{"product_id":"cambridge-cxn100-network-player","title":"Cambridge CXN100 - Network Audio Streamer - Lunar Grey","description":"\u003cdiv data-content-type=\"html\" data-appearance=\"default\" data-element=\"main\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_narrow\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"hp-title\"\u003eCompany \u0026amp; Product Overview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis article is on a new streamer from Cambridge Audio, the CXN100. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/shop-by-brand\/cambridge\"\u003eCambridge Audio\u003c\/a\u003e has been around for over 50 years and has become a favorite brand at Audio Advice. The CXN100 is an update on their multi-year award-winning previous streamer, the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/cambridge-audio-cxn-network-player-v2-series2\"\u003eCXNV2\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \n\u003cdiv class=\"col_full\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/media\/wysiwyg\/CXN100_FrontLow.jpg\" alt=\"Cambridge Audio CXN100 Network Player on a white background\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_narrow\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir very first product, the P40 was an integrated amplifier that used a toroidal power transformer, which was very unique at the time. This type of transformer is used in the highest-end electronics of today.\u003c\/p\u003e \n\n\u003cp\u003eCambridge Audio specializes in making great-sounding gear for the money, which is one reason they continue to win awards year after year. Their sound is like that of a lot of the great British gear, very natural, with an outstanding sense of rhythm and pacing. But what is impressive about Cambridge is how they pull this off at such moderate price points. One of their secrets is to keep the circuitry the signal passes through to a minimum and both test and carefully listen to different circuit designs. Another is the engineering facility has live music on most Friday afternoons which keeps the team totally in tune with how music should really sound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \n\u003cp\u003eUnlike some companies just getting into streaming, Cambridge Audio has been into it far longer than most and they have also developed a great control app called \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/streammagic-by-cambridge-audio\/id1466770276\"\u003eStream Magic\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAnother cool part about the new CXN100 is the fact it is not only a streamer but can be a full-function digital \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/home-audio\/components\/stereo-preamps\"\u003epreamp\u003c\/a\u003e with multiple inputs, Bluetooth, Chromecast, Airplay and it even has balanced audio outs. Many people will just add a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/home-audio\/components\/stereo-amps\"\u003epower amp\u003c\/a\u003e, set the output to variable, and have a great setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_full\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/media\/wysiwyg\/DSC07213.jpg\" alt=\"Cambridge Audio CXN100 Network Player on wooden cabinet between a plant and a stack of books\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_narrow\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"hp-title\"\u003eDesign \u0026amp; Build Quality\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe CXN100 is your typical size but with one cool twist. There is an arched bottom which gives it a neat floating look in your audio system.\u003c\/p\u003e \n\n\u003cp\u003eThe front panel has a large display with some control buttons, but most users will use their smartphone for everything. However, we do like the fact that, unlike some other units, you can quickly just use the volume control or the buttons to play, pause, or skip.\u003c\/p\u003e \n\n\u003cp\u003eCambridge Audio continues their feature of printing the names of all the connections both right side up and upside down on the rear panel so you can easily read them if you are leaning over the unit, a very thoughtful touch.\u003c\/p\u003e \n\n\u003cp\u003eThe CXN100 was designed and engineered in the UK and assembled in a factory in China they have used for a very long time. Build quality is top-notch. While it is not what you would see in a $10,000+ product, it is very impressive how they think about things. Fit and finish is very good, but when we popped the cover, we were really impressed.\u003c\/p\u003e \n\n\u003cp\u003eAll of the audio and digital boards are several inches away from the front panel display to reduce any noise pickup. The power supply board is totally separate and is as far away from the audio side of the main board as possible. The digital and audio boards could easily be something you would see in a $5,000 unit and all of the audio connections are directly connected to the board.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_half\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/media\/wysiwyg\/CXN100_Detail_8_White.jpg\" alt=\"Cambridge Audio CXN100 Network Player volume knob close up\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_half  col_last\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/media\/wysiwyg\/CXN100_InteriorDetails_1.jpg\" alt=\"Internal view of Cambridge Audio CXN100 Network Player\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_narrow\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"hp-title\"\u003eFeatures \u0026amp; Technology\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eThe CXN100, like its predecessor, abounds in great features. Stream Magic has really progressed and now covers the three major high-resolution audio streaming services: Qobuz, Tidal with MQA, and Deezer. It also has Spotify and many more. The app has improved so much in its rich search functions, it almost rivals our favorite Roon, and unlike Roon, it is free. If you can’t find an obscure streaming app, you can easily send your music over via Bluetooth aptX HD, Airplay2, or Chromecast. And if you are a Roon fan, it's ready to go.