YAMAHA R-N803 D vs. WXA-50

[@MSLubis]

Not yet finish watching, but smile when I heard your opening😅 I reply, 'alaikum

[@MultiAnamo]

I have R-N803D its perhaps the best AB class amp in price point. Now testing Yamaha AS-2100 conected with Yamaha WXC-50 streemer. Almost the same spectrum presentation as 803D but at better level in each point. The only weak point of AS-2100 is loosing dynamics at low wolume with I did not feeling as much in 803D.

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Same here. I think the Loudness button in the app „YPAO Volume“ does a great job!

[@young_padawan]

This is exactly the comparison I was looking for! Thanks for the upload.

[@mbuyukkaya]

How about as701 and wxc-50 combo?

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

@@mbuyukkaya I would like to know that but unfortunately never heard that combo

[@douglasyong6939]

Wonder if the younger sibling RN303 with rather similar push-pull class a/b amplifier to the RN803, gives good musicality for a lower price..your thoughts?

[@gimaru73]

Good comparison! Do you know if the WXA-50 plays Amazon Music (not HD)? Thanks.

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Yes! Via one of the latest updates

[@adaboy4z]

I sold my R-N803 and bought a Loxjie A30 and have enjoyed music much more. The Yamaha just seemed to lack power and bass.

[@b13nx2k]

Question... Does the RN 803 have high pass mode for the the main speaker outputs? This is to use with a subwoofer. Great video 👍👍

[@bpalpha]

The R-N803D is one of the best not extremely expensive receivers produced in a long while. It was my dream receiver until I found a Denon (older model) for cheap. Love the look of it in silver!

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

I love the look too Unfortunately the sound didn’t match my speakers I had back then. I heard that it sounds amazing with Quadral speakers but I didn’t hear that combo myself

[@Clintwoodz]

I have Rn303 upstairs, i want to buy wxa50 to play dab radio through musiccast in the garage, is that possible?

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Yes. If you already have an amp, you might take a look at the wxc50

[@Clintwoodz]

@@DigitalPhilosophers Thanks for reply! I currently use car stereo took out from camry as cd player/fm radio, and wall mounted polk RTL A1 speakers. Since I discovered wxa50 it would come really useful in garage where I can have good quality stream music as well as cd player from car stereo hooked up.

[@SteveRivett]

Thank you for the video. Do you feel that the WXC-50 combined with an amplifier would have the same audio issues as the WXA-50? I have an R-N602 that I am happy with so I am looking for additional Music Cast equipment.

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Give it a try! I liked my wxc-50 with an integrated amp

[@zzezzobike]

Great job, we need honest opinions not commercial ones.

[@yogoeasystudio]

Thank you for sharing.

[@noakwesterberg]

KZbinr or not, great content! Thanks for sharing.

[@ryanhelmer9369]

My top pick for a one box at work. 2 years later, got another for home.

[@skywallker1966]

Did you try the yamaha as801? How it is comparing to the 803 in terms of sound quality?

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Unfortunately not (yet).

[@bobbyhill1156]

Thanks for this video! Well explained. One question, the 803 have a Bluetooth transmiter as well? Lets say, to connect the amp to wireless headphones. I know the R-N602, wich is a cheaper model, has it. But i can't find the answer regarding this.

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Thank you. That’s an interesting question. I guess the 803 can only receive a bt signal. I don’t think it is bi-directional. To be sure please call a retailer for this specific question

[@bobbyhill1156]

@@DigitalPhilosophers Noted. The R-N602 definetely has it, but seems that this more expensive model doesn't. I check both manuals. Very strange. Btw, thanks for your answer!

[@TheMozeze]

Hi there, great video. I’m looking for entry level streamers/amps so this video helped. Just to confirm would I be able to go from music source to WXA50 to external DAC then to speakers? I usually thought it was source to streamer to DAC then amplifier before speakers?

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Both ways are possible

[@adamjohari]

Noob question here: can the Yamaha wxa-50 power my b&w 607 s2 anniversary speakers?

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

I didn’t try it but I would guess it can. Please use an external DAC cause the only thing that sounds good about the WXA is the amp. If you can use also an external preamp.

[@adamjohari]

Thanks! I have a Topping D10s as my external dac

[@mateojarquin]

Quick question about the WXA-50: Do you know if the tone controls/DSP work when using Airplay? Or only when using streaming apps via Music Cast?

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Hi Mateo, they work with AirPlay, too.

