Streaming music the HiFi way with Cambridge Audio - CXN V2 Review by Andrew Robinson

streaming music player! cambridge audio cxn v2 review

Listen to Spotify and TIDAL streaming music the HiFi way with Cambridge Audio’s new CXN (v2) network music streamer. The CXN (v2) is an update to Cambridge Audio’s original CXN. The Cambridge is more than just a streaming music player, it is also a very capable DAC as well as a digital two channel preamplifier. Basically, the CXN (v2) can serve as the centerpiece to any modern all-digital stereo system. Let’s dive into our streaming music player - Cambridge Audio CXN V2 review.

Streaming Music with A HiFi Network Music Player

Streaming music with a HIFI network music player has rocketed to the top of many audiophile’s list of purchases. The Cambridge’s core functionality is as a digital music streaming player, or network streaming device. It can connect to music streaming platforms such as Spotify and TIDAL directly, as well as stream music off any drive you may have connected to your local network. Fans of ROON will be pleased to learn that the CXN (v2) is ROON Ready out of the box. While the CXN (v2) is not MQA compliant, it can play back music in hi-res and even upsamples all incoming signals to its maximum resolution which is 24bit/384kHz.

“Streaming Music from services such as Spotify and TIDAL is all the rage. Stream music in hifi using the Cambridge Audio CXN (v2). ”

The CXN (v2) features dual Wolfson WM8740 24-bit DACs inside, giving it superior performance compared to other streamers in its price class. While Cambridge claims the Wolfson DACs give the CXN (v2) a warmer, richer tone, in our tests we simply did not find that to be the case. We would not classify the Cambridge as warm, but rather neutral or mostly colorless, which we prefer.

While the CXN (v2) does have a largish, full-color screen on its front panel, for best results you’ll likely find yourself controlling the Cambridge via Cambridge’s own Audio Stream Magic App. The App lets you take full control of the CXN (v2) and all of its higher functionality and acts, more or less, as a replacement remote. The included remote is good, well built and easy enough to understand, but power users of the CXN (v2) will likely ditch it (the remote) in favor of the App. But if you prefer to get up close and personal with your equipment (as I often do) you can control the Cambridge using the front mounted controls and color display.

CXN V2 vs CXA81

As a DAC for other connected components, the CXN (v2) proved superior to Cambridge’s own CXA81 integrated amplifier which itself has a built-in DAC. The Wolfsen DACs inside the CXN (v2) proved to be a far better than the ESS Sabre DACs located in the CXA81. Given that both the CXN (v2) and CXA81 are roughly the same price, and often paired together it is our recommendation that potential customers consider pairing the CXN (v2) with one of Cambridge’s other integrated amplifiers over the Cambridge CXA81.

HIFI streaming music with the cambridge audio cxn v2

The Cambridge Audio CXN (v2) actually excels as an all-digital, two channel preamplifier, in which case you only need to pair it to a capable two channel amplifier. This is how we most recommend users utilize the CXN (v2), and how we ultimately preferred it in our own system. We paired the CXN (v2) to a variety of two channel power amplifiers ranging from Class A/B to Class D. The CXN (v2) even has balanced audio outputs for those of you who may have power amplifiers with balanced audio connections. We didn’t note a big difference (if any) in the Cambridge’s sound quality when using the balanced outputs, but they are an option for those looking to take advantage.

“Streaming music off the Internet is popular with music lovers and hifi enthusiasts. You can stream music from a hard disc in your home or from the cloud from services such as Spotify or TIDAL. Get the best sound quality by using a dedicated network media streamer like the Cambridge Audio CXN (v2).”

As well-rounded as the Cambridge CXN (v2) is, we would’ve liked to see an analog input or two, MQA support as well as a subwoofer output. While we can look past its lack of MQA, for some the lack of analog inputs as well as a subwoofer out may be a deal breaker. Since we’re vinyl enthusiasts, the Cambridge’s lack of analog inputs is a deal breaker for us. But if you only listen to digital music either via a CD/DVD player or through a connected network streaming device or computer, we can think of few solutions that sound as sweet or get the job done as well as the Cambridge Audio CXN (v2) Network Audio Streamer.

CORRECTION: The product page I was referencing for the purposes of this review has an error with respect to the 851N. It was showing the 851E back panel (no longer in production) in reference to the 851N and its specs. This error was just now caught, and I apologize for any confusion this may cause. -Andrew

THIS VIDEO’S FEATURES THE CAMBRIDGE AUDIO CXN

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Streaming Music Player - Cambridge Audio CXN V2 Review

streaming music player! cambridge audio cxn v2 review