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To Stream w/Optical Or Not

Looking for advice. I have a Cambridge CXN100.  I recently picked up a McIntosh C2700 preamp. I am assuming the D2 DAC in the McIntosh is better than the CXN. If that is the case, should I  just run the stream from the optical into the Mac. That being said, sound wise, does the CXN really add anything to the sound better than what a WiiM can do just as well (optically)? And if so, should I just sell the CXN and get a WiiM and pocket the rest? If streamers are used optically, how big a difference is there between a WiiM and a CXN? In full disclosure, here is my biggest problem with the CXN… to control the volume from the StreamMagic app or from Tidal or Spotify, you MUST use the preamp in the CXN. Why the hell would I use that preamp over the C2700?? (I have experimented using it with other amps, and it cuts the volume 40%… its preamp is not as good as the preamp in other integrated amps/preamps i own. So, I am pretty salty with this limitation of the CXN.  It sounds great, but if I want to sit on my ass, the only way to control the volume in-app, I MUST use its built in preamp…. Dumb! Unless i am missing something. Thoughts?

greensigns95
mahler123
3,648 posts
 

I own the CXN 100 and the Wiim Pro, in different systems.  First off, I use the volume knob on my pre amp for both.  Otoh I don’t really adjust the volume frequently; if I get a call or my wife wants to talk I just pause.

  My only experience Wiim experience is with the Pro, which only handles 16/44 resolution.  For $100 you can’t beat it, but they have an extensive product line and the higher versions are the ones to compare with the CA.

 Regarding toslink, I find that very DAC dependent. YMMV.  My DAC sounds equal on all non usb inputs but I have had other DACs where that wasn’t so.

zlone
952 posts
 

Yes, the digital output from a streamer can vary widely. In this case, you are limited to SPDIF, either coax or optical. As an SPDIF server, the streamer supplies the clocking for the stream which can have a huge effect on the sound, good and bad. Assuming the DAC is better in the Mac, I would recommend using the coax out instead of the optical, and invest in a decent digital cable.

In regard to volume control, set the CXN to line level/100% and only use the volume on the Mac. This will give you the best results. This assumes you have a remote for the Mac of course. 

sunshdw's avatar
sunshdw
280 posts
 

I had the EXN version and I went optical, USB and RCA into my Edge A integrated and found the RCA actually sounded the best. Once I got music playing all I had to do was switch inputs and found what worked best for me, I'd suggest the same path for you. 

As far as your volume complaint, set the CXN to fixed out and use your Mac remote. 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,692 posts
 

I think using usb cable from Cambridge to mcintosh is a better option. 
as to volume control just set volume on cxn to its max setting anf control the volume with McIntosh preamp. 
I would avoid replacing cambridge with wiim. I don’t find wiim to be any good as a streamer or as an all in one. Not with McIntosh anyway

greensigns95 OP
2 posts
 

Thanks, everyone. Tried a few of y’all’s,recommendations and landed on @zlone Zlone’s advice. Got a good coax and did some A/B testing between the coax and the optical from the CXN into the C2700. The coax won hands down… much richer. Also tried RCA to give the Cambridge a fighting chance and converting the signal. It did not win, but it sounds great just imparting the digital signal. So, I set it to 100 and I’m keeping it for now. Thank you all for your input.

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