Yamaha R N602 streaming MusicCast receiver

Yamaha offers a range of networked products, controlled by a proprietary control protocol named MusicCast. The receiver on test here is such a product and it seems to offer a lot for only € 599.
Manufacturer’s site: nl.yamaha.com/nl/products/aud...
If you like my work, support it using Patreon or Paypal:
My Patreon page: / thehbchannel
Paypal: www.paypal.me/theHBchannel
My book: • File Based Audio aka S...
My site: www.theHBproject.com/en
My channel: / thehansbeekhuyzen
My Facebook page: / hansbeekhuyzen
My Google+ page: www.google.com/+TheHansBeekhuyzen
My Twitter: / hansbeekhuyzen
My reference sets: thehbproject.com/en/About
About Questions: • About questions
What DAC is the best: • REVIEW: MYTEK BROOKLYN...

[@astra004]

Thanks, Hans. I'm always pleased to see something from mass product companies, because I strongly believe in the r&d department filled with 500 japanese engineers. No sarcasm.

[@arthurwatts1680]

Superb review Hans - you should be giving a few of the other YT audio reviewers tips. Keep up the good work.

[@arkdark5554]

Thank you Sir. Your reviews are so informative. Thank you.

[@thxmuffe]

The topic that you cover in this video and many others is really interesting. They are in my opinion participating to the next "stardard" of setting up audio system. What you are doing is simply great!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@MartinRexo]

Great review, thank you

[@edincleve1955]

Hi Hans Thanks for another great review. It's hard to believe this receiver has so much capability and sounds good too. You're right, it looks like (and apparently sounds like) a typical Yamaha component, even those from the 80's. Now I will be able to recommend a decent stereo receiver to my non-audiophile friends.

[@mundiguy]

Fantastic review.

[@MrDcsilvap]

Thanks, nothing more, nothing less. I own it since 2018 and it's an excellent product with an awesome delivery and performance. As you say: Enjoy the music

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

🙏

[@angumotzfeldt3093]

Thanks for the review. I was looking for a streaming amplifier and saw this R-N602 in the music store. There was only a single unit and they had lowered the price down to 175€ because nobody used the "old school" way of setting up your system anymore, according to the seller. I said "Great! I'll take it!" It sounds wonderful with Evox EV-1 speakers. I am enjoying the music, just as you said.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Good for you.

[@BlissLovePeace]

Thank You Hans, this is much appreciated! Thumbs up!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@teashea1]

excellent, intelligent review - very well done

[@LFCliid]

Fantastic review, Thank you

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

My pleasure!

[@MichaelSchultzNZ]

Another great review cheers mate.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Ben-wd1hf]

Thankyou, excellent review

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

👍🏻

[@mmrcris1]

Thanks for your Review Hans. Just ordered the unit after seeing your Review. I already have 303d unit but hopefully this 602 is much better. Unfortunately these units increased in price but it is what it is. Not sure why Yamaha stopped doing these units. Not too many on the market. Cheers Cristian

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@RoyFJ65]

I had a choice between WXA-50 or this amp. My speakers are NS1000M. The reason I selected this reciever is that I have a turntable as well as old Yamaha CD player and therefore this got the nod. Also, the fact I could connect to Spotify was a plus. I am strictly a 2 channel man so I have listed to all my Yamahas on pure direct and this amplifier has not disappointed me so far with the difficult load NS1000s. Thank you for your review that basically parallels my thoughts as well.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Thanks for sharing

[@timj.8056]

Hans I value your expertise . . . I bought the N602 based on your review. The functionality of this 2-channel receiver is very nice and I stream Pandora Plus, XM radio, other internet radio stations and I have an Oppo 93 blu ray player that I use to play cd's/sacd. My speakers are KLH Quincy's floorstanders that I can adequately play with this higher current receiver. I was on a budget and purchased an open box N602 at a discounted price rather than the more expensive bigger brother Yamaha r-n803. Thank you! Tim

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

👍🏻

[@filmadordecarros]

I bought this Yamaha Receiver a few months ago, and it's performance surprised me a lot. Now, with your review, Hans, I feel even more secure to say I have a quality Hi-Fi System. Thanks for you review! Very transparent and honest.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Great to hear!

[@pabloosvaldopenizzotto1098]

Nice product review Hans. I am thinking in selling my Denon AVR 1611 which is very good for movies but no so good for music. I think I going to consider an stereo receiver like this Yamaha because spend more time listening music than watching movies.

[@BIGNEILCOUSINS]

Thank you for this review. I have plans to buy the R-N803 the big brother of the 603 . I can't believe how many features this has . I just hope the sound quality is as good as the Yamaha amp I'm replacing.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

You are welcome!

