British manufacturer Cambridge upgrades its legendary Cambridge CXN v2 network player with the new Cambridge CXN100. This latest-generation streamer features an upgraded conversion stage for improved playback of Hi-Res files, streaming services and conversion of wired sources.
32-bit/768kHz, DSD and MQA DAC
In 2015, Cambridge launched the CXN range with its first high-end network player, the Cambridge CXN. It was a huge success, as was its 2018 successor, the Cambridge CXN v2. It has become one of the best in its category, thanks to its musical performance and numerous features. These qualities have earned it numerous awards from the trade press, including a What Hi-Fi? 5 Stars Award. The new Cambridge CXN100 is even more ambitious, with the integration of a more modern ESS DAC. The new ES9028Q2M chip shared with the Cambridge DacMagic 200M now enables it to support Hi-Res files up to a very high resolution of 32-bit/768kHz, as well as DSD512 and MQA tracks.
HD and multi-room streaming
Based on a StreamMagic Gen 4 network module, the Cambridge CXN100 streamer offers similar wireless features to the Cambridge MXN 10 and Cambridge AXN 10 players. Like the latter, it can play music shared over the local network, access web radios, as well as numerous streaming services, including Spotify, Deezer, Tidal and Qobuz. Streaming from a smartphone, tablet or computer is also possible via Bluetooth, AirPlay 2 and Chromecast. These last two protocols can be used to integrate the Cambridge CXN100 network player into a multi-room group for listening to music throughout the house.
Audio DAC and full connectivity
While the wireless features are identical to those of the MXN 10 and AXN 10, the Cambridge CXN100 stands out for its far more comprehensive range of connectors. Thanks to its USB, optical and coaxial inputs, you can connect all your digital sources, such as a CD player or TV, for signal conversion. Digital files can be played from a computer using the USB DAC mode (USB-B input), or locally with a hard drive connected to the USB-A input of the Cambridge CXN100 streamer.
As for outputs, the Cambridge CXN100 network player offers two analog outputs (one balanced XLR and one unbalanced RCA) and two digital outputs: one optical and one coaxial. It can therefore be easily combined with any external amplifier, preamp or DAC.
Large color display and mobile app
Like its predecessor, the top-of-the-range Cambridge Edge NQ, the Cambridge CXN100 network player features a front-panel color screen. It displays a wealth of information about the content being played, including album art, title and resolution, and the active source. However, unlike competing models such as the EverSolo DMP-A6 and EverSolo DMP-A8, it is not tactile. The device is therefore controlled via physical controls on either side of the screen, or via the StreamMagic mobile app for iOS and Android. The latter features all the essential commands for managing tracks stored on a USB stick or shared over the network, and for accessing various streaming services.
With the new Cambridge CXN100 network player, the British manufacturer perfects its most popular model by integrating more modern components to support high-resolution audio files and the latest streaming protocols.
