Yamaha MusicCast VINYL 500
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
87/100
Build Quality
86/100
Features Usability
94/100
Value for Money
88/100
The MusicCast VINYL 500 pairs a lush, forgiving vinyl presentation with unusually accomplished streaming and multiroom control. Sound Advice highlights its refined, spacious musicality and stable pitch, while StereoNET praises the expansive stage, clean treble and remarkably flexible MusicCast ecosystem. It is a polished all-in-one deck for listeners who want wireless vinyl streaming without abandoning analogue charm.
Pros
Smooth, spacious and forgiving sound with controlled treble, strong separation and low apparent noise.
Excellent streaming and multiroom flexibility, including network playback, Bluetooth, AirPlay and the ability to send vinyl to other MusicCast devices.
Very good pitch stability and easy, confidence-inspiring setup and operation.
Cons
Its internal phono stage sounds flatter, less dynamic and less three-dimensional than a quality external phono stage.
As a pure turntable, it gives up some outright impact, scale and value to similarly priced dedicated decks.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 87/100
The Vinyl 500 is widely described as smooth, spacious and easy to listen to, with strong treble control and a low apparent noise floor. Its presentation favours a forgiving, relaxed character over maximum weight, impact or outright intensity; the internal phono stage is also less expansive and dynamic than a good external unit.
Overall Sound
87/100
Sound Advice found an engaging flow, lush tonality and forgiving top end that lets both excellent and less-than-perfect pressings remain enjoyable. StereoNET heard an effortless, calming sound with a large stage and clear separation, while Andrew Robinson found good detail and space but a somewhat dry, light and conservative balance with limited scale.
Speed Stability
88/100
Sound Advice calls pitch stability very good, and StereoNET could not detect audible speed variation, wow or other signs of compromised turntable execution. The evidence points to confidently stable playback in normal listening, rather than a focus on laboratory-grade speed precision.
Tonearm Performance
86/100
The straight, statically balanced arm uses a detachable headshell and comes fitted with an Audio-Technica moving-magnet cartridge. StereoNET reports that the supplied stylus tracked very well at its recommended force, while Andrew Robinson praises the arm's straightforward operation and removable DJ-style headshell.
Noise Isolation
88/100
Sound Advice reports no unwanted noise during playback. StereoNET likewise found a satisfyingly low noise floor, with surface noise on good records subdued rather than obtrusive.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
86/100
Reviewers describe an attractive, conventionally styled deck with high-standard finishing, including a glossy piano-black plinth and contrasting silver platter and controls. Andrew Robinson does not put it at Technics build standards, but considers it highly competitive for its price.
Features Usability
94/100
This is an unusually flexible record player, combining vinyl replay with MusicCast networking, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, AirPlay, Bluetooth and streaming-file support. It also provides switchable phono and line outputs, electronic 33/45 rpm selection, a factory-fitted cartridge and a removable headshell, making it more versatile than a conventional deck.
Value for Money
88/100
At roughly $634-$900, the proposition depends strongly on whether its streaming and multiroom facilities replace separate components. Sound Advice notes that a similarly priced dedicated turntable can offer stronger pure vinyl performance, but calls Yamaha's all-in-one appeal distinctive; StereoNET considers it worthy at the asking price, and Andrew Robinson regards its functionality as compelling against the Fluance RT85.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
Forum Mentions
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Specifications
- File Format
- MP3 / WMA / MPEG-4 AAC: up to 48 kHz / 16-bit, ALAC: up to 96 kHz / 24-bit, FLAC / WAV / AIFF: up to 192 kHz / 24-bit, DSD: up to 11.2 MHz
- Ethernet
- Yes
- Wi-Fi
- Yes (2.4 / 5 GHz)
- AirPlay
- Yes
- Version/Profile
- Ver. 4.2 / A2DP, AVRCP (Bluetooth is compatible with SCMS-T.)
