CAMBRIDGE AUDIO CXN (V2)
To improve on something that’s already pretty good, sometimes all you need is a light touch. That’s what Cambridge Audio did with the second iteration of its CXN streamer – an update to the Award-winner we reviewed in 2015.
Alongside Tidal built-in and Spotify Connect, you can also stream music via Google’s Chromecast, on this, the Cambridge Audio CXN (V2).
We play Landslide by Fleetwood Mac, and Stevie Nicks’ soulful, sweet singing is full bodied and beautifully conveyed. The way she shifts between notes is smooth, and the occasional words clipped to keep her rhythm are snappy and insightful. Even the odd vocalisation – the hums and aahs – are detailed and full of melancholy musings.
Most half-decent streamers could reproduce the basics of this song, but it takes something more talented to dig into the emotional core of this track and deliver it generously – and that’s what this Cambridge does.
Highs and lows in harmony
With something more bouncy and upbeat, such as Warren Zevon’s Werewolf Of London, the CXN delivers both a punchy bass and a tinkling treble simultaneously. A good streamer, tackling those few opening bars, needs to balance both the deep drum and the piano – which the CXN (V2) does impressively. The bottom end is weighty, but lithe enough to give you a good kick, while the piano is light and airy without being overly bright. The timing is tight too, and gets your foot tapping almost as soon as the song starts.
We move on to Childish Gambino’s This Is America, a song that overlays a grumbling, rolling bass with the clicks and taps of percussion and a multitude of different voices. Some hi-fi will lose sounds in the turmoil, but the V2 manages to separate each element out and present it as a cohesive whole. No need to keep it simple here, the CXN will be able to keep the complex coherent. Streaming flexibility
Having Chromecast Built-in enables users of the V2 to stream content wirelessly from compatible apps. We set up the Chromecast with no problems, and in just a few moments are casting music and videos to other devices.
For those in Apple’s ecosystem, meanwhile, Airplay 2 is built into the streamer so you can send your music via your iphone, ipad or other Apple device to your speakers.
Spotify subscribers can also use Spotify Connect to send their music to the CXN directly from the app, while Tidal subscribers can search the streaming service’s database directly from the streamer, once you’ve logged into your account using the Cambridge Connect app. The app, available on IOS and Android, can also control playback.
But as always, we’d recommend a wired connection for the best sound quality. This streamer is capable of playing high-resolution files of up to 24-bit/192khz, upsampled to 384khz, through the USB type B input for your computer, optical and coaxial inputs.
Also included are a pair of RCA and balanced XLR outputs, along with two digital outputs.
With this V2 model, Cambridge Audio took the opportunity to install a faster processor than the one on the original, to handle the Chromecast functionality. It was a good move, as we have no issue with the speed at which it boots up and gets us to our music.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it seems to have been Cambridge Audio’s motto on build quality. The high standards of construction are reflected most notably in the buttons and the remote control – both of which are easy to use and responsive – while the volume dial retains that signature weighted resistance that gives a satisfying sensation when moving through menus. Visual treats
The 4.3in screen shows track, artist, album and sampling rate, and offers the album artwork in full colour. A nice touch, we think. The display never feels cluttered and each bit of metadata is spaced nicely. Having input labels printed upside down round the back is also a thoughtful touch – meaning you can easily read them when you’re looking down on the streamer.
While we don’t believe in foregone conclusions, the Cambridge Audio CXN (V2) might be the closest we’ve come to one. It might not be the newest device out there, but its great sound, fine build, wide connectivity and Chromecast technology keep it at the top.