Review Cambridge Audio EVO 150

[Alexx]

Here I am.

Only these two brands for ease of availability in Italy, and then to not have too many in the list, usually with many brands and models there is always confusion.

Finally I think they are the only models to have good power, remote control to not depend on the smartphone and many inputs and outputs (I need Digital input, Digital Coaxial, RCA, Subwoofer Trigger Output + 12 volt input with Ethernet Cable and also a small Display that can give some information).

What I could do without is Dirac and streamer, use the Wiim Ultra as a streamer, these are the only two sacrifices.
budget always 2000-2500 euros.

They are also all Class D...Class A/B interesting the new 9000Q-P series from Audiolab but as mentioned the list would become endless!!!

Thanks in advance.

 

[pogo]

Your budget would also be sufficient for a Bluesound Node Icon and a Purifi 1ET6525SA amp from Audiophonics (LPA-S450ET). In terms of sound better than your preselection.

 

[Alexx]

It's probably a great final, I just can't find any dealers in Italy and not even the relative costs.

Should I give up Dirac (or if it works well use the Bluesound one).

Do you have any idea of the costs? Using Wiim Ultra instead of Bluesound could make sense? It has many more inputs than Bluesound I have to connect at least: CD - Turntable and TV
Thanks a lot.

 

[pogo]

With BluOS devices, you always have the option of integrating up to 4 remote Bluesound HUBs. That should be enough inputs
The Wiim Ultra also lacks advanced room correction.

 

[Alexx]

Ok thanks.

However I believe that the "Hypex Ncore" power amps are superior to the "Purifi" ones, this is what I found online.

However if I can use the Wiim Ultra as a Pre I will save at least 1000 euros of the bluesound, we need to understand if it is correct to base a system driven by the Wiim or better something else.

In conclusion, are we so sure that a C399 or Evo 150 are clearly inferior to a power amp and pre? (remaining in the same price range of 2000 euros) on the practical side they win regardless.
Thank you very much.

 

[pogo]

Eigentakt (Purifi) better than Ncore (Hypex).
Bluesound Node Icon with Dirac Live better than Wiim Ultra.
C399 and Evo 150 contain an older DAC generation and 'only' Ncore.

 

[pogo]

ChatGPT:

Technical Differences Between nCore and Eigentakt​

The technical differences between nCore (by Hypex) and Eigentakt (by Purifi) mainly lie in circuit topology, error correction, and measurement performance, even though both were developed by Bruno Putzeys (formerly at Hypex, now co-founder of Purifi). Here's an overview of the key differences:

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1. Core Principle (Class-D Topology):​

• nCore: Advanced Class-D amplifier using feedback and a linear amplifier within the feedback loop.
• Eigentakt: Further evolved Class-D design with extremely precise self-correction of the output signal.

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2. Feedback & Control:​

• nCore: Uses global feedback to linearize performance across the audio spectrum.
• Eigentakt: Employs a highly sophisticated self-oscillating loop and advanced error-correction model, resulting in ultra-low distortion (THD+N), regardless of frequency or output level.

---

3. Distortion & Performance:​

• nCore: Already very low THD+N, typically around 0.002–0.005% under load.
• Eigentakt: Even lower distortion, often below 0.0002%—virtually undetectable with standard measurements.

---

4. Output Impedance / Damping Factor:​

• nCore: Low output impedance and solid damping factor.
• Eigentakt: Even lower output impedance and extremely high damping factor (sometimes >1000), providing superior speaker control.

---

5. Noise Floor / Background Noise:​

• nCore: Very low noise floor.
• Eigentakt: Even lower (e.g., <10 µV), which is especially noticeable with high-sensitivity or high-impedance speakers.

---

Summary Table:​

Feature	nCore (Hypex)	Eigentakt (Purifi)
Developer	Hypex / Bruno Putzeys	Purifi / Bruno Putzeys
Distortion (THD+N)	~0.002%	<0.0002%
Damping Factor	High	Extremely high
Output Noise	Very low	Ultra-low
Sound Signature	Transparent, neutral	Even more neutral, analytical
Internal Complexity	High	Very high (more advanced correction)

 

[Alexx]

Thank you very much, very kind.

Never trust what you read online! Nad M33 mounts purifiers (superior to those of the 399).

I found a 399 on sale for 1790 euros, they also offered me a Yamaha RN-2000A but we are on two totally different solutions (Yamaha 2700 euros with Cashback of 400 euros) aesthetically it is nicer, but a class A/B with a weight of almost 25Kg does not seem very manageable to me -
Thanks again for the useful information.

 

[Alexx]

I reread all 4 pages but I didn't understand anything!

You know that I'm in the middle of a Nad M10V3 and Cambridge Evo 150 discussion but from this discussion I didn't understand why the Cambridge is so bad and sounds bad.

