The new Cambridge Audio EX-Series consists the EXA100 stereo integrate amplifier and the EXN100 … [+]
When British hi-fi brand Cambridge Audio discontinued its Azur 851 range, it left a gaping hole in the company’s product lineup. Now, following three years of intense development, the curtain rises on the all-new Cambridge Audio EX Series. And it looks as if it’s been worth the wait.
Drawing on amplifier technology used in Cambridge Audio’s stunning flagship Edge M monobloc power amp, the new EXA100 integrated amplifier delivers 100W per channel of pure Class AB amplification.
With a massive array of connectivity options, this is one beast of an amplifier at a relatively affordable price point. The EXA100 has a built-in DAC, HDMI eARC for connecting a TV, plus a dedicated Power Amp Mode.
The EXA100 is launching alongside the EXN100, a matching music streamer that’s also stuffed full of innovation and offers an excellent upgrade path for owners of Cambridge Audio’s excellent CX amps and network streamer.
The new EXA100 is a beautifully built amplifier with 100W per channel of Class AB amplification.
Cambridge Audio has been innovating British audio products since introducing the revolutionary P40 amplifier way back in 1968. The P40’s influence remains to this day, because it pioneered the use of a toroidal transformer, now on virtually every high-end amplifier.
The EXA100 also houses a beast of a toroidal transformer The unit is heavily shielded, super-quiet and guarged by polished heat sinks that gleam up at you through the ventilation grilles on the EXA100’s top-plate.
The amplifier modules are based on those used in the Edge M power amp and the EXA100 even has the same power transistors used in its monobloc stablemate.
Four layers of printed circuit boards of the proprietary CAP protection system offer four different methods for detecting potential issues, such as power and temperature overloads. The system can even take preventive action. Grounding has also been carefully considered at every stage.
With 100W per channel of Class AB power, the EXA100 has been finessed following thousands of hours of meticulous design and listening tests. The result, says Cambridge Audio, is an incredibly detailed and superbly textured sound that connects the listener with the power of music.
The EXA100 has all the inputs and outputs you could want except, perhaps, for a phono stage. Perhaps … [+]
When it comes to connectivity, the EXA100 has analog inputs comprising a set of Balanced XLRs and three pairs of RCA stereo sockets. For outputs, there is a front-mounted 6.3mm headphone socket, a stereo pre-out for feeding a power amp, plus a subwoofer pre-out for an extra helping of bass. There are two pairs of speaker outputs, enabling music to be played in two different rooms or even a secondary pair of outdoor speakers.
The EXA100 is also a digital workhorse thanks to an ESS Sabre ES9018K2M DAC and a gaggle of dedicated digital connections. There is an HDMI eARC input for easy connection to a TV, providing control via the TV’s remote.
There are also inputs for USB Audio, digital coaxial and two TOSLINK optical sockets for hooking up a CD player or other digital source. Bluetooth aptX HD has also been included for anyone who fancies streaming music from a smartphone or even Cambridge Audio’s Alva Bluetooth vinyl turntable.
At the heart of the Cambridge Audio EXA100 is a massive toroidal transformer similar to the one used … [+]
The amplifier can be switched into Power Amp Mode which transforms the EXA100 into a stereo power amp that can be paired with a different pre-amp or used as part of a multi-channel home cinema system. This means the EXA100 can be used in pre/power combination with the new EXN100 music streamer with its digital-only Preamp Mode. The EXN100 provides streaming and volume controls, all managed using Cambridge Audio’s StreamMagic app.
The EX-Series has a new design which includes a milled aluminum front panel and a tactile knurled volume knob. It is a stunning-looking piece of kit with superb tactile feedback. Visually, the EXA100 matches the new EXN100 network streamer perfectly with the Lunar Grey finish and full-height center panel.
The EX-Series has a new remote control which is supplied as standard with the EXA100, but which can also control the EXN100. Like any good remote, it’s an ambassador for the range and has a reassuringly solid feel and intuitive layout.
The EXN100 is a high-end networking streamer with a large color display for album art and support … [+]
Next, we turn to the new EXN100 network streamer. To make this new streamer excel, the Cambridge Audio development team took the ESS ES9028Q2M SABRE32 Reference DAC at the heart of EXN100 can handle PCM digital signal inputs up to an impressive 32-bit 768kHz and DSD 512 with a superb dynamic range and ultra-low distortion.
