Cambridge's CXN (V2) is EVERYMAN HI-FI at its finest
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- čas přidán 27. 06. 2020
- Camera: Olaf von Voss | Editor: John Darko | Motion GFX: John Darko
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Cambridge recently made their CXN (V2) network streamer Roon Ready, thus, with Chromecast and Spotify Connect already on board, completing the Holy Trinity of streaming. Time to take a closer look.
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Nick Cave - 'I'm forever near a stereo saying, 'What the f*#k is this garbage?' And the answer is always the Red Hot Chili Peppers.'
Cambridge Audio CXN (V2) (€1099):
www.cambridgeaudio.com/deu/en...
Also seen/mentioned in this video...
A hi-fi for your Spotify?
• A hi-fi for your Spotify?
NAIM Uniti Atom & The Holy Trinity of streaming:
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GoldenEar BRX (US$1599):
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Hegel H390 (€5900):
darko.audio/2019/10/a-short-f...
PS Audio DirectStream Memory Player:
www.psaudio.com/directstream-...
Intel NUC:
www.intel.com/content/www/us/...
LG LG PH450UG:
www.amazon.de/gp/product/B01L...
Atacama Nexus 6i:
www.atacama-audio.co.uk/p/nexu...
Hifi Racks Podium XL:
www.hifiracks.co.uk/products/...
All cables by AudioQuest:
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#spotify #roon #chromecast
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5 more thoughts on the Cambridge Audio CXN (V2): darko.audio/2020/07/5-more-thoughts-on-the-cambridge-audio-cxn-v2/
Very helpful and informative as my next component upgrade will be a streamer (currently using a chromecast audio into a schitt DAC). How about a comparison to innuos for both features/capabilities and sound quality?
I've been waiting for a thoughtful review of this device and you have delivered. Thank you Senor Darko! We couldn't be further apart in our music preferences, but I appreciate you and your high quality reviews, your knowledge, your humor, and your perspectives. Plus the world class production quality of your vids.
Love the review John. Thank you. I looked at one of these about a year ago but chose the Auralic that you reviewed over it. Never been happier. You make audio buying easier. Keep up the awesome work! Cheers.
Fantastic unit, I bought the entire line , amp,transport,streamer
I have never liked Cambridge components and every time I purchased their components I would end up disappointed. Always put them on the chopping block.
This series is a whole other level. Obviously they have done it right this time around. There is a lot of competition at this price point. Cambridge has covered all the bases. I’m going to keep this set up for a long time.
Bravo Cambridge !
which amp and cd transport are you using?
Truly informative video, John! Really fantastic job, actually. It's videos like this one.....it's why I keep coming back to your channel. I also like that you don't just review super expensive gear, more like you actually review gear I am considering that I can actually afford. Superlative!
Woah. Asked about this on one of the last videos and here it is! Been waiting for this!
Thank you John for another great video. I´m just thrilled you liked the Cambridge so much. I started last autumn to upgrade my very old Hifi equipment (from Linn). And just by listening I selected the Hegel Röst, Kef R3 and surprise surprise, the Cambridge CXN (V2) and I could´nt be happier. There is always a budget to everything (in this case it was around 4500 Euro with stands and cables) but i think those three complements each other perfectly. Looking at your eq it is much the same but your budget got you a little further. So happy though! Makes me listen a lot more to music again. Remember the old days when you bought a vinyl, biked home, and listened through it all and read all about the record, who played this and that instruments on what song etc. Neardish I know :-)
Keep up the good work, I could not like it more!
I appreciate this review. Great breakdown of the product. You make the technical details very understandable!
Thanks for another great video - your positive review pushed me over the edge as I’ve been looking at this CXN V2 and other options for a couple months now. Streaming noob with Spotify acct here so your clear explanations of everything really help
What AMP are you using with the network player?
Really great review John. Goes to prove that audiophile hifi isn't always about sound quality. What's more important is livability; features and usability that mean it dissolves into your hifi rack and allows you to sit back just enjoy the music.
First time here , love your delivery, and your out takes keeping it real. That's worth a subscribe😉
Have CXN v1. Satisfied with this network player a lot!
Outtakes outtakes outtakes. Love it. Great vid John.
