Streaming upgrade from Cambridge Audio cxn v2

First off, Cambridge makes good sounding products. They have kept up with latest tech and continue to evolve. Wish I can say the same for Ayre. QX8 is now dated. Since its release in 2019, there hasn’t been much advancement or revision. If your dealer is recommending QX8, can you get a no obligation in-home audition?

IME, another one box streamer/DAC would not be a giant leap forward if that’s what you are after. It may sound different or gives you some improvement. If you really want to improve your digital streaming plus DAC performance over CXN, you should look into separates.

Check out Innuous or Aurender (streamer only) options and external DAC…plenty of options to choose from. At the end of the day, only a in-home will help you make the decision which DAC and Streamer worth upgrading to around $6K or more.

UI is an important part of the experience when choosing streamer. Are you a ROON user? Both Innuos and Aurender have proprietary apps that are optimized for higher fidelity unlike ROON.

Do you have the newest CXN v2 with ESS chip, or the older version?  I am a huge fan of the CA unit but in my main system I run it into an external DAC (Bryston DAC3).  I would start with a DAC upgrade and see how you like the CA just as a transport 

I am both a Cambridge Audio and Aurender dealer, and I owned both the CXN V2 and a Modwright-modded CXN V2 which features Dan Wright’s signature tube analog output stage using Lundahl transformers and two linear power supplies. For a high value step forward, if you can find the ModWright-modded one on the used market, swing for it. It outperforms many separates over $5K. He doesn’t offer the mod anymore given the lack of availability of parts. 

That said, the streamer in the CXN V2 and its digital volume control were the biggest culprits of degraded sonic performance. I’m not sure if you are aware, but just this month Cambridge released the new CXN100, the successor to the CXN V2. It featured an analog volume control, Cambridge’s latest streaming platform, updates to a newer reference DAC chip that enables less components in the signal path, along many other features. It is a very good step forward for its retail at $1099. 

For ~$6K, I would also be looking at the Aurender A200, or more likely an Aurender A15 as a dealer’s demo model if a dealer happens to have one (I suggest buying from authorized dealers as used units sold by consumers are not covered by warranty). The streamer architecture and sonic performance in an Aurender will vastly surpass that in the CXN units, and Aurender’s DACs are uncolored and true to the source. Overall the improvement you get at investing in this range will result in higher resolution, lower distortion and noise floor, and a larger, more immersive, and more engaging soundstage projection of the performance in your room. 

Should you have any questions on any units mentioned, please feel free to message me.