Hello all!
I have just purchased a new dedicated streamer for my main stereo, a Cambridge Audio CXN100. I want to use it primarily with Roon (via wired ethernet), Qobuz directly and the odd CD. I have a question about whether to use the CXN as a pre-amp, and other few odd questions too.
I have connected the CXN to my Cambridge Audio CXC CD Transport and my NAD M23 power amplifier (configured for low gain). I decided to get the CXN so I could simplify things a bit, I have been able to pull quite a bit of kit from the rack as a result. I have removed a raspberry pi 4 (used as streamer), a 5 port netgear switch, a Topping D90 DAC, a Logitech hub and possibly a Topping Pre90 preamp. So, by the using the CXN I can significantly reduce box count, wires etc.
I have a few things on my mind as I am getting used to the new device. Firstly, I am not sure I can hear much difference between the CXN DAC and the outgoing Topping D90 DAC, although that is probably to be expected. The CXN DAC chip is a ESS ES9028Q2M which has three filters, although I am yet to find out how to change them, again, I like to try these things, but I am not expecting to hear much of a difference, if I can tell at all.
I do like the CXNs screen, although a little small from my seating position, I like the XLR out, and the fact I can use the remote from my CXC to control the CXN. I also like the full width form factor.
I have previously had convolution filters loaded in Roon from Home Audio Fidelity, I will likely repeat a room measurement and get these updated. When using these convolution filters, I usually use Roons ‘MUSE’ Headroom management functionality to create a bit of headroom db’s, to avoid clipping. In addition, is it worth increasing the sample rate conversion within Roon too, or should I leave ‘as is’ and let the DAC chip handle it?
I am also a bit undecided whether to use the CXNs pre-amp functionality. I am thinking of two things, the first being whether there is any risk of a 100% signal being fed from the CXN to my NAD M23 power amp, which would not end well! The second being if I did use the CXN as a preamplifier would I be sacrificing any quality when using the digital volume attenuation when listening at lower volumes? I could just mitigate this risk, but just leaving the Topping pre90 in my chain and then not set the CXNs pre-amp functionality. The DAC could then still output at 100%. The downside is the need to use two remotes, as I would need the topping remote to control volume, and its not a great remote.
Thanks for reading!
I have just purchased a new dedicated streamer for my main stereo, a Cambridge Audio CXN100. I want to use it primarily with Roon (via wired ethernet), Qobuz directly and the odd CD. I have a question about whether to use the CXN as a pre-amp, and other few odd questions too.
I have connected the CXN to my Cambridge Audio CXC CD Transport and my NAD M23 power amplifier (configured for low gain). I decided to get the CXN so I could simplify things a bit, I have been able to pull quite a bit of kit from the rack as a result. I have removed a raspberry pi 4 (used as streamer), a 5 port netgear switch, a Topping D90 DAC, a Logitech hub and possibly a Topping Pre90 preamp. So, by the using the CXN I can significantly reduce box count, wires etc.
I have a few things on my mind as I am getting used to the new device. Firstly, I am not sure I can hear much difference between the CXN DAC and the outgoing Topping D90 DAC, although that is probably to be expected. The CXN DAC chip is a ESS ES9028Q2M which has three filters, although I am yet to find out how to change them, again, I like to try these things, but I am not expecting to hear much of a difference, if I can tell at all.
I do like the CXNs screen, although a little small from my seating position, I like the XLR out, and the fact I can use the remote from my CXC to control the CXN. I also like the full width form factor.
I have previously had convolution filters loaded in Roon from Home Audio Fidelity, I will likely repeat a room measurement and get these updated. When using these convolution filters, I usually use Roons ‘MUSE’ Headroom management functionality to create a bit of headroom db’s, to avoid clipping. In addition, is it worth increasing the sample rate conversion within Roon too, or should I leave ‘as is’ and let the DAC chip handle it?
I am also a bit undecided whether to use the CXNs pre-amp functionality. I am thinking of two things, the first being whether there is any risk of a 100% signal being fed from the CXN to my NAD M23 power amp, which would not end well! The second being if I did use the CXN as a preamplifier would I be sacrificing any quality when using the digital volume attenuation when listening at lower volumes? I could just mitigate this risk, but just leaving the Topping pre90 in my chain and then not set the CXNs pre-amp functionality. The DAC could then still output at 100%. The downside is the need to use two remotes, as I would need the topping remote to control volume, and its not a great remote.
Thanks for reading!
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