Wednesday, 07 January 2015 14:51

Cambridge CX - brand new series from Cambridge Audio

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Cambridge Audio use CES and the new year to launch a brand new range of electronics. There are six components of the new series, which will be named Cambridge CX.

 

 

 

It is rather unusual that a whole series of six new components are released at once, but that is what the Cambridge Audio does this time. They have otherwise dropped the "Audio" name in the branding, so only Cambridge CX remains. Although there is initially not specified price on each component, the span of 300-2000 UKP is giving a message that at least the most expensive components are in the manufacturer's upper layers.

 

 

 

 

 

The series has two digital signal sources, two stereo amplifiers and two AV receivers. And they all have a common signature in that they focus on large display and digital sources.

 

In good Source-first tradition we start with the two sound sources. Cambridge CXN is a streamer, and joins insofar into a series of gradually quite a few of this breed from Cambridge Audio. The large color display gives room for a photo of Cover-art. CXN controller comes with dual DACs from Wolfson. WM8740 is old trotters at Cambridge Audio, and provides opportunity for upsampling to 24bit / 384kHz. DSD is available via USB. Cambridge CXN is otherwise compatible with Spotify Connect, AirPlay, aptX and UPnP. It can be controlled with Cambridge Audio's Cambridge Connect App for iOSD and Android.

 

Cambridge CXC is a CD transport, one eventually quite exotic breed. Having said that just Cambridge Audio a proud history with just combos CD-transport / DAC in the good old days before- and around the turn of the century. But there is of course no reason to assume that there is not a completely new and modern constructions inside the CXC. Cambridge emphasizes latest generation of servo "S3", which shall ensure reading of CDs in the best possible level. Cambridge hints the integrated amplifiers CXA60 and CXA80 as natural partners, with its built-in DACs from Wolfson Audio.

Which brings us to the two integrated stereo amplifiers. Also here we find WM8740 from Wolfson but admittedly only as single configurations. CXA60 is an amplifier that as hinted by the name performs 2x60W into 8 ohms, and it goes up 50% in 4 ohms. It has four analog RCA inputs, and a 3.5" jack on the front. There are also a RCA and two optical digital inputs, in addition to possible Bluetooth via additional adapter.

 

Cambridge CXA80 have very much in common with the little brother, but also has an XLR input. In addition, of course the effect increased to 2x80w into 8 ohms, which raises to 2x120 watts in 4 ohms.

 

 

AV receivers are also in the range. Not unexpectedly, Cambridge CXR120 and CXR200 differ somewhat from their Japanese competitors in some areas, which may be illustrated by the CXR-receivers are claimed to be designed for audiophile users of home cinema. Cambridge Audio has an exemplary effect stating on these receivers, where RMS watts are specified in the channels in 6- and 8 ohms, and with operations in all channels simultaneously in 8 ohms. We have yet no insight into the multi-channel audio formats supported, but there's little evidence that Dolby Atmos is supported.

 

 

 

CXR120 is provided to 120W RMS into 6 ohms / 2 channels and 100W RMS into 8 ohms / 2 channels. With operations in all channels the rated power is 60W / channel into 8 ohms. There are analog 7.1 inputs, but no pre-out. If you desire pre-out for front channels, you hav this option in CXR200. Then you in return also get a rated power of respectively 2x200 / 2x170 / 7x120W in 6/8/8 ohms.

 

 

Cambridge CX series is stated to be delivered at the end of the first quarter in 2015.

Norwegian importer Hi-Fi klunbben.

Read more about Cambridge CX to manufacturer .

 

Last modified on Wednesday, 07 January 2015 15:20
Karl Erik Sylthe

Redaktør i Audiophile.no

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