Yamaha R-N2000A Network Receiver – First Look

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All Image Credit: Yamaha

For those whose budget cannot quite stretch to the Yamaha flagship audiophile 5000 series pre/power amp combo, the Yamaha R-N2000A is a more affordable option. This next-generation network Hi-Fi receiver is compatible with lossless and high-resolution music sources, includes an audiophile ESS SABER ES9026PRO DAC and supports streaming services. It offers an impressive number of wired and wireless options for connecting to your favorite sources and it has a built-in FM tuner for listening to your favorite radio stations. A large toroidal transformer delivers 190 watts per channel into 4-ohms, so it can drive a wide variety of speakers. The R-N2000A also includes the Yamaha Parametric Room Acoustic Optimizer (YPAO), to create an optimized room listening environment.

The R-N2000A features a sleek front plate with vintage-look analog VU meters and easy-to-use knobs and switches. Information such as source selection, radio station frequency and more is displayed on the hi-res OLED digital screen built into the bottom of the faceplate. With the receiver’s sturdy chassis standing on four vibration-resistant silver-plated brass feet.

Yamaha have applied a number of important engineering approaches in order to improve the technical performance of this amplifier, to include; a toroidal power supply, oversized conductors, symmetrical layouts, floating grounds, large heatsinks and a highly rigid construction to reduce the effects of mechanical vibrations.

Yamaha says that the R-N2000A borrows heavily from the engineering of the flagship 5000 Series, including the perfectly symmetrical left/right circuitry and a floating, balanced power amplifier that is claimed to offer superior channel separation and signal-to-noise performance. The amp delivers 90 watts per channel into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.07% THD, both channels driven, and 145 watts per channel into 4 ohms, both channels driven.

The R-N2000A has a DAC section built around the state-of-the-art ESS SABRE ES9026PRO digital-to-analog converter, which together with the benefits from an ultra-precision dedicated crystal clock allows you to take full advantage of high-res audio sources. Digital connectivity is available via the dual optical and single coaxial inputs and there is a type B USB input allowing the R-N2000A to connect to a PC/Mac, USB-based audio device and music servers. This USB input supports PCM playback up to 384kHz and DSD 11.2MHz native playback. There’s also an HDMI ARC input that provides direct connection to a compatible TV/AV system to deliver a 2-channel or 2.1-channel home theater experience.

Analog input connectivity is supported by three pairs of line-level stereo RCA inputs and a dedicated MM phono input, plus there are line-level RCA outputs for adding a powered subwoofer and a preamp output for driving a separate power amp. An F type connector supports the FM radio antenna while speaker connectivity is provided by two pairs of switchable high quality brass binding posts.

In addition to supporting the above wired sources, the built-in DAC can be used to enjoy a suite of Yamaha MusicCast streaming services that use the built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Ethernet for streaming from a computer or other device. These services include:

• Streaming music from a networked PC, free internet radio and music services
• Two-way Bluetooth supports streaming music from compatible sources and to compatible speakers or headphones
• Apple AirPlay 2 lets you stream directly from an iPhone or iPad and ask Siri to play Apple Music
• MusicCast provides access to popular streaming services like Qobuz, Amazon Music HD, TIDAL, Spotify and more. There is a free MusicCast app available for Apple and Android™ devices.

The R-N2000A is equipped with both Yamaha Parametric Room Acoustic Optimizer (YPAO) and Reflected Sound Control (YPAO RSC). The YPAO proprietary automatic calibration technology corrects for differences in room acoustics to create what Yamaha says is “the perfect listening environment”. The EQ system is said to perform high-precision equalization with 64bit /192 KHz audio resolution and has been optimized for the R-N2000A, promising to create professional quality results without requiring significant manual intervention. The YPAO RSC function is said to “accurately control(s) the important early reflection sounds, automatically adjusting and optimizing how the sound is heard in your room, depending on the materials of the walls and the speaker placement.”

Technical Specifications:

• Network section:
  • Supported File Formats: MP3, WMA, MPEG-4 AAC, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD
  • Wi-Fi
  • Bluetooth: (SBC / AAC)
  • AirPlay
  • Ethernet port for wired network connection
• Maximum Power (4 ohms, 1kHz, 0.7% THD, for Europe):  190 W + 190 W
• Maximum Power (8 ohms, 1 kHz, 10% THD): 120 W + 120 W
• Rated Output Power: [20 Hz-20 kHz 0.07 % THD] 90 W+90 W (8 ohms) 145 W + 145 W (4 ohms)
• High Dynamic Power/Channel (8/6/4/2 ohms): 100 / 130 / 185 / 215 W
• Frequency Response: 5 Hz-100 kHz +0/-3 dB, 20-20 kH +0,-0.3 dB (Pure Direct ON)
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio (CD): 110 dB (Pure Direct ON)
• Audio In/Out: Phono (MM), CD, line 1, line 2 (unbalanced RCA)
• Digital Input:  Optical 1, Optical 2, Coaxial
• USB Type-B port for streaming music files from a compatible computer (up to 24-bit/384kHz resolution)
  • high-res playback up to 24-bit/384kHz with PCM-based files and 11.2 MHz DSD
  • supported file formats: MP3, WMA, MPEG-4, AAC, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, and DSD
• HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) port for passing audio signals to the receiver from your TV
• Headphone Out x1: 1/4″ Front panel
• Subwoofer Out x1: (Unbalanced RCA)
• Control (Trigger) Out: 12volts x1
• FM 50dB Quieting Sensitivity (IHF, 1 kHz, 100% Mod., Mono): 3 µV (20.8 dBf)
• FM Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Mono/Stereo): 69 dB / 67 dB
• Pure Direct bypass
• ToP-ART
• Standby Power Consumption:  0.1 W (Network standby on/ Wi-Fi connection 1.8 W)
• Dimensions (W x H x D):  17-1/8″ x 6-1/8″ x 18-5/8″ (with antenna up: 17-1/8″ x 9-1/8″ x 18-5/8″)
• Weight:  48.7 lbs

MSRP (Black/Silver):

• US: $3,995.95
• UK: £2,999.00
• EU: €3,799.00

Still budget challenged? Then take a look at the NAD C 3050 which offers a similar set of features for approx. $1,900.00.

For more information visit the Yamaha web site.

Available at the Amazon Yamaha store here: Black $3,995.95, Silver $3,333.54

Related posts:

• Yamaha 5000 Audiophile Series
• Yamaha Aventage RX-A8A, RX-A6A and RX-A4A
• NAD C 3050 LE Integrated Amplifier – In Retrospect