Cambridge Audio’s totally new CX series is set to “revolutionise entertainment in the digital age”. The CX series is a range of hi-fi
and home theatre components offering a unique combination of “class-leading sound”, advanced networking capabilities, large colour displays and “exceptional build quality and design”.

The CX series comprises six new products: CXN network music player, the CXA60 and CXA80 integrated amplifiers, the CXC dedicated CD transport and the CXR120 and CXR200 AV receivers.

CXN Upsampling Network Music Player

Thanks to core technology from StreamMagic, the CXN can play virtually any music from your digital library or online streaming services up to 24 bit/192kHz and all controlled via the simple interface on the 4.3” (11cm) colour screen or via new Cambridge Connect smartphone and tablet apps for Apple and Android.

Connected either wired or wirelessly via UPnP over a home network, the CXN will stream music from computers, laptops and NAS drives. Additionally two USB inputs allow direct playback from USB HDDs including memory sticks. The CXN also offers TOSLINK optical, S/PDIF coaxial and asynchronous USB audio inputs. Asynchronous USB audio allows playback of 24-bit/192kHz files direct from a connected computer or laptop, with the CXN effectively acting as an external sound card.

The CXN also features Apple Airplay and support for an optional BT100 aptX Bluetooth receiver for streaming from any smartphone or tablet.

RCA and balanced XLR analogue outputs, as well as optical and coaxial digital outputs, allow connection to a wide range of modern hi-fi components such as the CXA60 or CXA80 amplifiers.

Capable of handling all popular codecs including WMA, MP3, AAC HE AAC, AAC+ and Ogg Vorbis and lossless 24-bit/192kHz FLAC, ALAC, WAV and AIFF files, the CXN can play any file from your digital music library. There is also in-built support for streaming services Spotify Connect, Pandora, Rhapsody, BBC iPlayer Radio and Internet Radio.!

No matter the source, the CXN’s ATF2 (2nd generation Adaptive Time Filtering) audio upsampling system intelligently upsamples all audio inputs to 24-bit/384kHz to reduce digital jitter. Two Wolfson WM8740 DACs ensure the very best digital to analogue conversion.

Not just a digital music streamer, but a digital pre-amp too, the CXN doubles up as a digital pre-amplifier using a 32-bit Blackfin DSP to control volume in the digital domain. 

CXA80 Integrated Amplifier

The CXA80 features an oversized low-flux toroidal transformer with completely independent dual mono windings, fully symmetrical dual mono Class A/B amplification circuits delivering 80W RMS into 8 Ohms (rising to 120W RMS into 4 Ohms).

With TOSLINK optical and coaxial digital inputs, and the option to add aptX Bluetooth streaming, the CXA80 is designed for the modern digital age. An asynchronous USB audio input allows streaming of 24-bit/192kHz studio master quality files directly from your PC or MAC.

Finally, Wolfson WM8740 DAC, as used in Cambridge Audio’s DacMagic, handle digital-to-analogue conversion with stunning accuracy. 

CXA60 Integrated Amplifier

The CXA60 delivers much as the CXA80, with the same fully symmetrical Class A/B amplifier topology combined with a single winding low-flux toroidal transformer, delivering 60W RMS into 8 Ohms – 90W RMS into 4 Ohms.

Apart from the USB audio input and balanced XLR input, all digital connections and digital to analogue conversion are identical to the CXA80.

CXC CD Transport

Designed specifically for the new CX series, CXC delivers CD playback.

At the heart of the CXC is Cambridge Audio’s ‘S3’ servo which “dynamically adjusts focusing, tracking and output level of the laser in real-time”. With no digital to analogue conversion in the CXC, the CXC passes a purely digital signal to an amplifier or dedicated DAC. 

CXR AV Receivers

The CXR120 and CXR200 have been created for audiophiles seeking a home cinema experience. Using a “sound first” class A/B amplifier design carefully crafted by Cambridge engineers, coupled with an oversize toroidal transformer, each CXR model delivers “sensational 7.2 surround sound and a captivating, highly detailed stereo musical performance”.

On board is HDMI 2.0, HDCP 2.2, 4K and 3D compatibility, upscaling of all 1080p signals to 4K ultra high definition and deep colour.

In addition to HDMI, digital and analogue inputs for music and movies, both CXR models also feature the same Cambridge Audio StreamMagic music streaming module found at the heart of the CXN network music player.

There is also support for DSD, allowing playback of SACDs from a Blu-ray player and an MHL Link for direct HD input from smartphones. Asynchronous USB audio input and optional aptX Bluetooth connectivity further add to the digital capabilities.

The all new Cambridge CX Series will debut at CES in Las Vegas at the Venetian hotel, suite 30 -216.