- Based on Cambridge Audio StreamMagic Technology, the two new systems Cambridge Audio MXN10 Network Player and Cambridge Audio AXN10 Network Player are presented.
Cambridge Audio MXN10 Network Player and Cambridge Audio AXN10 Network Player, with these two new streaming systems, the English hi-fi manufacturer Cambridge Audio is now expanding its range in the corresponding area around the so-called Cambridge Audio StreamMagic Technology and thus a platform that has been tried and tested for years, which includes the most diverse solutions and which is being successively further developed and improved. The two new solutions, Cambridge Audio MXN10 and Cambridge Audio AXN10, serve to expand various audio systems with flexible streaming functions in the simplest way.
Cambridge Audio StreamMagic Technology Gen4
This is already the fourth generation of Cambridge Audio StreamMagic Technology, which is currently available and which is also used in the two new systems. Since its market launch – in 2011, after all – the developers of this streaming technology have always strived to realise a streaming solution that is as reliable, high-quality and, above all, very flexible as possible.
It is obvious that the only real industry standard is UPnP, but over the years, more and more streaming protocols have been integrated, so that Cambridge Audio StreamMagic Technology today presents itself as a very, very flexible solution.
From UPnP to AirPlay 2 and Chromecast to Roon-ready
First of all, it should be made clear that with Cambridge Audio StreamMagic Technology, you can access your own content on the network as well as countless online services. As already mentioned, UPnP is available, but also Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, TIDAL Connect and Spotify Connect. In addition, the platform is certified Roon-ready.
All systems based on Cambridge Audio StreamMagic Technology are of course controlled via an app, the Cambridge Audio StreamMagic App for Apple iOS or Google Android, which can be used to access content from the local network, TIDAL, Deezer and Qobuz, as well as Internet radio and podcasts.
Via this app, you can not only play content from the network, but also control the playback of content that is directly accessible via USB to the streaming clients.
It should be mentioned that the Cambridge Audio StreamMagic technology is of course equipped for content in hi-res audio, namely for linear PCM with up to 32 bits and 768 kHz and DSD up to DSD512.
Cambridge Audio MXN10 and Cambridge Audio AXN10 based on Cambridge Audio StreamMagic Technology
All these possibilities are now also offered by the two new systems that Cambridge Audio is now introducing with the solutions Cambridge Audio MXN10 and Cambridge Audio AXN10. Interestingly, this is not only the first time that a streaming client for the Cambridge Audio AX Series, the new Cambridge Audio AXN10, has been presented, but also the Cambridge Audio MXN10, a particularly compact solution that essentially allows any audio system to be expanded with streaming on the Cambridge Audio platform.
“At Cambridge Audio, we believe in freedom of choice in music sources. Our products are designed to keep all paths open to the very music our customers love. We’re excited to bring the StreamMagic family to even more listeners worldwide.”
Stuart George, CEO of Cambridge Audio
It is worth noting that Cambridge Audio currently offers the Cambridge Audio CXN V2 Network Player and Cambridge Audio EDGE NQ Preamplifier with Network Player, both of which are based on the Cambridge Audio StreamMagic platform.
Cambridge Audio AXN10 Network Player – Streaming Client of the Cambridge Audio AX Series
The Cambridge Audio AX Series is Cambridge Audio’s entry-level line of hi-fi products. It’s actually astonishing that no streaming client has been provided here so far, but fortunately it is now available in the form of the new Cambridge Audio AXN10.
As already mentioned, the new Cambridge Audio AXN10 Network Player is based on a Cambridge Audio StreamMagic Gen 4 module, the functions of which we have already described in detail. It should be mentioned here that the new Cambridge Audio AXN10 Network Player can be integrated into the network either via an RJ45 Ethernet port or the integrated WiFi module, and can then use the complete range of content from your own network or various online services.
If you want to play back content directly via a smartphone or tablet, you can of course also do this via the integrated Bluetooth 5.0 module, which unfortunately only supports SBC and AAC.
Signal processing is carried out by means of converters from ESS Technology Inc. Technology Inc., namely an ESS SABRE ES9033Q DAC. The Cambridge Audio AXN10 Network Player has an output for analogue signals in the form of a pair of RCA sockets, but signals can also be passed on digitally via an optical and coaxial S/PDIF interface.
The new Cambridge Audio AXN10 Network Player has standard hi-fi dimensions, i.e. 430 x 75 x 305 mm, and thus weighs 3 kg.
For access without an app, the preset buttons on the front can be assigned to four different radio streams.
Cambridge Audio MXN10 Network Player – The universal solution
The new Cambridge Audio MXN10 Network Player is supposed to offer convenient and flexible music streaming for any audio system, according to the promise of the English hi-fi manufacturer Cambridge Audio, whereby the focus is on compact dimensions and thus facilitates the integration into various solutions.
The new Cambridge Audio MXN10 Network Player measures no more than 215 x 52 x 191 mm and weighs 1.2 kg. The metal housing is very discreetly presented in elegant silver, and thus fits easily into any living environment.
Of course, a Cambridge Audio StreamMagic Gen 4 module is also used here to offer the full performance spectrum of the Cambridge Audio streaming platform, whereby this solution can be integrated into the network either via an RJ45 Ethernet port or WiFi.
Bluetooth 5.0 is also included here, so that you can play back audio directly from your smartphone or tablet even when you are not connected to the network infrastructure, although you are unfortunately limited to the SBC and AAC codecs.
The signal processing is also based on an ESS SABRE ES9033Q DAC and thus a converter from ESS Technology Inc., namely for linear PCM with up to 32 bits and 768 kHz and DSD up to DSD512.
In addition to an analogue output in the form of a pair of cinch sockets, the new Cambridge Audio MXN10 Network Player also has a coaxial and optical S/PDIF interface.
Of course, preset buttons are also available on the front panel for access without an app.
Prices and availability
The Cambridge Audio MXN10 Network Player and the Cambridge Audio AXN10 Network Player will be available from March 2023 in Lunar Grey from the Cambridge Audio webshop, the Cambridge Audio Amazon webshop and from specialist retailers. The recommended retail prices are € 499,- for the Cambridge Audio MXN10 and € 599,- for the Cambridge Audio AXN10.
Getting to the point
Not only is Cambridge Audio now launching the Cambridge Audio AXN10 Network Player, a streaming solution for the Cambridge Audio AX Series, but the Cambridge Audio MXN10 Network Player, presented at the same time, is also a solution that can be used to add streaming to any audio system. In both cases, of course, the company relies on its own Cambridge Audio StreamMagic Streaming Technology, in the latest, now fourth generation.
| PRODUCT | CAMBRIDGE AUDIO MXN10 AND CAMBRIDGE AUDIO AXN10 |
|---|---|
| Cambridge Audio MXN10 € 499,- Cambridge Audio AXN10 € 599,- |
| Brand | CAMBRIDGE AUDIO |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Cambridge Audio |
| Distribution Austria | Audio Tuning Vertriebs GmbH |
| Distribution Germany | Cambridge Audio |
| Distribution Switzerland | Lakeside Audio SA |
| More about this manufacturer at HIFI BLOG |
