Yamaha R-N803D Network Receiver Review & Comments

Thank you, that was an interesting review for me as an owner of a R-N602. As indicated elsewhere I am not sure if it is worth upgrading this to the R-N803, as to whether I will notice any significant sound improvements. I know I could listen to one at my dealers but this is never quite the same. I am also wondering if the separates route with a A-S801 linked to an NP-S303 with produce more of an upgrade even if at around £350 extra. I guess like many I suffer from upgraditis and I have had the 602 for two years now, the other alternative is to stay as I am as the 602 came with a four year warranty.
 
The AS801 sounds marginally better than the RN803 to me...
BUT, both are significant upgrades over the RN602.
 
It's good to see Yamaha are returning to their orange displays - much prefer this over the white displays.
 
Interesting product!

Throws that cat among the pigeons. I've been looking at a few Yamaha 2 channel options. AS701/AS801 and the AS1100. Obv the AS1100 is better, but the Audioholics reviews and my much maligned wallet swung me towards the 801. Then I read the difference between the 701 and 801 wasn't that great, and the 701 is a few hundred cheaper...

Now this gets a decent write up with similar performance to the AS801?

Right now I use my AVR for 2 channel duties as well, so any of the above will be a step up. I do use Spotify for all my music needs, so this might be the smarter choice.
 
a-s1100 is an audiophile amp weighting a ton while a-s701/801 are lightweight consumer amps

in your feet I'd save money and get an a-s1100 + wxc-50 and forget about amps forever

I do have a pair of gold200 driven by an a-s1100 + wxc-50 in a 15 square meters room size
and they sound amazing
 
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It's good to see Yamaha are returning to their orange displays - much prefer this over the white displays.

Sorry to disappoint - but the display is very much green as per all other current model Yamaha amps.

in your feet I'd save money and get an a-s1100 + wxc-50 and forget about amps forever

Agreed - connect a WXC50 to the main in's, add a 3.5mm mono to 3.5mm mono cable and it's a connected powerhouse.
 
I'll have to ponder this a while.

The AS1100 is a lot cheaper your side of the channel. Here I'm looking at 1700 shipped (in my limited searching), plus another 450 on top for the streamer. That's 2.1k to drive 600 euro speakers. I might see if I can find a UK source that ships..

I will be upgrading my Focal 726 to Focal 926 (2k euro), but it'll take a while to get the funds together. The Focal 926 would benefit from the better amp obv.

I could buy the AS801/N803D right now, and have my need for instant gratification satisfied. It would suit my equipment better, but probably be a regret later down the road.

My morning coffee rambling done :)
 
I got my a-s1100 for about 1000 euro on a special offer exactly how peter tyson offered it some time ago at £899, while wxc50 cost me around 350 euro, so I spent a lot less than what you calculated ;)
 
Sorry to disappoint - but the display is very much green as per all other current model Yamaha amps.



Agreed - connect a WXC50 to the main in's, add a 3.5mm mono to 3.5mm mono cable and it's a connected powerhouse.

Oh, it looks orange in the review pictures... maybe my iffy eyesight!
 
I got my a-s1100 for about 1000 euro on a special offer exactly how peter tyson offered it some time ago at £899, while wxc50 cost me around 350 euro, so I spent a lot less than what you calculated ;)

When/where for 1k? That's a hefty discount.
 
When/where for 1k? That's a hefty discount.

not long ago, it was during last spring/summer 2016
@BlueWizard wrote about that Peter Tyson's offer on a-s1100
and a link of that offer right in this forum, IIRC.

here you are :)

Stereo Amplifier Suggestions

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I found a very good deal on the Yamaha AS1100. In searching, I found this amp selling for as high as £1400, however, Peter Tyson has it for £899. That's a pretty nice price on one of Yamaha's Higher End Amps.

Yamaha AS1100 Integrated, 90w/ch, no DAC, High Quality - £899 -


Peter Tyson - Yamaha A-S1100
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Did they do international shipping for you?
 
Ordered this afternoon through Peter Tyson for £580, should be here Saturday.

Will need to try and sell the N500/1 now.
 
Did they do international shipping for you?

I got my a-s1100 locally (I'm not in UK) and picked it personally since it was a special offer for the last piece in shop and for about 1000 euro only .
 
McCol so what is the verdict! Peter Tyson redeemed themselves by answering my questions, but to be honest they know little or nothing about Yamaha, the shop in Newcastle specialises in Naim/Linn/Arcam with a bit of Marantz. Suggested I order on line and then return under distance selling if I did not think the sound was an improvement which I am going to do. I am taking a bigger leap though and going to audition a AS1110 Amp with a NP-S303 Streamer, sadly the amp was not £899 anymore but could not find it any cheaper than Peter Tyson.
 
Can you guys name a few similar products e.g. Onkyo TX-8270, do you have experiences with any of these?
 
Similar to RN803? I suppose the Denon Ceol N10, Marantz make an all in one as well I believe.
No, the CEOL N10 is really a mini all in one system without the power output or room correction facility of the Yamaha. Only the Onkyo TX-8270 seems to have a similar specification but without the room correction. Other amps with room correction seem to be at a higher price point.
 
The rn602 is a slightly lower spec version of the rn803 minus the room correction. It's quite a bit cheaper too.
 
The rn602 is a slightly lower spec version of the rn803 minus the room correction. It's quite a bit cheaper too.

Actually in my view, the most important additional feature in the RN803 is Full Bass Management. That makes integrating a Subwoofer into the system very easy. I'm only so-so on Room EQ.

Just a thought.

Steve/bluewizard
 

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