This was bloody lovely to watch. Big fan of Cambridge. Lovely grade on the video. Thanks for the Darren Price tip.
totally appreciate the audio editing at the end of the bar. nice one.
Thanks a lot for this excellent review ! As I was going to buy my first HiFi DAC/streamer (only used a PC connected to a Marantz NR1200 until now) I was overwhelmed by the (too) great choice of models. I have followed your advice, and I'm really glad I did. As you say at the end of your review, it's a everyman HiFi choice, very intuitive operating system , the possibility to use remote control ((which is important for an "old dad" like me) and - the icing on the cake - the sound ! What a sound ! Nothing comparable with the PC one. Once again, thank you very much John. :)
I got one of these around 12 months ago to replace a Squeezebox/Lavry DA10 combo and from the moment it was set up in the system it's just been great to use, one of those products that exceeds your expectations when you get it home, also great if you've multiple people in the house with their own music libraries, app is brilliant.
Thanks man you really helped me out here. I was planning to buy it but your take has given me the much needed clarity..
Great video by the way, you are also completely right about the internal pre-amp in the Cxn V2, it softens the sound compared to the Cxa81, which I prefer to use.
You’ve just reviewed a unit that came out over 2 years ago. Kind of cool in a world where every CZcams channel seems to be in a race to review the latest releases after spending between 0 and 10 seconds with a product!
Thank you very much for this thorough review of a CA product. I have a (largely) CA system, including a DacMagic Plus. Although somewhat old, it also has the 24 bit / 384 kHz upsampling feature that you mention. I suspect that the circuitry for both the DacMagic Plus and the CXN (V2) are similar, or at least, they derive from the same developmental heritage. I have been quite pleased with digital playback through my dac. From time to time, I have thought about adding a CA network streamer to my system, and your review has stirred my thinking again. However, I would certainly make it a special order: I would request a Journey button. I like the RHCP.
great review ... so glad you reviewed this piece... I have a big decision between this and the RME AD i 2 as I am mainly a headphone person.. somehow I'll have to audition both.. listed to an earlier pre tidal streamer from Cambridge at Richer sounds and it blew my mind ... obviously there is the computer to stream from if i go for the RME but I suspect i might use this more often ... and love the outtakes.. thanks again JD
Awesome video John! I've become a great fan! If CA only added MQA decoding it would be game over for many, many, many people!
Just watched this twice; that's how good it is! Thanks for this awesome review; keep 'em coming!
Funny I am doing the same
I can't end my week without watching any video from you John...More power to you from the Big Apple.
Mr Darko, I didn’t even realise reviewers like you existed until I got frustrated with my current turntable setup and started rummaging about. You’ve got me excited about all kit again and thanks to you I’ve just bought my first streamer, the Cambridge, your words about your dad nailed it as I’m an old pensioner and that device suddenly felt appropriate . It’s bit of a surprise as well, I was comparing a new Beth Orton track to my vinyl version and it’s much closer in sound than I expected. Top tip. Keep it coming even though most of it goes straight over my head.
I’ve now had my CXNv2 for about a week and absolutely love it. I was already a Roon user but it works perfectly as a digital hub for my traditional Marantz PM-11 amp as it allows me to route everything through the balanced outputs. TV, CD, plus all the streaming services all managed perfectly. The PM-11 just adds the MC preamp for my turntable. Another reviewer weirdly called the CXNv2 ‘niche’ because it doesn’t have an analog input but I can’t think of a more flexible component for the money. Absolutely cracking bit of kit.
I have a CXN with a USB hard drive connected, which has my full CD collection ripped as FLAC files. These all have the cover art etc. which shows on the front panel and in the app. Also have the CXN directly connected to an Exposure power amp, so you can control volume with the CXN acting as a digital pre-amp.
I've been thinking of doing hte same with the CXN & HD. I do not currently stream. How easy is it to browse your ripped CD collection from a tablet or phone? Can you sort by genre? Thanks for any info.
Wish I had seen this earlier. Only this morning I ordered a Exposure Pre-amp to go with my Exposure Mono Blocks. How do you rate using the CXN2 as a Pre?
