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Price comparison

Price data powered by pricesAPI.io

Last updated at 10/06/2026 06:23:53

Please note: price history and price alerts are not available for some stores, including Amazon.com.au.
Amazon.com.au

$699.00

Yamaha WXC-50 Wireless Streaming Amplifier with MusicCast and Alexa Compatibility, Black

Free delivery

Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!

JBT Audio Visual

$479.00

Wxc-50

BG AudioVisual

$490.00

Yamaha Wireless Music Player

Free delivery

Elite Electronics

$499.00

Yamaha WXC-50 MusicCast Wireless Wi-Fi Streaming Pre-Amplifier

30-day returns

Audio Junction

$549.00

Yamaha WXC-50 Pre-Amplifier | Wireless, Online & Network Audio Receiver

eBay.com.au

$558.94

Yamaha Wxc-50 Wireless Streaming Preamplifier Dark Silver Preamp Used

Free delivery

Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!

eBay.com.au

$558.96

Yamaha Wxc-50 Wireless Streaming Preamplifier Dark Silver Preamp Used

Free delivery

Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!

eBay.com.au

$583.58

Yamaha Wxc-50 Wireless Streaming Amplifier Bluetooth Compatible

Free delivery

Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!

eBay.com.au

$671.18

Yamaha Wxc-50 Sd Wireless Streaming Preamplifier Bluetooth Musiccast

Free delivery

Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!

eBay.com.au

$757.76

Yamaha Wxc-50 Musiccast Wifi Bluetooth Airplay Streaming Network

Delivery $46.96

Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!

Price history

Price history

Please note: price history and price alerts are not available for some stores, including Amazon.com.au.

Reviews

An absolute bargain.
27 December 2017Digger2

originally posted on richersounds.com

My audio system is very high end with the cheapest interconnect worth much more than this streamer so the decision to purchase this was with some trepidation. I need not have worried. Sound quality is absolutely outstanding. Setting everything up was very easy and from box to use was less than 15 minutes. I originally connected up using interconnects to my amplifier. In direct comparison to my CD player the sound was lacking but was very enjoyable. However using the optical out to my CD players input and using it's DAC the sound is outstanding and so close to the CD (on FLAC copies) that the CD may become redundant save for very serious listening sessions. The accompanying app is very user friendly, the only omissions being that you cannot remove unused source ... MoreMy audio system is very high end with the cheapest interconnect worth much more than this streamer so the decision to purchase this was with some trepidation. I need not have worried. Sound quality is absolutely outstanding. Setting everything up was very easy and from box to use was less than 15 minutes. I originally connected up using interconnects to my amplifier. In direct comparison to my CD player the sound was lacking but was very enjoyable. However using the optical out to my CD players input and using it's DAC the sound is outstanding and so close to the CD (on FLAC copies) that the CD may become redundant save for very serious listening sessions. The accompanying app is very user friendly, the only omissions being that you cannot remove unused source options (Napster, Juke etc) and a lack of fast forward/rewind when playing from a NAS drive.I bought this for the facility to easily access and explore new music via various streaming services, be able to copy my lesser used CDs to a NAS drive and access them occasionally and to add a none critical tuner/radio to my system. It easily fulfils those remits but I never expected it to become my main source of listening. This small well made (metal) easy to use box with it's plethory of connections and access to music in a myriad of ways is highly recommended.

Enhanced Soundscape.
22 September 2019OhmSweetOhm

originally posted on richersounds.com

The Yamaha WXC50 has breathed new life, into my old school set-up.It has a plethora of connectivity options, allowing older systems to be used and simply controlled, by using the smart phone app and the inclusive remote control.It’s immensely simple to set-up and I was connected to my WiFi in a few easy steps.Using Airplay, I can listen to an array of radio stations, streamed internet services and music stored on my iPhone and MacBook Pro.Plugged into the optical input, I have a 90’s Harman/Kardon DVD player, which when switched to the PCM option, gives a clean and vibrant soundscape.The AUX-RCA input/output is a nice touch, I have plugged in a Cambridge Audio Duo pre-amp/phono stage, enhancing the sound further, from a Rega turntable.The USB has been ... MoreThe Yamaha WXC50 has breathed new life, into my old school set-up.It has a plethora of connectivity options, allowing older systems to be used and simply controlled, by using the smart phone app and the inclusive remote control.It’s immensely simple to set-up and I was connected to my WiFi in a few easy steps.Using Airplay, I can listen to an array of radio stations, streamed internet services and music stored on my iPhone and MacBook Pro.Plugged into the optical input, I have a 90’s Harman/Kardon DVD player, which when switched to the PCM option, gives a clean and vibrant soundscape.The AUX-RCA input/output is a nice touch, I have plugged in a Cambridge Audio Duo pre-amp/phono stage, enhancing the sound further, from a Rega turntable.The USB has been used to host a 128GB usb stick, loaded with Hi-Res audio files.The pre-amp output is connected to an early 1980’s, Teac Integrated Amplifier, enhancing the overall soundscape, to an entirely new level.My only minor gripe, is the iPhone app is primitive and can be slightly unstable.

