YAMAHAR-N800A Network Receiver with Phono and Built-in DAC, Silver

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.

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!

This unit's crisp, clean power came through beautifully on Martin Logan electrostatics (though those speakers have a sweet spot that you need a detective to find). The YPAO mic helped readjust the balance in my living room. Rated at 100W/channel, the receiver has more than enough to drive the 6-ohm speakers. I use a Denon MC cartridge with a step-up amp as the receiver is made for MM cartridges. I had to crank up the volume, but the receiver handled it well. Getting the MusicCast app to work was a challenge, but eventually, I figured it out.Now, here's the problem. I ran the receiver for a solid 3 hours. Suddenly, it quit as if going into "protect" mode though nothing on the receiver flashed. The power light stayed lit, but no power came through. I turned the unit off then on and power resumed. The next day I left the receiver and tuner running at a low volume overnight. The following morning, I came downstairs to the same problem. The unit light was lit but the power had cut out sometime overnight. I spoke with an expert on this unit. He said that should NOT happen. Luckily, I made it under the 30-day Amazon return program and returned the unit. I plan to buy this Yamaha receiver again, delighted except for the above-mentioned issue. I want to give this receiver 5 stars and will reassess my rating when I purchase the new RN-800A receiver and put it through the test. I have not read other reviewers mention this problem. I'm hoping this problem is an anomaly. Nevertheless, I recommend checking this issue before the 30-day return policy expires.

The Yamaha R-N800A is a great stereo receiver that does everything that I want. I used an optical audio cable to connect it to my TV and the sound is really good. But I primarily bought this 100 watt baby to play my old vinyl record collection and cassette tape collection. Wow! Best sound ever over my 25 year old analog speakers!!!What I didn’t expect was that it played Amazon Music, Pandora and Sirius XM via Wi-Fi flawlessly and I control everything on the Yamaha MusicCast app on my iPhone. The sound is incredible and we can listen to music for hours uninterrupted!This is by far the best receiver I have ever owned and being in my 60’s, it might be the last. A good receiver should last 20 years or more. I really love it and the silver color looks so shiny and hi tech.