YamahaR-N800A Network Receiver with Phono and Built-in DAC, Black

For a new music room in my basement, I shopped for an integrated amp, speakers, and a subwoofer. At first, I purchased Focal Theva #1 speakers along with Marantz PM700N amp and Klipsch 12" subwoofer.Focal speakers sounded a bit too light through Marantz amp, and didn't gel well with the subwoofer. Somehow the midrange sounded hollow. Since the Marantz amp was defective anyway (only playing CD channel properly), I promptly returned it, and opted in for the Yahama amp.When I hooked up the Focal speakers to this Yahama integrated amp, a whole new world of sound just opened up for me.Here are the pros and cons of the Yamaha R-N800A amplifier.Pros:* It sounds incredibly clean. Focal speakers deliver amazingly clean sound to begin with, so the result is just out of this world.* Paired with the Focal speakers, the soundsacpe becomes exteremly vast, and the soud separation is very efficient. It is as if every instrument sits in its respective position in a 3D space.* At 100W per channel, it is powerful enough to shake the room. I put on 12" Klipsch subwoofer, and it has no trouble driving the whole system in a balanced way.* I constantly play my old CDs now, as CD channel provides the best sound. I hooked up a Cambridge Audio CD player.* It is very convenient to have many network connections in one package. I find ApplePlay provides the best sound when playing through my phone (rather than using Bluetooth).* Phone app is easy to install and intuitive to operate, providing many set up and music playing options.* YPAO set up is easy, and it correctly measured the speaker distances within inches.* Remote control is light and efficiently designed. But it gives cheap plastic feeling.Cons:* Provided phono channel isn't up to par at all. So, I installed a separate phono pre-amp from Campbridge Audio, and it sounds wonderful now.* YPAO sound adjustment provides slightly improved left-right balance, but through it, "something" gets lost. I repeatedly felt that "YPAO Off" mode provides fuller and more original sound. If you are compelled to use YPAO to listen to music at a low volume at night, turn off the YPAO EQ switch, which muddies the sound even more. At a loud volime, I just turn the YPAO off.* Be careful when jumping from turntable to CD, as required volume levels are quite different.* I think bass, treble, and balance control knobs could have looked better in a circular form. I almost didn't purchase this product because of it. (I bought a black one, so it doesn't visibly bother me that much.)I strongly recommend this amplifier for anyone who is looking for a great network amplifier around $1,000. It will sound like you paid a lot more for it.

This is a great all-in-one Yamaha integrated receiver with built-in streaming included. No need to purchase and add an additional streaming device. I purchased it during a sale period, which made it an even greater value. Remember, this is strictly a 2 channel receiver, with the capability of adding a powered sub to make it a 2.1 channel HiFi stereo setup. I've owned this unit now for a few months and very happy with it. It has been working flawlessly for me and sounds great. I feel that the build quality is top notch as well. Do not mistake this for an AVR, with multi-channel setup, as some folks have. If you're looking to put together a simple 2 channel HiFi stereo setup only, this Yamaha integrated receiver will do it for you inexpensively.

50 years audio professional and I have always liked ( Not Loved ) the quality features and musicality of Yamaha. This piece is no exception. Musicast is well designed and does a nice job. Connectiviy to my iPhone allows me to play the music in my phone's library. Sonos won't permit that kind of behavior so good job Yamaha. This is why I am using this receiver instead of Sonos. No damn firmware updates every week or so, much more flexibility on inputs, class AB instead of class D which is brittle sound sometimes.Pretty good power out and it is clean although a bit dry and constrained on the bass. Overall very musical but soundstage and imaging are not strong points. Not having my old Luxman or some of the other old school beasts sitting around I won't pretend to be able to offer a comparison.My set up is a pair of the Original Cerwin Vega 36 R's, a Panasonic DMP500 BDT blueray, an Apple TV and a first gen Xbox. So TV (a new Samsung 75) is the source selector and output is optical so the Yamaha handle DAC functions except the Panasonic bluray which is too excellent to not make use of and yes you can hear the difference.With some speakers and music sources, not an issue.CONS Remote wants careful aiming, the stupid little display is useless but cute, bass is a bit constrained and imaging is only soso.

I’ll keep this review short and to the point. This is one impressive unit. The minute I got it all connected and set up properly, gorgeous, accurate sound came pouring out of my NHT speakers. I was literally shocked at just how good it sounded compared to the receiver it was replacing. A few tweaks, and it was just entrancing to listen to. If you’re looking for a 2.1 channel system, this may be all you ever need to get an outstanding musical experience.One thing I see missing in most of the reviews here is that this unit contains a built-in DAC (digital-to-analog converter) accessible via a USB port in the back panel of the receiver. Why care? Well, if you have a large music library ripped to your computer, you can simply run a USB cable from your computer into the DAC port on the Yamaha and you’ll be treated with some truly incredible sound (set the receiver to "USB DAC" mode using the mode dial or the remote control to hear the sound). My library is in Apple Music on a Mac Mini M4, and I was truly surprised at just how good the music sounded over this configuration. A 20-ft USB cable costs about $11, but brings to life this overlooked functionality on this truly impressive unit.Do your research, and you may just find yourself picking up this device. I’m very glad I did, and just wanted to share my experience with it. Happy listening!