[@bradleyaustin2369]

Neil Cousins I was looking at buying the 803 but the price is a lot more than the 602. Do you reckon the 803 is worth the extra dollars and do you know what extras it has over the 602?

[@mj8495]

@@bradleyaustin2369 they are essentially the same (identical in playing features) except 803 has 100 watts per channel and 602 has only 80. 602 also has THD of .04 instead of .019... basically anything below .1 won’t be noticeable under normal listening. I have the 803 and love it, considering the 602 for my office.

[@iamaparanoidandroid1]

I am slowly buying into the MusicCast architecture as it is not possible to route speaker cables through our house. Up until now I have had a separates system made up of very good second-hand kit (a late 1960s Hitachi amp, 1970/80s Hitachi FM tuner, 1990s Technics CD player and a Logitech Bluetooth adapter all hooked up to a set of Mission 761 speakers). I recently picked up a Yamaha RX-V483 AV receiver and a pair of the WX010 MusicCast10 speakers cheaply on eBay: whilst I am loving the flexibility of the system and having music all over the house, the 70w/channel @6ohm AV Receiver sounds a little strained and bright at higher volumes going into the Missions (100w @8ohm). Do you think an R-N602 would be a better match for the Missions (which I love and am loathed to replace)?

[@edub8803]

Your reviews are by far the most thorough on youtube. You may have went over this already, but does Musicast allow you to play from a bluetooth device WHILE playing out thru bluetooth speakers? Please respond at your convenience.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I haven't tried (don't like the lossy codecs Bluetooth uses for quality music reproduction). The Yamaha is no longer with me and the manual only says that you can play from and too Bluetooth devices but is not clear of doing both at the same time.

[@freund333]

I'm interested in the R N402D for playing music from an external hdd. But i can't find any information about the max. size of the hdd. Do you know anything about that? Or do you know any othe device that can play music from an external hdd without all this network or smartphone stuff cause i don't need it.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I haven't reviewed it, so I can't say. The manual (uk.yamaha.com/files/download/other_assets/1/805461/web_ZV01410_R-N402_R-N402D_om_B_En.pdf) doesn't specify it either.

[@JV-nt9bp]

Yes it's very good 👍🏻

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I'm glad you like it

[@Yotzee84]

Hello Hans Thank you for the great review. I like very much the way You do. I would interested in another Yamaha the WXC-50. I was always interested in LAN Players. :) That maybe (compared or "against") the SMS-200

[@hansbeekhuyzen7770]

József Kovács a review is due in four weeks.

[@hiluxjase6665]

Great review Hans. I’m really unsure which amp I should go for. Yamaha As701 integrated or Rn802d. I will mainly be playing records and connecting Spotify. If I got the as701 I would use my Apple TV for airplay to Spotify. Any advice would be much appreciated.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Watch kzbin.info/www/bejne/mITFh4KdqKZ7bbs

[@bepli6751]

Nice video as always Hans! One thing to might improve would be the microphone, I hear a lot of high frequencies in the first 2 minutes. Still great video tho

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

It's wasn't the mike but an error I made in the editor. No time to redo it. Sorry.

[@manupereira6905]

Great Review Hans... Do you think this Stereo Receiver will work well with a pair of Naim intro 70w Loudspeakers? Thank you!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I don’t have hands on experience with the Naim speakers so I can’t say.

[@guitargecka]

Hello Hans, thanks for your nice test. Can the 602 take an analag line input and stream it into the musiccast enviroment? thanks!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

It's been quite some time since I made this review so I can be wrong. But I don't think you can stream analog inputs into the MusicCast environment.

[@JuanAndresLanza]

Hi Hans, great review ! I am buying into the MusicCast system from Yamaha, but I read a comment in another KZbinr video that if you have more than one speaker, ie: receiver and soundbar, and you send the music from the receiver also to the soundbar and both are in the same room, there is a delay in the music being played in the soundbar. If you have speakers in different rooms of your house that's not a problem, but if they are in the same area like one system in the living room and the other one in the dining room and there is no wall between them, then it can become and issue. If you have more than one MusicCast speaker could you test this and confirm if that is the case ? Thanks.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I have tried this with the products I reviewed and have not noticed that. Perhaps it's different for the sounder (which I haven't reviewed).

[@DeportesYNoticias]

can i connect two speakers of 800 watts to 8 ohms to yamaha rn602??

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Can't say with this info

[@yugalkishorsharma737]

Hi sir can you suggest me matching bookshelf speaker for yamaha RN602 I am thinking about Klispch RP160M.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Sorry, I can't do personal buying advise

[@themaster2851998]

Nice review, did you test them with low impedance speakers? Im planning to buy it and use it with focal 936 which have a pretty low impedance curve in the 100 hz to 1 khz range (the lowest point beeing 2.8 ohm according to Stereophile) and therefore requires a capable amp that wont overheat at high levels with such a hard load. Any help would be appreciated.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I have reviewed it using Acoustic Energy Radiance One and Audio Physic Scorpio loudspeakers. I consider loudspeakers going below 4Ω in the 100 to 1000 Hz range loudspeakers poorly designed.