Some users say each input has a different sound, others that the voices are 50 meters away etc. etc. help!!!

What is clear is that it's not a Dirac but why is it such a bad amplifier?

We understood (on another discussion where the Nad is discussed) that the power is the same as the M10V3.

I like both, I prefer the Cambridge because it seems less toy-like to me, and it's bigger (the Nad seems like a PC desk device to me) the reviews online are always valid for the Cambridge.

Obviously I have nothing against the Nad and if the performance were equal or superior I wouldn't give much importance to the small size.

It will have to work on Kef R3 Meta speakers.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Alexx]

Does anyone have any news on the new Evo 150-SE?

They'll be available in Italy starting July 21st (or so I've been told).
See you soon.

 

[Alexx]

If you're interested, the new Cambridge Evo 150-SE also has a 7-band equalizer, plus presets for ambient modes.

It will be available in Italy at the end of the month for around €2,000 (depending on retailers). It's a very interesting device.
See you soon.

 

[Loooop]

If you're interested, the new Cambridge Evo 150-SE also has a 7-band equalizer, plus presets for ambient modes.

All Evo-150s now have a 7-band equalizer. It came with a software update.

 

[Alexx]

Great, thanks.

It means they're quite attentive to customer needs.

My 150-SE arrives Monday. It shipped yesterday. I'm very curious, I've read good reviews online about this updated model.
See you soon.

 

[Loooop]

Here you can find the CA roadmap and also propose new features.
For example, compatibility with Qobuz Connect is coming soon.

 

[Straylight]

New forum member here… Hi

I bought a EVO 150 SE yesterday and set it up yesterday evening and today. Tonight I‘ll Listen and test a couple of things.
The EVO is accompanied by a pair of Q Acoustics Concept 30, a pair of REL T5x and a Dr. Feickert Volare Record Player. The latter sports a Goldring Elite MC pick up, symmetrically connected to a DIY symmetrical tube amp (Phonomopped). That again is connected with a 10m XLR cable to the XLR Input of the EVO.
I use Roon to stream my Flac CD Rips and Qobuz to the EVO.

The brief listening session I‘ve run yesterday was really promising. The device was easy and quick to set up and what I heard was really good. I had to rise the output level of the XLR input by 6dB though to have nearly equal levels compared to the streaming sources.

For now I‘m really pleased with the device.

Cheers, Thomas

 

[Alexx]

@Loooop
Thanks so much for the link.

@Straylight
I received it yesterday, probably this evening or tomorrow, as I have free time. I'll link it up and let you know my impressions.

Aesthetically, I imagined it would be smaller and lighter.
See you soon.

 

[Overseas]

With BluOS devices, you always have the option of integrating up to 4 remote Bluesound HUBs. That should be enough inputs
The Wiim Ultra also lacks advanced room correction.

What is this 'advanced room correction' ?

 

[Alexx]

Good morning.

I finally tried the new Cambridge Evo 150-SE.

After a few days of listening, I have to say I don't like it, It sounds too "flat," lacks dynamics, and lacks detail (micro).

It probably isn't a good match with the Monitor Audio Studio 89 speakers. I don't know, but I don't like it.

I compared it to the Audiophonics: https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/power-amplifiers/audiophonics-ap300-s500nc-p-18566.html

And it's clearly superior. It has excellent quality, more bass, more detail, classical music showcases more instruments, a more open soundstage... The Audiophonics is driven by the Wii U Ultra.

I don't know if you had this impression with the Cambridge. I honestly expected much more, especially for a price of almost €2,500.

I'll do some more testing, but I think I'll return it.

Out of curiosity, the Audiophonics emits a slight hiss when it's on or in standby, I think it's from the power supply. Is this normal?

Thank you very much.

 

[Straylight]

@Alexx

Coming from three seperate devices (One BS Node, an AVM preamp and an Atoll power amp), I had - and still with some music have - the impression of a little „thinner“ reproduction. Voices are very, very present. Even a bit too much. That and the „thinner“ impression gets stronger the more I turn up the volume. I can’t complain about details, soundstage and transparency. All really excellent. So that is different from your impression. I also have the impression that it is getting better and better the longer I listen to it - maybe the Cambridge is needs time to break in or I am just getting used to it.
I still have to try more sources. The described impression is stronger when I use Roon an less strong when using my record player via the XLR input.
Overall I am very satisfied how the device works, but a little unsure about how it sounds.
I will definitly give it more time and try some more things.

 

[Putter]

At the risk being OT, this thread has wandered off into Audiophile land, specifically the land of Subjectivistan where components 'burn in' and measurements are an anathema and speakers have to be carefully matched to amps by some vague criteria.