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<\/a><\/p>\nHowever, thanks to recent technical advancements, and an increasing lack of space in the modern living environment, all-in-1 systems are gaining in popularity even among audiophiles and music lovers. And, needing a small system for an area where a full-size separates system wasn\u2019t\u00a0 viable option, I decided to investigate the offerings on the market.<\/p>\n
I reached out to the awesome folks at Yamaha \u2013 and, a day later, the subject of this review \u2013 the MCR-N560 all-in-1 networked mini system arrived. A feature-packed, versatile and powerful system, the MCR-N560 comes in 2 flavours. You can purchase the receiver (the CRX-560D) as a separate unit, or as a complete package with the NS-BP182 speakers. For this review, I chose the MCR-N560 \u2013 the name Yamaha uses to refer to the complete package.<\/p>\n
The CRX-560D<\/strong><\/p>\n Features<\/strong><\/p>\n A feature-packed yet still tiny receiver, the CRX-560D can play back media from almost any imaginable source. CD, DAB, FM and USB playback are all covered, as are a hole host of networking features including AirPlay, Spotify Connect, internet radio and DLNA streaming.<\/p>\n 2 digital inputs (1 optical and 1 coaxial) allow you to connect external devices such as a TV or blu-ray player. 2 analogue inputs (1 RCA and 1 3.5\u201d) allow you to connect devices such as a phono stage, older portable audio device, etc.<\/p>\n The 36W per channel (6 ohms, 10% THD) efficient digital amplifier feeds the 2 speaker outputs, which feature high quality binding posts rather than the usual spring clips found on most mini systems. And if you need more bass, a mono subwoofer output allows you to connect an active sub to boost your low end response. Yamaha\u2019s digital amplifier technology means that amplification from source to speakers is done without a dedicated DAC chip, further enhancing sound quality. The headphone stage uses a BurrBrown PCM1781 24-bit, 192KHZ DAC. Volume control is also digital domain to guarantee accurate channel separation and stereo imaging.<\/p>\n Networking facilities are limited out-of-the-box to a 10\/100 RJ-45 ethernet jack on the back \u2013 if you want wifi, you can purchase Yamaha\u2019s YWA-10 wireless network adapter. Optional bluetooth compatibility comes in the form of Yamaha\u2019s YBA-11 bluetooth adapter. I\u2019d like to see Yamaha building wifi technology into their products \u2013 especially on a system like this, which is designed primarily to utilise a network. Built-in bluetooth would be nice, too.<\/p>\n Design<\/strong><\/p>\n As you would expect for a PianoCraft series system, the design of the CRX-N560D is simple and beautiful. Rounded, shaped corners, piano-finish panels and shaped aluminium volume and input selection controls give the yamaha the look and feel of a system costing far more than the \u00a3499 SRP.<\/p>\n The sleek, aluminium front panel features the aforementioned volume and input selection controls, and buttons for power, play, pause, stop, next and previous. There\u2019s also a 3.5\u201d headphone jack, a slim CD tray, a USB jack and an IR receiver for the remote.<\/p>\n Just as much thought has gone into the rear panel. High quality binding posts allow you to connect your speakers \u2013 and they even support banana plugs thanks to the removable end caps. There are optical and coaxial digital inputs, as well as the all important ethernet jack.<\/p>\n 2 Analogue inputs, both RCA and 3.5\u201d are joined by a mono subwoofer output \u2013 there\u2019s no stereo analogue output which would\u2019ve been a nice feature. A usb port allows you to power yamaha accessories, such as the YWA-10 or EBA-11 adapters.<\/p>\n My only gripe with the rear panel design is the attached power cable \u2013 a plug-in cable would\u2019ve been far easier and nicer to work with. Detachable cables also have the advantage that, should the cable become damaged, you won\u2019t have to open up the unit or send it off for repair.