Dutch Distributor Dimex announces the new Cambridge CXN100 network streamer, a versatile base for a modern hi-fi system.
We can no longer ignore it: music has become digital. And we do not mean the time-honored CD, but streaming services, local storage of music files and so on. To take full advantage of this, a streamer is necessary. And preferably one that suits the better hi-fi or high-end installation. The new Cambridge CXN100 meets those requirements. Let’s start with the beating heart of this network streamer: the DAC. Here the manufacturer has chosen an ESS Sabre 9028Q2M. According to Cambridge, the timing filter in this component is so good that it eliminates the need for a post-DAC filter. And any component less in the signal path is always a bonus.
Choose your streaming source
The Cambridge CXN100 was tuned in London, where many hours were spent listening and adjusting. Thus capacitors and opamps were exchanged to obtain the best sounding end result. As for the streaming module in the CXN100, it can handle all known music services. Think Apple Music, Amazon Music and so on. Via MPEG-DASH (where DASH stands for Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) listening to Internet radio in high quality is one of the options. Furthermore, the streamer can handle Apple Airplay 2 and Chromecast. For the handful of MQA enthusiasts, it is good to know that the CXN100 does not shy away from this decoding task either.
Connections
In terms of connections, you have plenty of choice on the Cambridge CXN100. On the back of the unit you will find two digital inputs (1 x TOSLINK optical and 1 x S/PDIF coax. Then there is a USB input, which supports a maximum PCM resolution of 32 bit / 768 kHz, as well as DSD up to and including DSD512. Or use a USB drive packed with music as a source. And should you ‘quick and dirty’ want to play some music from your smartphone, for example, you can do so via Bluetooth. Interesting is the possibility of using the CXN100 as a digital preamplifier, where the volume of each connected digital source can be controlled.
The recommended retail price of the Cambridge CXN100 can be called sharp at €1049 for a streamer of this caliber. At the moment the streamer is available for demonstration at selected dealers, according to distributor Dimex.