- Audio Codec
- SBC, AAC
- Maximum Communication Range
- 32 ft. 10 in. (without interference)
- Drive Method
- Belt drive
- Motor
- DC motor
- Rotation Speed
- 33-1/3 rpm, 45 rpm
- Rotation Speed Variation
- ±2%
- Wow And Flutter
- 0.2%
- Platter
- Aluminium die-cast (Diameter 30 cm)
- Output Level
- 450 mV (-7 dBV, with RIAA EQ, 1 kHz, 3.54 cm / sec), 2.5 mV ± 3 dBV (without RIAA EQ, 1 kHz, 3.54 cm / sec)
- Signal To Noise Ratio
- 67 dB or higher (A-weighted, 20 kHz, LPF)
- Tonearm
- Static balance straight tonearm
- Effective Arm Length
- 223.5 mm
- Overhang
- 19 mm
- Stylus Pressure Adjustment Range
- 0-4 g
- Acceptable Cartridge Weight
- 15.5-19 g (including headshell)
- Cartridge Type
- MM type
- Output Voltage
- 2.5 mV (1 kHz, 3.54 cm / sec)
- Stylus Pressure
- 3.5 ± 0.5 g
- Cartridge Weight
- 5.0 ± 0.3 g
- Cartridge Height
- 17.0 ± 0.7 mm
- Headshell Weight
- 10 g (including screws, nuts and wires)
- Output Terminal
- RCA: 2 (PHONO, LINE)
- Output Level
- 2.0 ± 0.3 V (1 kHz, 0 dB, Fs 44.1 kHz)
- Signal to Noise Ratio
- [IHF-A network] 110 dB or higher (Infinity zero, Fs 44.1 kHz)
- Dynamic Range
- 100 dB or higher (1 kHz, -60 dB, Fs 44.1 kHz)
- Harmonic Distortion
- 0.003 % or lower (1 kHz, 0 dB, Fs 44.1 kHz)
- Frequency Response
- Fs 44.1 kHz; 2 Hz to 20 kHz (+0 / -3 dB), Fs 48 kHz; 2 Hz to 24 kHz (+0 / -3 dB), Fs 96 kHz; 2 Hz to 48 kHz (+0 / -3 dB), Fs 192 kHz; 2 Hz to 96 kHz (+0 / -6 dB)
- Power Consumption
- 6 W
- Eco-Standby (reference date)
- 0.3 W
- Standby Power Consumption
- 1.4 W (Network standby ON, Bluetooth® standby OFF, Wired), 1.8 W (Network standby ON, Bluetooth standby ON/OFF, Wi-Fi), 1.6 W (Network standby ON, Bluetooth standby ON, Wired)
- Dimension (W×H×D)
- 17-3/4” x 5-3/8” x 14-1/2”
- Weight
- 12.6 lbs.
Manufacturer's Description — Yamaha
MusicCast VINYL 500 Wi-Fi Turntable
Vinyl Unleashed. Stream your records and music services to MusicCast speakers with no wires attached and no receiver required. Wi-Fi connection ensures exceptional sound quality. With a MusicCast multi-room system, hear your records throughout your entire home.
- Stream music services with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2 or Spotify Connect.
- Yamaha Hi-Fi quality built for accuracy and sonic purity. Perfect for the audiophile or beginner vinyl collector.
- Built-in phono preamp gives you flexibility to connect any audio system, adding streaming service playback to your legacy Hi-Fi system.
- Rotation speed: 33-1/3 rpm, 45 rpm
Turning the tables on cables
Giving an 'old-school' medium a modern spin, wirelessly connect the MusicCast VINYL 500 turntable to your MusicCast enabled receiver and other devices to enjoy your record collection without all the cables.
Place the turntable anywhere!
Don't stop the music
Hit the end of a record and don’t want the music to stop? With the VINYL 500 you can keep the music going by streaming music services via Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Spotify Connect, or Bluetooth
Connect the MusicCast VINYL 500 to your existing stereo equipment and get ready for a serious upgrade to your setup.
Anyway you want it
Take control of your music streaming and your wireless setups with the MusicCast app. Create favorites, control your multi-room vinyl experience or MusicCast Stereo system. Geek out on all the options and settings to really make your music yours.
You spin me 'round
Turn your listening experience on its head. Meet the MusicCast VINYL 500.
Meticulously designed to ensure the most faithful reproduction of sound - the way music was made to be heard — the MusicCast VINYL 500 features a straight tonearm for an open sound as well as a belt-drive motor to minimize noise caused by vibrations.
You turn me on
The piano black finish shows off your style and your records. And with no receiver or speaker wires needed, get creative and put your VINYL 500 anywhere it looks good!
Bluetooth out
In or out. The VINYL 500 is equipped with Bluetooth technology, making wireless operation more convenient than ever. You can stream music from the VINYL 500 to Bluetooth headphones for private listening or to Bluetooth speakers. Bluetooth output has been improved, reducing lip sync delays from digital sources.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Yamaha MusicCast VINYL 500
- Absoulute Audio plus Video — in-store — Aiken, South Carolina, United States (website)
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- 138 Quaiduson — online and in-store — Lille, Hauts-de-France, France (website)
- A1 Futureshop — online and in-store — North Rocks, New South Wales, Australia (website)
- Abt Electronics — online and in-store — Glenview, Illinois, United States (website)
- Accessories 4 less — online and in-store — Apopka, Florida, United States (website)
- Acclaim Sound and Light — online and in-store — North Bay, Ontario, Canada (website)
- Acoustic Sound Design — online and in-store — Las Vegas, Nevada, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acton Gate Audio — online and in-store — Cymru, United Kingdom (website)
and 298 more verified dealers