Cambridge Audio CXN100 Pre Amplifier / Network Player with DAC

CXN100 Pre Amplifier / Network Player - Key Features ◊ High-Resolution Network Streaming — Supports streaming of PCM and DSD audio from network sources, NAS drives, and streaming services. ◊ Integrated DAC — High-performance digital-to-analog conversion for detailed, refined music playback. ◊ Versatile Connectivity — Includes Ethernet, USB-B, optical, coaxial, and balanced/unbalanced analog outputs for flexible system integration. ◊ Support for Lossless & Hi-Res Formats — Plays FLAC, WAV, ALAC, AIFF, and DSD files for rich, high-resolution audio. ◊ AirPlay & Bluetooth Compatibility — Wireless audio streaming from phones, tablets, and computers. ◊ Easy Control Options — Managed via Cambridge Audio StreamMagic app or front-panel/remote control. ◊ Dual Analog Outputs — Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs for connection to amplifiers or preamps. ◊ User-Friendly Interface — Clear display and intuitive menus simplify source selection and navigation. ◊ Solid Build & Shielded Design — Minimizes noise for cleaner signal transfer and better sonic performance. Stunning Sound ESS SABRE 9028Q2M DAC Our award-winning predecessor network player, the CXN V2, had twin Wolfson DACs onboard – class leading components for the time. CXN100 has been brought bang up to date with new technology. Its single ESS 9028Q2M DAC chip is a prime example. It sounds better – and measures better – than any DAC we’ve previously placed in a network player. In addition, the timing filter inside the ESS 9028Q2M is so good, that there’s no post-DAC filter required, which simplifies the signal path meaning less technology getting in the way of your music. With the addition of CXN100 to the Cambridge network player range, all our streaming products now use ESS DACs. We admire their efficiency but more importantly, we love how they sound.   Tuned in London Whilst the casing may look familiar, CXN100 has undergone a big revolution under the hood. We spent hundreds of hours listening and swapping out audio critical components such as capacitors and op-amps to tune the entire post-DAC analogue stage. We then measured to back up the evidence of our listening tests. The result? Increased signal-to-noise ratio, reduced distortion and a pristine digital music experience.   Balanced XLR Connectors When used with a compatible amplifier, such as the award- winning Cambridge CXA81, balanced XLR connections give the best analogue link possible. This offers greatly improved resistance to interference, particularly over long cable runs.   StreamMagic Gen 4 Streaming Module At our London HQ, we’ve been perfecting StreamMagic for more than 10 years. It’s the clever partnership of hardware and software that drives all our network players. We’ve now moved on to the 4th generation of streaming module. It’s the same one you’ll find in the award-winning Evo all-in-one players. This latest module allows you to enjoy all the latest file types and resolutions, up to 32-bit / 768kHz, DSD512 and MQA in stunning quality, as well as featuring integrated Bluetooth for easy connection. The partnering StreamMagic app is intuitive and powerful, allowing seamless control over your music, no matter where you stream from, whether that be internet radio, Spotify, TIDAL, Qobuz, Deezer or downloaded music files. And with OTA (Over the Air) updates, as new services or features become available, your CXN100 will just get better and better.   MQA Now On Board MQA stands for Master Quality Authenticated and it’s a clever method of ensuring that what gets laid down in the studio streams its way to playback devices around the world with nothing missing. It’s most famously integrated with TIDAL. MQA technology folds the original hi-res file (be that WAV, FLAC etc.) to make it small enough to stream easily. These files will then play back on any device that can decode the container, but only devices with an MQA decoder onboard will ‘unfold’ the file to reveal the entirety of the originally recorded track.   Multi-Room, Your Way Let the music flow seamlessly from room to room by syncing multiple Cambridge Audio streaming devices around your home. Built-in Google Cast, Apple AirPlay 2 and ROON compatibility gives enormous flexibility to build the perfect multi-room system. Whether you group all your rooms into one big party system or want the music to follow you from one space to another, multi-room audio keeps the listening going. High Quality Internet Radio CXN100 uses mpeg-DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) and HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) compatibility out of the box, which allows for higher quality, more consistent live streams, creating an intimate internet radio experience. It’s the same technology that ensures a smooth Netflix experience as it prioritises continuity of stream and decides quality according to available bandwidth. More importantly for internet radio users, because the CXN100 supports DASH, your favourite radio stations will be received in higher quality streams where available.   The Brain of Your Hi-Fi Digital Connections Round the back of CXN100, you’ll find 2 digital inputs (1x TOSLINK Optical & 1x S/PDIF Coaxial) for connecting digital sources. There’s also an Asynchronous USB input perfect for PCs and Macs – use this connection for access to the highest resolution music (up to 32bit/768kHz & DSD512). Local files stored on a USB drive can be connected to the USB Mass Media port and Bluetooth offers easy playback from a mobile phone or similar device. Have we missed anything?!   Pre-amplifier Mode CXN100 also has a digital pre-amplifier mode. What does that mean? In simple terms, CXN100 can handle volume control for any digital source connected to it. Use the all-new tactile control dial or the StreamMagic app to find your ideal level.   Large Colour Display Often the display on a piece of hi-fi can seem like an afterthought. Not with CXN100. Alongside all that new internal componentry comes a bigger, brighter, 1280 x 569 TFT display to keep an eye on album artwork and unit status.   Inside Story Our products are designed and engineered in-house, in London SE1. Right on the doorstep of Borough Market and some of the most creative and exciting developments in the music industry. Outside work we’re musicians, sound engineers and above all music lovers. “I couldn’t just put new components into CXN100 and assume it would be the right solution. We had to maintain the character of a CXN whilst bringing it up to date technically. CXN100 is COMPLETELY NEW internally and it took careful consideration and A/B testing to ensure we got that right. As a result, CXN100 sounds refined and grown up”. CHARLIE CROSSLEY Audio Hardware Engineer: