Cambridge Audio CXN 100 SE Network Streaming Client

Cambridge Audio CXN100 SE – Network player with substance

The CXN100 SE from Cambridge Audio is a network player for listeners who view digital music not as a convenience feature, but as a serious source. It combines a sophisticated streaming platform with a cleanly designed digital-to-analog conversion and practical integration into existing systems. The result is not an effects unit, but a precise tool for high-resolution playback.

Seamless streaming

The CXN100 SE accesses virtually all relevant services: Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect (including MQA), Qobuz, Deezer, Amazon Music , internet radio, and local libraries. Thanks to Apple AirPlay 2 , Chromecast built-in , and Bluetooth aptX HD, it also remains open for spontaneous playback.

Roon Ready certification ensures seamless integration into more complex setups – including multi-room audio and centralized library management. Control is possible either directly on the device or via the StreamMagic app , which remains functional without feeling cluttered.

Digital signal processing with a clear signature

At its heart is the ESS ES9028Q2M SABRE32 DAC . This converter isn't new, but its implementation in the CXN100 SE is audibly meticulous. The tuning doesn't aim for spectacular effects, but rather for control, resolution, and spatial stability .

Fine dynamics, texture, and spatial layering benefit from the clean clocking and sophisticated signal routing. Formats up to 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD256 are supported – ample reserves for demanding sources.

More than a streamer: Integration into existing systems

A key advantage of the CXN100 SE is its flexibility:

Preamplifier mode : Direct drive of a power amplifier or active loudspeaker

HDMI eARC : Integration into TV setups without additional converters

Digital inputs : USB audio, coaxial, TOSLINK

Multiroom : Synchronization via Google Home, AirPlay or Roon

Depending on the application, the device can replace several components without sacrificing sound quality.

Operation that doesn't get in the way

The large color display provides clear information about cover art, resolution, and source. The central rotary control operates precisely and without play. The app complements the hardware effectively: playlist management, source selection, and system configuration are logically structured and reliably implemented.

Differences: CXN100 vs. CXN100 SE

The CXN100 SE is not a completely new development, but a targeted continuation of the CXN100 with a focus on fine-tuning the sound.

The main differences:

Revised circuit design : The SE benefits from selected components and a finely tuned analog section.

Finer DAC implementation : Same converter, but optimized peripherals for lower noise and more stable signal processing.

Sound characteristics : The CXN100 SE sounds more controlled in the bass, more differentiated in the midrange and calmer in the treble range.

Positioning : The CXN100 remains the technically identical basis, while the SE is clearly aimed at listeners seeking the ultimate level of precision.

In short: not a functional leap, but an audible step in quality.

The CXN100 SE is not a device that defines itself through effects. It is aimed at users who use streaming as a serious source and value stable, reliable playback.

It integrates seamlessly into existing systems, expands their possibilities, and remains consistently focused on the essentials: transmitting music as it was intended – without detours, without artificial emphasis.

Technical data -

Cambridge Audio CXN100 SE

DAC : ESS ES9028Q2M SABRE32

USB audio input :
USB Type B (corresponds to USB Audio Class 2.0)

Digital audio inputs :
HDMI eARC, USB mass storage, Bluetooth 5.1, S/PDIF coaxial, TOSLINK optical

Analog audio inputs :
Symmetrical (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA/Cinch)

Digital audio outputs :
S/PDIF coaxial, TOSLINK optical

Compatibility / supported resolutions :

TOSLINK optical: 16/24 bit, 32-96 kHz PCM, DoP64

S/PDIF coaxial: 16/24 bit, 32-192 kHz PCM, DoP64

UPnP: up to 32-bit / 768 kHz

Local USB media: PCM up to 32-bit/768 kHz, DSD up to x512

USB audio: PCM up to 32 bit / 768 kHz, DSD up to x512

Bluetooth: SBC, AAC

Streaming & Network: AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, Internet radio, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect (incl. MQA), Qobuz, Deezer, Roon Ready

Supported audio formats :
ALAC, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD (up to x512), WMA, MP3, AAC, HE-AAC, AAC+, OGG Vorbis

Ethernet :
10/100 Mbit/s

Wi-Fi :
IEEE 802.11ac (2.4GHz / 5GHz)

Maximum power consumption :
30 W

Power consumption in standby mode :
< 0.5 W (Eco), < 2 W (Network Standby)

Dimensions (W x H x D) :
430 × 85 × 305 mm (16.9 × 3.4 × 12.2 inches)