Yamaha WXC-50 Wireless Streaming Preamplifier

Yamaha WXC-50 Streaming Preamplifier

The Yamaha WXC-50 is a compact MusicCast streaming preamplifier that adds network music to any amplifier, receiver or pair of powered speakers — and turns a non-MusicCast system into part of a Yamaha MusicCast multiroom setup. It streams over Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet from music services, internet radio, a NAS or computer (DLNA 1.5), USB storage, Bluetooth devices and Apple AirPlay, all controlled from the MusicCast app. High-resolution playback covers FLAC, WAV and AIFF up to 192 kHz/24-bit and DSD up to 5.6 MHz, alongside MP3, WMA, MPEG-4 AAC and ALAC.

The audio figures are proper hi-fi. Total harmonic distortion is 0.003% at the pre-out, and the signal-to-noise ratio is 112 dB on the network, USB, optical and Bluetooth inputs. A 48-bit digital volume control gives fine, high-resolution level adjustment, and Pure Direct mode is available for the cleanest signal path. Player mode switches off the preamp function entirely if you want the WXC-50 as a fixed-output network player feeding another preamp or processor.

Key Features

• MusicCast streaming preamplifier for any amp, receiver or powered speakers
• Hi-res audio: FLAC/WAV/AIFF 192 kHz/24-bit, DSD up to 5.6 MHz
• Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth (SBC/AAC), AirPlay and DLNA 1.5
• Pre-out, subwoofer out, optical and coaxial digital outputs
• Optical input and analogue RCA input for TV or other sources; USB input
• 48-bit digital volume control; Pure Direct; Player mode
• Trigger in/out and remote in for system integration
• Compact 215 mm-wide body, horizontal or vertical placement, 1U-friendly

Integration with Yamaha amplifiers

Connected to a Yamaha hi-fi amplifier’s MAIN IN and trigger terminals, the WXC-50 can switch the amplifier’s system power and control its volume from the MusicCast app — the older amplifier effectively becomes app-controlled. The 12V trigger in/out and remote in connections also suit custom-install racks, and a wireless-off switch lets installers disable the radios for wired-only installations. One-push play means pressing any front-panel button powers the unit up and resumes the last source.

Efficiency and format notes

Power consumption is 5W in use and 1.8W in standby, with an Auto Power Standby function that can shut the unit down after 2, 4, 8 or 12 hours of inactivity. The aluminium-face, dark silver chassis measures 215 mm wide and weighs 1.44 kg; it fits half a 1U rack width and can stand vertically where shelf depth is tight.

Where it fits

The WXC-50 is for owners of good amplifiers without streaming, and for MusicCast households adding a legacy hi-fi system as another room. It is equally at home feeding powered speakers on a desk, where its preamp output and volume control replace a separate preamplifier, or hidden in an installation rack, where its trigger connections let it wake and sleep with the rest of the system. Full technical specifications are listed in the Additional Information tab on this page.