Designed, engineered, and acoustically optimised at Cambridge Audio's London-based music venue and HQ, Melomania, the new CXN100 is much more than a simple upgrade of the CXN V2. Instead, this networked streamer/ preamp has been redesigned to take advantage of “cutting-edge components” and Cambridge Audio's latest Gen4 StreamMagic module.

James Johnson-Flint, owner of Cambridge Audio, told StereoNET:

Even with CXN V2 still on the throne, we've not rested on our laurels. We've taken the next step, and CXN100 represents the next generation of network players. It's here to take the crown.

The upgrade from CXN V2 to CXN100 isn't just a subtle change, hence why this release isn't simply the V3; it's a complete mechanical redesign. The music-obsessed engineering magicians at Cambridge apparently spent hundreds of hours changing and listening to critical elements, tuning the entire audio stage around class-leading components.

The first significant change is that the digital-to-analogue converter in the CXN100 is the ESS ES9028Q2M SABRE32 Reference DAC, replacing the Wolfson WM8740 of the CXN V2. The result is that the CXN100 handles PCM digital signal inputs up to 32-bit 768kHz and DSD 512 with precision, superb dynamic range, and ultra-low distortion.

Not only does the ESS ES9028Q2M in CXN100 sound and measure better than the Wolfson DAC in the CXN V2, but Cambridge Audio states that the timing filter inside the ESS 9028Q2M is so good that no post-DAC filter is required. The upshot is that the signal path is simplified, resulting in precise, jitter-free audio clarity.

You also get a more extensive, 4.76-inch high-resolution colour screen front and centre of the Luna Grey casement that gives album art the respect it deserves. Meanwhile, Bluetooth is included so that friends can ping over their must-hear tunes; however, aptX and LDAC codecs aren't welcome, so they'll have to be satisfied with the standard SBC and AAC flavours.

The CXN100 benefits from upgrades and refinements in its post-DAC analogue stage. Here, more efficient capacitors and op-amps increase the signal-to-noise ratio and reduce distortion.

These upgrades were evident when Robert Wyatt's At Last I Am Free was played in the Melomania listening room. Through a CXA integrated and a pair of ATC loudspeakers, the space and separation heard made this track spellbinding. The piece's sparseness highlighted the clarity and lack of background noise.

Meanwhile, the player admirably demonstrated dynamics and soundstage through Love And Hate In A Different Time (Greg Wilson & Ché Wilson Remix) by Gabriels. Our listening session was wrapped with Keane's Spiralling - a dense, almost mid-80s-sounding production. Yet the CXN100 found its way to give enough attention to all elements that the track bounced along in a musically entertaining way.

The CXN100 borrows the Gen4 StreamMagic found in the pricier Evo 150 and Evo 75 all-in-one players. This gives the new player built-in Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz, and Deezer, offering easy access to a vast world of music and podcasts along with UPnP up to 32bit, 768kHz and MQA support. Furthermore, high-resolution internet radio is onboard courtesy of MPEG-DASH support.

CXN100 is Roon Ready, so Roon subscribers can see all content from their TIDAL, Qobuz, iTunes library or digital downloads alongside each other in a seamless, user-friendly interface with additional rich info that you just don't get on a record sleeve or CD cover. This also means you get Roon Multiroom for sharing music across other devices in your network. Moreover, CXN100 is also fully compatible with Google Home and Apple AirPlay, if that's your preference.

Cambridge Audio has also increased the player's digital connectivity with the option to hook up devices through USB, Coaxial, TOSLINK or wirelessly with Chromecast, AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth – no dongle required. Analogue output is available through balanced XLR or unbalanced RCA sockets. You can also switch the CXN100 over to pre-amp mode and feed it straight into a power amp, and make use of the player's improved volume control internal to the DAC that has 100 steps, up from the CXN V2's 30.

In addition to app control via StreamMagic, the CXN100 can be controlled with the CX Series system remote, which is supplied with CX Series amplifiers and the CXC CD Transport and can also be purchased separately.

Cambridge Audio CXN100 is now available and priced at £899/ €1049.

Head over for our full review now!

Visit Cambridge Audio for more information