Fantastic music on your video reviews Johnny. Great review too.
Thank you for this video! Love it👍🏻
Thanks for the detailed review! This unit is my #2 choice behind the audiolab 6000N due to it being a cheaper streaming device with a DAC but I’d love to see a head to head comparison of these two devices!!
Cambridge Audio , Has really stepped up their game lately ! The ending bonus was great John 😆
Your personality is just AWESEOME. Hello from Lithuania.!
Wonderful info...I like that you mention your Dad....I'm 2 days out on a delivery of my new Wharfedales....225. I appreciate your honesty and candor. My wife might say I shake a bit if I don't see/hear one of your reviews/stories...I appreciate your approach...noted and respected.
Darko I love your videos man! I hate CZcamss algorithm. Unfortunately you were swept away when my son figured out how to search and boom, all my video interests gone.
As dumb as it sounds I'm glad to have you back on my radar and I have turned on notifications when you post.
I've had mine for about 3 weeks and I'm love
The most obvious comparison was sitting right there on the desk haha!
Anyone else wanted to know how it compared to the bluesound node?
@ Ahmed Gharbawi - The node decodes MQA and the CA does not if that’s important to you. Sonic differences I couldn’t tell you as I’ve never heard the CA. Maybe someone could weigh in who’s compared the two.
@@kingtrance6826 in the extra info link above . States that he cut the comparison with the two from the video. But says in the extras link that the cambridge has slightly more fine detail and more expansive sounstage than the bluesound , but thats all it says
@king trance u can still have mqa playing to the cambridge. Hook ur computer using a usb cord to the back of the unit and it does play mqa from there that way
@@itsmorphed6416 Is that the node 2i or the Powernode 2i he's comparing it too ?
@@andrewtamblyn2191 the node 2i by itself .
Sounds like good DAC and excellent streamer! Nice review Darko.
If it just had Dirac Live room EQ thingy, I would press Buy Now button this moment.
RHCP button would be called Foo Fighters button on my CXN:)
I'm a big fan of The Waterboys but had never heard of Beverly Penn so thank you for pointing that track out...I will give it a listen straight away.
I am still wondering why nobody else has the port labels printed upside down like Cambridge Audio does. It helps so much when you try to swap cables out.
Aune also does that, pretty handy indeed.
During the video it triggered me a lot. If anything it would make sense to have them on top.
I have the CXC and it really helps when hooking up
SPL do that on their studio gear.
GlacierXD I recently;y saw another product which has the upside down port labels. I wish I could recall what manufacturer it was. It seems like a no brainer.
Nice video editing, smooth
Amazing video.Very well explained
Love the out takes. Definitely worth staying until the very end.
Loved the upside-down text. 😄
I keep meaning to say this - your barcode-esq wall art is very reminiscent of the rear cover to the Stiff Little Fingers "Nobody's Heroes" album.
Thanks for the vids - thoroughly enjoy them and importantly find them informative and easy to watch.
thank you for naming the Vampire Weekend / Green Day button, although mine has a different name, we now know of it's existence and where to find it. Enjoying your videos in the homeland of NAD & Bluesound.
I agree; I have one and the sound (from lossless Apple music streaming) is detailed but also creamy and mellow. Love it.
great video, great product. I agree totally that many 'remasters' sound worst that the original CDs.
Good gracious Mr Darko creates BRILLIANT AUDIO videos 👏👏👏👏
Underworld-----Cherry Pie. Mate, that is one of my favorite of theirs and your taste in electronic music, tops. Respect. And great review, by the way.
John I studied with Dr. Hawksford in Audio at the University of Essex. A feature of upsampling is that it allows for a simplifier low pass filter in the output stage which leads to better sound.
Thanks for such a useful review. I bought one ..great sound, almost making CD's redundant and so easy to use.
Brilliant review, just forwarded it to a mate who's totally non nerdy, but loves good sound and is passionate about music. What's good about this review is I'm a nerd and I understand it, he's not, but he will too. And I'd REALLY like a Red Hot Chilli peppers button too! Thanks John
Wow, four hundred and thirty-two videos later they keep getting better, great work John. We knew streaming - dac - preamps were the future, nice to see good ones being made.
