Yamaha MusicCAST2 Preview

We've reviewed the Yamaha MusicCAST offerings in the past and have found them to be good preforming if a bit on the expensive side. Also, other competitors like Sonos have offered more flexibility at a more reasonable price. One thing that had been a boon for Sonos and a bust for the MusicCAST was the remote. All your information and controls were on the Sonos remote while you were required to use an on screen display for the MusicCAST. No more.

The new MusicCAST2 (or squared, it looks like squared from the graphics) introduces a completely new MusicCAST system redesigned from the ground up. The system consists of three different products, the MCX-RC100 Network Music Commander remote, the MCX-P200 Pre-amp Network Music Player, and the MCX-A300 Amplified Network Music Player. In order to have a functioning zone, you'll need at least the remote (MSRP $500) and one for the players (both priced at $400). The system supports up to 32 rooms (which is about 28 more than most of us will need) and works on a WiFi signal. This is one of the immediate missed opportunities we saw with the new MusicCAST2 was that they operate on the 802.11b/g rather than 802.11n. This would have given the MusicCAST2 a step up on the Sonos g connection.

While $500 seems like a lot for the MCX-RC100 Network Music Commander remote, let's look at what you get for that. The remote has a 3.5" LCD screen and a trackpad along with a number of predefined buttons. Play, skip forward/back, volume and mute controls, and zone functions are all present. The LCD screen can display an icon based menu system, album art, and more. There are also three buttons under the bottom of the LCD screen whose functions change based on what menu you are in (the labels appear on the screen). It controls all the MusicCAST controllers through the WiFi connection so line of sight is not necessary. On top of that, if you have a newer WiFi enabled Yamaha receiver (RX-Z7 or RX-V3900 - look for more in future models), the remote is pre-programed to control those products as well. In fact, the MCX-RC100 is stuffed full of remote codes so that you can control your existing components. While there is no indication that there are macro or universal remote functions, the MCX-P200 players do have IR blaster functions which is how MusicCAST2 system controls other components rather than through IR control from the remote. The P200 only has three IR outputs which might be too limited number of devices for some users.

The styling of the new MusicCAST2 system is surely intriguing. The players have a sort of "X" look to them sort of like the markings on a black widow spider. The black color of the units certainly separate them from their main competition (the white Sonos) and the overall look is much more serious. The MCX-A300 and MCX-P200 share a price tag and many of the playing functions but different fairly significantly otherwise. The A300 has internal amplifiers and is designed to be a standalone unit connected to speakers. This is the unit for a bedroom, kitchen, or other room that is looking for music but little else. The P200 is a preamp so it lacks amplifiers completely. It does have analogue outputs for amps (both units have a subwoofer output for additional bass) and has the 3 IR outputs for controlling other devices. The IR functions are probably designed to turn on a receiver/amplifier for playback when you are out of the room (think of an set of external speakers powered by a receiver in the home theater) rather than as a universal remote.

MCX-P200	MCX-A300

The MusicCAST2 system gives you access to up to 16 different computers for streaming content along with a connection for an iPod dock (not included) and a USB connection. What is missing is analogue inputs to accept music from a connected CD/DVD player - something we liked on the Sonos but not a fatal omission. This gives you access to music without having to burn it to your computer. There are all your standard functionalities here including Rhapsody, Internet radio, or tracks stored on your Mac, PC, USB sticks,  and Bluetooth devices (with additional BlueTooth receiver). iTunes support is enabled via a bundled TwonkyMedia. File support includes MP3, WMA (no lossless or PRO), AAC (no Apple lossless or FairPlay DRM), FLAC and WAV audio files. We'd like to see at lest Apple lossless though we're happy to see uncompressed WAV and lossless FLAC included.

Conclusion

Yamaha has taken a bold step with the MusicCAST2 - They've completely redesigned their system from the ground up. You will in no way be able to confuse the previous incarnations of the MusicCAST with this current one. Sure, it looks and plays much like its competition, but it doesn't seem to be doing anything wrong. The aesthetics are different, the pricing is similar, and the functionality is expanded. We look forward to getting on of these systems in for test and direct comparison with their competition (since we've experienced nearly everyone else out there).

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Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.