Cambridge Audio opens the curtain on the new EX series with amplifier and streamer

When British hi-fi brand Cambridge Audio discontinued its Azur 851 range, it left a gaping hole in the company’s product range. Now, after three years of intensive development, the curtain rises on the all-new Cambridge Audio EX series. And it looks like it was worth the wait.

The new EXA100 integrated amplifier is based on the amplifier technology used in Cambridge Audio’s stunning flagship Edge M monobloc power amplifier, delivering 100W per channel of pure Class AB amplification.

With a huge range of connection options, this is a beast of an amplifier for a relatively affordable price. The EXA100 has a built-in DAC, HDMI eARC for connecting a TV, plus a dedicated Power Amp mode.

The EXA100 launches alongside the EXN100, a companion music streamer that is also packed with innovation and provides an excellent upgrade path for owners of Cambridge Audio’s excellent CX amplifiers and network streamer.

Cambridge Audio has been innovating British audio products since introducing the revolutionary P40 amplifier in 1968. The P40’s influence continues to this day, having pioneered the use of a toroidal transformer, now found on virtually every high-end amplifier.

The EXA100 also houses a beast of a toroidal transformer. The unit is heavily shielded, super quiet and protected by polished heat sinks that glow at you through the ventilation grilles on the top plate of the EXA100.

The amplifier modules are based on those of the Edge M power amplifier and the EXA100 even has the same power transistors used in its monobloc stablemate.

Four layers of circuit boards of the patented CAP protection system provide four different methods for detecting potential problems, such as overload current and temperature. The system can even take preventive measures. The earthing has also been carefully considered in every phase.

With 100W per channel of Class AB power, the EXA100 has been refined through thousands of hours of meticulous design and listening testing. The result, says Cambridge Audio, is an incredibly detailed and beautifully textured sound that connects the listener to the power of music.

When it comes to connectivity, the EXA100 has analog inputs, consisting of a set of balanced XLRs and three pairs of RCA stereo jacks. For the outputs there’s a front-mounted 6.3mm headphone jack, a stereo pre-out for feeding a power amplifier, plus a subwoofer pre-out for an extra dose of bass. There are two pairs of speaker outputs, allowing music to be played in two different rooms or even a second pair of outdoor speakers.

The EXA100 is also a digital workhorse thanks to an ESS Saber ES9018K2M DAC and a host of dedicated digital connections. There is an HDMI eARC input for easy connection to a TV and control via the TV remote control.

There are also inputs for USB Audio, digital coaxial and two TOSLINK optical connections for connecting a CD player or other digital source. Bluetooth aptX HD is also included for anyone who wants to stream music from a smartphone or even Cambridge Audio’s Alva Bluetooth vinyl record player.

The amplifier can be switched into Power Amp mode, transforming the EXA100 into a stereo power amplifier that can be linked to another preamplifier or used as part of a multi-channel home theater system. This means that the EXA100 can be used in pre/power combination with the new EXN100 music streamer with its digital-only preamp mode. The EXN100 offers streaming and volume controls, all managed using Cambridge Audio’s StreamMagic app.

The EX Series features a new design with a machined aluminum front panel and a tactile knurled volume knob. It’s a beautiful looking device with excellent tactile feedback. Visually, the EXA100 matches perfectly with the new EXN100 network streamer with its Lunar Gray finish and full-height center panel.

The EX Series has a new remote control that comes standard with the EXA100, but with which you can also operate the EXN100. Like any good remote, it’s an ambassador for the range and has a reassuringly solid feel and an intuitive layout.

Next we move on to the new EXN100 network streamer. To make this new streamer excel, Cambridge Audio’s development team have placed the ESS ES9028Q2M SABRE32 Reference DAC at the heart of the EXN100, which can handle PCM digital signal input up to an impressive 32-bit 768kHz and DSD 512 with excellent dynamic range and ultra-low distortion

Significant changes have been made to the post-DAC analog stage of the EXN100 to get the maximum performance out of the chip by matching it with carefully selected components that increase clarity and separation.

The EXN100 has HDMI eARC for connecting to a TV and there’s also Bluetooth aptX HD for high-resolution wireless streaming. The streamer’s color display is 25% larger than that of the CXN100 and the housing is reassuringly sturdy with a milled aluminum front panel and knurled control knob to match the amplifier.

The new streamer is built around Cambridge Audio’s fourth generation of the StreamMagic platform. This is Cambridge Audio’s streaming platform and the company controls the chipset and software so it can push the platform across many streaming services and digital formats.

StreamMagic supports direct streaming from Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Deezer, Qobuz, Roon Ready, UPnP and internet radio with support for High-Resolution Audio via Wi-Fi, Ethernet or USB Audio. And because Cambridge owns and develops the StreamMagic platform, it can regularly add new features and services to improve and extend functionality.

Digital connectivity offers the option to connect devices via USB, coaxial, TOSLINK or wirelessly via Chromecast, AirPlay 2 or Bluetooth​ aptX HD. The addition of HDMI eARC makes it easy to connect a TV and enjoy more immersive sound from shows, movies and games.

To share music across multiple devices in the home, the EXN100 is fully compatible with Google Home, Apple AirPlay and Roon multi-room systems. There is an analogue output option via RCA stereo input or balanced XLR for connection to the EXA100.

Like all streamers in the Cambridge Audio range, the new EXN100 can be controlled using the StreamMagic app available for Android and iOS devices. This allows easy operation, but the device can also be controlled with the new EX Series remote control that comes with the EXA100 amplifier. The remote can also be purchased separately at cambridgeaudio.com for anyone purchasing an EXN100 separately for use with another amplifier.

The EXN100’s enlarged color display on the front 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 place artwork clearly in an album, even from across the room.

The EXN100 is packed with connections and when the EXN100’s preamp mode is activated it can be the system’s digital control hub, with volume controlled using the StreamMagic app, the EX remote or the front volume knob. The Preamp Mode also offers the digital-first ability to form a pre/power combo with the EXA100 integrated stereo amplifier, with its special Power Amp Mode that can bypass the preamp section.

Prices and availability: The Cambridge Audio EXA100 stereo integrated amplifier is available now from cambridgeaudio.com and approved retailers. The price of the amplifier is $2,199 / £1,999 / €2,199. The Cambridge Audio EXN100 network streamer is also available now, 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 Saber ES9018K2M.
• Premium EX Series chassis with milled aluminum dashboard.
• Bluetooth 5 with aptX HD.
• Power Amp mode.
• Outputs: 2 x speaker zones, subwoofer, 6.3mm headphone jack, preamp output.
• Balanced XLR input. Subwoofer off. 6.3mm headphone jack.
• Remote control of the EX system.

EXN100 network streamer

• StreamMagic Gen 4 module supports Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, Bluetooth 5 with aptX HD, TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, Qobuz, Deezer, Roon Ready, UPnP and Internet radio.
• DAC: ESS Saber ES9028Q2M.
• Components include super-premium Nisshinbo Muses op amps.
• Premium EX Series chassis, with a milled aluminum dashboard.
• Digital preamp mode.
• Inputs: HDMI eARC, USB, TOSLINK optical and S/PDIF.
• Outputs: Balanced XLR
• Screen: 1,280 x 720 colors with a choice of VU meters, album artwork or clock display.