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Cambridge CXN (V2) next acquisition

afterburntafterburnt Posts: 5,516
in Going Digital
Does anyone have one, thoughts? I got a Marantz streamer but did not like it for various reasons and sent it back. It sounded great but it was lacking compared to my Aries Mini.
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  • deronb1deronb1 Posts: 4,671
    Tophat has one. He really likes it.
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  • joecoulsonjoecoulson Posts: 3,246
    I have one
    I like it
    For various reasons and it blew away the Node in my A/B test at the dealer. It should I guess for close to dbl the $$
    Auralic Vega G1/Rega TT/Denon SACD - PS Audio SGC - PS Audio M700x2 - Elac Adante AF-61
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  • tophatjohnnytophatjohnny Posts: 2,491
    I have the 851N..different animal, while the CXN is more like the SM6, I really like the Cambridge line for what it is I do. The One Connect app works really good and handles my rather large digital library like a champion. Congrats and I'm thinking you will have fun with it. If you decide to go up a notch, the 851N is no slouch when it comes to Network players and it's easy on the pocketbook. Very happy with mine. Let us know as you go along how you like it and what all are you using it for...USB or UPnP?? NAS in the line up?? I think the CXN also displays album artwork (although looking at tiny album covers doesn't do it for me, I guess it's still kinda cool??) :)
    "if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
    *****************************
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  • deronb1deronb1 Posts: 4,671
    Ah tes, i stand corrected
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  • joecoulsonjoecoulson Posts: 3,246
    The screen was actually one of the draws for me. Nice to have it as a backup to app control should you want to control it all El Manual
    The DAC in it sounds as good as my PS Audio Stellar Pre. I use it with Tidal, a local usb thumb drive with all kinds of hi-res files on it (DSD, WAV, FLAC etc), Internet radio (320k and up), Chromecast (SoundCloud from the phone) and also as a Sonos connection. It’s very versatile and has a plethora of inputs.

    I have a universal remote (Harmony) so I have not used the remote much but it’s heavy and sturdy. The unit looks sleek in a rack but unfortunately I have to stack in my current setup.
    XLR’s connect it to the PS Audio pre. And I swapped the power cable for a Zu Audio one.

    The app is pretty good. Only crashes every now and then. Has the ability to control most all of the unit sans internal settings. Tidal’s interface is simple but effective. You can also search for internet radio through the app, and of course search for drives in your network or connected locally.

    Pics.


    2ai4pobdbalo.jpeg
    f150yi5o3do6.jpeg
    ap7ru07z3t6e.jpeg

    Auralic Vega G1/Rega TT/Denon SACD - PS Audio SGC - PS Audio M700x2 - Elac Adante AF-61
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  • afterburntafterburnt Posts: 5,516
    @joecoulson Have you tried WMA lossless files?
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  • joecoulsonjoecoulson Posts: 3,246
    No. Have not tried just because I don’t have any. I typically use DSD, WAV or FLAC only for hi res.
    Auralic Vega G1/Rega TT/Denon SACD - PS Audio SGC - PS Audio M700x2 - Elac Adante AF-61
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  • joecoulsonjoecoulson Posts: 3,246
    And I believe our very own @DSkip is about to become a CA dealer.
    Auralic Vega G1/Rega TT/Denon SACD - PS Audio SGC - PS Audio M700x2 - Elac Adante AF-61
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  • ClipdatClipdat Posts: 6,963
    My Google-Fu is failing me, is there an easy way to disable/defeat the built in volume control, so that it isn't getting in the way of the signal?
    "Electronic music is human sound adapting to indulge technology, and for some, it feels like the signature sound of energy. New and abstract sounds over hypnotic rhythms can conjure vast soundscapes for escape, pleasure, and transcendence."
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  • afterburntafterburnt Posts: 5,516
    google fu?
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  • ClipdatClipdat Posts: 6,963
    afterburnt wrote: »
    google fu?

    Let me google that for you: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Google-fu
    "Electronic music is human sound adapting to indulge technology, and for some, it feels like the signature sound of energy. New and abstract sounds over hypnotic rhythms can conjure vast soundscapes for escape, pleasure, and transcendence."
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  • mhardy6647mhardy6647 Posts: 22,116
    afterburnt wrote: »
    google fu?
    Clipdat wrote: »
    afterburnt wrote: »
    google fu?

