Yamaha WXC-50

Audio Section

Wireless Streaming Pre-Amplifier: The Yamaha WXC-50 is a wireless streaming pre-amplifier that is part of Yamaha's MusicCast multiroom audio eco-system. The WXC-50 lets you add MusicCast multiroom audio to your existing home audio system (and vice versa).

Superior Audio Technology: Yamaha's relentless pursuit of sonic purity is clearly evident in the engineering of their WXC-50 wireless streaming pre-amplifier. The WXC-50 features a solid metal body with an aluminum cover and a slim, compact design that fits just about anywhere. Under the hood, you'll find high-performance components and advanced circuitry that deliver powerful, sonically-pure pre-amplification.

• High Performance DAC: The pre-amp circuitry uses the same high-performance ESS Sabre digital-to-analog converter (DAC) found in Yamaha's high-end Yamaha AV receivers.
• Precision Volume Control: A 48-bit digital volume control provides much greater precision and quality than conventional controls.
• Proprietary Power & Ground Architecture: A proprietary power supply ground configuration prevents sound degradation.
• Rigid Chassis: A highly-rigid metal chassis supplies the stability necessary for clear, powerful music reproduction.

Yamaha Proprietary Sound Processing: The WXC-50 wireless streaming pre-amplifier incorporates a variety of Yamaha proprietary sound processing technologies - like Compressed Music Enhancer, Volume-Adaptive EQ, & Advanced Bass Extension. You can also choose to bypass this digital audio processing.

• Compressed Music Enhancer: The Compressed Music Enhancer greatly improves sound reproduction from smartphones or other compressed sources, like MP3 files.
• Volume-Adaptive EQ: Volume-adaptive EQ automatically adjusts the bass/treble balance according to the volume level.
• Advanced Bass Extension: Advanced Bass Extension Processing provides a deeper, richer low-end sound - great for use with compact or in-wall speakers.
• Direct Playback Mode: Direct playback mode allows you to play back high-resolution audio sources just as they are, without any processing.

Note: These audio settings are accessible only from the MusicCast app on your compatible Apple iOS or Android mobile device.

Advanced Audio Features: The Yamaha WXC-50 offers additional audio adjustments to get the most out of the speaker and your music.

• Ultra Low Jitter PLL: Sets the strength of the jitter removal applied to the audio input being played back, in order to adjust the audio quality. When the level is set high, the jitter removal is more effective, but the sound may cut out on low-speed networks. When the level is set low, the jitter removal is less effective, but the signal is more reliable for lower speed networks.
• 3-Band EQ: The pre-amp's 3-band EQ (High/Mid/Low) can be adjusted from -6 to +6dB in 0.5dB steps, so you can tailor the sound to your preference.
• Speaker Type: Optimizes the WXC-50's audio output for the type of speakers you have connected - Compact, Bookshelf, Floorstanding, In-ceiling, or In-Wall.

Note: To access the above listed audio features, you will need to access the internet and use the Web Control screen on your mobile device or computer.

Volume Levels: The WXC-50 provides a variety of volume level controls, settings, and adjustments.

• Initial Volume: Set the volume level when the power is turned on. You can choose between Off (same as the volume when the unit was turned off), Mute, and -80dB to + 0dB in increments of 0.5dB.
• Max Volume: Set the receiver's maximum volume level. This feature is useful to avoid turning the volume too loud by mistake. You can set the Max Volume from -20dB to 0dB in 5dB steps.
• L/R Balance: Adjust the balance of the volume between the left and right speakers from -12 to +12 in 1 steps.
• Input Trim: Adjust the volume level of each input. This is useful to balance the level of each input to avoid sudden changes in volume when switching between input sources. The range is from -6dB to +6dB in 0.5dB increments.
• Subwoofer Volume: Adjust the volume of the pre-amp's subwoofer output independently from the main volume. Adjustable from -6dB to +6dB in 0.5dB steps.

Note: To access the above listed audio features, you will need to access the internet and use the Web Control screen on your mobile device or computer.

