Cambridge Audio CXN V2 Review: Network Player

Play high-resolution music with great sound quality

Written by AudioGuru Staff | Updated February 27, 2024
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Cambridge Audio CXN V2 Review: Network Player

The CXN V2 from Cambridge Audio is an abbreviation for version 2. Your digital files may be played on it, whether they are stored on a NAS or an iTunes library. It is a network audio streamer. You may also play high-resolution music with this because it features built-in USB Class 1 and 2 ports! Better connection to all streaming services, including Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, Tidal, and many more, is brought on by this product’s recent upgrade (including internet radio). Basically, it serves as the central location for all of your digital player’s functions.

The top model of its sort is the CXN v2 streamer/DAC from Cambridge Audio. The business used Anagramm technology to build a second-generation ATF2 up-sampling for 24-bit 384 kHz sound quality with this model since they were early adopters of the idea that effective filtering is crucial for digital players. It has two Wolfson WM8740 DACs that are joined by an amazing second-generation filter from the AFTF, or Advanced Filter Technology Forum, that transforms sample rates into CD-quality sound (16bit 44kHz).

There isn’t much more you could expect of Cambridge Audio with all these technical specifications under its belt! It measures 3.4 inches in height, 16.9 inches in width, and 12.2 inches in depth. It has a 7.7-pound weight

Our Verdict

4.5

The CXN (V2) is the greatest streamer available at this price point, making the best even better.

Pros

  • Fantastic sound quality
  • A sophisticated style
  • Various wireless communication options

Cons

  • Nothing noteworthy

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Highlights

  • Dual Wolfson WM8740 24-Bit DACs
  • Digital Filter – Second Generation ATF2up-sampling to 24-bit/384kHz
  • Balanced XLR and Unbalanced RCA
  • Ethernet & WIFI
  • UPnP, Local USB, S/PDIF, Toslink, Coaxial, Internet radio, Spotify Connect, Tidal, Bluetooth, Airplay, Chromecast
  • Audio Formats: ALAC, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD (x64), WMA, MP3, AAC, HE-AAC, AAC+, OGG Vorbis

What’s in the box?

Network audio player, 59″ AC power cord, USB-WiFi dongle, Remote control (RC-CXA/C/N), 3 “AAA” batteries, 38″ Mono-RCA cable, Quick Start Guide, Important Safety Instructions

Price and Availability

Price and Availability

The Cambridge Audio CXN (V2) is available for just under ₹138,000. You can get more detailed information about the CXN (V2) current price and availability by consulting us.

Design


Design

The sequel to the original is the Cambridge Audio CXN v2. It boasts a chic brushed metal front that is 430 by 305 by 85 millimetres in size and is offered in silver and black. Its elegant design includes features like a standby button for use while travelling and a USB port you can use to charge your smartphone while camping or add more space!

Scrolling through them all never gets old because of the 4.3-inch display, which offers menus or information about what song is playing along with cover art! No one enjoys sound bouncing off walls while they’re trying to unwind, so this speaker has four navigation keys and an infrared sensor integrated right in, making it ideal for use indoors as well.

Sound Quality

Sound Quality

Now for the high-resolution soundtrack. The high resolution occasionally looked a little bit cosier and more personal to me. That is certainly beneficial. Hi-res audio gave me the impression that I was closer to the music, however, that wasn’t always the case.

Therefore, from a high-res perspective, I believe it plays high-res, but I also believe that whether or not you’re going to feel like you got a better resolution track than cd quality depends on how the music is mastered. But the Cambridge Audio CXN v2 itself is enjoyable and performs nicely.

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Specifications

Brand : Cambridge Audio
Model : CXN (V2)
Dimensions : 9 x 43 x 31cm
Weight : 4kg
Output : Optical, coaxial, balanced XLR, RCA
Inputs : USB type A x2, USB type B, optical, coaxial
Network : Ethernet, wi-fi
High resolution : 24-bit/192kHz, DSD64

FAQ’s

Does it gives us a good sound quality

In general, network players found in high-end audio equipment are designed to produce high-quality sound, using advanced digital processing techniques to create accurate, detailed and natural-sounding audio. They often use high-quality components and internal digital-to-analog converters to provide a superior audio performance. Additionally, since the network player in an amplifier is a digital source, it may offer better sound quality than analog sources as it doesn’t suffer from signal degradation.

Additionally, the sound quality can be further improved by adjusting the settings and fine-tuning the audio output, such as equalization, room correction, and using high-quality audio files.

How it is good for home theater?

A network player in an amplifier can be a great feature for home theater setups for several reasons:

Variety of sources: With a network player, you have access to a wide variety of music and audio sources, including your own local music library as well as streaming services like Spotify, Tidal, and many more. This gives you more options for listening to music and soundtracks, whether it’s a movie, TV show, or a game.

High-quality audio: Network players are typically found in high-end audio equipment and they often use advanced digital processing techniques to create accurate and detailed sound, which can make for an immersive and enjoyable home theater experience.

Convenience: With a network player, you can easily control the playback of your music and audio using a mobile app or web interface, so you don’t have to get up to change the song, volume or source. This allows for easy operation and control of the audio playback while you are watching a movie or playing a game.

Compatibility with smart speakers and voice assistants: Many network players can work seamlessly with smart speakers and voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to control playback using voice commands and integrating your home theater setup with the rest of your smart home devices.

Overall, a network player in an amplifier can be a great feature for a home theater setup, providing a wide variety of audio sources, high-quality sound, convenient control, and compatibility with other smart devices.

What is a network player?

A network player, also known as a streaming player or streaming audio player, is a type of audio device that connects to a network and can play music from a variety of sources. These sources can include local storage, such as a computer or hard drive, as well as internet-based services like streaming music providers.

In an amplifier context, a network player function allows the device to be connected to a network and play audio files from network-attached storage, PC, or a cloud service. It also allows for control of the playback using a mobile app or web interface, and streaming music from internet services like Spotify, Tidal, and many more. This feature is becoming increasingly common on high-end audio equipment, allowing users to access a wide range of music and streaming services directly from their amplifier.

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Conclusion

All in all, the Cambridge Audio CXN v2 digital network streamer will make you happy to use it. This audio player is excellent. It seems excellent. It contains an LCD screen so you can view the cover art for your albums. It sounds fantastic and plays high-quality music bit for bit, which is definitely a benefit.

It lacks Bluetooth built-in, which is one of just two downsides I could find. Additionally, even if you buy the wifi dongle, apt-x HD is not supported. Thus, high-resolution Bluetooth compatibility is not available. Additionally, it lacks hardware for MQA.

These two features might make this play even better if Cambridge Audio decides to produce another version of it, which I hope they do. However, this is something you should absolutely look into if you’re looking for a player to play high-res music that looks excellent and you enjoy looking at your mark.

AudioGuru Staff

AudioGuru Staff

AudioGuru is a platform where we review and recommend audio products. When it comes to purchasing decisions, our journalists combine independent research with extensive testing to save you time, energy, and money. We’ll help you get it right, whether it’s finding an amazing product or getting useful advice.

Share Your Personal Experience by Writing a Review.

    The Reason why I buy this CXN for my home

    By Rishi Apte 

    Length of Use: 3–6 months

    Overall Experience:

    Prior to buying, I had my doubts, but it turned out to be one of my better purchases. Simply connect the device to your home network, and it will detect your NAS disc on its own. This was my main motivation for purchasing the CXN. You can drill down to your music from the Library input on its main menu.

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