Yamaha WXA-70A ($1,299.95) and WXC-70A ($999.95) Add an ESS Sabre DAC, HDMI eARC, and YPAO Room Calibration

In consumer electronics, a ten-year product cycle is practically geological time. Yet Yamaha’s half-width WXA-50 streaming amplifier and WXC-50 streaming preamplifier—first released back in 2016—established a long-running compact option in Yamaha’s hi-fi lineup. Now Yamaha has unveiled their ground-up successors: the WXA-70A wireless streaming amplifier ($1,299.95) and the WXC-70A wireless streaming preamplifier ($999.95), both slated to ship in November 2026.

ESS Sabre ES9039Q2M, Pure Ground Topology, and YPAO R.S.C.

Both 220 mm-wide aluminum components use an ESS Sabre ES9039Q2M DAC and Yamaha’s DAC on Pure Ground circuit layout. Yamaha describes the grounding arrangement as a way to keep unwanted electrical interference away from the analog audio signal.

Even more consequential for real-world living rooms is what comes in the box: a 6-meter calibration microphone and full Yamaha YPAO automatic room correction with Reflected Sound Control (R.S.C.), parametric EQ, and YPAO Volume. Both models also provide a dedicated subwoofer output and crossover adjustment for integrating a powered subwoofer.

WXA-70A Amplifier vs. WXC-70A Preamplifier

Up front, both units add a crisp OLED display alongside tactile input and volume dials. Networking is upgraded to Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, supporting Yamaha MusicCast, Apple AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, and Roon Ready. Around back, both models include an HDMI eARC/ARC port with Dialogue Level adjustment for TV sound, an optical TOSLINK input, a stereo RCA auxiliary input, USB-A music-file playback, Ethernet, IR in, and a 12V trigger output.

As detailed in the WXA-70A and WXC-70A user guides, the $1,299.95 WXA-70A adds a 2-channel Class D power section rated at 55W × 2 into 8 ohms and 105W × 2 into 4 ohms (20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.06% THD, both channels driven, US model). The $999.95 WXC-70A omits the speaker amplifier in favor of stereo RCA pre-outs (switchable between variable Preamp Mode and fixed Player Mode bypass) plus optical and coaxial digital outputs for feeding compatible amplifiers, powered speakers or an external DAC.

Yamaha WXA-70A & WXC-70A Specifications

Specification	Yamaha WXA-70A (Streaming Amp)	Yamaha WXC-70A (Streaming Preamp)
DAC & Clocking	ESS Sabre ES9039Q2M, DAC on Pure Ground circuit layout	ESS Sabre ES9039Q2M, DAC on Pure Ground circuit layout
Rated Output Power (20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.06% THD)	55W + 55W (8 Ω) / 105W + 105W (4 Ω); both channels driven, US model	No speaker amplifier; variable Preamp and fixed Player output modes
Room Calibration & Crossover	YPAO with R.S.C., PEQ, YPAO Volume (6m mic included); dedicated subwoofer output and crossover adjustment	YPAO with R.S.C., PEQ, YPAO Volume (6m mic included); dedicated subwoofer output and crossover adjustment
Streaming & Wireless	Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, MusicCast, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, TIDAL/Qobuz/Spotify Connect, Roon Ready	Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, MusicCast, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, TIDAL/Qobuz/Spotify Connect, Roon Ready
Inputs	HDMI eARC/ARC, 1 × Optical, 1 × stereo RCA Aux, USB-A, RJ45 Ethernet, YPAO Mic, IR In	HDMI eARC/ARC, 1 × Optical, 1 × stereo RCA Aux, USB-A, RJ45 Ethernet, YPAO Mic, IR In
Outputs	Gold-plated speaker terminals, 1 × RCA Subwoofer Pre-Out, 12V Trigger Out	1 × stereo RCA Pre-Out, 1 × RCA Subwoofer Pre-Out, 1 × Optical Out, 1 × Coaxial Out, 12V Trigger Out
Dimensions (W × H × D)	220 × 73 × 267 mm	220 × 73 × 267 mm
Weight & Finishes	5.7 lbs (2.6 kg); Black or Silver	4.2 lbs (1.9 kg); Black or Silver
Price & Availability	$1,299.95 USD; planned November 2026 availability	$999.95 USD; planned November 2026 availability