Thanks, John. Even though I am not in streamer/dac upgrade mode, I really enjoy keeping up with industry trends. Your reviews help in this, as well as helping with social isolation!
Picked one of these up a few months back for 1K CAD used. It's a steal at that price considering the feature set. Glad you called out the cheap sounding case.
"Gaplessly" ...? Nice videos, Mr Dart-ta. Your presentation style reminds me of that which appeared in the late 80s early 90s and best described as thought-fumbling straight-talk. I like it.
Great review. I just bought one! Thanks
I'm a happy owner of CXN V2 paired with Edifier S300pro active speakers via XLR and for that money nothing can touch this! Sound as good as my Yamaha A-S2100 plus Yamaha NS-F700 combo.
Thank you for the CXN review, very informative. Bigger thanks for the Beverly Penn, good call.
You mentioned the warm sound of the DAC and the nice features, and how you prefer the Hegel's DAC for higher resolution tracks/better recordings, but I don't recall your mentioning how it performs as a streamer. Does it approach Innuous or Auralic?
Nice..... Just got in to streaming with a Marantz ND8006.......... Loving it!!
Love the channel John , especially the focus on electronica audiophilia, but hard to work out which is duller out of RHCP and Cave!
If you think Nick Cave is dull you may have him confused with someone who is dull.
Thx Darko for this review, I came back to Style Councils greatest hits on Tidal 😉
Ouch the RHCP button. You are a hard man😊 Thanks for the review, very helpful in my effort to look at component options. Now a Lionel Ritchie button would be good!!
John, your one complaint of the CXNv2, that being the resonant case can be mitigated. Steve Guttenberg some months ago did a video of one of his friends who added Dynamat (you can instead use Noico) to the inside of the case of the Cambridge CD player which has a similarly resonant case. Just be careful where you put it so there is still space above any of the taller internal components. This will cure the resonant case issue. I have done this with the case of my Lumin U1 Mini and it was easy.
for me that would be the style council and the waterboys button
John, this is truly one of your best productions. Beautiful B-roll. Having said that, based on sound quality alone used only as a transport for streaming Qobuz (no server duty) using Roon to a DAC ...would you choose the CXNv2, the Aries G2, or (my fav) Zenith MKII SE for your own personal system? We have similar taste so this would be extremely helpful. Cheers
Really nice video, John! “Everyman-hifi” sounds great, but... is it’s not Kallax-fi, is it?
Great soundtrack btw
Absolutely like the style of the video and the comprehensive review of the features. I wonder which Amplifier would match as well? A Cambridge AXA35? Or a NAD C 316 V2 ? Of course depending on the budget, but just a thought of getting a whole Audio system for the price of a Uniti Atom... For the Streaming Listener it is great to See the Album you are playing on a display other than your smartphone or tablet! Keep on going !
Wolfson WM8740/41 is a really nice DAC chip and although it lacks the higher sampling frequency for PCM and DSD it is still quite a nice chip. It is refreshing to see other DACs than the ESS stuff.
It’s the same dac chip which use the dac magic plus . Which I have it some years ago! And it was great .! But who this still be good in 2021 2022?
Can't believe you don't like the RHCP's haha! Great vid as always John, thanks.
so, the red hot chillie peppers botton does it!, you are as old as me then , love you John. cheers from Brizzle (Bristol) UK. I love your channel.
If I add an external DAC like the Ares ii , I can flip between different sounds. But my speakers (Wharfedale Lintons) need to be transparant enough to project those differences right ?
Hi John, sorry for the slightly off-topic question, but I am considering pairing the Cambridge (Azur) integrated amp & streamer with the ProAc Tablette 10 Signature monitors. I appreciated your review of the Tablettes a couple of years ago which was really helpful. Could I ask if you think the Cambridge amp (or CA amps in general) would partner well with the Tablettes given they have a tendency to have quite a bright, forward high-end? Any comment much appreciated!
I have just added this unit to my system. Love it.
Terrific review. I want one.
It's on my list for next months purchase!
Craig Lafferty
I bought the entire line, for the price point, absolutely amazing.
When these Cambridge components catch on, they will be on many wish lists.
It’s a great unit. I’ve had mine for about a year now and I love it.
