The Yamaha WXC-50 is a preamplifier that allows you to upgrade an amplifier or receiver to MusicCast to enjoy streaming music or to integrate it into a multiroom system. The equipment is compatible with all types of sources and many music on demand services. With a compact and quality design, it will allow us to update any sound equipment we have at home. It also supports high resolution audio and offers full wireless connectivity. We are going to thoroughly review its characteristics.
Compact design
We will have no problem placing this equipment. The Yamaha WXC-50 incorporates a solid metal body with an aluminum cover and a very compact design . This allows us to place the equipment almost anywhere. The team is only 5 centimeters high and 22 centimeters wide.
In addition, it can be placed horizontally or vertically . We can even remove the feet and, thanks to its 4 centimeters high, place it on the shelf of a rack. Up to two units can be placed side by side on a 48-centimeter (19-inch) shelf.
Two Yamaha WXC-50s placed in a rack
Despite its small size, the Yamaha WXC-50 offers in its front everything necessary for its operation. It has three small buttons and a large wheel to control the volume. Pressing any button will turn on the device and start playing the previously selected source.
We also have LED lights on the front that mark the connectivity of the unit . On the one hand, we will know at a glance if we are connected to the network or to Bluetooth. On the other hand, a third light will indicate us through which medium we are reproducing, thanks to its color code.
Yamaha WXC-50 front panel
But if we do not want to control it through its front panel, we will also have a small remote available . In addition, the remote has six numbered buttons that allow us to directly access our favorite sources. These buttons can be configured to, for example, quickly access an album that we have stored on our NAS. Or simply to listen to our favorite song.
The complete dimensions of the Yamaha WXC-50 are 21.27 x 5.08 x 24.44 centimeters, with a weight of 1.43 kilograms. The device is only available in one color, combining black on the top and a dark gray on the front.
Full wireless connectivity
The most important function of the Yamaha WXC-50 preamplifier is to provide any equipment with extensive connectivity . For this reason, the equipment incorporates a network connection, being compatible with all kinds of music sources and services.
In addition, the equipment includes Bluetooth connectivity and is compatible with Apple AirPlay . That is, we can access music streaming services and internet radio stations, files from mobile devices, Bluetooth sources and other external sources such as televisions, Blu-ray players or even a turntable. It will even allow us to redistribute Bluetooth sources via WiFi to other MusicCast devices. Or via AirPlay from an Apple device to another unit.
Yamaha WXC-50 rear connection panel
And it is that the Yamaha WXC-50 belongs to the MusicCast family of products . This means that if we have other MusicCast speakers, we can play music on all of them from the main unit. The system allows you to play different music in each room or make the same music sound through all the speakers. It can also be used with sound bars or hi-fi devices.
We will control the entire system through the MusicCast application . This will connect to your home WiFi network and create a powerful audio streaming system. Using the mobile or tablet we can select sources, browse our music library and control playback. The app also allows you to control the sound equalizer settings.
Quality sound
Under the hood of the Yamaha WXC-50 we have high-performance components and advanced circuitry. For example, the preamp circuitry uses the same high-performance ESS DAC found on top-of-the-line Yamaha AV receivers . On the other hand, a Yamaha-designed power supply configuration has been used that prevents sound degradation.
The equipment also has a 48-bit volume control , which provides greater precision and quality than traditional controls.
Yamaha WXC-50 datasheet
| Type | Preamplifier | |
| Dimensions | 21.27 x 5.08 x 24.44 cm | |
| Weight | 1.43 kilograms | |
| Colors | Double shade of black | |
| Design | Metal body with aluminum cover | |
| Physical connectivity | Ethernet port, optical and analog inputs, optical and coaxial digital outputs, subwoofer output, trigger input / output, and remote control input | |
| Wireless connectivity | WiFi, Bluetooth, AirPlay | |
| Control | Remote control, MusicCast app | |
| Availability | Available | |
| Price | 400 euros |
Additionally, the Yamaha WXC-50 supports FLAC / WAV / AIFF high resolution audio up to 92 kHz / 24-bit, Apple Lossless (ALAC) up to 96 kHz / 24-bit, and DSD up to 5.6 Mhz. The Direct Mode will allow us to reproduce these audio sources in high resolution as they are, without any processing.
But if our thing is to play lower quality files, the Compressed Music Enhancer will improve the reproduction of sound from mobile phones and other compressed sources such as MP3 files.
The equipment also has the Volume-adaptive EQ function , which adjusts the balance of bass and treble according to the volume level. And even with the Advanced Bass Extension, which delivers a deeper, more bass sound at the lower end.
Conclusions and price
Yamaha WXC-50 upright
The way of listening to music has changed. Although many users still prefer the physical format, the vast majority have succumbed to digital. And it's no wonder, we have practically the music we want instantly.
However, if we have good old sound equipment we may not be able to connect it to the network to enjoy these sources. For this, products such as the Yamaha WXC-50 are born. By connecting this preamplifier to our main amplifier or AV receiver we will have access to the new streaming services. We will equip our 'old' team with the broadest wireless connectivity .
The Yamaha WXC-50 is sold in specialized stores with a price of around 400 euros .