Yamaha adds new music streaming and voice control to HiFi ranges with a series of firmware and app updates. 17 current home audio products launched in 2018, including sound bars, wireless speakers and AV receivers, will get Apple AirPlay 2 support and expanded Spotify Connect capabilities. Additionally, all of Yamaha MusicCast products will gain support for Actions on Google (English) through an update to the Yamaha MusicCast app.
MusicCast is Yamaha’s multi-room streaming technology which supports formats from vinyl vinyl to AirPlay®, Bluetooth®, music streaming services and sound from a TV. MusicCast enabled devices support all HiRes formats including Apple Lossless (ALAC) up to 96 kHz, and WAV, FLAC and FLAC or AIFF up to 192 kHz.
These new services join the existing built-in streaming services which include Spotify, Deezer, Qobuz and TIDAL.
Latest firmware additions
- Support for Apple AirPlay 2, adding the ability to stream Apple Music and many other streaming services from an iPhone, iPad, HomePod, and Mac to multiple Yamaha devices and other AirPlay 2-enabled speakers simultaneously in sync, throughout your home. And with Siri on an iPhone or iPad, you can control what’s playing in every part of your home with voice commands.
- Ability to use Spotify Connect with free Spotify accounts (previously only available for paid subscription-based accounts)
- Actions on Google, enabling voice control of compatible Yamaha devices via Google Assistant. Google Home, Android or iOS devices with the Google Assistant app can be used to control a Yamaha home theater with voice commands, link rooms hands-free and adjust volumes.
- Addition of eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) feature to 2017 and 2018 AV receivers, supporting uncompressed audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD, and object-based surround such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
Release schedule
The firmware updates and MusicCast app update will start in April 2019 and continue through summer. Users will be automatically prompted to install the firmware via the MusicCast app. The schedule is as follows:
AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect updates
Beginning in late April and released by model/series: MusicCast 20 and MusicCast 50 wireless speakers, MusicCast BAR 400 sound bar, RX-Ax80 Series AV receivers, RX-Vx85 Series AV receivers, RX-S602 slimline AV receiver, ATS-4080 sound bar and CX-A5200 AV preamp/processor, XDA-QS5400 MusicCast Multi-Room Streaming Amplifier
Summer: MusicCast VINYL 500 turntable
Actions on Google
April 16: All MusicCast models introduced since 2015 through an update to the MusicCast app.
eARC
Beginning in late April and released by model/series: RX-Ax80 Series AV receivers, RX-Ax70 Series AV receivers, RX-Vx85 Series AV receivers, RX-Vx83 Series AV receivers, RX-S602 Slimline AV receiver and CX-A5200 AV preamp/processor.
