Cambridge Audio CXCv2 Dedicated CD Transport

One Job, Done Properly

The CXC v2 reads discs and sends the data out. That is the whole brief. Everything Cambridge Audio spent on this box went into getting the bits off the disc rather than into a converter you may already own.

At the center is Cambridge Audio's own S3 Servo. It regulates disc speed and handles error correction, and it is the reason the CXC has stayed in the range for a decade while newer designs came and went.

Outputs are coaxial and optical, both digital. The version 2 update brought the Lunar Grey finish, matching the rest of the CX Series 2 components rather than standing out on the shelf.

Why the Case Matters on a Transport

An all-metal case surrounds the mechanism and isolates the components inside it. On a disc spinner that is not decoration. Vibration reaching the mechanism is read as error, and error correction has to work harder to hide it.

The coaxial output holds the 75-ohm S/PDIF standard, so it behaves properly with any DAC and any decent digital cable. Optical sits alongside for equipment that prefers it. Both are fitted as standard.

The case measures 16.9 inches wide, 12.4 deep and 3.1 tall, and weighs 10.3 pounds. Power draw peaks at 25 watts and drops below half a watt on standby. The finish is Lunar Grey.

What Reviewers Are Saying

On build, What Hi-Fi? found that "The CXC is a nicely made piece of equipment, with the machined metal chassis feeling every penny of its asking price."

On what the internals are for, the same review is clear: "These components are designed to retrieve digital information from the disc with accuracy and deliver error-free signal playback to the connected DAC."

Who Is This Transport Best For?

• You already own a converter you rate — the CXC hands your discs to it whole, so the DAC you chose does the work and the money here went into reading rather than converting.
• You want a design that has been proven — the S3 Servo has kept this transport in the range for around ten years, which is a long time for anything digital to stay recommendable.
• Your rack is a CX system — the Lunar Grey finish and case size were made to line up with the rest of CX Series 2 rather than approximately match it.
• You have both kinds of digital input — coaxial and optical are both fitted, so it connects to a modern DAC or to older equipment without an adapter in the way.
• You want the mechanism kept still — the all-metal case isolates the components inside, which keeps vibration from turning into errors the correction stage has to clean up. Our audio racks help keep it that way.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Run a coaxial cable from the CXC v2 to a digital input on your DAC. Use the optical output instead if the coaxial socket is already busy. Your converter then feeds the amplifier as before.

If your integrated amplifier has digital inputs of its own, connect straight to it and skip the separate converter. The disc data leaves this box the same way either route you take.

Pairs Well With

Building around the CXC v2? Here are some great companions:

• DAC: The converter this transport was built to feed — see our Digital to Analog Converters.
• Integrated Amplifier: Many already have a digital input — see our Integrated Amplifiers.
• Digital Cables: A proper 75-ohm coaxial run — see our Interconnect Cables.
• Equipment Rack: Keep the transport away from vibration — see our Audio Racks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the S3 Servo do?

It regulates disc speed and handles error correction, which is how the CXC gets a clean read off the disc before anything is sent out.

Which outputs does it have?

Coaxial and optical digital outputs. The coaxial socket holds the 75-ohm S/PDIF standard your converter expects.

Does it need a separate converter?

It feeds a DAC, or an amplifier with a digital input. That is the design: the conversion happens where you choose to put it.

What changed in version 2?

The Lunar Grey finish, bringing it into line with the rest of the CX Series 2 range on the shelf.

How big is it, and what does it draw?

16.9 by 12.4 by 3.1 inches and 10.3 pounds, taking up to 25 watts and under half a watt on standby.

What is the warranty?

Two years from the date of purchase, covering defects in materials and workmanship under normal use.

See It in Action

An in-depth look at the CXC v2 before you buy:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about CD transports, error correction, or choosing a converter? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.