<\/p>\n The NS-BP182<\/strong><\/p>\n Features<\/strong><\/p>\n The NS-BP182 speakers benefit from Yamaha\u2019s expertise in speaker and musical instrument design, and incorporate technologies taken directly from Yamaha\u2019s high end Sovo speaker line. A 2-way design, the NS-BP182 speakers feature a 12CM, APMD (Advanced Polymer-injected Mica Diaphragm) woofer and a 3CM soft dome tweeter.<\/p>\n To minimise cabinet vibration, Yamaha developed VCCS (Vibration Control Cabinet Structure), which uses strategically placed pieces of a composite material that provides excellent vibration isolation thereby improving performance.<\/p>\n Sensitivity is a rather low 83DB \u2013 meaning they\u2019re harder to drive than, for example, Tannoy\u2019s Mercury V1Is. With that in mind, I was surprised at the rather low power rating of the receiver unit \u2013 but numbers can be deceiving.<\/p>\n Design<\/strong><\/p>\n The front panels feature the same shaped corners as the CRX-560D. There are some screw fixings in sight \u2013 though these double up as fixings for the magnetic speaker grills. Fixings for the drivers themselves are, however, hidden behind plastic trims.<\/p>\n The rear panels feature a bass port and the speaker terminals, recessed in a\u00a0 plastic compartment. As with the CRX-560D, only a single set of terminals is provided \u2013 there\u2019s no bi-wiring facilities here, though it\u2019s unlikely you\u2019ll need them.<\/p>\n Build Quality<\/strong><\/p>\n As you would expect from yamaha, build quality of both the system and the speakers it top notch. The casing of the CRX-N560D is well damped \u2013 meaning it doesn\u2019t ring when tapped like many cheaper all-in-1 systems. It\u2019s solid, too \u2013 with no flexing or rattling when lifted or moved.<\/p>\n The controls have a high end, accurate feel to them \u2013 the volume control glideing smoothly with no resistance as the sound level gently raises or lowers. The few buttons are perfectly proportioned and easy to press, with a nice tactile click to them.<\/p>\n The speakers are built to the same high standards. Their solid, wooden cabinets offer up very little resonance when tapped. The solid speaker binding posts, recessed in plastic compartments on the rear panels, are arguably more solid than those found on some hi-fi speakers costing as much as this complete system.<\/p>\n That said, There are a couple of rough edges here and there on the speaker cabinets, particularly towards the back. As with many speakers, the high gloss finish is a magnet for fingermarks and dirt \u2013 so keep a soft cloth handy for cleaning.<\/p>\n The grills are cloth-covered plastic, and fairly solid. They\u2019re magnetic, too \u2013 snapping neatly into place over the exposed fixings in each corner of the front panel. They\u2019re more than adequate\u00a0 for protecting the cones\u00a0 from prying fingers or accidental bumps and scrapes. If you\u2019re an audiophile, chances are you won\u2019t be using them, and will leave them in the box as I did throughout this review.<\/p>\n Packaging<\/strong><\/p>\n As with all Yamaha products, the system comes well packed to insure it arrives with you in one piece. Here, however, \u2018well packed\u2019 is a huge understatement.<\/p>\n A large main box contains 2 further boxes \u2013 1 for the speakers and 1 for the system itself. A cardboard insert ensures things don\u2019t move where they\u2019re not supposed too \u2013 if I were being critical, I\u2019d perhaps have added some handles to aid in lifting the boxes out, as they\u2019re packed tightly.<\/p>\n Inside each box, you\u2019ll find the respective products wrapped in a cloth-like foam material, held in place by blocks of polystyrene. The packaging is similar to that supplied with Yamaha\u2019s separates \u2013 it\u2019s simple, effective, and neat, a great first impression.<\/p>\n With the CRX-N560D receiver, you get a remote, some batteries, a radio antenna and some documentation. The NS-BP182 speakers come with some starter cables (with pre-stripped ends \u2013 a nice touch), and their grills, lying rather haphazardly underneath the polystyrene protection. Cardboard rectangles cover the tweeters, and self-adhesive wrapping protects the high gloss finish of the front plastics.