Cambridge Audio CXN 100

[My adventures in stereo]

Surprised by the radio silence on the Cambridge Audio CXN 100
After how well rated its predecessor the Cambridge Audio CXN V2, was universally
Expected to see more interest in its successor

I am currently using a Wiim Pro, like it a lot
Just ordered a CXN100, to try it out
Had previously almost picked up the CXN V2 but felt it was getting a bit old

Would love to hear your thoughts on the CXN 100
Will post my feedback, one I receive the new streamer

 

[Overseas]

Everybody is saving for Wiim Ultra, that's why

 

[tc2007]

It's possibly a AXN10 + LCD screen and aesthetics of the CXNV2. I have the MXN10 and it's quite good.

 

[Grateful Garret]

I’ll let you know. Mine arrives next week and I’ll give it a solid run through.

 

[WilliamO]

I am extremely interested in this streamer for a couple different reasons. I presently have the CNXv2 (streamer into DAC - McIntosh D150) and I think it is absolutely WONDERFUL. I also have the Cambridge Audio Azur 851N - I use as a digital preamp. I am most interested in the ability to serve the higher resolution formats and the larger screen. I have considered replacing with Eversolo or HiFi Rose, but I am not quite certain how those products will age relying on Android interfaces (not 100% certain on HiFi Rose).

 

[My adventures in stereo]

Got the CXN 100
It is a beast, in weight build & size
14.6 lb shipped
The default language was Polish for some strange reason, a quick reset later, English was restored
Stream Magic app was easy to use
Rest of the setup was trouble free

I used the XLR outs & the Optical out, they sound very similar
The preamp was set to off, as I am using a minidsp SHD
Had not realised that, it comes with chromecast audio built in

Felt the native Apps for Tidal & Spotify sounded better than the Chromecast Audio
Had a long session listening to a eclectic mix of Streamed music

In my purely subjective opinion
It sounds pretty good

My Wiim Pro will be looking for a new home Soon

 

[Peerke007]

I received mine yesterday. A first quick listen makes me smile. It sounds excellent and installation was easy. I replaced my Node 2i and SMSL D300. No regrets yet .

 

[Freeway]

On the Cambridge website shows 'out of stock'. Interesting.

 

[Peerke007]

On the Cambridge website shows 'out of stock'. Interesting.

I bought the last one .

 

[Grateful Garret]

Mine is on back order, too and supposed to ship on 3/26. They must have had quite the run on this unit. I like what I’m hearing from others reports so far and am looking forward to receiving mine.

 

[Somafunk]

Apologies for posting Andrew Robinson but some may find it useful, I’m sticking with my CXNv2

 

[Peerke007]

Apologies for posting Andrew Robinson but some may find it useful, I’m sticking with my CXNv2

Good and honest review. I agree on the very pleasant sound and do hope Cambridge Audio will work on the firmware to add tone and balance controls to give the unit more pre amp functions. Build in PEQ would be a great feature too. Combined with my little tube amp, I would consider myself in Audio heaven when they add these functions.

 

[My adventures in stereo]

Rather than posting a reviewer video, please explain why you prefer the CXN V2 over the CXN 100
I do not give any credence to the reviewer, you posted, based on his previous track record
Too subjective for my preference

 

[Somafunk]

Rather than posting a reviewer video, please explain why you prefer the CXN V2 over the CXN 100
I do not give any credence to the reviewer, you posted, based on his previous track record
Too subjective for my preference

I think you're grasping at imaginary issues with your statement above.

I have a CXNv2, I have not heard the CXN100, no intention of ever listening to one and to be honest I consider all streamers/dacs to sound the same or as close to imperceptibly minute differences that if a gnat farts in the room then that'll make more of a difference. All the arguing over what dac sounds best/warm/cold/clinical/airy/closed in boils my piss - talk about the f**king music for once.

I've spent more on room treatment than any individual audio equipment I own, perhaps if others did similar then all this talk of dacs and how they sound would be a moot point as they realise how stupid they've been.

And I posted a disclaimer to the video reviewer, I mentioned others may find the review useful, as Peerke007 has.

I suggest you stop jumping on folk from your lofty position.

 

[diddley]

Andrew Robinson sucks, he is subjective.

 

[Peerke007]

I think you're grasping at imaginary issues with your statement above.

I have a CXNv2, I have not heard the CXN100, no intention of ever listening to one and to be honest I consider all streamers/dacs to sound the same or as close to imperceptibly minute differences that if a gnat farts in the room then that'll make more of a difference. All the arguing over what dac sounds best/warm/cold/clinical/airy/closed in boils my piss - talk about the f**king music for once.

I've spent more on room treatment than any individual audio equipment I own, perhaps if others did similar then all this talk of dacs and how they sound would be a moot point as they realise how stupid they've been.

And I posted a disclaimer to the video reviewer, I mentioned others may find the review useful, as Peerke007 has.

I suggest you stop jumping on folk from your lofty position.

I think the question to Cambridge Audio on having firmware updates to get a better pre amp functionality (balance and tone control, possibly PEQ for room adjustment) is valid.

If or if not the CXN 100 is better than the V2, I don't know. I never owned the V2. I had a Node 2i with a SMSL D300 before and I liked the combination. Now I got the CXN 100 and I like the sound I am hearing. If there is much difference, I don't know, don't have the ears to notice that, specially when I am not hearing them in a side by side test and even than I doubt if I could hear it.

I had to sell my Node 2i and D300 because they were black, and my wife suddenly hates everything black in the house. Curtains had to be replaced, all black clothes are gone, knives with black handles, gone etc, etc. It is a mental thing I guess. I have to change the color of the casing of the CXN too, because that is too dark. Since I have to get my gloss black Sonus Faber Venere 2.0 wrapped by a specialist, I will ask that specialist to wrap the black casing of the CXN and the Alva Duo too. It has going on for a while now, so I am getting used to my "new" wife .

 

[My adventures in stereo]

The pre amp functionality, is a non issue for me (Set to OFF)
As I use a minidsp SHD, as my preamp

 

[Peerke007]

The pre amp functionality, is a non issue for me (Set to OFF)
As I use a minidsp SHD, as my preamp

Yes, I saw that, but not all of us have that kind of equipment (yet). If firmware could add some functions, why not?

 

[tc2007]

I had a MXN10 for a few months and quite liked it. Cambridge products don't measure well but subjectively I like them. Styling is good and the app is better than Wiim, supports USB based file playback too. I also tried the Wiim Pro Plus but I preferred the sound from the MXN10. The CX100 seems to be a CXN10 + LCD + Pre-Amp. I suspect the innards are probably the same so they should sound similar.

This would be for someone who prefers the aesthetics, and maybe even into the Cambridge ecosystem, not necessarily the cleanest measuring device. Nothing wrong with this approach.

 

[Peerke007]

The CXN V2 was measured here at ASR and had good results. If the CXN 100 has the same results, I don't know, but for me not so important. I have a small tube amp which won't measure very well, but I like the sound and that is all that matters for a sound system. The owner has to like when listening to music, not listening to equipment.