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \n    \u003cp style=\"text-align:center;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/videos-reviews\/roon-everything-need-know\"\u003eRoon: Everything You Need To Know\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \n    \n\u003cp\u003eThe rear panel sports a lot of possibilities with either hard wired or wireless ethernet, a coax and Toslink digital input, a USB input for computer audio, and a USB input for a USB drive or stick with your music files. You also get Toslink and coax digital outs should you wish to use it as a streamer with a better DAC you might already own, although it will need to be a very good one as the DAC in the CXN100 is first class.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \n\u003cp\u003eOne thing we do wish it had is a headphone jack, which would come in handy if you are using it as a digital preamp or on your desktop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \n\u003cp\u003eThe other great thing is the fact it has in addition to the RCA outputs, a pair of balanced audio outs for higher-end systems. Balanced cable connections inherently keep noise the cables might pick up to zero, and we recommend them when they are available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e \n\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_full\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/media\/wysiwyg\/CXN100_5_1.jpg\" alt=\"Rear panel of Cambridge CXN100 Network Player\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_narrow\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are going to use the CXN100 as a digital streamer\/preamp they have really improved the way the volume control operates. The older model had 30 steps from soft to loud, while the new CXN100 has 100, making fine-tuning of volume level far easier.\u003c\/p\u003e \n\n\u003cp\u003eInternet radio is becoming more and more popular and it used to be pretty low res in terms of audio quality. A few years back a new streaming tech was developed called DASH. This allows internet radio stations to stream at the same bitrate as Spotify at 320Kbps, which gives us much better sound quality than before. And the cool part about internet radio is there are thousands of stations all over the world you can pick from with more and more adopting DASH, including the BBC.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \n\u003cp\u003eThe DAC in the CXN100 is a big jump from the predecessor with more hi-res audio capability. Right now, this would only apply to digital files, but the ESS9028Q2M used can handle rates up to 32bit\/768k and can process DSD512, so those of you with very high res files you have purchased will be able to get everything out of them.\u003c\/p\u003e \n\n\u003cp\u003eThe CXN100 supports a wide range of audio formats, including ALAC, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD (x512), WMA, MP3, AAC, HE AAC, AAC+, and OGG Vorbis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhen Cambridge Audio sets out to design a product, once they have the specifications for the parts needed, they will do listening tests on different vendors' parts that meet the specs of the design. In the case of the CXN100, one of their top engineers spent hundreds of hours changing and listening to audio-critical components to tune the entire audio stage around these components. Back in the early days of HiFi, this is how most brands went about it and is why some vintage audio is so highly regarded. It is still done this way by most high-performance brands, but to see it done in the price range of the CXN100 and other Cambridge Audio products is a rare treat indeed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \n\u003cp\u003eThe unit was not just a makeover but a complete redesign. The analog stage after D to A conversion got a big upgrade with more efficient capacitors and op-amps which improved the signal-to-noise ratio and reduced distortion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLots of time was also spent deciding on the DAC that sounded best, and the ESS chip they picked sounded so good there were no post DAC filters required, which meant putting fewer parts in the signal path, an overarching goal of all Cambridge gear. These and many more added up to a much better-sounding unit we could not wait to test out.\u003c\/p\u003e \n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_full\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/media\/wysiwyg\/12_CX_Lifestyle_CXN100_Isolated_PR.jpg\" alt=\"Cambridge Audio CXN100 Network Player on a shelf next to a smart phone\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_narrow\"\u003e\n  \u003ch3 class=\"hp-title\"\u003ePerformance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have to give props to Cambridge Audio for some great eco-packaging. Even though this unit is the same size as the previous model, the physical box is much shorter in height and protected with a really neat set of cardboard end caps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \n\u003cp\u003eWe connected the CXN100 to the Cambridge Edge A integrated amplifier and a pair of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/shop-by-brand\/sonus-faber\"\u003eSonus Faber\u003c\/a\u003e Serafino G2 speakers. Now granted, most people with a system at this level would probably opt for a much higher-end streamer; we wanted to connect it up to something that would reveal everything possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \n\u003cp\u003eWe used Qobuz and some HiRes files purchased from HD Tracks for our testing. The first cut up on Qobuz in 24\/96 was \"Dreamy Skies\" from The Rolling Stones new album, \u003cem\u003eHackney Diamonds\u003c\/em\u003e. This is an acoustic cut with three guitars that has just a huge soundstage. Jagger was right in front and the CXN100 allowed all of the subtle vocal expressions to shine through as he sang about taking a break from technology.