[@roberthf1092]

Hi Hans. Do you know if the Yamaha RN602 supports MQA via Tidal?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

It doesn't

[@francoisparis3043]

Hoi Hans. Is it possible to bi amp this amplifier? Thanks for the excellent review!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Unfortunately not

[@francoisparis3043]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel hmmm... Ok.. Jammer. I don't like the sound coming from my KEF Q1's. They sound murky. The bass misses some low end thump. I guess I'll upgrade to some good quality floorstanders. Bedankt voor uw antwoord!

[@nata.sasmita]

Yes it's possible. There A-B speaker switch. Both can work simultaneously.

[@hooekoo9307]

Hello Hans, A few years ago I bought the Yamaha R-N500 network receiver, I ran a network cable to it from my router and love that i can connect to it through my macbook and or iphone and listen to spotify. I was thinking of also getting tidal for the HI-FI quality music but i'm wondering if my receiver would even be able to take advantage of it? The manual states that its compatible with sampling rates of up to 192khz for wav and flac files and 48khz for all other files. I'm hoping it is, as it would buy me some time to save up some money to upgrade my system.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I have not reviewed the R-N500 so I can't say. Check with your Dealer or your local Yamaha representative.

[@majgenpcSen]

Does it support vTuner for direct streaming - without any peripherial device - like a smartphone ?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Yes, it does.

[@audiophilipp]

Would u recommend this over a-s 501 ?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I can't say. I didn't review the 501.

[@TheBudgieoc18]

How can i add rooms to this system as i cant see how to do this

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I reviewed the Yamaha gear quite some time ago, I simply don't remember.

[@adamkowalski8196]

Thank you very much for many accurate reviews. I am the owner of this device, but recently I bought an integrated tube amplifier. I have a question whether the Yamah RN 602 can be used as a player for a integrated tube amplifier through the line out connector (or maybe in another way), or the signal from this connector (line out) is already amplified. I would be very grateful for your response. Best regards.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

That will work just fine.

[@adamkowalski8196]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thank you very much for your reply.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

👍🏼

[@jandenijmegen5842]

Question: the 602 can play mp3s from a USB stick. It can do shuffle play and continuous play within the folder. How can you set it to perform continuous play from folder to folder? I mean first play everything in folder A, then play everything in folder B, then folder C. My over 10 year old Volvo can do this but I do not manage to find out how to do this on a sophisticated home audio machine...

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

It's been quite a long time since I reviewed the R N602 and I really don't remember (if I had known it in the first place).

[@jandenijmegen5842]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thanks for the reply. In the mean time I received an answer on another channel that continuous play from folder to folder is not possible. I was hoping for some genious to come with a solution... sadly there is none.

[@somanpeter7868]

Dear Hans. Will this amp suit INFINITY PRIMUS 300 tower speaker?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I have no experience with these speakers so I can't say for sure.

[@markblakebrough3912]

Late to the party here - do you think picking up an A-S501 with a WXDA-10 would be a better option? Planning on pairing with Elac Debut b6.2

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Sorry but I can't do one-on-one advise. Too many requests, too little time. And I don't think I have reviewed the A-S501.

[@markblakebrough3912]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel thanks for your reply - am leaning more towards bluetooth for the moment - might look into streaming later

[@manuelsanemeterio3634]

Sorry, I forgot to say that I´m Using MusicCast. Thanks.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

.

[@pierrebenisti]

HI I have the YAMAHA RN602 and I am very satisfied with it and I also have the NAD356BEE. I recently connected the NAD and felt that it was more detailed. Am I right? What is the difference between the two amplifiers, which one sounds better? Which one is better? I have B&W CM6 speakers. Thanks

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

It is the combination of the equipment, loudspeakers and your hearing that determine what sound character is most suited for you.

