Cambridge Audio Evo 150 SE Streaming Amplifier

Everything a System Needs, in the Space of an LP Sleeve

The Cambridge Audio Evo 150 SE is a streaming amplifier that does the work of four boxes. Power amp, preamp, DAC, and network streamer all live in one chassis. A Hypex NCoreX Class D module, tuned by Cambridge Audio, puts out 150 watts per channel into 8 ohms.

That drives real floorstanding speakers with no separate power amp. Cambridge Audio has designed the Evo line in London since 2021. The SE is the second generation of the 150. It brings a new amplifier module and uprated parts through the signal path.

Bring Every Source You Already Own

Analog inputs cover an RCA, a balanced XLR, and a moving magnet phono stage. A turntable plugs straight in. On the digital side there is TOSLINK optical, coaxial S/PDIF, HDMI ARC for a television, and USB Type B for a computer.

Outputs matter just as much. You get A and B speaker terminals, a preamp output, a subwoofer output, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The preamp output is the useful one. It lets the Evo 150 SE hand off to a bigger power amp later.

Stream the Services You Already Pay For

Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Qobuz, Deezer, Amazon Music, and internet radio run through the fourth-generation StreamMagic app. AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, Roon Ready, and aptX HD Bluetooth cover the rest. Dual-band Wi-Fi and Ethernet both reach the network.

The cabinet is 317mm wide, about the width of a record sleeve. It weighs 5.3 kg. A 6.8-inch color display fills the front panel. Two sets of magnetic side panels ship in the box, one in real wood veneer and one in an all-black slatted design. Cambridge Audio covers it with a two-year warranty.

What Cambridge Audio Changed Inside

The headline change is the amplifier module. The SE moves to Hypex NCoreX Class D. Cambridge Audio tunes the module itself rather than fitting it as delivered. The company also specifies a four-layer circuit board, its stated approach to keeping signal traces clear of noisier sections.

Digital conversion runs through an ESS Sabre ES9018K2M DAC, and each input has its own ceiling. Optical accepts up to 24-bit/96kHz. Coaxial and HDMI ARC both reach 24-bit/192kHz. Those ceilings apply per input, not to the unit.

Where the USB Input Earns Its Keep

The USB Type B input switches between USB Audio Class 1 and Class 2. Class 1 needs no drivers and reaches 24-bit/96kHz. Class 2 takes a laptop library to 24-bit/384kHz and DSD256. That is the ceiling for the whole unit.

Frequency response is quoted at 20Hz to 20kHz, +0/-3dB. Standby draw stays under half a watt, so leaving it on the network costs almost nothing. The 700W maximum is what the Class D modules pull at full tilt.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Jay Garrett reviewed the Evo 150 SE for StereoNET on September 12, 2025, scoring it 8 out of 10 with an Applause Award. He called it "a great all-round one-box system that is hard to fault in so many areas."

Kashfia Kabir reviewed it for What Hi-Fi? on February 18, 2026, scoring build and features 5 out of 5. She listed a "Clear, spacious and refined presentation" among its strengths.

One practical limit is worth knowing before you order cables. Garrett found that thick spade connectors pushed him to the B terminals, which "rendered the pre-out and coaxial input practically useless."

Who Is This Streaming Amplifier Best For?

• You want one box instead of four — amplifier, preamp, DAC, and streamer are all here. Add speakers and nothing else.
• You are driving full-size speakers — 150 watts per channel into 8 ohms handles floorstanders without a separate power amp.
• You subscribe to more than one service — the major platforms, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, and Roon Ready are all built in.
• The system lives in the living room — a 6.8-inch display, swappable side panels, and HDMI ARC for the television.
• If you play a moving coil cartridge, the built-in phono stage is moving magnet only — Cambridge Audio's Alva Duo adds moving coil support ahead of the RCA or XLR input.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Speakers go to the A terminals, or B if your cables wear bulky spades. A turntable goes to the phono input. A television connects over HDMI ARC, a computer over USB Type B, and a CD player over coaxial or optical.

Then join the network over Wi-Fi or Ethernet, open StreamMagic, and add your services. Most people are playing music within about fifteen minutes. The display and remote handle the rest from the sofa.

Add speakers and you have a system.

Pairs Well With

Building a system around the Evo 150 SE? Start here:

• Bookshelf speakers — reviewers paired it happily with compact standmounters: bookshelf speakers.
• Floorstanding speakers — 150 watts per channel has headroom for towers: floorstanding speakers.
• Turntables — the phono stage is already waiting: turntables.
• Subwoofers — the dedicated sub output makes the handoff simple: subwoofers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need anything besides speakers?

The amplifier, preamp, DAC, and streamer are all built in. Add speakers and speaker cable and the system is complete.

Can I plug my turntable in directly?

Yes, if it uses a moving magnet cartridge. The built-in phono stage is moving magnet only. A moving coil cartridge needs an external phono preamp feeding the RCA or XLR input.

Which streaming services does it support?

Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Qobuz, Deezer, Amazon Music, and internet radio through StreamMagic, plus AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, Roon Ready, and aptX HD Bluetooth.

Can I connect my television?

Yes. The HDMI ARC input takes audio straight from a TV, up to 24-bit/192kHz PCM. One cable carries the sound and lets the TV remote control volume.

What warranty does it come with?

Cambridge Audio covers the Evo 150 SE with a two-year warranty in the United States. Registering the unit with Cambridge Audio after purchase makes support faster if you ever need it.

What comes in the box?

The Evo 150 SE, a remote with two AAA batteries, a mains lead, two sets of magnetic side panels, a quick start guide, and a safety guide.

See It in Action

Cambridge Audio's own channel walks through the features and the app.

Cambridge Audio also compares the SE with the original Evo 150.

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Learn More

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