Yamaha MCX-2000 MusicCAST Digital Audio Server

Other products by Yamaha

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 17.1 x 16.1 x 3.8 inches ; 14.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 20 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000CSN7TQ
• Item model number: MCX-2000
• Batteries: 2 AA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #73,663 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 18, 2005

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description
One of the most persistent challenges of setting up a modern digital audio system is integrating all the various formats and components. Half your music collection may be stored on CD, while the rest is spread between vinyl, MP3, and other formats. That's where the Yamaha MCX-2000 MusicCAST digital audio server comes into play. Not only does the MusicCAST server store up to 40,000 songs on its built-in 160 GB hard drive--making it easy to access your favorite tunes at a moment's notice--but it also converts vinyl records into digital formats while playing XM satellite and Internet radio streams. In short, the MCX-2000 serves as an all-in-one music management system, letting every family member listen to what they want, when they want, at the touch of a button.

Take a closer look at the MCX-2000's rear-panel connections. You can also view the unit's front panel in detail.

Once the server is loaded with music, the MusicCAST system can communicate with up to 15 separate clients--five wirelessly and 10 wired--to play music throughout the house on virtually any type of speaker system. Want to play music on the bedroom or garage speakers without running speaker wire throughout the house? Integrate the server with a MusicCAST MCX-A10 wireless client and a couple of speaker pairs. The full system will give you full access to the server's massive audio catalogue from anywhere in the home. No more installing a portable boombox in the kitchen or settling for certain CDs because your bedroom system doesn't play MP3s. The MusicCAST system--which is essentially a 16-zone multi-room audio warehouse--does it all.

Music storage is really the MCX-2000's specialty, however. The device includes a CD slot that easily uploads songs to the hard drive in their original quality (around 200 hours worth), or converts them to compressed MP3 files (at 160k, 256k, or 320k compression rates) for distribution to the clients. Listeners can also upload songs via external inputs, such as iPods, PCs, and even turntables. Once the songs are loaded, you can stack your CDs and LPs in the closet never to be heard from again, and spend your newfound free time creating tons of versatile playlists for special occasions, parties, or just to meet your mood. And as with traditional CD players and MP3 players, the MCX-2000 offers a host of other playback options, including old standbys random play and repeat play.

The MCX-2000 stores up to 2,000 hours of music on its built-in 160 GB hard drive.

The MusicCAST's radio support extends from FM frequencies to Internet streaming to XM-ready capability. To enjoy the full complement of XM satellite radio stations, listeners will need an XM antenna (sold separately) and a subscription to the service. The Internet streaming, however, is instantly available to anyone who connects the MCX-2000 to the Internet, whether through a wired or wireless connection. The server comes preconfigured with five radio URLs, and it's easy to add others to the list.

As an added bonus, the server can also play back music files from a PC that offers Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) compatibility. In other words, PC users won't have to transfer all their MP3, WMA, or other files to the MCX-2000 to enjoy playback through the system. This is especially gratifying for hardcore music fans for whom a 160 GB hard drive just isn't big enough.

File navigation and organization is straightforward and user-friendly thanks to the system's efficient graphical user interface and remote control, which let you quickly scan through artist, album, track, and genre menus gleaned from the CDDB music recognition database. And listeners who won't stand to let a good playlist go to waste will dig the built-in CD recorder, which transfers music at a lightning fast speed to CD for later playback on a car stereo or a friend's system.

Jacks include a wireless IEEE 802.11b/g network protocol for communicating with wireless clients, an Ethernet connection for wired client or Internet hookups, analog and Toslink digital audio inputs and outputs, S-video and composite video outputs for onscreen displays, a PS/2 connection port for connecting a keyboard, and a headphone jack with its own level control.

The MCX-2000 measures 17.12 by 3.75 by 16.06 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a one-year warranty.

What's in the Box
MCX-2000 server, remote control, power cord, user's manual.

Product Description
The new Yamaha MCX-2000 is a powerful server for the MusicCAST interactive music network system. Store the entire music library of the whole family on its 160GB hard disk, and distribute individual selections to up to 16 different locations. Featuring do-

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars MCX-200, July 25, 2008

By	CC (Missouri) - See all my reviews

Easy setup, easy to store music. Nice to be able to pack away almost 200 CDs. Only problem is I wish the hard drive was bigger.