Good things come in small packages...
18 August 2019jklovell

originally posted on richersounds.com

I was looking to turn my CD collection into FLAC for streaming to my Primare/Kef HiFi separates. First off I converted all my CDs using Exact Audio Copy software onto a hard disk. Once converted I started looking for something to stream them to. Once you start looking you realise there are an awful lot of solutions on the market of all price ranges. Originally I thought having a remote control was a big factor, then the more I thought about controlling it with an App the more I warmed to that idea. Next I just wanted to plug something in to the back of my amp with a phono lead. I stumbled across the Yamaha WXAD10, the cheaper sibling of the WXC50 with excellent reviews. I decided to take the plunge and was very impressed, I have a few favourite CDs that I know very ... MoreI was looking to turn my CD collection into FLAC for streaming to my Primare/Kef HiFi separates. First off I converted all my CDs using Exact Audio Copy software onto a hard disk. Once converted I started looking for something to stream them to. Once you start looking you realise there are an awful lot of solutions on the market of all price ranges. Originally I thought having a remote control was a big factor, then the more I thought about controlling it with an App the more I warmed to that idea. Next I just wanted to plug something in to the back of my amp with a phono lead. I stumbled across the Yamaha WXAD10, the cheaper sibling of the WXC50 with excellent reviews. I decided to take the plunge and was very impressed, I have a few favourite CDs that I know very well and I always use them whenever I change gear as a reference point, and I wasn't disappointed, the sound was every bit on par with my aging Primare CD player. After a few days (and many CDs) I was looking around at reviews to see how other people's opinions compared to mine and spotted the Yamaha WXC50 and liked the cut of its jib, I liked that I could plug a USB stick directly into the back, plus a few other features, so I decided to buy that as well. Surprisingly, the WXC50 was another step up in audio quality, not huge, but noticeable, and I knew I'd made the right move and sold the WXAD10. I would still highly recommend the WXAD10 if that's neared to your budget, you won't be disappointed, but if you want to go the extra mile then the WXC50 should be pretty near the top of your list, something would have to be pretty special for me to look elsewhere. Rediscovering my CDs has been a pleasure, and so easy to look for something to play using my Samsung tablet or my laptop (using the browser app). The MusicCast software works fine, if not a little tricky to first implement, but once set up you are good to go. Top notch, well done Yamaha.

Specification

Pure DirectYes
Total Harmonic Distortion (20 Hz-20 kHz)0.003 % (Pre out)
Audio In / Out1 / 1
Digital Input1 (Optical) / 1 (Optical, Coaxial)
USB InputYes

Price comparison

Updated about 9 hours ago
Please note: price history and price alerts are not available for some stores, including Amazon.com.au.
Amazon.com.au

$699.00

Yamaha WXC-50 Wireless Streaming Amplifier with MusicCast and Alexa Compatibility, Black

Free delivery

Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!

JBT Audio Visual

$479.00

Out of stock

Wxc-50

BG AudioVisual

$490.00

Out of stock

Yamaha Wireless Music Player

Free delivery

Elite Electronics

$499.00

Out of stock

Yamaha WXC-50 MusicCast Wireless Wi-Fi Streaming Pre-Amplifier

30-day returns

Audio Junction

$549.00

Out of stock

Yamaha WXC-50 Pre-Amplifier | Wireless, Online & Network Audio Receiver

Price history

Price history

Please note: price history and price alerts are not available for some stores, including Amazon.com.au.

