Cambridge Audio CXN V2 Network Streamer Review
The CXN V2 is an update to the original release from 2015.
It retains all the tech introduced in its former version while boasting a faster processor, greater playback control and better overall internet radio. It also retains the same beautiful floating design of the entire CX Series of components and is available in Brushed Black and Silver metallic finishes.
Introduction
First off let me thank my very understanding wife who has allowed yet another fine piece of audio equipment into our home. This is a big deal in our household. One: it’s finally a matching component stack. (Usually, my components are a hodge-podge of whatever-was-on-sale-at-the-time and Two: this marked the beginning of a move to an all-digital listening experience in our main room. No turntable, no CD player (except for testing the DAC) just the CXN V2, a USB stick or two and a NAS.
Now, full disclosure, I had originally planned to have this review done months ago, but with the birth of our 2nd, Milo, a full-time gig, personal client work, a month away in Tokyo and Hawaii (I’m bragging a little) and a few hitches setting up my music library,… well, this is coming a bit late. My apologies. Also, the team at Cambridge reached out following my review of the CXA 60 and offered to send along the CXN V2 and I obliged. It’s the sort of offer a HiFi nut like me couldn’t really refuse. So, bear in mind, this review isn’t completely unbiased. Just slightly
The Cambridge CXN V2 sits just below its sibling the CXA60 in our custom-built wall cabinet in our living room. Connected to it are a pair of Monitor Audio RX2s, a Synology NAS and, temporarily, my old Marantz CD5001. When we created the wall unit, I didn’t make any provisions for a sub-woofer which is why I’m using the RX2s. The speakers feature 8” woofers and are rear ported. The bass goes fairly low and is exaggerated slightly by being tucked into a wall unit. I had originally used my B&W 685 S1s with the CXA60 and did bring them up for my DJ set up in the basement for this review but the majority of the time the RX2s were in place as I like the sound of them best. This is contradictory to what I believed a few months ago. If you read my review on the CXA60 I wrote:
“I also tried the CXA60 paired with my Monitor Audio RX2’s for a change. The larger 8” woofer on the RX2 yielded a bit more bass however the overall speaker cabinet dimensions combined with rear firing reflex port led to a stuffy or muddier sound overall when placed inside the wall unit. I found the pairing with my 685’s best suited for the wall unit”
So, something changed, and it must be my desire for more low-end weight at the expense of overall clarity. This is something I kept in mind for my listening. To the left of the CX-stack is our flat screen TV and below that is our fireplace. In all, I’m quite happy with the way the whole set up looks.
The CXN V2 has completely changed our day-to-day listening. In ways, I honestly didn’t expect.