Intro
Contents
I remember how happy I was with my very first amplifier/receiver. I’d saved up for ages and, after buying it, drove home feeling on top of the world. I felt as happy as a child. The Cambridge Audio CXA81 MKII evokes more or less the same emotions. It’s a no-frills integrated amplifier that brings constant joy. Day in, day out. On top of that, I also received the new Cambridge Audio CXN100 SE streamer by way of pairing. What a treat. Let’s check it out!
Value for money
Affordable components are the most fun to test. Cambridge Audio, a British company established in 1968, offers a wide range of products in that category; amplifiers, turntables, music sources and speakers. You can buy a complete audio system if you want. In October 2021, I reviewed the fantastic Edge series, and although today’s duo sits a step below the proverbial ladder, as far as I’m concerned, they offer at least as much listening pleasure.
The amplifier
The CXA81 MKII looks sleek and stylish in its black finish. Lunar Grey is the standard finish, but I prefer this limited-edition black version. The front panel of the amplifier is understated, with a volume control on the right and a little screen containing the inputs in the centre. To the left you have a 3.5mm headphone socket and, on the far left, the on/off switch. And that’s about it for the front panel. Looking from above, you can see the big toroidal transformer, peeking proudly through the large cooling grille. The amplifier delivers 2×80 watts into 8 ohms and 120 watts into 4 ohms. More than enough for most speakers.
Things get really interesting at the back. We see a nice selection of connections: one balanced input, four RCA inputs, a pre-out and a sub-out. On the digital side, there are two optical inputs, one coaxial input and a USB-B input. And there’s even built-in Bluetooth. The DAC, based on an ESS9016K2M chip, is a slightly older model but ideal to get you started.
If you want to get the very best out of this amplifier, pair it with a better source or DAC. That way, the excellent analogue inputs can really shine. The fact that my Weiss DAC really came into its own is proof of that. The amp lacks a phono stage, but there are plenty of separate solutions available, including the ones from Cambridge. As far as I’m concerned, the two pairs of speaker terminals on the amp are superfluous. They might come in handy, for someone wanting to set up a second zone in the kitchen.
The streamer
Now on to the streamer. The original version, the Stream Magic 6, was reviewed back in 2012 by my colleague Jaap. A lot has changed since then. Not only the design, but of course the upgrades to the DAC and the improvements on the streaming section. This latest version, the Black Edition, is a limited-edition model which, as far as I’m concerned, is here to stay. The DAC is based on an ESS ES9028Q2M DAC chip. A modern 32-bit DAC that goes a fair bit further than the DAC used in the amplifier. Cambridge doesn’t offer any extra digital filters, and we’re fine with that. Too much choice spoils the fun.
The big news with the SE version is the inclusion of an HDMI eARC input. This was missing from previous versions. Now, seamless integration with a television set is possible – an option that is increasingly proving to be a deal-breaker. The CXN100 SE is an exceptionally versatile unit. It features a (digital) pre-amplifier, and you can stream directly via Qobuz, Tidal and Spotify Connect. It also supports Chromecast, Bluetooth and AirPlay 2. Even Deezer and Amazon Music are on board, and the CXN100 SE is Roon Ready.
The Stream Magic app has become an excellent application, proving to be extremely stable and reliable throughout the reviewing period. Everything works smoothly and intuitively, and the app doesn’t crash. You can also fine-tune it to your taste – a nice feature. Cambridge has been a forerunner in developing a proprietary app, and that’s certainly paying off today. It’s a real asset. The streaming module is also developed in-house by Cambridge and is now in its fourth generation. Kudos!