[@mateojarquin]

@@DigitalPhilosophers Awesome! I rarely use them but like to know that they're there just in case. Thanks for the great video. Love to see people using Airplay for hi-fi!

[@hibohi]

Thanks for the great comparison. I'm actually shopping between these two models currently. Would you say the R-N803 is hugely better than the WXA-50? In Australia, the RN803 is almost 3 times the price of the WXA50..so I'm considering just getting the WXA. I've considered getting an external DAC to pair with the WXA but I've also read online that if you use an external DAC then you can no longer use the network and streaming capabilities of this model. Is this true?

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Unfortunately I don’t know that. Without an external DAC (how I compared these two) the 803 is hugely better. Maybe you can try the WXA and send it back. Otherwise check out the used market for the 803.

[@hibohi]

​@@DigitalPhilosophers Thanks heaps for the quick reply :). For the WXA-50 were you using the PRE OUT terminal or AUX OUT connection? The reason I ask is because I've heard that the former uses the ESS DAC, and the later uses the Burr Brown DAC..therefore will produce different sound depending on whichever connection you use.

[@kenwong4044]

Greetings from Hong Kong, thanks for your sharing! I like the R N803 but my home is really small so I think I will choose WXA -50. The quality is that ok if i use apple music with airplay? Besides, I heard the baby is crying in the video😁

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

I would recommend an external DAC to get the most out of the WXA-50. For casual listening the WXA-50 is absolutely fine!

[@kenwong4044]

@@DigitalPhilosophers thanks, I really appreciate your opinion

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

@@kenwong4044 Thank You Ken!

[@JazzMessenger1218]

How do we keep the "front screen" lite while using the turntable?

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Doesn’t it work using the remote?

[@thomaskeenan2208]

Another perspective, thanks, helpful.

[@felixlaboy1453]

Hey buddy great video. I was wondering if you would recommend the WXA I’m thinking of getting it.

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Tbh I don’t recommend it soundwise. Unless you use an external DAC. Otherwise you’ll get a way better sound and room correction on top with the 803.

[@felixlaboy1453]

@@DigitalPhilosophers Thank you for the advice. I will look into the 803.

[@felixlaboy1453]

@@DigitalPhilosophers are does the triangle bro3 speakers

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

@@felixlaboy1453 Focal Aria 906

[@JamesBond-jp2ep]

Nice comparison. Do they support surround, Dolby atmos?

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Both not

[@SovonHalder]

Been using the WXA-50 for 5 months now with 3020i and yesterday for the first time I noticed that the amp is sending out a very mild but noticeable static noise on the speakers when AUX is selected. Does your unit do the same? Is this supposed to happen?

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Yes it does. The problem is the aux input. Can you change to rca or a digital input?

[@SovonHalder]

@@DigitalPhilosophers I AM already on RCA. I'm using a "3.5mm to 2-Male RCA" adapter cable to feed the amp audio from my mac mini. And even if there is no input to the amp, the speakers still get the same, if not louder level of static noise / hiss. DO you notice the same on your unit also? Please confirm.

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

@@SovonHalder Yes. I always have to pull out the 3,5mm cable to get rid of the noice

[@SovonHalder]

@@DigitalPhilosophers Okay. But I am still getting the noise, even when there is NO INPUT at all. Only the speaker cable is connected and Aux output is selected. In a product this costly, that shouldn't happen right?

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

@@SovonHalder Yes. Let the retailer check that imo

[@Kepino21]

Thanks for review, i am also thinking about buying the 803D.

[@janz.3214]

Hey, can you recommend any dac for the wxa 50? I currently own one and wonder if it will be cheaper to just sell it and get something else or get a dac.

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Great question! If the Denafrips Ares II and Schiit Bifrost are too expensive try the Schiit Modius. Even the Audioquest Dragonfly Red sounds better than the integrated DAC of the WXA, so the Schiit Modi might as well. Otherwise buy the 803. It sounds much better than the WXA and if you want to enter HiFi territory look for an Arcam Solo Music Mk II or any other good amp combined with the Bluesound Node 2i

[@janz.3214]

@@DigitalPhilosophers I just realised that I will need another streamer if I get a separate dac. And that would be too many boxes for me :/ So I guess I will sell the wxa 50. Anyways, thank you for your advice!

[@jorgreick8893]

Schwacher Vorrtrag. Besser in deutsch.

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

How you know my german is better

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

It is Vortrag, not Vorrtrag. And auf Deutsch, not in deutsch ❤️