[@pierrebenisti]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thanks for the answer, but which amplifier is considered better and more qualitative

[@wallys2683]

Beste Hans ik heb een yamaha R-N602 receiver met de Musiccast app . Op de app heb ik enkele favorieten vast gezet , nu kan ik deze via de" afstandsbediening" niet meer selecteren , wel nog met de app. Hoe krijg ik dit weer terug inorde zodat ik terug de afstandsbediening kan gebruiken ? dankbij voorbaat w

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Please contact your dealer for support

[@manuelsanemeterio3634]

Hello, Hans !! at first, sorry for my english, it is not good enough. I´m writing from Córdoba City in Argentina. I bought a couple days ago the R N602. I have a problem. I can´t find in the list of sources Quobuz. I could see Napster, Spotify, Tidal, Deezer, but Quobuz doesn´t appear. I have an suscription for Quobuz and I would like to add to my sources. At first I bought, I update the firmware and I have a wired connection, not WIFI. I could see in you video it shows Quobuz . You have to know that in my country Quobuz is avalaible normally. I Have a paid suscription. Could you help me ? thanks a lot.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I am sorry but I can't do support. I don't have the N602 anymore and I lack the time. Sorry.

[@jandenijmegen5842]

Just a hint for those who get stuck when using Setup. Recently bought this amp and got immediately stuck when using the Setup button on the remote. It didn't work and I was extremely frustrated. I even read the manual. Going through forums I found out that setup does not work when you switch on Pure Direct! Just switch it off and use the Setup button on your remote and it works. Incredibly stupid engineering. One guy returned three! Yamaha's because he got stuck with this undocumented feature. The sound is amazing for an amp in this price range. Glad I replaced my 30 ? year old Akai AM 35 that was end of life. (best piece of equipment I ever bought)

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Thanks for sharing

[@shivamnrutya]

How to play Apple Hi Res lossless in this stereo receiver?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I can't tell you. I did the review 2 years ago and at that time there was no Apple HI Res.

[@daniel85444]

Hi there ! Could you tell me please is this class A/B or class D amp ??? Thank you in advance 🙏🤝. Regards Dan

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

It's class A/B.

[@daniel85444]

The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel thank you for the fast respond !! Appreciate it! Is it a good match with the KEF R300 or you have better recommendation for Kefs in this price point - around £400 ! Thanks

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I don't know, I haven't reviewed the KEF's

[@andreineagu.online]

Is this at least close to the A-S501 in terms of amp sound quality?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I can't say, haven't reviewed the A-S501.

[@andreineagu.online]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel But do you recommend 602 in terms of sound amp quality? Is this a model that inspires reliability and future proof?

[@CUALKIERDESASTRE]

Does it have a built in EQ?, how many bands?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

2 bands with bypass: +/-10 dB @ 350 Hz and +/-1-dB@3.5kHz

[@TheRealLazyBear]

can you connect a tv to this? if so how?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

You can connect the audio optical out on the TV to one of the two optical inputs of the Yamaha

[@TheRealLazyBear]

Thank you, i am new to all this so still learning. Your channel is very helpful. I want to ask you a simple question, would you recommend to buy this (also considering sound quality)?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

@@TheRealLazyBear I can't say, that depends on you and your situation.

[@MrRodrigogallo]

Hi Hans. Quick question. Can this receiver power up my Dali Zensor 3 speakers? These are 25-125W @6 ohms

[@Toogoodtobetrue458]

Definitely

[@grantandjanfleming7489]

I seem to have trouble with the bluetooth option using Amazon Music. The receiver often drops the signal, should we be using a different platform?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I understand there are many problems with Amazon Music. I don't have a subscription so I can't say. I am subscribed to Tidal and Qobuz.

[@grantandjanfleming7489]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel I also tried this with Spotify and had the same issues. Do you think it is caused by an internet interruption?

[@JV-nt9bp]

Hi, Could you please explain about the LOUDNESS _ control on this device. The purpose and how and when to use it please. Thanks.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I've made a note of it.

[@JV-nt9bp]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thanks 🙏🏼🙂

[@JV-nt9bp]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thanks sir. 😊

[@BirkirFMC]

Can this connect with a turntable? Would very much like to play my vinyl records without lining up new amps all over my apartment ;)

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

If you watch the video you'll know

[@kngkrmson2179]

Yes, you can. The R-N602 has an integrated DAC and amp.

[@kngkrmson2179]

5:20

[@BirkirFMC]

@@kngkrmson2179 Thank you!

[@jpwheeilng2000]

Question, say do you know how to Stream High Definition to my Stereo, I wish my Apple TV did, it's Streaming Surround Sound, why wouldn't it stream High Definition, it does't, down Sample's to Cd Quality. I buy 24/96 music and some times 24/192, yes I here the Difference the Clarity is Awesome, you haven't listened to Stereo unless it's High Definition. Maybe you know how to, I hope so, because you look very Stereo High Tech. There are allot of Stereo-File Enthusiast, I'm one of them. My Set up- Apple Laptop, Yamaha- Aventage RX- A2030, Apple Tv 4k, thanks for any Help. Maybe you can do a Whole Episode on how to Stream High Definition or Tell us there isn't a Way.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I only review stereo equipment, so I can't say.

[@jpwheeilng2000]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Ok thanks for answering my question