<\/p>\n The remote<\/strong><\/p>\n Let\u2019s take a second to talk about that remote. Usually, the remotes supplied with all-in-1 systems are cheap, flimsy, and useless \u2013 but not here. The remote supplied with the CXR-N560D is similar to that supplied with many of the components in Yamaha\u2019s hi-fi separates lineup. It\u2019s thick and chunky, with a decent weight to it and excellent build quality all round. The buttons, if a little small, are easy to press and are very tactile \u2013 and the range is also excellent, even when it\u2019s not being aimed directly at the receiver.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll need the remote to access the CRX-560D\u2019s menu system, as well as the equaliser \u2013 both things that cannot be accessed from the mobile app. I\u2019d like to see the app able to control every aspect of the system, making the remote an optional extra for those who wish to use it.<\/p>\n Operation<\/strong><\/p>\n The CRX-N560D can be operated either from its front panel (for basic controls), the aforementioned remote, or Yamaha\u2019s NP controller app for iOS or android. I used the NP controller iOS app to operate the unit for this review \u2013 and would suggest you do too, as it\u2019s by far the easiest, most convenient way to operate the device. It also has the added advantage of allowing you to stream content directly from your phone or tablet to the device with the best sound quality.<\/p>\n Playing CDS<\/strong><\/p>\n Playing CDs is as easy as you would expect. UpOn inserting\u00a0 a compatible CD, the unit begins playback automatically. CD text is supported, and CD playback can also be controlled using the mobile app which is a nice touch. The player offers the usual programming modes including shuffle and repeat, and supports direct track access to jump directly to tracks on a disc.<\/p>\n AirPlay<\/strong><\/p>\n Being an Apple user, By far my favourite feature of the CRX-N560D is the support for Apple\u2019s AirPlay technology \u2013 a wireless streaming technology that allows you to stream content from any apple device, or iTunes on your PC or mac, directly to an AirPlay compatible receiver. The CRX-N560D is one such receiver \u2013 and throughout my time with the review sample, I spent countless hours streaming both music and podcasts via AirPlay from iTunes on my mac. Not once did I encounter a single dropout, and sound quality was flawless.<\/p>\n One major downside to airplay is volume control. When in AirPlay mode, the volume of the unit can be controlled by the AirPlay device \u2013 in this case, the volume of iTunes on my mac. On a couple of occasions, when adjusting the volume using the slider in iTunes, my finger would slip slightly on the trackpad and i\u2019d send the volume rocketing up to maximum. It\u2019s an issue inherent in many AirPlay devices \u2013 but it would be nice to be able to set a volume limit.<\/p>\n Dab\/FM<\/strong><\/p>\n Playback of DAB\/FM stations is, as you would expect, easy. The tuner too can be controlled via the mobile app, and the app is able to display the RDS station information and frequency. It also displays the bitrate of DAB stations, which is a nice touch.<\/p>\n There are 30 presets to store your favourite stations. Sound quality of DAB\/FM broadcasts is great across the board \u2013 with very little background noise on the FM side and none on the DAB side as you would expect. AM is notable only by its absence- a shame, though not surprising.<\/p>\n USB<\/strong><\/p>\n Via its front USB port, the CRX-N560D enables you to play content from USB flash drives or apple iDevices such as the iPod, iPhone or iPad. The unit supports all common file formats, including WAV, MP3, WMA, FLAC and AAC. The unit supports sampling rates of up to 192KHZ WAV and FLAC files, and 48KHZ for all other file types.<\/p>\n By far the easiest way to control playback of content from a USB device is via the NP Controller app. connecting a USB device and tapping the USB source icon reveals a list of folders, from which you can select your files. During playback, the artist, title, and album are displayed, as well as the elapsed time.<\/p>\n When connecting an apple device, playback is controlled on the device itself \u2013 and the unit will charge the device while it\u2019s plugged in.