Cambridge Audio CXN100SE Music Streamer - Lunar Gray

The Five-Star Streamer, Now With TV Sound

Some products become the default pick in their category. The CXN streamers have held that spot for a decade. The CXN100 SE takes the current five-star formula and adds the one connection people kept asking for. That is HDMI eARC. Your television's sound now plays through your hi-fi at the same quality as your music.

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 and internet radio are all here. So are AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Bluetooth aptX HD, with full Roon Ready certification.

The StreamMagic app ties it together, and a large color screen shows the album art from across the room. It is the kind of front panel you can read from the listening seat.

This Lunar Grey finish is part of the SE release. It is a fresh look for a streamer that will, in all likelihood, anchor your system for years to come.

More Than a Streamer: A Digital Preamp

Enable preamp mode in the app and the CXN100 SE controls volume directly. It can feed a power amp 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. The digital inputs cover HDMI eARC, USB, coaxial, optical and Bluetooth, which makes it the hub for a TV, a computer or a CD transport.

That flexibility is why reviewers keep naming the CXN the heart of a simple, serious system. It is a streamer, a DAC and a preamp in one full-width component, and it matches Cambridge's CX-series amps.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Dave Berriman of StereoNET scored the CXN100 SE 8 out of 10 with an Applause Award in a May 13, 2026 review, writing that it "delivers a surprisingly transparent and well-balanced sound given its modest price" and "conveys a real sense of occasion in a musical performance, with an impressive spatial presence." Al Griffin of SoundStage! Simplifi, in a May 15, 2026 review, called it "a well-featured streamer" that's "easy to recommend," noting "there are plenty of other streamers that do exactly the same job... but cost quite a bit more."

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 your TV in your hi-fi — the SE's HDMI eARC input sends movie and sports sound through your good speakers.
• 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 want the streamer to be the preamp — switch on preamp mode and it drives a power amplifier or active speakers directly, with no extra box. See our stereo amplifiers.

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. Connect your TV to the HDMI eARC input, and a computer or transport to the USB, coaxial, or optical inputs.

The front-panel color 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 SE:

• 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's different about the SE version?

It adds an HDMI eARC input for TV sound and comes in new finishes, including this Lunar Grey. Otherwise it keeps the acclaimed CXN100 design.

What streaming services does it support?

Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz, Amazon Music, Deezer, internet radio, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, and Bluetooth aptX HD, 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.

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

Old Guy Hifi explains why this streamer gets everything right:

Sound Advice takes the CXN100 SE for a full test:

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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.