Reviews

An absolute bargain.
27 December 2017

My audio system is very high end with the cheapest interconnect worth much more than this streamer so the decision to purchase this was with some trepidation. I need not have worried. Sound quality is absolutely outstanding. Setting everything up was very easy and from box to use was less than 15 minutes. I originally connected up using interconnects to my amplifier. In direct comparison to my CD player the sound was lacking but was very enjoyable. However using the optical out to my CD players input and using it's DAC the sound is outstanding and so close to the CD (on FLAC copies) that the CD may become redundant save for very serious listening sessions. The accompanying app is very user friendly, the only omissions being that you cannot remove unused source ... MoreMy audio system is very high end with the cheapest interconnect worth much more than this streamer so the decision to purchase this was with some trepidation. I need not have worried. Sound quality is absolutely outstanding. Setting everything up was very easy and from box to use was less than 15 minutes. I originally connected up using interconnects to my amplifier. In direct comparison to my CD player the sound was lacking but was very enjoyable. However using the optical out to my CD players input and using it's DAC the sound is outstanding and so close to the CD (on FLAC copies) that the CD may become redundant save for very serious listening sessions. The accompanying app is very user friendly, the only omissions being that you cannot remove unused source options (Napster, Juke etc) and a lack of fast forward/rewind when playing from a NAS drive.I bought this for the facility to easily access and explore new music via various streaming services, be able to copy my lesser used CDs to a NAS drive and access them occasionally and to add a none critical tuner/radio to my system. It easily fulfils those remits but I never expected it to become my main source of listening. This small well made (metal) easy to use box with it's plethory of connections and access to music in a myriad of ways is highly recommended.

Digger2 originally posted on richersounds.com
Enhanced Soundscape.
22 September 2019

The Yamaha WXC50 has breathed new life, into my old school set-up.It has a plethora of connectivity options, allowing older systems to be used and simply controlled, by using the smart phone app and the inclusive remote control.It’s immensely simple to set-up and I was connected to my WiFi in a few easy steps.Using Airplay, I can listen to an array of radio stations, streamed internet services and music stored on my iPhone and MacBook Pro.Plugged into the optical input, I have a 90’s Harman/Kardon DVD player, which when switched to the PCM option, gives a clean and vibrant soundscape.The AUX-RCA input/output is a nice touch, I have plugged in a Cambridge Audio Duo pre-amp/phono stage, enhancing the sound further, from a Rega turntable.The USB has been ... MoreThe Yamaha WXC50 has breathed new life, into my old school set-up.It has a plethora of connectivity options, allowing older systems to be used and simply controlled, by using the smart phone app and the inclusive remote control.It’s immensely simple to set-up and I was connected to my WiFi in a few easy steps.Using Airplay, I can listen to an array of radio stations, streamed internet services and music stored on my iPhone and MacBook Pro.Plugged into the optical input, I have a 90’s Harman/Kardon DVD player, which when switched to the PCM option, gives a clean and vibrant soundscape.The AUX-RCA input/output is a nice touch, I have plugged in a Cambridge Audio Duo pre-amp/phono stage, enhancing the sound further, from a Rega turntable.The USB has been used to host a 128GB usb stick, loaded with Hi-Res audio files.The pre-amp output is connected to an early 1980’s, Teac Integrated Amplifier, enhancing the overall soundscape, to an entirely new level.My only minor gripe, is the iPhone app is primitive and can be slightly unstable.

OhmSweetOhm originally posted on richersounds.com
Good things come in small packages...
18 August 2019

I was looking to turn my CD collection into FLAC for streaming to my Primare/Kef HiFi separates. First off I converted all my CDs using Exact Audio Copy software onto a hard disk. Once converted I started looking for something to stream them to. Once you start looking you realise there are an awful lot of solutions on the market of all price ranges. Originally I thought having a remote control was a big factor, then the more I thought about controlling it with an App the more I warmed to that idea. Next I just wanted to plug something in to the back of my amp with a phono lead. I stumbled across the Yamaha WXAD10, the cheaper sibling of the WXC50 with excellent reviews. I decided to take the plunge and was very impressed, I have a few favourite CDs that I know very ... MoreI was looking to turn my CD collection into FLAC for streaming to my Primare/Kef HiFi separates. First off I converted all my CDs using Exact Audio Copy software onto a hard disk. Once converted I started looking for something to stream them to. Once you start looking you realise there are an awful lot of solutions on the market of all price ranges. Originally I thought having a remote control was a big factor, then the more I thought about controlling it with an App the more I warmed to that idea. Next I just wanted to plug something in to the back of my amp with a phono lead. I stumbled across the Yamaha WXAD10, the cheaper sibling of the WXC50 with excellent reviews. I decided to take the plunge and was very impressed, I have a few favourite CDs that I know very well and I always use them whenever I change gear as a reference point, and I wasn't disappointed, the sound was every bit on par with my aging Primare CD player. After a few days (and many CDs) I was looking around at reviews to see how other people's opinions compared to mine and spotted the Yamaha WXC50 and liked the cut of its jib, I liked that I could plug a USB stick directly into the back, plus a few other features, so I decided to buy that as well. Surprisingly, the WXC50 was another step up in audio quality, not huge, but noticeable, and I knew I'd made the right move and sold the WXAD10. I would still highly recommend the WXAD10 if that's neared to your budget, you won't be disappointed, but if you want to go the extra mile then the WXC50 should be pretty near the top of your list, something would have to be pretty special for me to look elsewhere. Rediscovering my CDs has been a pleasure, and so easy to look for something to play using my Samsung tablet or my laptop (using the browser app). The MusicCast software works fine, if not a little tricky to first implement, but once set up you are good to go. Top notch, well done Yamaha.

