The short version, calling this impressive piece of equipment merely a network streamer is doing disservice to its full capability. While it is surely a top notch streamer, it is also top of the line DAC and a complete digital pre-amp. If you care for truly great sound, this will make a great addition to your Hi-Fi gear and can take your hi res sound to the next level. Details below.
Now, my base equipment is Cambridge Audio CXA81 amp and CXC CD Transport. For my streaming I used to use the Sonos Port, streaming via Tidal and Amazon Music, and some Spotify. I previously had the CXC CD transport and the Sonos Port hooked up to the digital in of the CXA81 Amp, using the latter’s Sabre DAC to process the signal, with the output playing via a pair or Golden Ear Triton Five towers. The sound was delightful for a semi audiophile like me.
However, I was drawn to the CXN, initially by the reviews and by the desire to complete the Cambridge Audio CX line up (CXN, CXC, CXA). Finally, decided to give it a try and replaced the Sonos Port with the CXN V2. I expected a marginal, if any, improvement in sound. Much to my delight, however, the CXN instantly delivered stunning sound. To be sure, the Sonos+CXA81 amp already delivered great sound, so the significant improvement in switching to CXN was nothing short of spectacular. As I was using the CXN’s DAC, my amp was only acting as a power amp as this stage.
Next, I hooked up my CXC CD transport to the CXN, using it as a Digital preamp. I wanted to use the CXNs famed Dual Wolfson DAC and its unique ATF2 signal technology to process the audio signal. The signal was routed to the Amp via the CXNs analog XLR balanced output. Again, I heard truly stunning sound, the sound stage opened, it was crisper, the base was more pronounced, the high end was sharper, I was hearing finer notes that I hadn’t heard before. To make sure I wasn’t imagining it, I did a blind test with my wife, and she could tell the superior sound instantly. And yes, the build quality is simply superior, it has a great display panel and front skin that gives you some well-deserved bragging rights.
Last, but not the least, the StreamMagic app is great. I was told its not as good as the Sonos app, but I found it to be elegant, easy to use, and very functional. An added bonus was the ability to play local FM stations via the streamer, so in a sense it's a connected tuner as well.
In summary, this impressive piece of equipment can act as a streamer, a DAC and a digital pre-amp all in one. You cannot go wrong with it, and its well worth the higher price point if you care for truly stunning sound.
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Product Description
CX SERIES 2. THE SOUND OF PROGRESS.
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CONVENIENCE. NOT COMPROMISEEveryone loves the convenience of digital audio. Nobody enjoys the compromises digital audio playback sometimes involves. That’s why the CXN (V2) is designed to provide the effortless accessibility of digital audio, but with the uncompromised sonic excellence of Cambridge Audio’s 50-plus years of hi-fi experience. Ease of use meets quality of performance. |
THE WORLD’S MUSIC, ANY WAY YOU WANT ITDigital audio is available from many sources - and the CXN (V2) is able to deliver from those you love most. Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, Qobuz and Tidal offer a world’s-worth of content, there’s Chromecast built-in to make things even easier, and the CXN (V2) is Roon Tested which means your NAS and UPnP audio is at your fingertips too. Add digital optical and coaxial inputs, asynchronous USB socket, aptX Bluetooth (via adapter) and internet radio, and the CXN (V2) brings the planet’s music into your home. |
THE WHOLE STORYGetting hold of the music you want is one thing. Being moved by the fidelity of its reproduction is quite another. That’s why the CXN (V2) is packing dual Wolfson WM8740 digital-to-analogue convertors - by upscaling any digital audio information to an information-packed 24bit/384kHz using Cambridge Audio’s unique ATF2 technology, music is delivered with the sort of warmth, depth, nuance and unity not automatically associated with digital audio. |
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POWER IN YOUR HANDSThe CXN (V2) features prodigious processing power, quite unlike that of any nominal rival. Cambridge Audio’s renowned Stream Magic platform ensures a slick, seamless and stable listening experience from any source, and its out-of-the-box MPEG-DASH and HLS compatibility means live streams are equally consistent and of equally high quality. |
CONTROL. PURE AND SIMPLEInteracting with CXN (V2) couldn’t be simpler or more satisfying. The bespoke Cambridge Audio Stream Magic app allows straightforward, stable and intuitive control of all connected sources - curate playlists, set presets or browse albums conveniently and in comfort. Then allow the big, colourful and crisp fascia display to show your commands or the album artwork of the music you’re enjoying. |
MAKING THE BEST EVEN BETTERFour What Hi-Fi? awards in a row speaks volumes about how well-loved the CXN (v2) is - but Cambridge Audio is always searching for ways to improve. A constant programme of development, a constant desire to seek out marginal gains in performance, and the ability to update the CXN (v2) remotely, as and when it’s required, means the best network audio streamer around just keeps getting better. |
50 Years of Engineering Expertise
For 50 years now, we’ve pursued one simple goal: to engineer products that bring the Great British Sound into your home.
