Cambridge MXN 10: Hi-Res music in all its glory

The Cambridge Audio MXN 10 is a compact audio network player with AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Bluetooth 5.0 streaming. It is compatible with UPnP and Roon, features a USB-A port and can play PCM files up to a resolution of 32-bit/768kHz as well as DSD512 (22.4MHz) files. It also provides direct access to online music services such as Spotify, Deezer, Tidal and Qobuz via the StreamMagic app.

Sold for €499, the Cambridge Audio MXN 10 is the perfect digital audio source for all non-connected stereo amps. The manufacturer also offers a limited edition hi-fi format version (43cm wide) called the Cambridge AXN 10, which costs around a hundred euros more. 

Cambridge Audio MXN 10: packaging & accessories

The Cambridge Audio MXN 10 network player comes with two power cables (UK and EU) and two WiFi/Bluetooth antennas. The box also contains a quick start guide, a registration card and a leaflet outlining the safety instructions.

Cambridge Audio MXN 10: presentation

The Cambridge Audio MXN 10 network player allows your hi-fi installation to become compatible with high resolution digital music. It can be connected via an analog or digital connection to any hi-fi amplifier, pair of active speakers or compact hi-fi system with a compatible input. 

Designed to provide easy access to internet radio stations and the most popular streaming services, the Cambridge Audio MXN 10 can also read hi-res tracks stored on a USB device or audio server. This network player can also receive music wirelessly from any smartphone, tablet or computer, either via WiFi (AirPlay 2 and Chromecast protocols) or Bluetooth. It can be controlled and configured from the StreamMagic app (iOS/Android). 

Compact and elegant

The Cambridge Audio MXN 10 has a black metallic chassis and a lunar gray aluminum front panel. This gives the device an elegant, timeless look while creating an effective barrier against electromagnetic waves.

Four buttons on the front panel, which can be programmed in the app, allow you to instantly launch your favorite internet radio stations or playlists.

The half-width chassis (21.5cm wide) of the Cambridge Audio MXN 10 offers great flexibility regarding placement. It can even be placed in a cabinet if you don’t want it to be visible. Its hi-fi version (43cm wide), the Cambridge Audio AXN 10, is an ideal match for the manufacturer’s stereo amplifiers, notably the Cambridge Audio AX A25 and AX A35, as well as the Cambridge Audio AX R85 and Cambridge Audio AX R100 D.

ESS Sabre DAC, 32-bit/768kHz and DSD playback

A powerful ESS Sabre ES9033Q chip handles the decoding of digital audio files played by the Cambridge Audio MXN 10. The latter therefore benefits from the exceptional dynamic range (+122 dB/channel) and very low distortion (-108 dB THD+N/channel) of this excellent stereo DAC. This results in a remarkable ability to reproduce all the nuances present in vocals and music, from the faintest tinkling of a triangle to the loudest hits on a bass drum.

The majority of audio formats are supported (WAV, ALAC, FLAC, AIFF, WMA, MP3, AAC, HE AAC, AAC+, OGG Vorbis) up to a high resolution (32-bit/768kHz). DSD files can also be read up to 22.4 MHz (DSD512), as well as MQA (Tidal). 

The Cambridge Audio MXN 10 can play music shared over the local network by using the UPnP and Roon protocols. It is also possible to connect a USB stick or a hard drive to the USB-A port to play audio files, accessible from the app.

Streaming, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Roon and Bluetooth

Once connected to the home’s internet gateway, the Cambridge MXN 10 can access thousands of web radios as well as the four most popular streaming services: Qobuz, Tidal, Deezer and Spotify. Playback is controlled directly in the StreamMagic app (iOS and Android), which features these services natively. Hi-Res tracks are supported for the services that offer them, and users can easily play and edit their favorites and playlists.

If you wish, you can also enjoy your favorite streaming service using the dedicated app. Wireless streaming to the Cambridge MXN 10 is achieved via AirPlay 2, Chromecast (WiFi) or Bluetooth (SBC and AAC). The Roon Ready certification also enables the Cambridge Audio MXN 10 to be added to the list of playback devices in the Roon interface, so you can fully benefit from its performance with DSD, FLAC and MQA files.

StreamMagic

The StreamMagic platform is undoubtedly one of the Cambridge Audio MXN 10’s best features. It combines a custom hardware module with a software interface that was developed in-house. The speed and power of the processor ensure perfectly smooth navigation and optimal playback of all files thanks to the proprietary app. The latter can be quickly optimized for new formats via frequent updates. 

The integration of the various streaming platforms is particularly well executed, with a graphical user interface that is as attractive as it is functional. The different controls are easy to find and get to grips with. We only regret that playback can’t be controlled directly from an interface on the device, as is the case, for example, with the Yamaha WXC-50 and Bluesound Node network players.