jklovell originally posted on richersounds.com
Great networked DAC
3 October 2022

Needed a good DAC that would accept ethernet networking, and play all audio files. Not as easy to find as you might think. This unit fitted the bill, plus connects via wi-fi and USB. Works with remote control or app for phone/iPad. Brilliant piece of machinery and well-price. The team at Addicted To Audio were most helpful, not pushy, and delivered immediately. Highly recommended all round.

Michael C. originally posted on addictedtoaudio.com.au
Hidden gem!
19 March 2018

Yamaha have targeted the everyday hifi enthusiast with an incredibly generous feature set and impressive performance at a palatable price. This might not be a unit for obsessive purists who spend their days listening for differences between different file types - first and foremost it just helps you enjoy your music in as many ways and as high a quality as you would expect from something double the cost.I was struggling to find any unit (even at double or triple the price) that offers as many features as the Yamaha. Bluetooth, Airplay, WiFi streaming via Spotify Connect, a USB port for playing back files from a memory stick, optical, and phono inputs mean pretty much any analogue or digital source imaginable can be played back, and switching back and forth between ... MoreYamaha have targeted the everyday hifi enthusiast with an incredibly generous feature set and impressive performance at a palatable price. This might not be a unit for obsessive purists who spend their days listening for differences between different file types - first and foremost it just helps you enjoy your music in as many ways and as high a quality as you would expect from something double the cost.I was struggling to find any unit (even at double or triple the price) that offers as many features as the Yamaha. Bluetooth, Airplay, WiFi streaming via Spotify Connect, a USB port for playing back files from a memory stick, optical, and phono inputs mean pretty much any analogue or digital source imaginable can be played back, and switching back and forth between sources couldn't be easier thanks to the intuitive and fully featured MusicCast app, which connects in seconds to your WiFi network. In the DAC landscape, I felt I had to choose between connectivity or quality, but in terms of sheer musical enjoyment this Yamaha proves you can have both.The 'enhancer' feature for compressed music makes Spotify streams really punch above their weight, and the ability to play lossless hi-res ALAC and FLAC files over AirPlay, a wireless server, or through the USB port means you can effortlessly switch to your main music library with just a few taps on the app. There's a host of sound options like EQ, speaker type (floorstanding, standmount etc), and bass extension that some purists may sniff at, but for the majority of people who have sub-£1000 setups this Yamaha will really bring an extra sense of clarity and width to your sound that will make it hard to ever go back to the old 'smartphone and aux cable' days. The combination of decent quality DAC with simply customisable settings means my music collection is sounding better than ever and, most importantly, I'm listening to it more often. What higher praise for a piece of hifi equipment? No longer am I messing around setting up my old cabled USB DAC, linking it to my laptop and running cables across the room to my hifi - I just boot up the app, and hit play. I cannot believe that this device hasn't had more fanfare or been advertised more aggressively, but compared to the nightmare setup experience and average sound quality of Sonos, this Yamaha should be considered a game-changer. My system was always a little warm in tone, so a tiny bit of extra high-end in the EQ settings and it's like a layer of dirt has been wiped off my music. I use floorstanding B&W speakers but if you've got a smaller system the bass extension setting could be for you. Whatever your speakers and amp, I have no doubt this unit will make you fall in love with them again.One small point: anyone keen to use a USB stick to play back files (highly recommended and probably the easiest way to have full plug-and-play access to a large lossless library via the app - I leave a 128gb USB stick plugged in the back at all times) should note that it must be formatted in FAT32 to work with the WXC50.