Significant changes have been made to the post-DAC analog stage of the EXN100 to squeeze the maximum performance from the chip by matching it with hand-picked components that increase clarity and separation.
The EXN100 has HDMI eARC for connecting to a TV and there is also Bluetooth aptX HD for high-resolution wireless streaming. The streamer’s color display is 25% larger than the CXN100 and the casing is reassuringly solid with a milled aluminum front panel and a knurled control knob to match the amplifier.
The new streamer has been built around Cambridge Audio’s fourth generation of the StreamMagic platform. This is Cambridge Audio streaming platform and the company controls the chipset and the software so it can push the platform across many streaming services and digital formats.
Both the EXA100 and EXN100 feature a beautifully knurled volume knob.
StreamMagic supports direct streaming from Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Deezer, Qobuz, Roon Ready, UPnP and Internet Radio with support for hi-res audio over Wi-Fi, Ethernet or USB Audio. And because Cambridge owns and develops the StreamMagic platform, it can add new features and services regularly to improve and increase functionality.
Digital connectivity offers the option to hook up devices using USB, Coaxial, TOSLINK or wirelessly via Chromecast, AirPlay 2 or Bluetooth aptX HD. The inclusion of HDMI eARC makes it easy to hook up a TV and enjoy more immersive sound from shows, movies and games.
For sharing music across multiple devices around the home, EXN100 is fully compatible with Google Home, Apple AirPlay and Roon multiroom systems. There is an analog output option via RCA stereo input or balanced XLR for connection to the EXA100.
The EXN100 is powered by Cambridge Audio’s fourth generation StreamMagic platform.
Like all the streamers in the Cambridge Audio lineup, the new EXN100 can be controlled using the StreamMagic app which is available for Android and iOS devices. This enables easy operation but the unit can also be controlled using the new EX Series remote that comes with EXA100 amplifier. The remote can also be purchased separately from cambridgeaudio.com for anyone who is buying an EXN100 on its own for use with a different amplifier.
The enlarged color display on the front of the EXN100 has a resolution of 1,280 x 720 which is 25% higher in size and resolution than the CXN100’s display. This makes it easier to album artwork clearly, even from across the other side of the room.
The EXN100 is bristling with connections and if the EXN100’s Preamp Mode is activated, it can be the digital control hub of the system with volume controllable using the StreamMagic app, EX remote control or the front-mounted volume knob. The Preamp Mode also gives the digital-first option of forming a pre/power combo with the EXA100 stereo integrated amplifier, with its dedicated Power Amp Mode that can bypass its preamp section.
At the rear of the Cambridge Audio EXN100 are the analog and digital inputs and outputs.
Pricing & Availability: The Cambridge Audio EXA100 stereo integrated amplifier is available now from cambridgeaudio.com as well as approved retailers. The price of the amplifier is $2,199 / £1,999 / €2,199. The Cambridge Audio EXN100 network streamer is also available now and is priced at $1,799 / £1,599 / €1,799.
Features:
EXA100 Amplifier
- 2 x 100W Class A/B amplification.
- Inputs: HDMI eARC, 3 x RCA stereo, USB, Coaxial, 2 x TOSLINK optical.
- DAC: ESS Sabre ES9018K2M.
- Premium EX series chassis with milled aluminum fascia.
- Bluetooth 5 with aptX HD.
- Power Amp mode.
- Outputs: 2 x speaker zones, subwoofer, 6.3mm headphone socket, pre-amp out.
- Balanced XLR input. Subwoofer out. 6.3mm headphone socket.
- EX system remote control.
EXN100 Network Streamer
- StreamMagic Gen 4 module supporting Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, Bluetooth 5 with aptX HD, TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, Qobuz, Deezer, Roon Ready, UPnP and Internet Radio.
- DAC: ESS Sabre ES9028Q2M.
- Components include super-premium Nisshinbo Muses Op Amps.
- Premium EX series chassis, with a milled aluminium facia.
- Digital Preamp Mode.
- Inputs: HDMI eARC, USB, TOSLINK optical and S/PDIF.
- Outputs: Balanced XLR
- Display: 1,280 x 720 color with choice of VU meters, album artwork or clock display.