Cambridge Audio CXN100 Network Audio Player Streamer Pre Amp Review: The New Benchmark for Digital Hi-Fi?

For years, I’ve walked a tightrope familiar to many music lovers. On one side, the tangible, warm, and ritualistic world of vinyl and CDs. On the other, the boundless, instant universe of digital streaming. The conflict was real: how do you embrace the convenience of services like TIDAL and Qobuz without sacrificing the sonic integrity we’ve invested so much in our hi-fi systems to achieve? For too long, the answer involved compromise—clunky interfaces, compressed audio, and a general sense that digital music was a secondary, less serious pursuit. This was the exact challenge that led me to explore a dedicated network streamer. I needed a component that could act as a sophisticated bridge, a digital-to-analogue converter, and a central hub for all my digital sources, treating them with the respect they deserve. The goal was to make streaming not just a convenience, but a genuine, high-fidelity experience that could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with my cherished physical media collection. The search was on for a device that could finally close that gap.

What to Consider Before Buying a High-Fidelity Network Streamer

A network audio player, often called a streamer, is more than just a gadget; it’s a key solution for unlocking the full potential of digital audio in a traditional hi-fi setup. It solves the critical problem of getting high-resolution music files from the internet or a local network drive to your amplifier and speakers with the highest possible fidelity. The main benefits are twofold: unparalleled access to a near-infinite library of music via streaming services and internet radio, and a significant sonic upgrade over connecting a laptop or phone directly to your system. By offloading the crucial task of digital-to-analogue conversion to a dedicated, high-quality component like the Cambridge Audio CXN100 Network Audio Player Streamer Pre Amp, you ensure that the delicate audio signal is handled with precision, revealing detail, depth, and dynamics you may have never heard before in your favourite digital tracks.

The ideal customer for this type of product is an established music enthusiast with an existing component hi-fi system (amplifier, speakers) who wants to add or upgrade their digital streaming capabilities. They value sound quality above all else and are looking for a seamless, app-controlled experience. This is for the listener who, like one user, might be an “analog freak” but sees the value in streaming TIDAL to discover new albums before committing to vinyl. It might not be suitable for those looking for an all-in-one-box solution with built-in speakers, or for casual listeners who are satisfied with the sound from a simple Bluetooth speaker. For those users, a more integrated system might be a better fit.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Digital-to-Analogue Converter (DAC) Quality: This is the heart of any streamer. The DAC chip is responsible for converting the digital 1s and 0s into the analogue waveform your amplifier can understand. Look for reputable DAC manufacturers like ESS Sabre or Wolfson, as the quality of this component has the single biggest impact on the final sound. A superior DAC, like the one found in this device, results in greater clarity, detail, and a more natural, engaging sound.
• Connectivity & Streaming Support: A great streamer needs to be versatile. Check for robust Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections, but also look for native support for the services you use, like Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz, and Deezer. Additional features like Chromecast, Apple AirPlay 2, and Roon Ready certification offer incredible flexibility for integrating the device into your digital life and multiroom audio setups. Physical inputs like USB, Coaxial, and TOSLINK are also vital for connecting other digital sources like a CD player or TV.
• The Control App and User Interface: Since you’ll primarily interact with the streamer via a smartphone or tablet, the quality of the companion app is paramount. A good app should be stable, intuitive, and fast, allowing you to browse vast music libraries with ease. A clear, high-resolution display on the unit itself is also a huge bonus for seeing album art and track information at a glance from across the room.
• Build Quality & System Synergy: A hi-fi component is an investment. Look for a solid, well-constructed chassis, typically made of metal, which not only looks and feels premium but also helps to shield the sensitive internal components from vibration and electrical interference. Consider its aesthetic and how it will fit with your existing equipment. The Lunar Grey finish of the Cambridge Audio, for instance, is designed to complement their CX series of amplifiers perfectly.

Investing in a dedicated streamer is a significant step towards achieving digital audio nirvana. Taking the time to evaluate these factors will ensure you choose a component that not only meets your needs today but will serve as the digital heart of your hi-fi system for years to come.

While the Cambridge Audio CXN100 Network Audio Player Streamer Pre Amp is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: A Masterclass in Understated British Hi-Fi Design

Unboxing the Cambridge Audio CXN100 Network Audio Player Streamer Pre Amp is an experience in itself. The packaging is robust, and the unit is securely cradled, immediately conveying a sense of quality. Lifting its 5.92 kg weight from the box, you’re met with a cool, solid-feeling metal chassis finished in a sleek ‘Lunar Grey’. It has a reassuring heft and rigidity that speaks to its premium build. The front panel is minimalist and elegant, dominated by a large, high-resolution colour screen and a satisfyingly smooth, weighted dual-function rotary dial for volume control and menu navigation. It’s an evolution of the iconic design of its multi-award-winning predecessor, the CXN V2, but refined for a new generation.

