![]() ![]() Whenever new features and services come out, Cambridge Audio can upgrade this machine to offer them. You might think of device as a personal computer optimized for audio. Homeowners with complex multi-room control systems-or the custom installers they hire to put those types of systems in-will love that the CXN (v2) has a dedicated control bus and can send and IR commands via a port on the unit’s rear panel.īut the CXN (v2)’s upgradeability via firmware might be its best feature of all. Pair the CXN (v2) with a high-quality stereo power amplifier, connect a pair of killer speakers, and you’ll find yourself armed with a compact powerhouse of a system at a modest overall cost.And the tricks don’t stop there. Turn on the digital preamp function and voila! The navigation dial on the right side instantly doubles as volume control. While the CXN (v2) is billed as a network audio streamer, it can also function as a full-blown digital preamplifier. There’s a ground-lift switch next to the USB Audio input for example that’s a really smart feature for defeating any ground loop that might emanate from you speakers when you connect a computer or NAS box to the streamer. The more time I spent with the CXN (v2), the more thoughtful features I discovered. Lots of tricks up its sleeveĬambridge Audio’s CXN (v2) is an incredibly well thought out and flexible unit that can be integrated into a broad array of ecosystems, including both Google’s Chromecast and Apple’s AirPlay 2. You can select between USB Audio Profile 1.0 or 2.0 via the CXN (v2)’s menu. I always recommend using a wired connection due to its stability and speed. If your home doesn’t have the infrastructure to support wired connections, Cambridge Audio offers an optional Wi-Fi adapter. While the techie in me would like to see a gigabit ethernet connection, a stable 10/100 connection is more than adequate for streaming even very large high-res files. Onboard 10/100 ethernet provides a stable connection to your home network. Should Bluetooth be important to you, note that the adapter that occupies one of the USB ports that could otherwise be used to host a storage device. It won’t take you into the realm of high-res streaming, though, because it doesn’t support aptX HD. If you really want it, Cambridge Audio offers an optional adapter, the BT100, that supports aptX for better-quality streaming. Cambridge Audio must see it that way, too. Also, note the inclusion of balanced analog audio outputs.įor a unit of this caliber, I view Bluetooth as a convenience instead of a feature. The Cambridge Audio CXN (v2) offers copious input and output options, including a control bus for integration with sophisticated multi-room audio systems. Analog outputs take advantage of the CXN (v2)’s dual 24-bit Wolfson WM8740 DACs. You’ll be able to achieve full 24-bit/192kHz output from the CXN (v2)’s S/PDIF coaxial output. ![]() The Cambridge Audio streamer is built for two-channel bliss. The only output you won’t find is HDMI, which frankly is no big deal. Those with high-end audio gear crave components with balanced connections due to their ability to reject cable-borne noise and interference. In addition to S/PDIF coaxial and Toslink Optical (which are concurrently active), you’ll find unbalanced analog output and balanced (XLR) stereo output. Use the CXN (v2) as a USB audio device, and you can manually choose between USB Audio Profile 1.0 or 2.0 as well. Pick from sources featuring S/PDIF coaxial, Toslink optical, USB Audio, or attach plain-ol’ USB storage. Flexible input and output options abound. ![]()
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