NP-S303 Black
Description
Network player with MusicCast functionality, DSD1791 DAC, support up to 24 bit/192 kHz and DSD128, Bluetooth, Airplay, Roon Ready, inputs: USB ports for external drives, Ethernet port (LAN), outputs: RCA, optical, coaxial, dimensions 435x87x289 mm, weight 2.7 kg.
The Yamaha NP-S303 is an affordable network streamer that has a good price/quality ratio. The player supports the DLNA protocol and can connect to a local network wired or wirelessly, allowing playback of audio files stored on computers or NAS servers. It supports Hi-Res audio in FLAC, WAV, AIFF formats up to 24 bit/192 kHz, ALAC up to 24 bit/96 kHz and DSD up to 5.6 MHz. The streamer plays the same formats when connecting external drives to the USB port located on its front panel. If you have an Internet connection, popular streaming services Spotify, TIDAL, Deezer, Napster, Qobuz, Juke, airable (web radio), etc. become available.
The player has a carefully thought-out circuit topology. Much attention is paid to shortening signal paths and minimizing noise. The circuits use selected elements to guarantee high sound quality, and the Burr-Brown DSD1791 chip acts as a digital-to-analog converter.
The streamer supports work with the proprietary MusicCast ecosystem, which is essentially a wireless multi-room system that allows you to stream audio from the Yamaha NP-S303 to any MusicCast device. In this case, you can transfer streaming files from smartphones/tablets, external drives, as well as from servers and computers on the local network. To control the player, it is convenient to use the proprietary MusicCast CONTROLLER application, which guarantees work with all audio components that support MusicCast. The kit includes a universal remote control, with which, in addition to the streamer, you can also control the amplifier. The device supports the AirPlay function and has a built-in Bluetooth receiver/transmitter that can not only receive audio files, but also transmit them to other Bluetooth devices (headphones, speakers, etc.) using the MusicCast CONTROLLER application.
The model has a low metal body and a simple, attractive design that matches other Yamaha components. On the front aluminum panel of the player, in addition to controls and a USB port, there is a narrow display that displays only alphanumeric characters.
On the rear panel of the Yamaha NP-S303 there is a linear analog RCA output, a LAN interface, as well as optical and coaxial outputs, to which you can connect an external DAC.