Yamaha MusicCast 1000 Digital Music Server & Client Review

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Yamaha MusicCAST MCX-1000 Server

Yamaha MusicCAST MCX-1000 Server

Summary

  • Product Name: MusicCAST MCX-100 Server and MCX-A10 Client
  • Manufacturer: Yamaha
  • Performance Rating: StarStarStarStar
  • Value Rating: StarStar
  • Review Date: September 29, 2003 20:00
  • MSRP: $ 2200
Specifications

MCX-1000 Server
80GB hard drive
500 CDs in 320kbps MP3
100 CDs in PCM
8x/4x CD-R/RW drive
Optical/coax SPDIF I/O
Analogue stereo I/O
LCD Display / GUI
Gracenote CDDB
OSD via S-video/composite
PS/2 Port
Headphone jack
RS-232 Port
IEEE 802.11b wireless
10/100 CAT-5 link
IR remote
17.125" x 4.75" x 15.625"
24.2 lbs
MSRP $2200

MCX-A10 Client
Analogue stereo I/O
Mono Sub output (full range)
Speaker outputs (20WPC)
PCM stream playback
MP3 stream playback
LCD Display
OSD via composite out
IEEE 802.11b wireless
10/100 CAT-5 link
IR remote
8.25" x 8.25" x 3.125"
4.4 lbs
MSRP $600

MCX-SP10 Speakers
Aesthetically Matching
17WPC
Bass Reflex
Wall Mountable
8.25" x 8.25" x 3.125"
2.6 lbs
MSRP $120/pair




Pros

  • Excellent PCM audio fidelity
  • CD jukebox replacement
  • Simple setup
  • Works with existing wireless networks

Cons

  • Pricey
  • CD burning only works with more expensive audio CD-Rs, not data CD-Rs

Introduction

When Yamaha offered us the opportunity to review their new MusicCAST Digital Audio server and client system, I jumped on the opportunity. Having built a home theater PC and having been a fan of MP3 audio as a storage mechanism and playback format, Yamaha's solution of an easy-to-use set top MP3 and PCM audio server seemed a timely solution. It might, I thought, even be an evolutionary step into the world of CD audio archival and playback. It is no big surprise that the falling prices of hard disks and increasing processor speed would make CD archival and playback a viable format, but with regards to the masses, an easy-to-use solution would be necessary.

 

 

 
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