Setting it up is refreshingly straightforward. After attaching the three antennas for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and connecting the power cord, the device boots up, and the screen guides you through the initial network connection. The real magic, however, happens when you download the StreamMagic app. The app quickly discovers the CXN100 on the network, and from there, you can log in to all your streaming services. Within ten minutes of opening the box, I was streaming a high-resolution Qobuz track. The immediate impression is one of polished simplicity and thoughtful engineering, a device built by people who understand what makes a hi-fi component a joy to use. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to get a sense of this seamless experience.

Deep Dive: Performance, Sound, and Usability

A network streamer lives or dies by its performance in three key areas: its core sound quality, the usability of its software, and the breadth of its features. After spending considerable time with the Cambridge Audio CXN100 Network Audio Player Streamer Pre Amp, it’s clear that this isn’t just an incremental update; it’s a significant leap forward that redefines expectations at its price point. We delved deep into its capabilities, pushing it with everything from compressed internet radio streams to 24-bit/192kHz studio master files, and it never failed to impress.

The Heart of the Matter: The ESS ES9028Q2M SABRE DAC

The single most significant upgrade in the CXN100 is the move from the previous generation’s Wolfson DAC to the new ESS ES9028Q2M SABRE32 Reference DAC. This is not just a change in part numbers; it’s a fundamental shift in the unit’s sonic character. Where the previous model was known for its warmth and musicality, the CXN100, powered by the SABRE DAC, is all about breathtaking clarity, precision, and detail. Listening to a well-recorded track like “Tin Pan Alley” by Stevie Ray Vaughan, the difference is immediate. The space around each instrument is palpable. The decay of the reverb on the guitar, the subtle metallic shimmer of the cymbals, the gritty texture of Vaughan’s voice—it’s all rendered with a level of resolution that is simply astonishing.

This finding is strongly supported by user feedback. One listener, who also owns other Cambridge Audio components, noted that with this streamer, “every instrument you hear is reproduced very convincingly and separately from each other, it’s also easy to distinguish between each instrument.” This is the hallmark of a great DAC and a well-implemented output stage. The CXN100 doesn’t just play music; it dissects it, laying out the entire mix for you to explore. We also found that its pre-amp functionality is superb. By connecting it directly to a power amplifier and controlling the volume with its dial or the app, you get an incredibly clean and direct signal path. For digital-only systems, this feature could eliminate the need for a separate pre-amplifier altogether, a testament to the quality of its internal components. This level of sonic performance is a feature that really sets it apart in a crowded market.

The Brains of the Operation: StreamMagic Gen 4 and Total Connectivity

A streamer’s sound is worthless if you can’t easily get music to it. This is where Cambridge Audio’s proprietary StreamMagic platform comes in, and the CXN100 uses the latest generation module. The accompanying StreamMagic app is the central nervous system of the entire experience. Available for both iOS and Android, we found it to be exceptionally stable, fast, and logically laid out. Logging into TIDAL, Spotify, and Qobuz was a breeze, and the app seamlessly integrates these libraries, along with any music on a local USB drive, into a single, searchable interface. Cover art loads instantly, and searching for artists or tracks is lightning-fast.

The connectivity options are exhaustive. For us, the native TIDAL Connect and Spotify Connect were the most-used features; you simply select the CXN100 as the output device within the native apps, and it takes over the stream directly from the internet, freeing up your phone. This is a far superior method to Bluetooth in terms of both sound quality and convenience. For Apple users, AirPlay 2 integration is flawless, and Chromecast built-in offers similar casting functionality for a huge range of Android apps. For the serious audiophile, Roon Ready certification is the cherry on top, allowing the CXN100 to integrate perfectly into a Roon-managed music ecosystem. One user specifically praised the “ottima e precisa Applicazione ‘Streammagic’,” noting that managing the device’s functions from a tablet while relaxing on the sofa is a joy. It’s this combination of high-end audio engineering and user-centric software design that makes the Cambridge Audio CXN100 Network Audio Player Streamer Pre Amp such a compelling package.

A Universe of Music: High-Quality Internet Radio and Physical Inputs

Beyond the headline streaming services, one of the most delightful features we rediscovered during our testing was Internet Radio. The CXN100 grants access to tens of thousands of stations from around the globe, all neatly categorized and searchable. The quality can vary, but many stations now broadcast in high-bitrate formats that sound surprisingly good through a high-quality system. We were particularly impressed with the speed. As one reviewer noted, there is “kaum buffering” (hardly any buffering), and stations load almost instantly. For one user, this feature was a revelation: “At first I thought it was a lot of money, until I discovered Internet Radio… that saves me money buying a separate DAB+ unit!”

The unit’s versatility extends to its physical connections. The asynchronous USB Audio input is a standout feature, allowing a direct connection from a PC or Mac. We connected a MacBook Pro, and the CXN100 was instantly recognized, turning our laptop into a high-end music server without any need for drivers. Furthermore, we tested the digital inputs by connecting an older CD player via a TOSLINK optical cable. The result was a noticeable improvement in sound quality, as the CD transport was simply feeding the digital data to the CXN100’s superior SABRE DAC for conversion. This effectively breathes new life into older digital components, making the streamer a powerful upgrade hub for your entire system. This flexibility ensures that no matter your source, you’re getting the best possible sound.