Analog and digital connectors

The Cambridge MXN 10’s connectors include a stereo RCA analog output and two digital outputs (one optical and one coaxial). This makes it easy to connect the player to any amplifier, external DAC or even a pair of active speakers. All that’s missing is a variable-level RCA output and a front-panel volume controller for direct connection to a power amp.

Cambridge Audio MXN 10: key specifications

• ESS Sabre ES9033Q DAC
• 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512
• USB playback and local network playback via UPnP
• Roon Ready
• AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Bluetooth streaming
• Spotify, Qobuz, Tidal, Deezer
• Web radios

See the Cambridge Audio MXN 10’s full specs

Cambridge Audio MXN 10: listening conditions

For our review, we connected the Cambridge Audio MXN 10 to the Atoll IN200 Signature stereo amp using a NorStone Skye RCA stereo cable. Both were powered by the Taga Harmony PF-2000 power strip, the Cambridge from a powered socket using its original power cable and the amplifier from a direct socket, using an Audioquest power cable. The music was played through a pair of Sonus faber Lumina I speakers placed on NorStone Stylum II stands and connected to the amp with Viard Audio Premium HD HP speaker cables. To provide a fast, stable network connection to the Cambridge player, we connected it via Ethernet cable to the router in the Netgear Orbi RBK852 pack.

Cambridge Audio MXN 10: impressions

Whether it’s the Cambridge Audio MXN 10 or the AXN 10, one can’t help but be impressed by the build quality and elegant simplicity of these electronics. This is a beautifully crafted object that’s a pleasure to display in your living room. 

The ease of installation and use is also commendable, particularly the control app, which is extremely smooth and intuitive for everyday use. The Spotify, Deezer, Qobuz and Tidal streaming services are perfectly integrated. Playlists and favorites are easy to find, and the layout is beautifully designed. The playback of files on USB devices is a little less user-friendly, but folder navigation remains smooth. It’s a shame, however, that gapless playback is not available for USB.

As for sound, this Cambridge Audio media player was balanced and neutral. The ESS DAC was also extremely precise, providing a rich sound with many audible details. The highs were beautifully clear, without ever becoming tiring. The lows were tight, responsive and nuanced. 

From the very first notes of “Time” (The Dark Side of the Moon – 24-bit/192kHz), for example, the ticking of the clock and the chimes were particularly realistic. The percussion instruments that followed were reproduced with great magnitude and were perfectly in time with the bass and guitar. When the song really began to soar with the drums, saturated guitar and David Gilmour’s voice, the Cambridge media player unveiled all the energy and richness of this track, allowing us to be part of an incredibly immersive experience with the band!

Cambridge Audio MXN 10: compared to… 

Yamaha WXC-50

Retailing for €100 less than the Cambridge Audio, the Yamaha WXC-50 can boast a Diapason d’Or award and the title of best network player from EISA at the time of its release. Its main assets are its preamlification function (analog and digital input, playback and volume control on the front panel), its MusicCast multi-room integration capabilities and Gapless playback of WAV, FLAC, AIFF and ALAC files. 

However, the Cambridge Audio player is more musical, with a richer and more detailed reproduction as well as wider spatialization. This is probably thanks to the ES9033 DAC, but also the StreamMagic platform which is particularly effective with Hi-Res audio files. Also noteworthy is the Cambridge’s wider support for DSD, up to DSD512. Dual compatibility with the AirPlay 2 and Chromecast protocols is also available with the British player, while the Japanese media player omits the latter.

Bluesound Node

You’ll have to spend another €150 for the Bluesound Node, one of the most popular network players on the market. It’s also one of the most acclaimed by the specialist press. Its preampification feature (optical/analog and HDMI eARC input), original design and touchscreen interface have a lot to do with it, as does its versatility in terms of supported formats, web radios and streaming services. It outperforms the MXN 10 on all these counts.

Once again, the Cambridge Audio MXN10 comes out on top in terms of musicality. Both more precise and more detailed, without being overly analytical, it also adds more nuance to the sound.

Cambridge Audio MXN 10: who is it for?

Do you want to experience the richness of high-resolution music, but your stereo audio system has no Internet or network connectivity? Then the Cambridge Audio MXN 10 is for you! It combines elegance, ease of use and, above all, flawless musicality to let you enjoy all the subtlety of Hi-Res recordings.

Cambridge Audio MXN 10: conclusion

The Cambridge Audio MXN 10 is ideal for updating a hi-fi amplifier that has no network connectivity or a pair of active speakers. It is an excellent high fidelity audio source that provides access to streaming services and web radios, but it can also play tracks from a USB device or shared over the local network. We were equally impressed by its design and build quality as we were by the smoothness and ease of use of the playback app. We were also delighted with its musicality: the Cambridge Audio MXN 10 delivers a clear, detailed and balanced sound, taking a back seat to the music in order to enhance its impact. 

We liked

• The design and build quality
• The smooth, responsive StreamMagic app
• The clear sound, balance and level of detail

We would have liked

• Gapless playback in USB
• A preamp feature
• Play/pause and volume controls on the device itself