<\/p>\n It\u2019s worth noting that the CRX-N560 doesn\u2019t appear to support gapless playback from USB devices \u2013 however, it does from all other sources including CD, AirPlay and the app. It\u2019s worth noting also that this could be due to the speed of the drive, which will affect the time the unit takes to load the track into its buffer memory.<\/p>\n Streaming From The Network<\/strong><\/p>\n The CRX-N560D can stream from DLNA-compliant network devices, as well as PCs configured to act as media servers. The unit had no problem streaming MP3, FLAC and WAV files from an external hard drive connected to my Asus RT-AC66U router, using the router\u2019s built-in DLNA media server.<\/p>\n Music can be browsed by artist, album, genre or playlist \u2013 and there\u2019s the ability to browse the folder structure too, in case the unit missed some files while searching your device. Interestingly, the app gives you the option to display pictures \u2013 a function that I find somewhat unnecessary on a\u00a0 hi-fi system. Not having any pictures on the NAS drive, I have no idea what this function is intended for \u2013 and whether or not it works.<\/p>\n Internet Radio<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>With the onboard vTuner internet radio service, the CRX-N560D gives you access to thousands of internet radio stations, covering almost every imaginable genre. Stations can be browsed by location, genre, New or Popular, and there\u2019s a section for podcasts too. You can bookmark your favourite stations to return to them later, and there\u2019s a handy help function if you should get stuck.<\/p>\n Quality varies from station to station, with some being lower resolution streams than others \u2013 most, however, are perfectly acceptable and the Yamaha\u2019s digital processing hardware means they sound, for the most part, better than DAB. Station information, such as the current track, is displayed if supported by the station you\u2019re listening too.<\/p>\n Streaming From The App<\/strong><\/p>\n As with most streamers, the CRX-N560D allows you to stream content directly from your portable device via the NP Controller app. Streaming is faultless \u2013 with no dropouts. As all data is sent over the network in digital form, there is no degradation in sound quality, and the digital music benefits from the processing technology inside the yamaha to achieve the best sound possible.<\/p>\n Content can be browsed album, artist, songs, genres or composers, all presented (on iOS at least) in an interface reminiscent of the native Music app.<\/p>\n Spotify<\/strong><\/p>\n As with most network-capable components, the Yamaha supports Spotify connect \u2013 not being a Spotify user, I didn\u2019t use this function. However \u2013 playback can be controlled by the mobile app as with every other function, and given that the digital tracks will be processed by the CRX-N560d\u2019s digital hardware, it should sound no different to the other digital sources.<\/p>\n The sound<\/strong><\/p>\n All-in-1 systems aren\u2019t renowned for their sound quality \u2013 in fact, the tiny, mesh-fronted speakers, cheap chip-based amps, and thin speaker cables for which all-in-1 systems are known are enough to send most audiophiles running in the opposite direction. In the case of the MCR-N560, though, that couldn\u2019t be further from the truth.<\/p>\n Straight out of the box, the system presents a warm, luscious sound that only gets sweeter as the system is allowed time to break in. Yamaha recommend at least 72 hours for the system, in particular the speakers, to loosen up and achieve optimal sound quality. I definitely found that to be accurate \u2013 after this time, the sound stage had opened up considerably, the bass was tighter, and the system displayed a sweeter, more laid back presentation.<\/p>\n Unusually given its networking capabilities, the first thing I did was to hook up my phono stage, and a Pro-ject Debut carbon to the aux inputs \u2013 and, within minutes, Roger Taylor\u2019s Fun On Earth album was flowing from the speakers. By far one of my favourite test albums of the moment \u2013 the song \u2018Say It\u2019s Not True\u2019, in particular, contains an amazing Guitar solo, extensive use of reverb, and a fantastic bass line. And it wouldn\u2019t be a Roger Taylor album without hard-hitting, powerful drums that will bring all but the most controlled of systems to their knees.