Player Mode: If you want to adjust volume from a connected Hi-Fi amp or AV receiver, the WXC-50 allows you to turn off "PREAMP" mode and use the device as a network audio player. Switching to "PLAYER" mode bypasses the volume control and any processing, allowing direct playback of high-resolution audio.

Analog & Digital Inputs: The WXC-50 wireless streaming pre-amplifier is fitted with analog & digital inputs. There is one stereo RCA input for connecting an analog audio source. There is one optical (toslink) digital input for connecting digital audio sources. The optical digital input supports 2ch PCM audio up to 32-bit/192kHz.

Analog & Digital Outputs: The WXC-50 wireless streaming pre-amplifier is fitted with analog & digital outputs. There is one stereo RCA output for connecting to an analog stereo input on your AV/stereo receiver or integrated amplifier. There is one optical (toslink) digital output and one coaxial (RCA) digital output for connecting to the digital input of your AV/stereo receiver or integrated amplifier. The digital outputs support 2ch PCM audio up to 32-bit/192kHz.

USB-A Port: The Yamaha WXC-50 is equipped with a rear-panel USB-A 2.0 port that allows you to enjoy a variety of music files stored on a USB mass storage class memory device, such as a USB thumbdrive or portable digital audio player (not compatible with USB HDDs). Your USB mass storage class device must be formatted in FAT 16 or FAT32. USB portable audio devices that can be charged via USB will be charged when plugged into the AV receiver's USB port (5V/0.5A); even in standby mode. Compatible music files include:

• DSD (2.8MHz/5.6MHz)
• FLAC (up to 192kHz/24-bit)
• AIFF (up to 192kHz/24-bit)
• WAV (up to 192kHz/24-bit)
• ALAC (up to 96kHz/24-bit)
• MP3 (up to 48kHz/320kpbs)
• AAC (up to 48kHz/320kbps)
• WMA (up to 48kHz/320kbps)

Note: The receiver's USB port does not support Apple iPod/iPhone/iPad or Android smartphones/tablets.

Subwoofer Output: The WXC-50 is equipped with a mono-RCA subwoofer output for connecting a powered sub (sold separately). The subwoofer output is full-range; you will need to use a powered sub with a built-in low-pass crossover.

Wireless Streaming

MusicCast from Yamaha: MusicCast from Yamaha, brings music to every room in your home wirelessly with control provided by a free app on your Apple iOS or Android device. Designed to easily work with your existing home WiFi network, MusicCast offers access to a huge range of audio content. This content includes select online music services, Internet radio, digital music libraries, and Bluetooth audio. Yamaha AV receivers and soundbars which feature MusicCast even offer multiroom streaming of connected external sources; such as TVs, cable/satellite boxes, Blu-ray/DVD Disc players, CD/SACD players, and USB thumbdrives. MusicCast can even select terrestrial AM/FM radio stations for playback throughout the home when linked to a tuner-enabled MusicCast device (like an AV receiver). MusicCast is enabled on many 2015-up Yamaha components like their AV receivers, wireless speakers, soundbars, and other HiFi components (up to 32 MusicCast devices and 10 groups can be connected).

• Compatible Multiroom Audio Sources:
  • All MusicCast music services (including Airable by TuneIn, Pandora, Tidal, Spotify, SiriusXM, Deezer, and Napster).
  • Music libraries on your Apple iOS or Android smartphone running the MusicCast Controller app, as well as on your DLNA compliant computer, laptop, or NAS drive.
  • Bluetooth audio (SBC codec only).
  • Analog & Digital inputs.
  • A radio station from a MusiCast AV receiver's AM/FM tuner can even be distributed to multiple rooms.
• Incompatible Multiroom Audio Sources:
  • AirPlay cannot be multiroom distributed via MusicCast.

Note: Yamaha's new MusicCast system is not compatible with Yamaha's older MusicCAST system.

Wired or Wireless Network Connection: The Yamaha MusicCast WXC-50 supports both WiFi (802.11 b/g/n; 2.4GHz) and wired Ethernet (RJ-45) connections, so you can choose to build a wireless or wired network, or a combination of both if desired. An external WiFi antenna is included and must be installed for wireless operation. Network setup can be done through the free MusicCast app on your compatible Apple iOS or Android device, a USB-connected Apple iOS device (5.0+), WPS push button, or manually.