We deliver Great British Sound
We design and engineer in London
We are constantly innovating
The Soundest Moment, THE Soundest Value
However you listen, whatever your budget, we will give you the best possible sound.
We make award-winning products
We are the UK’s best-selling amplifer brand
We offer a diverse range of audio products
Music Lovers on a Mission
Everything we do is driven by our love of music. Great things happen when people who love music make audio products
Hi-Fi made by Musicians
We built our own music venue
We support Music Charities
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Customer Review: Beautiful network receiver
BaisTresManos
Reviews with images
Exactly what I needed
I've been trying to work with vintage flagship receivers from the '80s and I kept having issues back and forth after repairs so I decided to go modern. I chose Cambridge because of the full range of products that they offer and knowing that they're all designed to work together perfectly. I bought the amp first and couldn't be happier. I then bought the streamer. Love it, I am absolutely blown away at the quality of Hi-Fi streaming these days and this platform did not disappoint. As you can see I've got two turntables, I've got albums that are redundant so I've played two of the same album and compare that to a live stream of the same song at the same time basically swapping back and forth between the inputs; I will tell you the network streaming blew away the vinyl. I will continue to build my vinyl collection because I think they're beautiful and there's always a time and place for vinyl. I also bought a NAS so I could rip 500 plus CDs to have a digital library to augment and compliment 1,000 vinyl records and network streaming. So back to the review of Cambridge; absolutely love them sure there might be something that has higher quality, per se, but my ears won't be able to hear the difference and that's what matters
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2023
The short version, calling this impressive piece of equipment merely a network streamer is doing disservice to its full capability. While it is surely a top notch streamer, it is also top of the line DAC and a complete digital pre-amp. If you care for truly great sound, this will make a great addition to your Hi-Fi gear and can take your hi res sound to the next level. Details below.
Now, my base equipment is Cambridge Audio CXA81 amp and CXC CD Transport. For my streaming I used to use the Sonos Port, streaming via Tidal and Amazon Music, and some Spotify. I previously had the CXC CD transport and the Sonos Port hooked up to the digital in of the CXA81 Amp, using the latter’s Sabre DAC to process the signal, with the output playing via a pair or Golden Ear Triton Five towers. The sound was delightful for a semi audiophile like me.
However, I was drawn to the CXN, initially by the reviews and by the desire to complete the Cambridge Audio CX line up (CXN, CXC, CXA). Finally, decided to give it a try and replaced the Sonos Port with the CXN V2. I expected a marginal, if any, improvement in sound. Much to my delight, however, the CXN instantly delivered stunning sound. To be sure, the Sonos+CXA81 amp already delivered great sound, so the significant improvement in switching to CXN was nothing short of spectacular. As I was using the CXN’s DAC, my amp was only acting as a power amp as this stage.
Next, I hooked up my CXC CD transport to the CXN, using it as a Digital preamp. I wanted to use the CXNs famed Dual Wolfson DAC and its unique ATF2 signal technology to process the audio signal. The signal was routed to the Amp via the CXNs analog XLR balanced output. Again, I heard truly stunning sound, the sound stage opened, it was crisper, the base was more pronounced, the high end was sharper, I was hearing finer notes that I hadn’t heard before. To make sure I wasn’t imagining it, I did a blind test with my wife, and she could tell the superior sound instantly. And yes, the build quality is simply superior, it has a great display panel and front skin that gives you some well-deserved bragging rights.
Last, but not the least, the StreamMagic app is great. I was told its not as good as the Sonos app, but I found it to be elegant, easy to use, and very functional. An added bonus was the ability to play local FM stations via the streamer, so in a sense it's a connected tuner as well.
In summary, this impressive piece of equipment can act as a streamer, a DAC and a digital pre-amp all in one. You cannot go wrong with it, and its well worth the higher price point if you care for truly stunning sound.