    Let me google that for you: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Google-fu

    that's meta, man....

    ;)

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  • joecoulsonjoecoulson Posts: 3,246
    Yes. It’s an internal setting. Digital preamp on/off
    Auralic Vega G1/Rega TT/Denon SACD - PS Audio SGC - PS Audio M700x2 - Elac Adante AF-61
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  • ClipdatClipdat Posts: 6,963
    Very nice!
    "Electronic music is human sound adapting to indulge technology, and for some, it feels like the signature sound of energy. New and abstract sounds over hypnotic rhythms can conjure vast soundscapes for escape, pleasure, and transcendence."
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  • reverbreverb Posts: 68
    I have a CXN and like it a lot. It streams from my NAS flawlessly. I also use the digital out from the Denon DCD-1560 into the CXN. The DACs are better in it and as an added bonus, I can use the CXN volume control! When I'm not being lazy, you can bypass the volume control for a cleaner signal.
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  • displaynamedisplayname Posts: 300
    I picked up the CXN v2 yesterday and I am VERY happy with this purchase so far. Yesterday at Skip's we used it with Tidal and compared the internal DAC to an external DAC an plugged it into a few different speakers and amps. The DAC can be bested, but it holds it own for quite a bit, and when you're moving to an external DAC, it transfers the music perfectly without any noise being carried with it.

    At home I've only been using Spotify Connect so far. I'll doing a Tidal trial soon, but I want to make sure I have plenty of time at home with it before I dive into that.

    The biggest surprise to me was how easy the set up was. I don't know why I thought it would be difficult, but it really was a breeze and took minutes. I spent much longer rearranging wires and getting it into the rack than I spent on getting it up and running.
    Analog: MoFi MasterTracker > MoFi UltraDeck > Sutherland 20/20
    Digital: Sony CDP-CE375 / Streaming > Cambridge CXN v2
    MastersounD Dueventi > JBL Studio 580 or Arcam rHead > Hifiman HE4XX
    Discogs
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  • ClipdatClipdat Posts: 6,963
    Assuming you are using the analog outs, let us know how those dual Wolfsons sound after they get some more time on them.
    "Electronic music is human sound adapting to indulge technology, and for some, it feels like the signature sound of energy. New and abstract sounds over hypnotic rhythms can conjure vast soundscapes for escape, pleasure, and transcendence."
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  • gudnoyezgudnoyez Posts: 6,900
    displayname wrote: »
    I picked up the CXN v2 yesterday and I am VERY happy with this purchase so far. Yesterday at Skip's we used it with Tidal and compared the internal DAC to an external DAC an plugged it into a few different speakers and amps. The DAC can be bested, but it holds it own for quite a bit, and when you're moving to an external DAC, it transfers the music perfectly without any noise being carried with it.

    At home I've only been using Spotify Connect so far. I'll doing a Tidal trial soon, but I want to make sure I have plenty of time at home with it before I dive into that.

    The biggest surprise to me was how easy the set up was. I don't know why I thought it would be difficult, but it really was a breeze and took minutes. I spent much longer rearranging wires and getting it into the rack than I spent on getting it up and running.

    Nice this might be my next purchase while I am at Apoxana this spring I will be looking at all the vendors offering streamers. Enjoy your new Cambridge.
    Home Theater
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  • joecoulsonjoecoulson Posts: 3,246
    I have been very happy with it now for about half a year. DAC’s are almost as good (really probably as good) as the PS A stellar pre.
    App crashes and no Tidal Masters support are my only gripes. And they are very small gripes compared to the pluses.
    XLR our seemed to be a step above the RCA’s in my particular setup
    Auralic Vega G1/Rega TT/Denon SACD - PS Audio SGC - PS Audio M700x2 - Elac Adante AF-61
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  • DSkipDSkip Posts: 15,974
    Can you elaborate on the app crashes?

    As far as MQA goes, that's the last thing I look for in a DAC. I want hardware that sounds good, not gear that chases a file type.
    audiothesis.com/
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  • joecoulsonjoecoulson Posts: 3,246
    The app will crash when:
    Opening it back up after playing something and then say answering a phone call or switching apps. When coming back to the CA app it will crash.
    It also crashes when opening up for the first time rarely.