Note: If you want to install a MusicCast device to a location that is out of range of your wireless router, connect another MusicCast device to the router with a network cable to extend the range ("Extend Mode").

MusicCast App: The free MusicCast app can be downloaded for Apple (iOS 10.0+) iPod/iPhone/iPad and Android (OS 5.0+) smartphones/tablets. The MusicCast app puts control of your whole home listening experience in the palm of your hand from your Apple iOS or Android device. You'll be able to quickly select the room or rooms you want to listen to music in, select the source or sources you want to listen to, browse music content from your music library and online music services or Internet Radio, plus control music playback functions.

• Rooms: Choose which room or rooms you want to listen to music in. You can select a different source for each room, group certain rooms together for playback of the same source, or link all rooms together so the same source is played back throughout the house.
• Source Selection: From the app you can select which source or sources you want to listen to; choose from network-connected devices, select online music services, Internet Radio, Bluetooth, USB, plus analog & digital inputs for the WXC-50. You can also select a Phono input from a MusicCast compatible Yamaha AV receiver.
• Music Browsing: You can browse music libraries from your network-connected devices; like your smartphone, tablet, computer, or laptop. You can also browse music content from select online music services and search Internet Radio stations from the MusicCast app. If your MusicCast device features a USB port, you can also browse music files on your USB-connected thumbdrive.
• Playback & Song/Artist Info: From the MusicCast app on your compatible Apple iOS or Android device you get Volume Up/Down, Play/Pause, and Previous/Next Track; as well as song/artist information and album art.
• Favorites: Internet radio stations, content from select online music services, plus playlists and songs from your network-connected device's music library can be saved as "Favorites" for quick recall within the MusicCast app.
• Personalization & Customization: With the app's unique personalization features, you can choose from preloaded room images or change the color of buttons to represent each room in the home, or even take pictures of their own home and assign the images to each button. The content source buttons can also be customized to rename, remove or reorder selections for easier operation.

High Resolution Audio: MusicCast supports true high-resolution audio formats to deliver more accurate reproduction of sonic details. The MusicCast eco-system is compatible with Apple Lossless (ALAC) up to 96kHz/24-bit, as well as FLAC, AIFF and WAV music files up to 192kHz/24-bit. The WXC-50 preamplifier even supports DSD high-res audio, up to 5.6MHz. It also supports lower resolution music files like MP3, WMA, and AAC up to 48kHz.

Note: When multiple MusicCast devices are "linked" for multiroom audio playback, the Master room device's playback is at the native sampling rate (up to 192kHz/24-bit or 5.6MHz/1-bit), while the other rooms and MusicCast devices down-converted to 48kHz.

Online Music Services: The Yamaha WXC-50 preamplifier offers access to Internet Radio through built-in Airable by TuneIn; your Spotify account through Spotify Connect on your Apple iOS or Android device; and your Pandora, TIDAL, SiriusXM, Napster, or Deezer music account through Yamaha's MusicCast Controller app.

• Airable by TuneIn: You can listen to Internet radio stations using Airable by TuneIn. Search worldwide internet radio content by Genre, Language, Location, Quality, Popularity, or do a keyword search.
• Spotify Connect:Anyone with a Spotify account (whether free or premium) can enjoy the wireless freedom of streaming the Spotify app (for Apple iOS or Android) to to the MusicCast-enabled preamplifier. All files on Spotify can stream up to 320kbps, which is MP3 quality.
• Pandora: Pandora is accessible through the Yamaha MusicCast Controller app for Apple iOS & Android. Pandora is personalized radio that plays music and comedy you'll love. Just start with the name of one of your favorite artists, songs, comedians or composers and Pandora will create a custom station that plays similar tracks. You can also rate (thumbs up/thumbs down) songs as they play, and Pandora will adapt stations to your feedback. You can even bookmark stations and easily switch between favorites.
• TIDAL: Tidal is accessible through the Yamaha MusicCast Controller app for Apple iOS & Android. TIDAL is a global streaming service that offers over 30 million songs in high-fidelity CD sound quality. TIDAL has two pricing tiers; either $9.99 or $19.99 a month. Both pricing levels allow you to access TIDAL's entire music library. The $19.99 tier has the added benefit of high-fidelity sound at CD-level quality.
• SiriusXM: SiriusXM Internet Radio is accessible through the Yamaha MusicCast Controller app and lets you listen to over 120 channels of commercial-free music, talk radio, news, sports, entertainment, and more. Subscription fees will apply.
• Napster: Napster is also accessible through the Yamaha MusicCast Controller app. This streaming music subscription service (starting a $10 per month) allows you to play the full-length songs you choose on demand from a collection of over 10 million songs, without ads and without having to purchase or download the music.
• Deezer: Deezer is an online music service offering over 43 million tracks starting at $9.99 a month and is accessible through the Yamaha MusicCast Controller app. Discover the perfect playlist or make your own, as well as browse curated collections by genre.