T man originally posted on richersounds.com
Ignore it at your peril!
5 July 2018

I have had a mixed experience of this product - the first sample I bought kept losing its stream and stopping playback, and regrettably was returned to the store. But - the last firmware update appears to have resolved this issue, and - Oh boy. This is one fantastic product which is currently singing its little head off in a high-end Linn system and frankly not putting a foot wrong. The sound quality is astonishingly good for the price, and I suspect it will have some of its big-name competitors very worried indeed. Just because it is cheap to buy, doesn’t mean its performance is substandard and it should not be overlooked because of its budget price - it plays a fantastic tune with all the detail and punchy low frequency that you could want. Big smiles all round; ... MoreI have had a mixed experience of this product - the first sample I bought kept losing its stream and stopping playback, and regrettably was returned to the store. But - the last firmware update appears to have resolved this issue, and - Oh boy. This is one fantastic product which is currently singing its little head off in a high-end Linn system and frankly not putting a foot wrong. The sound quality is astonishingly good for the price, and I suspect it will have some of its big-name competitors very worried indeed. Just because it is cheap to buy, doesn’t mean its performance is substandard and it should not be overlooked because of its budget price - it plays a fantastic tune with all the detail and punchy low frequency that you could want. Big smiles all round; that’s what it’s all about! Yamaha should be congratulated for the WXC-50 and I believe they have been - it won an EISA award. It works flawlessly with their MusicCast app, and was up and running in a few minutes after finding and installing its firmware updates. Treat it to a wired ethernet connection and a good streaming source such as Tidal for a further step up in sound quality, and turn its PLL Jitter Removal to level 3 for, wait for it, ANOTHER big improvement. I also much appreciate the fact that its Wi-Fi and Bluetooth receivers can be turned off if not needed - the less stray RF interference the better. Sure, there is probably better than this - but you would need to spend a small fortune to bring about any noticeable improvement. Once again, congratulations Yamaha - ignore this at your peril.

Orbdoctor originally posted on richersounds.com
Nice way to upgrade an older stereo system.
25 April 2020

I have a Yamaha mini stereo system which I use with the WXC-50. It is about 12 years old, but I did not want to replace this system because it still works good.With the WXC-50, I can now listen to digital radio stations and use my smartphone to change stations and other functions. I can also now listen to music from my smartphone on my stereo system via Bluetooth. The wi-fi connection works fine for me (no connection problems). The WXC-50 also contains various additional inputs and outputs. I do not use most of them but its nice to know they are there if need them.The only problem is that there is no way that I know of to share the same set of digital radio stations between two MusiCast devices. I have a Yamaha MusiCast stereo receiver in another room but could ... MoreI have a Yamaha mini stereo system which I use with the WXC-50. It is about 12 years old, but I did not want to replace this system because it still works good.With the WXC-50, I can now listen to digital radio stations and use my smartphone to change stations and other functions. I can also now listen to music from my smartphone on my stereo system via Bluetooth. The wi-fi connection works fine for me (no connection problems). The WXC-50 also contains various additional inputs and outputs. I do not use most of them but its nice to know they are there if need them.The only problem is that there is no way that I know of to share the same set of digital radio stations between two MusiCast devices. I have a Yamaha MusiCast stereo receiver in another room but could not tell the Musicast software (on my phone) to use the same stations for the WXC-50 as I had programmed in for the receiver. Hopefully, Yamaha will fix this issue in a future software upgrade.

Lower East Sider originally posted on Yamaha
No 5 Ghz Wi-Fi, bad software, good sound quality
4 February 2021