What Other Users Are Saying

The consensus among users is overwhelmingly positive, mirroring our own findings. Many, even self-described “Schallplatten und CD Junkie” (vinyl and CD junkies), have been completely won over by the device, praising its “super rein warm und ungemein angenehm” (super pure, warm, and incredibly pleasant) sound. The ease of setup is another common theme, with multiple reviewers calling it a “Kinderspiel” (child’s play) and highlighting the seamless integration of their music servers and streaming accounts via the app.

The upgrade from the previous CXN V2 is also a key point of praise. One user with an extensive setup confirmed our assessment, stating it is “wirklich ein Upgrade gegenüber dem Vorgänger! Nochmal ein Stück präziser und feiner in der Auflösung” (really an upgrade over the predecessor! A bit more precise and finer in resolution). This confirms the tangible impact of the new DAC. However, no product is perfect. One highly detailed negative review documented a critical failure where the unit failed to boot after just one day, getting stuck in a loop. While this appears to be an isolated incident of a faulty unit, it’s an important reminder that with any complex piece of electronics, there is a small possibility of hardware failure, making a solid warranty essential. To see the full spectrum of feedback, you can read more user experiences and check the latest price.

How Does the Cambridge Audio CXN100 Compare to the Alternatives?

The Cambridge Audio CXN100 Network Audio Player Streamer Pre Amp occupies a specific niche in the audio world—it is a dedicated hi-fi separate designed to integrate into an existing system. The alternatives in the broader “Internet Radios” category often take a different, more all-in-one approach. Understanding these differences is key to finding the right product for your needs.

1. Hama 00054891 Internet Digital Radio WiFi DAB+ Bluetooth

The Hama 00054891 is a perfect example of a feature-packed, all-in-one tabletop unit. Unlike the CXN100, it includes its own speakers, a CD player, and traditional DAB+/FM tuners. This makes it an ideal solution for a kitchen, office, or bedroom where a compact, single-box system is desired. While it offers internet radio and Spotify Connect, its primary focus is on convenience rather than outright audiophile performance. Someone should choose the Hama if they need a complete, self-contained audio system and do not have a separate amplifier and speakers. It offers incredible versatility for its price, but it cannot compete with the sonic purity and dedicated high-resolution processing of the specialist Cambridge Audio component.

2. MAJORITY Fitzwilliam 2024 Black Bluetooth DAB+ Internet Radio

The MAJORITY Fitzwilliam is designed to be a tuner component that adds modern features to a traditional hi-fi stack, making it a closer competitor in form factor to the CXN100. It provides DAB+, FM, Internet Radio, and Spotify Connect, all in a standard-width hi-fi separate chassis. However, the key difference lies in the internal architecture and target audience. The Fitzwilliam is a budget-friendly way to add streaming and digital radio to an older amplifier, but it lacks the high-end DAC, advanced processing, and sophisticated app control of the CXN100. A user might prefer the Fitzwilliam if their primary goal is simply to add radio and basic streaming to their system at the lowest possible cost, without prioritizing the ultimate in digital audio conversion and sound quality.

3. MAJORITY Quadriga DAB+ CD Radio 120W Stereo System

The MAJORITY Quadriga is another all-in-one system, but a more powerful one than the Hama. With a 120W amplifier, a built-in subwoofer, and a CD player, it positions itself as a complete micro-system. It boasts an impressive feature set, including internet radio, DAB+, and Spotify Connect. This is a great choice for someone who wants a powerful, room-filling sound from a single, integrated unit without the complexity of separate components. The trade-off, when compared to the CXN100, is in sonic nuance, resolution, and future flexibility. The Quadriga is a closed system, whereas the CXN100 is a specialist digital front-end that allows you to pair it with your choice of amplifier and speakers to build a truly high-performance, customized audio system.

Our Final Verdict: Is the CXN100 Worth It?

After extensive testing and careful consideration of user feedback, our conclusion is unequivocal. The Cambridge Audio CXN100 Network Audio Player Streamer Pre Amp is a triumph of digital audio engineering. It successfully closes the gap between the convenience of streaming and the uncompromising sound quality that audiophiles demand. The move to the ESS SABRE DAC has elevated its performance to a new level, delivering a sound that is incredibly detailed, transparent, and engaging. This sonic excellence, combined with the slick StreamMagic app and a comprehensive suite of connectivity options, makes it a joy to use day in and day out.

While the lack of an included remote is a minor inconvenience, it’s a logical omission in an age where app control is king. This is a component for the serious music lover who wants to add a world-class digital hub to their existing hi-fi system. It breathes new life into streaming services, makes exploring internet radio a delight, and can even improve the sound of your other digital sources. If you are ready to unlock the true potential of digital audio and treat it with the same reverence as your physical media, the CXN100 is not just a worthy investment; it is, in our expert opinion, the new benchmark in its class. Check the latest price and availability to make it the heart of your digital hi-fi system.