    As far as MQA goes, there is built in support for Tidal on this unit, it’s advertised as such. It would make sense to me that a company would offer the services of its built in partner in their entirety, not just hifi streaming. Bluesound and some others do, not sure what CA does not. Regardless of how you feel about the format, and what tech is needed to “unfold” it’s just how I feel about the matter.
    Auralic Vega G1/Rega TT/Denon SACD - PS Audio SGC - PS Audio M700x2 - Elac Adante AF-61
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  • ClipdatClipdat Posts: 6,963
    https://techsupport.cambridgeaudio.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000579989-Does-the-TIDAL-update-support-MQA-playback-
    "Electronic music is human sound adapting to indulge technology, and for some, it feels like the signature sound of energy. New and abstract sounds over hypnotic rhythms can conjure vast soundscapes for escape, pleasure, and transcendence."
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  • ClipdatClipdat Posts: 6,963
    Frankly, I consider it a bonus that they aren't natively supporting MQA in the box. MQA is nothing more than a marketing gimmick and form of proprietary DRM, designed with one goal: to line the pockets of already rich executives.

    The more companies that drop MQA or never choose to pay in to it's licensing fees, the better. Hopefully it'll eventually go away completely and we'll never have to talk about it again.
    "Electronic music is human sound adapting to indulge technology, and for some, it feels like the signature sound of energy. New and abstract sounds over hypnotic rhythms can conjure vast soundscapes for escape, pleasure, and transcendence."
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  • DSkipDSkip Posts: 15,974
    It supports up to 192 but doesn't do MQA. It unfolds it the way it knows how. I have tried two 384 files and neither the CXN or 851N was able to play it. It makes sense given the limitation. Just because it doesn't say MQA doesn't mean you aren't getting the higher bitrate.

    What router are you using? I've had zero issues so far multitasking on my phone.
    audiothesis.com/
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  • joecoulsonjoecoulson Posts: 3,246
    Apple AirPort Extreme.
    Maybe it’s mine but give it time as you have only had it a day or so. You may or may not have those issues but I have read on other sites people had some crashes too.
    Not a big deal as I have said before. Just not flawless.
    Auralic Vega G1/Rega TT/Denon SACD - PS Audio SGC - PS Audio M700x2 - Elac Adante AF-61
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  • joecoulsonjoecoulson Posts: 3,246
    I’ll talk about MQA as long as it bothers you.
    Auralic Vega G1/Rega TT/Denon SACD - PS Audio SGC - PS Audio M700x2 - Elac Adante AF-61
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  • ClipdatClipdat Posts: 6,963
    I'll let you guys know if I get any app crashes on my Samsung Galaxy S8.
    "Electronic music is human sound adapting to indulge technology, and for some, it feels like the signature sound of energy. New and abstract sounds over hypnotic rhythms can conjure vast soundscapes for escape, pleasure, and transcendence."
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  • DSkipDSkip Posts: 15,974
    edited February 10
    joecoulson wrote: »
    Apple AirPort Extreme.
    Maybe it’s mine but give it time as you have only had it a day or so. You may or may not have those issues but I have read on other sites people had some crashes too.
    Not a big deal as I have said before. Just not flawless.

    The issue with most app failures and crashes is network driven, not app driven. This is true with AURALiC, Lumin, and I highly suspect with Cambridge as well.

    To elaborate, these apps are very sensitive to your network - more sensitive than your streaming devices or computers. I had similar issues frequently but have had none since upgrading my network router. This is a common issue and the hardest thing to convince clients of.
    audiothesis.com/
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  • ClipdatClipdat Posts: 6,963
    It could also be individual phone specific. Way too many variables.
    "Electronic music is human sound adapting to indulge technology, and for some, it feels like the signature sound of energy. New and abstract sounds over hypnotic rhythms can conjure vast soundscapes for escape, pleasure, and transcendence."
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  • DSkipDSkip Posts: 15,974
    Clipdat wrote: »
    It could also be individual phone specific. Way too many variables.

    When this issue arises it is usually universal across all devices.
    audiothesis.com/
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