Cambridge Audio

AXN10 Network Streaming Player

£549 RRP

Cambridge Audio has built its reputation on producing great value lower-to-middle market offerings – hi-fi that provides a great first step on the audiophile ladder. This all started with DACs, CD players and amplifiers back in the nineteen nineties, of course, but of late, the company has begun to make inroads into the affordable streamer market with products like the CXN V2. The latter punches well above its weight in the value-for-money stakes.

The company has recently launched two more streamers aimed at the more entry-level end of the market – the AXN10 and the MXN10. We're looking at the former here, but almost all of what is said about the AXN can also be taken for the MXN, as they're pretty much the same product but in different cases; the latter being midi-sized. 

Both units sport the respected ESS Sabre ES9033Q DAC chip inside and run Cambridge Audio's excellent StreamMagic streaming platform and app. The AXN10's front panel is sparse, not least because it doesn't have a display. As many people's only interface with their streamer is via its app, you could argue that screens are superfluous and not worth paying for. The fascia's four buttons can be used to program and store different internet radio station presets. Around the back, you'll see USB, Ethernet, optical and electrical S/PDIF digital outputs, RCA analogue outputs and aerial sockets for the supplied Bluetooth antennae.

The StreamMagic app is as comprehensive as you have a right to expect for this sort of product and runs in a very stable way. Roon functionality is offered, plus all the usual suspects for streaming, such as Spotify Connect, Tidal, Quobuz and Deezer, and Chromecast for easy Airplaying. Overall, this box does pretty much everything that most people will need – unless they're paying high end prices.

THE LISTENING

The AXN10 sounds surprisingly good, considering its modest retail price. I put it through my high-end reference system, not expecting to hear anything particularly special – given that I usually use far more esoteric streamers – and was quite impressed. I have a pair of VAC 200iq valve monoblock power amps and a Townshend Audio Allegri Reference passive preamplifier, driving B&W 802 D4 loudspeakers – and the wee Cambridge Audio made rather a nice noise! 

Of course, I am not suggesting it's good enough to replace my own dCS Network Bridge streamer and Chord DAVE DAC and M-Scaler, but still, I couldn't help but think that it is very well designed for the money. I got a large and powerful sound from the last movement of Hayden's 88th Symphony (Berlin Philharmonic, Sir Simon Rattle). There was a surprising amount of detail, with a decently strong bass – and the AXN10 certainly didn't disgrace itself. 

There were two significant differences compared to my (almost) cost-no-object reference streaming front end. Naturally, the dCS gave a larger and better-defined soundstage – left to right, and front to back – although the Cambridge was surprisingly good left-to-right and only really fell back in terms of the recording's depth of field; things seemed a little closed in. All the same, even my reference system could become a little closed-in if I moved to lesser cables than my favourite Townshend ones; poor ones will lessen the impact of a more expensive and sophisticated DAC. 

The other area where the Cambridge Audio reveals its humble origins is tonality; there's a very subtle metallic edge to the sound compared to my high-end source, and while by no means a fair comparison, it's not as 'organic' sounding. This was evident with clean and crisp recordings, such as the sublime electronica of Kraftwerk's Techno Pop. I found that when slotting it into a more mainstream system, the effect was far less pronounced, and of course, that's where it's more likely to be used. In turn, it means you need seriously revealing ancillaries to pick holes in its performance. 

When put up against a peer competitor like the Bluesound Node 2i, I found the AXN10 slightly more detailed in how it digs into the recorded acoustic and reproduces everything inside. On the other hand, the former has a fractionally fuller tonality, but whether this is better depends on individual taste or the system it will be used in. The main thing is that the Cambridge Audio is expansive and detailed enough to make any kind of music enjoyable.

THE VERDICT

For a while now, the Bluesound Node 2i has been my budget streaming reference, but to my ears, the Cambridge Audio AXN10 knocks it off the top spot. The only real cloud on the latter's horizon is the Chord Mojo 2/Poly, but this is one-third more expensive and not quite the same product category, as it's technically 'portable audio'. So welcome then to this very capable new streamer which hits the spot sonically, is well made, is easy to use and has the excellent StreamMagic platform. Do hear this if you're in the market for a great network music player without breaking the bank.

For more information visit Cambridge Audio