Bluetooth Audio: The Yamaha MusicCast WXC-50 offers built-in Bluetooth (v.2.1+EDR) for wireless music streaming & control. This allows you to stream stored music and music apps on your Bluetooth-enabled Apple iPod/iPhone/iPad, Android smartphone/tablet, Windows Phone/PC, Mac computer/laptop, and more to the MusicCast pre-amplifier.

• SBC + AAC Codecs: In addition to support for the standard SBC Bluetooth audio codec, the WXC-50 pre-amp offers support of AAC. By supporting AAC, the WXC-50 offers better audio performance of the music streamed from your Apple iPod, iPhone, or iPad.
• Linked Playback Mode: With Linked Playback Mode, music streamed via Bluetooth to one MusicCast device can then be wirelessly streamed to multiple MusicCast devices for multiroom audio. Bluetooth is limited to the SBC codec during Linked Playback mode.
• Bluetooth Output: The Bluetooth Output feature allows you to wirelessly stream audio from a non-Bluetooth source of the MusicCast pre-amplifier to another Bluetooth speaker or headphones (regardless of manufacture), making it even more convenient to add the MusicCast eco-system to your existing audio gear. Bluetooth is limited to the SBC codec during "Bluetooth Output" Playback mode.

Note: Sound cannot be transmitted to Bluetooth devices that do not support SCMS-T standard.

AirPlay: AirPlay lets you stream your favorite songs directly from your Apple iOS (4.3.3+) device or from your iTunes (10.2.2+) library on your Windows PC or Mac computer to the Yamaha MusicCast WXC-50 pre-amplifier, over your home's WiFi network connection. From your Apple iOS device you are able to stream stored music and music apps on your device to the Yamaha MusicCast pre-amp. From your Windows or Mac you can stream your stored iTunes music library on your computer to the MusicCast pre-amplifier.

Note: AirPlay is not available for multiroom audio playback.

DLNA: The MusicCast WXC-50 pre-amplifier supports DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) 1.5, allowing access to DLNA-compatible Windows 7/8 computers (with Windows Media Player 11 or 12) and network attached storage (NAS devices. You'll be able to wirelessly stream the music libraries on your computer, laptop, or NAS to the Yamaha MusicCast pre-amp.

Note: Digital Rights Management (DRM) content cannot be played back.

Convenience Features

Front-Panel Controls: The WXC-50 features a rotary volume knob and three push-buttons (Power, Source, & Play/Pause) on the front-panel. Pressing any button on the front panel turns the unit on and initiates playback of the previously selected source providing quick and easy access to your favorite music.

IR Remote: The pre-amp also comes with an ultra-slim remote offering six presets, so you can quickly access your favorite Internet radio stations even when your smartphone or tablet's not handy. Remote control functions include Power, Source, Volume, Mute, Presets, Play/Pause, and Previous/Next Track.

