Yamaha RP-U100 CAVIT External Audio Soundboard

by Yamaha

Product Details

Product Manual [1.76mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 14.9 x 4.7 x 11.6 inches ; 8.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 15 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004Y5P9
• Item model number: RP-U100
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Yamaha's RP-U100 brings sonic purity and ergonomic convenience to the unwieldy realm of computer audio. Desktop-friendly with its vertical posture and large volume knob, the audio receiver/processor is nothing short of a joy to use. In our experience, the benefits of easy access to input selection, audio processing, and a headphone jack are secondary to the simple fact of the unit's strong (30 watts per channel) amplifier power and high-end digital processing via Yamaha's YSS-918 ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit). The RP-U100 makes just about all music sound terrific--from CDs and high-bitrate MP3s to low-fi Real Audio snippets.

The two-channel receiver connects to your computer through either traditional analog-audio jacks (left/right RCA on the inputs) or through a direct digital USB 1.1 connection (USB cable included). We recommend the USB connection, which gives you not only direct-digital signal routing for your MP3, WMA, games, and other audio, but access to a convenient graphical user interface and a staggering 208 station presets for the unit's built-in FM/AM tuner. (You can also access a perfectly adequate 40 presets from the front panel itself.)

You'll need to supply your own speakers+ADs- we recommend bookshelf units with wide frequency response and high sensitivity--though with 30 watts per channel at your disposal, the RP-U100 won't be picky about speakers. The system offers auxiliary outputs, so you can hook it up with a powered 2.1 (stereo speakers and a subwoofer) computer-audio system, but that's not your only option when it comes to deep bass--the unit also sports a dedicated subwoofer output for use with a proper home-theater-type sub.

One of the coolest things about the RP-U100 is that it digitizes analog sources, letting you feed it, say, an input from a cassette deck, and capture the sound as digital files through either the USB connection or through the system's optical digital-audio output. You can also make digital files from radio broadcasts. For tone controls, the system offers a powerful nine-band digital equalizer through the GUI (12 steps, 6 dB) but no bass or treble knobs on the hardware itself.

A key strength is the unit's array of simulated surround algorithms, which broaden the perceived space in which you're listening--often through sophisticated acoustical sampling (as with Yamaha's own DSP, modeled after concert halls, cathedrals, and jazz clubs). We weren't uniformly impressed with the results--music almost never sounded better with DSP engaged, but games and certain DVDs proved more engaging with careful surround application. Six different DSP modes offer user-adjustable parameters for effect, initial delay, and room size.

The RP-U100 is compatible with Window 98, 98SE, ME, 2000, and XP, and Macintosh OS 9.1 or higher, but computer control is optional. If you're an audio buff needing a compact and flexible integrated amplifier, you'll enjoy the RP-U100 with or without the USB connection and the GUI. --Michael Mikesell

Pros:

• Intuitive setup
• Strong amplifier
• Large, firm volume control with smooth level increments
• High-quality headphone jack
• Analog to digital bridging for loading material onto your computer

Cons:

• No front-panel tone controls
• No phono input
• Static shock will sometimes disable the speakers

What's in the Box
Receiver, software CD-ROM, USB cable, FM and AM antennas, and a user's manual.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible sound!, August 19, 2003

By 

R. Chi (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Yamaha RP-U100 CAVIT External Audio Soundboard (Electronics)

This is one truly impressive PC Receiver (External Sound Card). Although Yamaha's website does not mention XP, it does work under XP. Just plug the USB cable into the computer and XP automatically installs all the required drivers. Install the software on the CD and you can control the receiver from the computer. Unfortunately the Yamaha driver does not work under XP (only 98/me/2000), and as a result I cannot get the inputs to work with the computer. On the positive side, since the unit works out of the box with XP with no drivers needed, you can rest assured that it will very likely work with future version of Windows. (It also works with Mac out of the box I've heard).

So, with that out of the way, let's talk about the important stuff.

First, the receiver can function without a PC. In fact, almost all the features can be accessed. You can select the inputs, set DSP mode, select FM preset, and tuning to a particular station, all without using the PC. This is extremely important, as you would not want to buy something that will only work when the PC is on. I am glad Yamaha designed the unit with this in mind.

The sound from the receiver is simply incredible. The DAC on the unit appears to be quite good. If you are using the build-in sound card on the motherboard or a plain old sound blaster, you should immediately hear the difference. The sound is richer, has more resolution, and has more punch to it. The amp on the headphone jack is also quite good and delivers excellent sound quality on cheap and expensive headphones. It plays loud enough and reach the max my ear can handle way before maxing out.

Perhaps the best thing is the unit is a looker. It looks really cute, according to one female coworker. The construction is rock solid, it weights a hefty 12 pounds! I've used an external Sound Blaster Extigy and this unit feels much more like a real receiver.

I think "Blair from Chicago" missed the point of having this receiver. This receiver is all about sound quality. It's like buying a BMW and complains that the Corolla also takes you there at a much cheaper price. :)

The only shortcoming is the software. Even though I acquired this in Aug 2003 (at an extremely good price btw), the CD still contains software from 1999 and Yamaha's website offers no software update. The software works, but by 2003 standards it feels a little strange. I am not that bothered by it however, I'd rather have awesome hardware and wimpy software than the other way around. I know I will be enjoying this receiver for years to come, no matter what computer/OS I will use in the future.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not bad!, July 30, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Yamaha RP-U100 CAVIT External Audio Soundboard (Electronics)

Yamaha has tempted me into buying one of these fancy units. On top of looking great with modern furniture, this unit also works well with my laptop. Why? USB digital-in is my desired feature, while the unit also shows-off more than just a few analog and digital inputs. This unit has become the central unit for all my sound systems. I've connected it to my pc, my regular sound system, and my MD. Oh and i just took my aiwa speakers off the old system and connected them on to this one. Works just fine the way I like it.

Buy this system if you can afford it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Software works fine on XP, December 17, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Yamaha RP-U100 CAVIT External Audio Soundboard (Electronics)

I can't add much to Raymond Chi's comments about the build and audio quality of the RP-U100 .... I'm not sure its really hi-fi with the NS-U50 speakers Yamaha designed to go with it, but its light years better than any sound card I've heard before, and its totally unfair to compare it to equipment that costs many times more. In a word, the sound is _fabulous_ for a computer.

My experience with the software and XP, however, was much better than Mr. Chi's. I installed the software before making the USB connection, as the manual suggests. Subsequent installation of the software went without a hitch. The interface is a little dated and counter-intuitive, but it works perfectly -- all the functionality described in the help files works well. You can really geek with some of the complex settings for reverb, equalization, etc. With just a USB connection to the PC, I can even pipe analog sources into the CAVIT and rip them in realtime on the PC. What a great toy!