\u003c\/p\u003e  \n \u003cbr\u003e   \n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe src=\"https:\/\/widget.qobuz.com\/track\/233065065?lang=en\u0026amp;zone=us-en\" width=\"300\" height=\"90\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n    \n\u003cp\u003eNext up, in 176\/24 on Qobuz, was Patricia Barber’s \"I Could Have Danced All Night\" from her latest \u003cem\u003eClique\u003c\/em\u003e album. We always love to use her voice when testing out female vocals and the CXN100 really nailed it. She came across very smooth and flowing with zero hint of any digital glare. The real surprise was how the high hat cymbal action just shimmered with an effortless quality we did not expect to hear from a DAC in the price range.\u003c\/p\u003e   \n \u003cbr\u003e   \n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe src=\"https:\/\/widget.qobuz.com\/track\/129926089?lang=en\u0026amp;zone=us-en\" width=\"300\" height=\"90\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cbr\u003e   \n\u003cp\u003eThen we tried a 24\/96 cut from HD Tracks \"Rain on the Scarecrow\" from John Mellencamp’s \u003cem\u003eScarecrow\u003c\/em\u003e album. We like to use John Mellencamp for testing rhythm and pacing and the CNX100 drew us in with the extremely rhythmic drums and guitar riffs. And we could easily hear lots of tiny inflections and volume changes in his voice as he sang this sad but lively song.\u003c\/p\u003e  \n   \u003cbr\u003e \n  \u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe src=\"https:\/\/widget.qobuz.com\/track\/171021807?lang=en\u0026amp;zone=us-en\" width=\"300\" height=\"90\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \n\u003cbr\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eWhen we first tested the CXNV2, we thought it was a world-beater, and we have to say the same thing about the new CXN100. It seems to have even better resolution while maintaining a very smooth sound, and there was no question to us that it was even better in its rhythmic performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_full\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/media\/wysiwyg\/19_CX_Lifestyle_CXN100_CXA81_Model_Lounging.jpg\" alt=\"Cambridge Audio CXN100 Network Player\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_narrow\"\u003e\n    \u003ch3 class=\"hp-title\"\u003eOverall Recommendation\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \n    \u003cp\u003eThere are several possible use cases for this amazing new piece of gear. The first would be to just add the CXN100 to an existing audio system and have access to the wonderful world of digital music be it streaming or files you have ripped or purchased. Also, if you have a legacy \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/home-audio\/components\/cd-players\"\u003eCD player\u003c\/a\u003e with digital out, you could likely improve it by using the great \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/home-audio\/components\/dacs\"\u003eDAC\u003c\/a\u003e’s inside the CXN100.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \n\u003cp\u003eAnother way, if you are starting out and want something really good and simple, is to put its output in variable mode and pair it up with a set of active speakers. There are more and more of these coming on the market that have the amps built in, and the CXN100 would make a great control center.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFinally, if you are digital only, you could ditch your preamp and connect the CXN100 directly to your power amp for a very elegant and great-sounding digital front end.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe suspect that with the way the CXN100 sounds and its price point, Cambridge will once again win an ongoing stream of awards for its performance; it is highly recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \n\u003cp style=\"text-align:center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eWe’re here to help!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e   \n    \n\u003cp\u003eAudio Advice has been in the industry since 1978, and throughout the years, we’ve developed a team of professionals who live and breathe all things audio and video. We spend countless hours testing and reviewing every product we sell to be sure it stands up to our extremely high-quality standards. With our state-of-the-art home theater audio lab, we can become product experts and provide our customers with in-depth, honest feedback. If you are considering building a home theater or media room, check out our free home theater design tool at AudioAdvice.com. There, we also have many buyer guides, an inspiration gallery, best-in-class equipment, and home theater seating options. You can also stop by one of our award-winning showrooms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhen you buy from Audio Advice, you’re buying from a trusted seller since 1978. We offer \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFree Shipping, Free Returns, Lifetime Expert Support\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, and our \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrice Guarantee\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e. We look forward to serving you!\u003c\/p\u003e    \n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Cambridge Audio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41289931259988,"sku":"CAM:CXN100-LG","price":1099.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0572\/3281\/8260\/files\/cxn100_front34.jpg?v=1718145136","url":"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/products\/cambridge-cxn100-network-player","provider":"Audio Advice","version":"1.0","type":"link"}