Cambridge Audio CXN100 Music Streamer - Lunar Gray

The Streamer to Beat at Its Price

Cambridge Audio's CXN has been the benchmark mid-range streamer for a decade. The CXN100 is its most refined form yet: a five-star What Hi-Fi winner pairing a serious ESS DAC with the most complete streaming platform in its class, in a full-width chassis with a big color display.

Inside, an ESS ES9028Q2M SABRE32 DAC handles PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512. Streaming covers everything that matters: Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz, Amazon Music, Deezer, internet radio, AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, and Bluetooth, with full Roon Ready certification. Cambridge's StreamMagic app ties it together, and the 4.8" screen shows album art from across the room.

A Streamer, a DAC, and a Preamp

Enable preamp mode in the app, and the CXN100 controls volume directly, feeding a power amplifier or powered speakers through balanced XLR or RCA outputs with no separate preamp needed. Coaxial and optical digital outputs can serve an outboard DAC instead, and digital inputs (USB, coaxial, optical, Bluetooth) make it a hub for a computer or CD transport.

That flexibility is why reviewers keep naming the CXN the heart of a simple, serious system, and why it visually matches Cambridge's CX-series amplifiers for a clean rack.

What Reviewers Are Saying

What Hi-Fi awarded the CXN100 five stars across sound, build, and features in a March 20, 2024 review, praising its "clean, precise and articulate sound" and "expansive, open soundstage," where "every beat" is "crystal clear, controlled and neatly etched." Their verdict: "The CXN100 remains the one to beat at this price."

Who Is This Streamer Best For?

• You're adding streaming to a traditional system — connect it to any amplifier and every major service arrives through one box.
• You want to skip a separate preamp — preamp mode plus balanced XLR outputs feed a power amp or powered speakers directly.
• You use Roon or hi-res services — Roon Ready certification and support up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512 have you covered.
• You value a proven platform — StreamMagic is mature, stable, and regularly updated with new features.
• If you want TV sound through your system, the CXN100 has no HDMI input — its sibling, the CXN100 SE, adds HDMI eARC for exactly that.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Join it to your network over Wi-Fi or Ethernet and let the StreamMagic app find your services. Analog outputs, balanced XLR or RCA, feed your amplifier or powered speakers, while coaxial and optical outputs serve an external DAC. A computer or transport connects through the USB, coaxial, or optical inputs.

The front-panel display shows what's playing, and firmware updates arrive over the network; Cambridge has a long record of adding features to CXN models for years after launch.

Pairs Well With

Building your system? Here are some great companions for the CXN100:

• Integrated Amplifier: The natural partner for a streaming source — see our Integrated Amplifiers.
• Bookshelf or Floorstanding Speakers: Complete the system — see our Bookshelf Speakers.
• Cables: Quality XLR or RCA interconnects carry the signal onward — see our Interconnect Cables.
• Audio Rack: A full-width component deserves a proper shelf — see our Audio Racks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What streaming services does it support?

Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz, Amazon Music, Deezer, internet radio, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, and Bluetooth, plus Roon Ready certification.

Can it replace my preamp?

Yes. Preamp mode adds volume control, and the balanced XLR or RCA outputs feed a power amp or powered speakers directly.

What formats does it play?

PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512, including FLAC, ALAC, WAV, and AIFF.

How is it different from the CXN100 SE?

The SE adds an HDMI eARC input for TV sound and new finishes. The core streamer, DAC, and outputs are the same.

Does it have a headphone output?

No. It's a source component designed to feed an amplifier or powered speakers.

How do I control it?

The StreamMagic app for iOS and Android, the front-panel controls and display, or directly from services like Spotify and Tidal.

See It in Action

A British Audiophile asks if the CXN100 is the market leader:

Matt Coykendall explains why it's so good, for different reasons:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about music streamers, DACs, or building a streaming system? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.