Cambridge Audio combines high-end sound with digital diversity: The new CXN100 is more than a network player
London, February 1st, 2024 - Convenient app operation, extensive compatibility with various streaming protocols and direct connection options - this is what you expect from a high-end network player, less than superb sound. The new Cambridge Audio CXN100 offers everything in one. The inventors of the “Great British Sound” not only provided this streamer with a wealth of inputs, but also made no compromises when it came to sound-relevant conversion, volume control and balanced outputs. This all-rounder can also be used as a control center for an entire system.
The Cambridge Audio CXN100 not only supports streaming services such as Spotify, Qobuz, Deezer and Tidal with their respective protocols. Thanks to compatibility with all important universal protocols such as Apple Airplay 2, Google Chromecast, Bluetooth, UPnP and roon ready, the selection of playback options is practically limitless.
The in-house app StreamMagic combines the convenient operation of all desired digital sources including Internet radio and the playback of local data from USB storage devices or from the in-house network. Thanks to the built-in dual-band WiFi with a particularly compact antenna, you don't even need a network cable to the streamers.
Analogue sockets according to RCA/Cinch standards and XLR sockets are available as outputs. There are dedicated asymmetrical and symmetrical amplifier circuits for both. Both can be switched between fixed and variable level operation - if desired, the CXN100 can be turned into a digital preamplifier that can directly control power amplifiers and active speakers. Digital outputs in coaxial or optical form allow connection to existing amplifiers with digital inputs.
And of course it also offers the “Great British Sound” for listeners with high quality standards: an ESS ES9028Q2M D/A converter chip processes ultra-hi-res music streams up to PCM 768/32 and DSD512. Thanks to its advanced oversampling technology and a large dynamic reserve, the 100-level volume control could be achieved without reducing the digital word width and therefore without loss of dynamics or resolution.
The CXN100 is a completely new development in all components from streaming to the D/A converter to the volume control and output stage. The only thing that reminds us of the CXN V2 is the housing design with the generous volume control knob. Even that has been designed even more harmoniously, with a larger color display but fewer controls and the USB port has been relocated to the back.
This means that the CXN100 fits perfectly harmoniously into existing CX series systems and can be combined with all amplifiers and sources in this series.
Cambridge Audio said "Of course we were happy that our successful network player CXN V2 received so many awards in 2023. Nevertheless, we didn't want to rest on our laurels, says James Johnson-Flint, owner of Cambridge Audio. "We took the next step, the CXN100 represents the next generation of network players. We created it to take a leading role in streaming hi-fi among customer groups with new usability demands."
Cambridge Audio's fourth generation streaming platform known as "StreamMagic" is integrated into the new streamer/digital preamplifier. The free app is available for iOS and Android in the relevant app stores. It not only enables convenient streaming of locally stored music from UPnP devices, but also keeps you connected to streaming services such as Spotify, Qobuz, Deezer and Tidal as well as an inexhaustible wealth of internet radio stations.
The essential playback functions such as play, pause and track skip as well as source selection, display switching and volume control using a rotary knob enable the most important functions to be controlled with a classic “HiFi feeling” on the device.
The Cambridge Audio CXN100 network streamer will be available in the Lunar Gray color variant in the Cambridge Audio web shop and in specialist retailers from March 2024. The retail price including VAT is: £899/ €1049