If you only take one thing from this rant, CHECK THE STRENGTH / VIABILITY OF YOUR 2.4 GHZ WI-FI SIGNAL BEFORE BUYING THIS PRODUCT.A mixed bag. The hardware is pretty good, though it has one glaring problem. Sadly, there are numerous problems with the MusicCast software, too (seems to be a common trend with streaming separates).On the hardware side, the WXC50 doesn't support the 5 Ghz Wi-Fi band. I had to triple check this, as it's such a glaring & seriously limiting omission that I honestly couldn't believe it. To be clear, if your home doesn't agree with a 2.4 Ghz signal, this product won't work without extra effort/setup.I spent a few hours wondering why the WXC50 refused to detect my Wi-Fi network. After a while, I downloaded the extended manual which ... MoreIf you only take one thing from this rant, CHECK THE STRENGTH / VIABILITY OF YOUR 2.4 GHZ WI-FI SIGNAL BEFORE BUYING THIS PRODUCT.A mixed bag. The hardware is pretty good, though it has one glaring problem. Sadly, there are numerous problems with the MusicCast software, too (seems to be a common trend with streaming separates).On the hardware side, the WXC50 doesn't support the 5 Ghz Wi-Fi band. I had to triple check this, as it's such a glaring & seriously limiting omission that I honestly couldn't believe it. To be clear, if your home doesn't agree with a 2.4 Ghz signal, this product won't work without extra effort/setup.I spent a few hours wondering why the WXC50 refused to detect my Wi-Fi network. After a while, I downloaded the extended manual which clearly states that it supports 2.4 Ghz Wi-Fi only. The setup process offers very little help or advice for troubleshooting this problem. If you're not tech-savvy then you're potentially in for a bad time.Sure enough, after re-enabling the 2.4 Ghz channel my Wi-Fi SSID finally showed up during setup, but was not good enough to complete setup, let alone use the product.A quick Wi-Fi fact: Most modern-ish routers offer dual-band Wi-Fi; they simultaneously offer both a 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz Wi-Fi signal and devices seamlessly connect to the strongest signal. Every router and device I've had since ~2014 supports dual-band. Because this is largely hidden from users, there's a chance that you're in the same boat as me but won't know it.For context, my 2014 cheap-as-chips smart TV supports both bands and can easily stream 1080p quality (~3GB per hour) via the 5Ghz channel but it can't even reliably stream SD quality (~0.7GB per hour) via the 2.4Ghz channel. This is using a recent version of the BT smart hub, which has very good Wi-Fi performance relative to other ISP commodity routers.If you're like me and have your router by your master socket which is a fair distance from your connected devices, this really, really matters. It's a >4x difference in throughput for me and ultimately means that my WXC50 needs a wired Ethernet connection before it can kick a ball. I had some spare powerline adapters & Ethernet cables, so I was able to work around this problem, but jeez, it's a wireless streamer that doesn't support the predominate standard. I've been running my router(s) with the 2.4 Ghz band switched off for years and this is the first time I've encountered a device that's single band. I would strongly recommend that any prospective purchasers test their 2.4 Ghz signal strength before splashing out -- for a quick test, turn off the 5 Ghz band via your router's admin panel and see if your TV can still stream in HD.Construction is reassuringly heavy & solid. Sound quality is good. The only downside is the cheap and nasty remote which feels like an afterthought. You'll be using your phone to control it mostly, so that's not the end of the world, though.Onto the software. It's got a lot of diverse options for difference sources and that's great, but it feels distinctly grating once you start using it. Things you take for granted in other products are either hobbled or missing entirely.Firstly, I can't believe I'm writing this in 2021, but (screaming) THERE ARE NO PLAYER CONTROLS other than play/stop/prev/next. While this isn't a big problem for albums or singles, it's borderline useless for long-form content like podcasts. I started listening to an hour-long podcast (quickly found via the intuitive "internet radio -> podcast -> search" menu), but had to step out half way through. I resumed it later and it ... played from the start. And there's no way to jump to 30 minutes in. I'm ... speechless. I was using Winamp circa ~1998 and it supported seeking. How did we get here? Why do Yamaha think this is acceptable in 2021?Secondly, when playing music from a media server, there is no search functionality. I've got hundreds upon hundreds of albums, and scrolling through the list can take multiple minutes. I mainly bought the WXC50 so I can listen to my mp3s, but it's a tedious slog to find what I want. If you can use Spotify or another app to send music to the WXC50 without touching Yamaha's software, you will be a lot happier. For my use case, I'm sadly stuck with Music Cast.Thirdly, basic things like track length aren't displayed. Would you start listening to a 40 minute podcast on your 30 minute break? Given that you can't resume or seek, the answer is "probably not". Well, too bad because this information is hidden from you.Finally, on Android, the app takes over your volume control even when you background or even close it. There's no feedback that it's doing this. This ties up your device until you choose to stop playback.Overall the experience is just frustrating. Practically every aspect of the software involves friction. It doesn't do the fundamentals well.

