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Yamaha has announced the R200A, a new entry-level stereo receiver that replaces the long-running R-S202. It’s not glamorous, but it matters for a lot of our readers, because it’s one of the cheapest ways to build a proper stereo system with a phono input and a dedicated subwoofer output.
- 100 W per channel into 8 ohms, two pairs of speaker outputs (A/B).
- Built-in phono input for turntables, Bluetooth with multipoint, AM/FM with 40 presets.
- A dedicated subwoofer output.
- $299.95 MSRP, black or silver, available in November 2026.
Why the subwoofer output matters
Many budget stereo amps and receivers have no sub output at all, which forces you to use speaker-level connections or a converter (we explain those workarounds in how to connect a sub without a sub output). A dedicated output makes the job simple: one RCA cable to the sub’s line input, and the sub’s volume follows the receiver’s.
Yamaha’s announcement doesn’t describe any bass management for that output, so assume your speakers will still play full range and the sub fills in underneath. In that setup you set the crossover on the sub itself, just above where your speakers roll off. Our subwoofer frequency setting guide shows typical settings by speaker size.
A good base for a vinyl-plus-sub system
A phono stage, 100 W per channel and a sub output for around $300 is a solid foundation for a starter hi-fi: a turntable, a pair of bookshelf speakers and a compact sub. Turntable owners should keep the sub on a solid floor away from the deck to avoid feedback. If you’re choosing a sub to go with it, see best subwoofers for bookshelf speakers; Yamaha’s own NS-SW100 is a natural, well-balanced match for small rooms (our review).
R200A vs the outgoing R-S202
The R200A keeps the same basic recipe as the R-S202, which is still on sale: two-channel amplification, phono, Bluetooth, FM and a sub out. The headline additions are Bluetooth multipoint, letting two phones stay paired, and a refreshed design. If you see the R-S202 discounted while stock lasts, it remains a perfectly good choice for a simple system. If you want streaming and room calibration, Yamaha’s step-up R-N800A network receiver is the next rung.
Our take
This is exactly the kind of unflashy product beginners need: affordable, simple, and with the connections to grow into a 2.1 system later. We’d have liked to see HDMI ARC for TV use, but Yamaha doesn’t mention it, so treat this as a music-first receiver. Look for it at retailers in November.