my music from my phone via the Tidal app without using musiccast app like Spotify can

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I really don’t know. Sorry

[@kerwinwade1884]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel thank you for your reply, if I get to a store that has the WXAD-10 on display I will try and then give feedback here.

[@nakedhand]

Thanks! Great channel Hans. Is there a chance you will be reviewing the Mytek Brooklyn AMP?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I try to concentrate on streaming devices, so probably not.

[@nakedhand]

Thank you for the response. It was worth a shot - probably buying that AMP anyway, might make my own very biased review of it.

[@roquesoprano913]

Could I add a dragonfly or a chord mojo betwen the my wxad-10 and the amp?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

No, there isn’t.

[@roquesoprano913]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel thank you so much !

[@DigitalBliss69]

Interesting product, it just sucks that Yamaha doesn't have a streamer with a digital out. If it did it would be a killer value for the money transport!

[@richardw3630]

hmmm. I think the WXC-50 in fact has digital out (Optical and Coax)

[@DigitalBliss69]

Richard W Yeah looks like you're right. But I don't need the Amp, pre, and dac. They could slim it down and just sell the streamer for >$100

[@DigitalBliss69]

I'm looking for something that's an Aries competitor below it's price range, I'm wondering if the CCA is any good?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

It doesn't make sense to try to include an SPDIF output on it. It would have been impossible to offer a quality SPDIF for this money. The internal DAC most certainly will sound better since it can be connected directly to the streamer and need not be converted to SPDIF.

[@antoniomarsicola8608]

Hi Hans, it seems from your reviews that Allo products do have digital outputs, spdif or usb, with very good sound quality (you reported it is comparable with entry level Sotm) and modest price. So i agree Yamaha could offer something similar.

[@ranelime]

Too bad these budget streamers don't offer a digital out for a better dac... Have you come across one worth recommendation? Thank you!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

That would have been money gone sour. The streamers differ greatly in quality from higher class streamers, also where a digital output is concerned. Don't think because it is digital, it will always be 100% perfect.

[@marcohermans3207]

I've an android phone with a large library of flacs on it. Mostly 44.1khz/16 bit but also some high res albums. Is it possible to stream these files lossless over wifi or does it works by bluetooth? What is the sound quality? The WXAD-10 will be connected to a denon amplifier. I've no interest in spotify or other streaming services. I know this is possible but I only want to stream directly from my android phone.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I have no knowledge of android phones. Sorry.

[@petervantienderen3260]

Install the musiccast app and you can play your local files, using wifi. Bluetooth not needed.

[@MrQaydi]

I have 3 rooms, each has 2 speakers, can I use only one WXAD-10 device?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

No, you need one in every room (plus a network connection)

[@MrQaydi]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel I am thinking to combine it with XDA-AMP5400RK amplifier. I put the amplifier in one room, install 3 of WXAD-10 devices for 3 channels I have, then distribute my channels to my 12 speakers via the amp. The source is an iPad which is 3m away in a reception area. I hope this solution saves me from destroying my reception area.

[@guusakkermans]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel if in some of the rooms the speakers are wireless, one wxad-10 will be enough right?

[@LusoCMD]

I actually tried the wxad-10 after seeing this review, if your system is around the 2,000+ € like mine, forget it, it's just awful. As Hans said, if you change to a Linear Power Supply it could be a little better but don´t expect miracles.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Awfull? That's grossly overstated.

[@WDeranged]

Gapless playback is working fine on mine. I'm assuming they patched it in.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Thanks for sharing.

[@petervantienderen3260]

Gapless works fine with DLNA from my NAS, but it depends on the way you select albums and tracks. Took me days to figure this out. Longpress on an album and the playlist is populated but plays with gaps. Shortpress an album and then when the tracks appear select the first track and you get the same playlist but it now plays gapless. Makes no sense at all, but tested it many times with the same album before I believed it. Apple Music and Spotify no problems.

[@danbretherton]

Unfortunately Yamaha do not ave their own library system like the bluesound , you need another computer running with a separate DLNA server.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

That's what I said in the video, Yamaha uses DLNA.

[@MrElciupacabra]

can you control volume from it?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

No, it can't

[@MrElciupacabra]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel the volume can be controlled over Jack 3.5 output!

[@richardw3630]

Thank you, how abouta review of the performance of the Yamaha MusicCast WXA-50 (amp) and WXC-50 (Pre-Amp). Interesting devices. Can the Amp also be a Pre-Amp, how is their line out level, etc. A great resource you have become! thank you

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

The WXC-50 review is due within a few weeks so subscribe.

[@Yotzee84]

i am happyly waiting soon :)

[@c.gonzalohermann8561]

Hello Hans, can you do a video about speaker pairing please? Love the channel. Greetings from Argentina!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

What is speaker pairing?

[@c.gonzalohermann8561]

The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel i'm sorry, i mean the pairing between the speakers and the amplifier, and if there is some way to know if they are going yo work well together. Mainly for those who don't have the chance to test them before the purchase.

[@c.gonzalohermann8561]

The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel i'm from Argentina and here is very hard to find a hi fi store in wich you can test the products. Thanks!!