prancing_gibbon originally posted on richersounds.com
Not up the standard of 2020
2 September 2020

I have this digital preamp hooked to A-S701 and I am not going to criticize the sound quality. It it as good as you could expect from quality DAC and AMP.Here is my criticism:I was using RaspberryPi with HIFIBerry DAC. Sound quality wise there is no difference. it cost $100 and some easy fun tinkering to put it together.It has all the functionality except the optical IN or OUT.Now, Yamaha box looks why better but it has few major flows.I have also Yamaha AMP with remote control that operates on the same IR freq so when I control the volume it affects both devices as well as the power on control. It is annoying when one device is on and other off. Remote will turn one on while turning off the other.There is a switch to turn WXC-50 from pre-amp to player only. ... MoreI have this digital preamp hooked to A-S701 and I am not going to criticize the sound quality. It it as good as you could expect from quality DAC and AMP.Here is my criticism:I was using RaspberryPi with HIFIBerry DAC. Sound quality wise there is no difference. it cost $100 and some easy fun tinkering to put it together.It has all the functionality except the optical IN or OUT.Now, Yamaha box looks why better but it has few major flows.I have also Yamaha AMP with remote control that operates on the same IR freq so when I control the volume it affects both devices as well as the power on control. It is annoying when one device is on and other off. Remote will turn one on while turning off the other.There is a switch to turn WXC-50 from pre-amp to player only. In this mode the volume level will be fixed to line-out. The down side is that you cannot control the volume through the mobile app from other room anymore.Here we are coming to the interface.The mobile app is rather poorly design but it is usable.The web app however is written by someone who didn't touch computer since 1996. Yamaha doesn't update its products.Unlike the OpenSource RaspberryPi with number of available interfaces constantly evolving.If I had to decide again on buying this pre-amp/digital player I would look for something else or stick to RaspberryPi with HiFiBerry module and Volumio for the software.

Roman originally posted on bhphotovideo.com
Yamaha MusicCast
12 February 2020

I am enjoying the music cast immensely! The main purpose for me was to wirelessly stream Bluetooth and internet radio. I noticed a bit of electronic cord interference with it located in office near a bundle of electronics such as a 2 laptops, desktop computer, stereo amplifier, CD player, 2 power strips and LED desktop lights and simply relocated it further away which others may find helpful. This eliminated the interference. Only downside is cost of Yamaha musicast speakers which is 500 or so and I used my stereo speakers. If I purchased again, I would get version with speaker outputs which is about $150 more to make it more versatile for me but that is based on my needs and may not be necessary for your needs. Again, pleased with purchase and no regrets. Nice ... MoreI am enjoying the music cast immensely! The main purpose for me was to wirelessly stream Bluetooth and internet radio. I noticed a bit of electronic cord interference with it located in office near a bundle of electronics such as a 2 laptops, desktop computer, stereo amplifier, CD player, 2 power strips and LED desktop lights and simply relocated it further away which others may find helpful. This eliminated the interference. Only downside is cost of Yamaha musicast speakers which is 500 or so and I used my stereo speakers. If I purchased again, I would get version with speaker outputs which is about $150 more to make it more versatile for me but that is based on my needs and may not be necessary for your needs. Again, pleased with purchase and no regrets. Nice quality unit, built well and heavy for a small unit which is nice! Plenty of inputs too. The version with speaker outputs would have replaced my amp and I could listen to local FM through internet which eliminates need for FM tuner.

christy12340_0 originally posted on ebay.com

Specification

Pure DirectYes
Total Harmonic Distortion (20 Hz-20 kHz)0.003 % (Pre out)
Audio In / Out1 / 1
Digital Input1 (Optical) / 1 (Optical, Coaxial)
USB InputYes

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Yamaha WXC50 MusicCast Pre-Amplifier
Yamaha WXC50 MusicCast Pre-Amplifier
Yamaha WXC50 MusicCast Pre-Amplifier
Yamaha WXC50 MusicCast Pre-Amplifier
Yamaha WXC50 MusicCast Pre-Amplifier
Yamaha WXC50 MusicCast Pre-Amplifier
Yamaha WXC50 MusicCast Pre-Amplifier
Yamaha WXC50 MusicCast Pre-Amplifier
Yamaha WXC50 MusicCast Pre-Amplifier
Yamaha WXC50 MusicCast Pre-Amplifier
Yamaha WXC50 MusicCast Pre-Amplifier
Yamaha WXC50 MusicCast Pre-Amplifier
Yamaha WXC50 MusicCast Pre-Amplifier