Alexa & Google Voice Control: Alexa and Google Home enabled devices (sold separately - see Accessories Tab) are able to control key functions of Yamaha's MusicCast system using voice commands. With Alexa & Google Home voice control integration, all you have to do is ask. The MusicCast WXC-50 offers full compatibility with Amazon's and Google's range of voice control devices. Yamaha offers two Skill platforms that work hand-in-hand to give you a wide range of voice command possibilities, allowing you to control either a single MusicCast product or a whole MusicCast system. The Yamaha MusicCast WXC-50, other MusicCast components, and Alexa/Google-enabled devices must be on the same WiFi network.

• MusicCast Smart Home Skill: The MusicCast Smart Home skill supports the most common, everyday voice commands you would use to control a single MusicCast component. These basic commands include power on/off, volume control, play/pause/skip/previous, mute/unmute and input selection. This skill supports simple, Alexa and Google standardized commands such as "Alexa" or "Ok Google", "volume up in the Kitchen."
• MusicCast Skill: The MusicCast skill goes beyond the basics, giving you enhanced control of unique MusicCast functions such as room linking, multiple room control, playback of MusicCast Favorites/Playlists and more. The commands are customized for MusicCast, for example "Alexa" or "Ok Google", "ask MusicCast to link the Kitchen with the Living Room."
• Echo Source Input: In addition or alternatively, an Echo device can be used as a music/audio source for a MusicCast system. All MusicCast devices offer a Bluetooth input. Just pair your Echo device with any MusicCast component and the sound will play from the MusicCast device. Many MusicCast products also offer inputs which can be connected to Echo Dot via its line output, if a wired connection is preferred over Bluetooth. Using the MusicCast Controller app, you can select the Bluetooth or wired input and link multiple MusicCast devices for playback, allowing you to hear sound from Echo Dot throughout your home.

Notes:

• Click here for a more information regarding Amazon Alexa control. Click here for more information regarding Google Home Assistant control.
• The Google Home Digital Assistant requires an over-the-network firmware update (now available).

Trigger In/Out & Remote In: The WXC-50 is fitted a 3.5mm Trigger In and Out for linked power/on and off functionality with other components that also features a 3.5mm Trigger In/Out. By connecting an infrared receiver (sold separately) to the pre-amplifier's Remote In jack (3.5mm), you can operate the unit using the supplied remote control even if the pre-amp is stored out of sight.

Web Control: With the Web Control screen displayed in a web browser on your Windows PC or Mac computer, you can control the pre-amplifier's music playback, as well as modify various network and audio settings. Recommended web browsers include Internet Explorer 11-up and Safari 9-up.

Wireless Radio Off Switch: You can disable the pre-amp's Bluetooth wireless radio and/or WiFi wireless radio when they are not being used to reduce interference. After making the switch, be sure to disconnect the unit's power cable from the AC wall outlet and plug it in again.

Mounting Options: At only 2.0625" tall and 8.4375" wide, The WXC-50 pre-amp can be placed horizontally or vertically, allowing it to fit neatly in almost any space. Rubber feet are included for horizontal placement and plastic stands are included for vertical installation. With the feet removed, the WXC-50 is only 1.6875" high, allowing it to be placed on a rack shelf within a 1U high rack space. Two units can be placed side-by-side on a 19" wide shelf.

• Horizontal Mount: 8.4375" (w) x 2.0625" [4.875" w/ antenna] (h) x 10.5" (d)
• Vertical Mount: 3.625" (w) x 8.625" [11.5" w/ antenna] (h) x 10.5" (d)
• Rack Mount: 8.4375" (w) x 1.75" [4.625" w/ antenna] (h) x 10.5" (d)

Note: Allow ventilation space of at least 4" on the top, side, and back of the unit.

Low Power Consumption: The WXC-50 consumes less than 2W of power in standby mode. When the power is on, power consumption is still a low 5W, and even when used for long periods, power consumption is environmentally friendly.

Auto Power Standby: In addition, the Auto Power Standby feature lets you save energy by automatically turning the power off after 20 minutes, 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours, or 12 hours. This feature can also be turned off.

Memory Guard: This feature is used to prevent accidental changes to the audio & network settings.

Firmware Updates: Firmware Updates for the MusicCast WXC-50 pre-amplifier can be made through its network connection and the MusicCast app on your Apple iOS or Android device. The app will notify you when a firmware update is available.