A belter for a grand. Another great vid ! And I saw it first lol !
“My dad would like this...” Boy, I feel old.
RPD Reviews I resemble that remark. 😂
I would love to see a review by your dad. I think he and I would like the same type of kit.
Phuck keeping everyone happy. You're accent is dope. Speak how you're drawn. Hey so one of my Audio gear consultants is TJ at PS Audio. I guess your like part of his family somehow. That takes 'small whirrled' to the next level. I was pretty stoked to tell him I'm a fan. Cheers
What the ‘Phuck’ are you banging-on about?
Great video!!!
Hello John, another great video from you.
Why upsampling can help to improve sound?
It helps the filter on the analog output stage.
This filter has to remove all frequencies above the analog signal.
Is the sampling rate closer to the signal, you need stronger filters.
Stronger filters have influence on the phase of the signal.
If your sampling frequency is higher, you just need a filter with a flat characteristic.and less influence on the phase of the signal.
Equally to better sound
Best Regards Matthias
Nice review ✌🏼
The primary benefit of upsampling is that you can get better sound when you are now able to use the final filtering with a simple filter.
Was desperately awaiting for this review ever since you teased it on Instagram. Thank you so much! How does it compare to the 2i the G1 and others?
Great review. I enjoy how you explain things. I have a question about the USB port on the front panel. Does it take a long time to catalog music on a thumb drive before it plays from that source? (hundreds of tunes) I'm always adding new content to my thumb drive. Each time I plug it in to my current streaming dac it takes a very long time to catalog before it will play from usb and that always bums me out.
It's about what the filters do, and how they have to be implemented; a higher sampling rate means less steep filters, which in turn have less of an impact on the actually audible range. The Hans Beekhuyzen channel here on CZcams has some extremely good, clear and concise videos on this topic, for those who are interested.
I love these videos
Darko. Can't wait for you to get your hands on the new CXN100.
Great video as always. Two question, if I put recordings on a thumb drive can I stream of it using the Cambridge app or do I need Roon? And can I play Amazon on it with out any additional as it comes out of the box?
I have the modwright CXN that replaces the power supplies and analog output stage with a class A tube output stage. I use an external Lumin streamer and it sounds fantastic. The stock unit also needs a fuse upgrade.
I have this streamer and find the sound just wonderful. Particularly love the digital inputs and preamp mode. As this makes my Arcam cd73 sound so damn good via coax. Actually really love the fact that you can rename the inputs to what you want I have the coax named "Arcam cd" not surprisingly. I have both Tidal and Qobuz as my main streamers also Amazon HD as I have Echo devices around the house. Really this kit has become the center of my hifi. Keep up the great work vids are great.
I have a CXN V1 and a Bluesound Node 2i. The CXN is, by far, superior. I don't have an amp with balanced inputs, but I am able to run a Balanced to 2 RCA out on the CXN to effectively provide 3 RCA outputs plus the Digital outs. It's the absolute HUB supplying several pre-amps/amps so that I am not constantly plugging in and unplugging things. Brilliant.
Hi John, great review of a great sounding product. I love the integrated nature of it, but I would need something that I could plug my turntable into (or other analogue sources) as well, what would you recommend?
1:14 Looks like they inserted a DacMagic Plus with an updated DAC chip into the right half of the CXN!
Got the DacMagic Plus here, performs very nicely on the balanced outputs and the USB ground lift switch is a blessing.
6:00 Upsampling is an alternative to dithering/interpolation to reduce quantification noise.
15:17 The upside down text at the back is standard for most Cambridge Audio products.
Question, is there any difference in sound quality between cxm and dac magic. Is it worth the extra money
Excellent, informative video as always. In terms of sound, is the Naim Uniti Atom superior (at twice the price)?
Nice video John. Are you planning on giving this a try with your klipsch Forte three's? I have those speakers and I'm just really curious
John, I owned the V1 CXN versión and loved it. Really like the warm sound and rolled off highs sound signature as explained, to me it sounded smooth. My one curiosity is if the sound provided the Chord cutest DAC goes in that same direction or are they completely different in your opinion? Thanks for the Videos!
Same here! Very curious!