Review on 🔊 Yamaha WXA-50 MusicCast Wireless Amplifier for Streaming by Sarah Salinas

I don't usually write reviews, but this amp met my special needs so well that I want to give my satisfaction by "voting" that similar products remain available. I've recently started venturing into entry-level "audiophile" territory - first with a pair of Pioneer SP-FS52s; and now the KEF Q350 - so I was looking for an amp that would allow me to get the most out of my speakers and act as a hub for my audio/video activities. I'm happy to report that the WXA-50 fits the bill perfectly. I found out about this amp and its overall good quality thanks to amirim's "Yamaha WXA-50 Streaming Amplifier Review and Measurements" on the Audio Science Review forums. His data showed low distortion at nominal amplifier output with AirPlay and analog inputs. Extrapolated from other information in the thread and online, it seemed likely that the DACs used for optical and bluetooth input would also deliver good quality. I was also interested to know that the "boosting" part of this device is an ICEpower module: they seem to be well appreciated and can be found in other quality products from companies like B&W. The amplifier is also equipped with a line output and a subwoofer output. Having run the amp for a few months I am still satisfied with the sound quality and general features. Even when using my speakers at high volume, I haven't noticed any distortion or noise; and the amp allows me to route the following inputs and fulfill all my typical use cases: - Optical, to play content on my video device - AirPlay, to play music through my Apple devices - Coaxial, to play CDs through my Blu-ray player (which I get from Schiit Audio with the Line-In WXA 50 and Modi DAC). Bluetooth, for guests and in case I leave the Apple ecosystem in the future. And, even better, each input can be selected directly. Remote control, making it easy to combine all of your audio/video controls into a single remote or app via the Logitech Harmony platform. 'Amp. While I rarely use the Music Cast app, it connected the amp to my wireless network with ease, and between the app and the browser-based interface, I'm happy with the variety of options they offer. I like that the basic sound settings for left/right channel balance, subwoofer volume, treble/middle/bass balance, etc. can be adjusted via both portals and, above all, that the amplifier works in a "direct" mode can be operated to bypass the equalizer settings. for pure sound. Sleep/auto-off time, volume up/down granularity (I like that it's a push button control on the remote and there are often too many or too few of them), LED brightness, and more also be adjusted. The device is also equipped with wired "remote" input and output ports that you can use to turn on the device or trigger other components to turn on. Last but not least, great build quality with a solid metal body that doubles as a heatsink (haven't heard the fan kick in yet). While the volume knob feels a bit wobbly, I rarely touch it. Overall great packaging. I thought it was a bit pricey when I bought it, but it continues to fulfill me. Still, I would buy again.