Yamaha WXC50 MusicCast Pre-Amplifier

$479.00

(231 reviews)

Even if your present Hi-Fi amp or AV receiver is not compatible with a network or MusicCast, simply by adding the WXC-50, you can easily enjoy network audio or MusicCast (multi-room audio). MusicCast is a new revolution in network audio, use all your MusicCast products together or separately, it’s completely up to you. Control it, all from one app, designed to be intuitive, quick and simple to use. Use a soundbar, a wireless speaker, an AV Receiver, Hi-Fi audio whichever suits you best, mix and match then expand your MusicCast system as time goes on. All new from Yamaha, the MusicCast system brings everything to everywhere for everyone. MusicCast employs a high performance wireless network to deliver music and audio enjoyment. It can stream digital music content from your smartphone, PC or NAS to other MusicCast devices in your home. It can also share the music from external devices such as a TV or Blu-ray Disc player connected to the WXC-50. Audio content from Bluetooth -connected smartphones or tablets can also be streamed to MusicCast devices in multiple rooms.

Even if your present Hi-Fi amp or AV receiver is not compatible with a network or MusicCast, simply by adding the WXC-50, you can easily enjoy network audio or MusicCast (multi-room audio). MusicCast is a new revolution in network audio, use all your MusicCast products together or separately, it’s completely up to you. Control it, all from one app, designed to be intuitive, quick and simple to use. Use a soundbar, a wireless speaker, an AV Receiver, Hi-Fi audio whichever suits you best, mix and match then expand your MusicCast system as time goes on. All new from Yamaha, the MusicCast system brings everything to everywhere for everyone. MusicCast employs a high performance wireless network to deliver music and audio enjoyment. It can stream digital music content from your smartphone, PC or NAS to other MusicCast devices in your home. It can also share the music from external devices such as a TV or Blu-ray Disc player connected to the WXC-50. Audio content from Bluetooth -connected smartphones or tablets can also be streamed to MusicCast devices in multiple rooms.

Yamaha WXC50 MusicCast Pre-Amplifier

(231 reviews)

Even if your present Hi-Fi amp or AV receiver is not compatible with a network or MusicCast, simply by adding the WXC-50, you can easily enjoy network audio or MusicCast (multi-room audio). MusicCast is a new revolution in network audio, use all your MusicCast products together or separately, it’s completely up to you. Control it, all from one app, designed to be intuitive, quick and simple to use. Use a soundbar, a wireless speaker, an AV Receiver, Hi-Fi audio whichever suits you best, mix and match then expand your MusicCast system as time goes on. All new from Yamaha, the MusicCast system brings everything to everywhere for everyone. MusicCast employs a high performance wireless network to deliver music and audio enjoyment. It can stream digital music content from your smartphone, PC or NAS to other MusicCast devices in your home. It can also share the music from external devices such as a TV or Blu-ray Disc player connected to the WXC-50. Audio content from Bluetooth -connected smartphones or tablets can also be streamed to MusicCast devices in multiple rooms.

Even if your present Hi-Fi amp or AV receiver is not compatible with a network or MusicCast, simply by adding the WXC-50, you can easily enjoy network audio or MusicCast (multi-room audio). MusicCast is a new revolution in network audio, use all your MusicCast products together or separately, it’s completely up to you. Control it, all from one app, designed to be intuitive, quick and simple to use. Use a soundbar, a wireless speaker, an AV Receiver, Hi-Fi audio whichever suits you best, mix and match then expand your MusicCast system as time goes on. All new from Yamaha, the MusicCast system brings everything to everywhere for everyone. MusicCast employs a high performance wireless network to deliver music and audio enjoyment. It can stream digital music content from your smartphone, PC or NAS to other MusicCast devices in your home. It can also share the music from external devices such as a TV or Blu-ray Disc player connected to the WXC-50. Audio content from Bluetooth -connected smartphones or tablets can also be streamed to MusicCast devices in multiple rooms.

$479.00 - $2,903.00

in 16 offers

The lowest price for Yamaha WXC50 MusicCast Pre-Amplifier right now is $479.00 at JBT Audio Visual, compared across 10 retailers.

The all-time low was $436.33 on 8 Mar 2026 — today's price is 10% above the lowest ever. That's a little above the best price we've seen.

Prices last updated 10 June 2026.