Now, my base equipment is Cambridge Audio CXA81 amp and CXC CD Transport. For my streaming I used to use the Sonos Port, streaming via Tidal and Amazon Music, and some Spotify. I previously had the CXC CD transport and the Sonos Port hooked up to the digital in of the CXA81 Amp, using the latter’s Sabre DAC to process the signal, with the output playing via a pair or Golden Ear Triton Five towers. The sound was delightful for a semi audiophile like me.
However, I was drawn to the CXN, initially by the reviews and by the desire to complete the Cambridge Audio CX line up (CXN, CXC, CXA). Finally, decided to give it a try and replaced the Sonos Port with the CXN V2. I expected a marginal, if any, improvement in sound. Much to my delight, however, the CXN instantly delivered stunning sound. To be sure, the Sonos+CXA81 amp already delivered great sound, so the significant improvement in switching to CXN was nothing short of spectacular. As I was using the CXN’s DAC, my amp was only acting as a power amp as this stage.
Next, I hooked up my CXC CD transport to the CXN, using it as a Digital preamp. I wanted to use the CXNs famed Dual Wolfson DAC and its unique ATF2 signal technology to process the audio signal. The signal was routed to the Amp via the CXNs analog XLR balanced output. Again, I heard truly stunning sound, the sound stage opened, it was crisper, the base was more pronounced, the high end was sharper, I was hearing finer notes that I hadn’t heard before. To make sure I wasn’t imagining it, I did a blind test with my wife, and she could tell the superior sound instantly. And yes, the build quality is simply superior, it has a great display panel and front skin that gives you some well-deserved bragging rights.
Last, but not the least, the StreamMagic app is great. I was told its not as good as the Sonos app, but I found it to be elegant, easy to use, and very functional. An added bonus was the ability to play local FM stations via the streamer, so in a sense it's a connected tuner as well.
In summary, this impressive piece of equipment can act as a streamer, a DAC and a digital pre-amp all in one. You cannot go wrong with it, and its well worth the higher price point if you care for truly stunning sound.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2021
Addendum: Since sharing this I added an Audiolab 6000cdt. A cd transport. Since a transport has no DAC I run the Audiolab through the Cambridge’s CXN V2. These two British companies both make fine equipment and are probably VERY competitive. Both make streamers and cd transports. I’m sure both would be taken aback that I’m mixing and matching but, keeping with a theme here, the Cambridge streamer/dac and the Audiolab transport is a match made in heaven!
If you love it so much why don’t you marry it?
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2021
Most of us remember that smarty pants taunt from grade school. Well, I’ll have you know over the last month I have proposed to the Cambridge CXN V2 several times! I do indeed love it! I have 55 years of loving good sounding music in the car, on a home stereo or in a home theater. I do not have deep pockets but I save money, look for bargains, research extensively and do without other stuff in order to finance my passion. Without a doubt, the value and quality of the CXN is far beyond it’s modest price tag. Music streamers come in all shapes, sizes and price points. Abilities will vary. The CXN does absolutely everything that’s important and does it very, very well. Slim design, colorful detailed screen, digital inputs to allow implementation of it’s great DAC, built-in wi-fi and the ability to accept usb thumb drives or even external hard drives of your music. Operation is surprisingly straight forward. Incredible processing power! I have a 3TB external had drive completely full with mp3’s and flac’s. The CXN V2 read this drive and gave me access to all it’s music in less than 30 seconds! And, absolutely most important, the sound is EXCELLENT! It compares with lp’s on my VPI turntable with a $1500 cart for goodness sakes! How does Cambridge do it? Magic? Alien technology? Little elves? Who cares as long as they keep doing it!! Super job, Cambridge! You made an old man very happy!Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2021
Addendum: Since sharing this I added an Audiolab 6000cdt. A cd transport. Since a transport has no DAC I run the Audiolab through the Cambridge’s CXN V2. These two British companies both make fine equipment and are probably VERY competitive. Both make streamers and cd transports. I’m sure both would be taken aback that I’m mixing and matching but, keeping with a theme here, the Cambridge streamer/dac and the Audiolab transport is a match made in heaven!
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
Guilherme
Mais emoções e muita qualidade nesse streamer. Bom mesmo.
Reviewed in Brazil on March 23, 2023