Article: The Audio Value Proposition Special Topic: Downsize To Upgrade

[Bill_G]

I can and have put together a verified nice system - verified as its had a performance analysis run on nearly all the components and they all perform well  - for under a $1,000USD. Just add an inexpensive computer, with storage and WiFi, and away you go... 

Yamaha WXA-50 for <$500USD:

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-yamaha-wxa-50-streaming-amp.7964/

Infinity Reference 162's, which can frequently found on sale for ~$250USD:

https://www.harmanaudio.com/R162BK.html

Infinity Reference SUB R10, which is frequently on sale for <$200USD:

https://www.harmanaudio.com/infinity/REFERENCE+SUB+R10.html?dwvar_REFERENCE SUB R10_color=Black-USA-Current#q=SUB&start=1

https://www.soundandvision.com/content/infinity-reference-r162-speaker-system


 

[Bill_G]

34 minutes ago, bluesman said:

A headphone amp is the only potentially serious design omission I see - but that's workable, e.g. drive a headphone amp from the line out jacks. 

Yeah, the lack of a headphone jack, and USB input from a computer, I found a bit odd as well. However, as you say, there are work-arounds: analog input from a computer (provided it's clean enough) or even a USB to Optical converter, and I see Yamaha has a Windows version of the MusicCast application, would solve the direct connection to PC issue. 

I'm glad you enjoyed my input on the topic... 

[Bill_G]

7 hours ago, bluesman said:

According to the "specs" page on the Yamaha product site for the WXA-50, there is a usable USB input. 

 

 

That input is for USB storage devices only, though... 😉

 

As for headphones, most smart devices are more than adequate for driving those these days when using the MusicCast app on them. 

[Bill_G]

7 minutes ago, bluesman said:

Interesting - Yamaha’s description and placement of it adjacent to the other inputs in the spec list is really misleading.

It's mentioned in the manual for it's for storage devices, and to not connect a computer to it. 

As for why they didn't choose to allow computer input is beyond me, since it would have been rather simple to route the input to the DAC via some inexpensive USB Controller within the amp...