LAS VEGAS – Cambridge, formerly known as Cambridge Audio, is launching a networked audio player, its first two networked AVRs, two stereo receivers and a CD transport in a new CX series.
The new series will complement the Azur and Topaz series of components. The AVRs in the series will be Cambridge’s highest-priced AVRs to date.
The company’s shortened name is said to represent “the transition to a fresh and forward-thinking contemporary brand while still maintaining [the company’s] deep historic roots in hi-fi audio.”
The Cambridge CXN network audio player will be in stores in the first quarter at a suggested $999. The CXR-120 and CXR-200 AVRs will be available in the second quarter at a suggested $1,999 and $2,499, respectively. The $799 CXA-60 and $999 CXA-80 stereo receivers will be available in the first quarter, along with the $499 CXC CD transport.
Compared to the current Stream Magic 6 V2, the CXN up-sampling network player adds a new chassis design, Apple AirPlay, and color TFT screen to display album art, artist and album name, and song title. Like before, the player features Ethernet and Wi-Fi to access music from multiple sources, including UPnP media servers, PCs and Macs. It also streams Cloud services such as Spotify via Spotify Connect, BBC iPlayer Radio, Pandora, Rhapsody and thousands of Internet radio stations.
The CXN plays back such music files as WAV, FLAC, AIFF or ALAC in up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution, and it upsamples to 24-bit/384kHz resolution, almost completely eliminating jitter, the company said.
The two AVRs are the 7×120-watt CXR-200 and 7×60-watt CXR-120. The CXR-200 adds 24-bit/192kHz asynchronous USB audio input. Both feature Ethernet and supplied Wi-Fi dongle to stream music from UPnP-equipped computers and network servers and from the same Internet services as the CXN network music player. Both AVRs also connect via USB to an optional Bluetooth/AptX streamer and to a USB hard drive.
Both up-scale 1080p content to 4K and pass through 3D video. HDMI passthrough standby mode lets users watch connected HDMI video sources without turning on the AVRs.
The CXR-120 includes seven HDMI inputs and two HDMI outputs for dual-screen connectivity. The CXR 200 adds an eighth HDMI input and ability to send a second HDMI source to a second room.
For stereo playback, the CXA-60 and CXA-80 stereo receivers are rated respectively at 2×60 watts and 2×80 watts in 8 ohms. The CXA-80 adds 24-bit/192kHz asynchronous USB audio input. Both connect via USB to an outboard Bluetooth/ AptX receiver.