<\/p>\n The MCR-N560, however, put in a staggering, unruffled performance. The music flowed every which way from the speakers, spreading around my listening room paining a beautiful musical picture. The bass was delivered with precision, the deepest notes defying the size of the speaker drivers with their rich warmth and tone. Highs are silky smooth, but never bright \u2013 and the sound stage is deep and totally 3-dimensional, allowing you to hear right into the heart of the music.<\/p>\n So, a great first impression, then \u2013 and as I delved deeper into my vinyl collection, my smile became wider. Next was Queen\u2019s \u2018A Day At The Races\u2019 \u2013 \u2018you take my breath away\u2019, a song featuring only piano and Queen\u2019s legendary harmonised vocals was beautiful to behold. Tape hiss and all \u2013 the yamaha delivered the track with all the sparkle and grace with which Freddie had intended.<\/p>\n Load up a USB flash drive containing some Eric Clapton, and the Yamaha continues to impress. \u2018Next Time You See Her\u2019 is rhythmic, those sharp hi-hat strikes brought to the forefront of the mix. Instrument placement is faultless, and the individual instruments, particularly the left-panned acoustic guitar, are easy to discern. It\u2019s the Yamaha\u2019s attention to detail that impresses me the most here \u2013 it even managed to portray the slight distortion present in the recording during\u00a0 the final floor tom hit.<\/p>\n While it\u2019s no power house, the MCR-N560 can certainly deliver the goods when the party gets started. Sure, if played wide open there is some distortion \u2013 but that is to be expected, and no amplifier should ever be pushed that hard. That said, even driving the 83DB sensitivity NS-BP180 speakers, the CRX-N560 powered through Meat Loaf\u2019s \u2018Life Is A Lemon And I Want My Money Back\u2019 with gusto. The chest-pounding rhythm, awesome harmonies, and the Yamaha\u2019s impeccable agility and sense of timing added up to an immensely\u00a0 enjoyable performance that had me hooked from beginning to end.<\/p>\n It was with high expectations that I reached for a pair of headphones. And, if the CRX-N560 didn\u2019t meet those expectations, it exceeded them by a million miles. Sure, there is some noticeable background hiss \u2013 but crank up the tunes and it soon becomes inaudible. Plus, you\u2019ll be so lost in the music, you won\u2019t care.<\/p>\n Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n I honestly can\u2019t recommend this system enough. For a suggested retail price of \u00a3499, you\u2019re getting a streamer, CD player, an awesome DAC, and a sweet stereo amp \u2013 all crammed into 1 tiny box that\u2019s barely bigger than a DVD box set. You also get one of the best pairs of budget bookshelf speakers on the market. If you\u2019re feeling up to some system matching, you can purchase the CRX-N560D receiver as a separate unit \u2013 but why would you want too? The synergy between these components has to be heard to be believed.<\/p>\n The MCR-N560 does what any good system should \u2013 lets you focus on the music. I\u2019m summarising this review, with Norah Jones playing in the background. But not on my reference system\u2026 no, on the little Yamaha MCR-N560. If that\u2019s not praise enough, I don\u2019t know what is.<\/p>\n I\u2019m not saying it\u2019s as good as my reference system \u2013 a 36W per channel digital amplifier is no match for a 200W per channel class XD amplifier that, despite its huge heatsinks, becomes hotter than the sun after a half hour\u2019s use. But the MCR-N560 brings something to the table that only the best hi-fi systems can match \u2013 and that\u2019s sheer musical enjoyment. Add the fact that it\u2019s easy to setup, great to look at, a pleasure to use, and so versatile in its features\u2026 and ask yourself. what more could you want?<\/p>\n Read more at: <\/strong>http:\/\/www.audioappraisal.com\/yamaha-mcr-n560-review\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n