Little Wonder - Cambridge Audio's MXN10 is a Baby Streamer with Grown-Up Performance!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- In this episode, Mike and David try out an affordable streamer from a company that specialises in audiophile-on-a-budget products.
Don't be fooled by its half-width case and beer-money price tag, the guys think it performs very well relative to anything else near its price. And they love the StreamMagic app, and its connectivity, too...
The guys are in complete agreement this time round - here's a great bit of kit that's a fun and easy way to get into serious streaming.
Each episode of Hi-Fi Riff features Mike and David's unedited, unexpurgated views about all manner of weird and wonderful hi-fi designs.
Business executive Mike has a wealth of knowledge from previous hi-fi retail experience, and David has written about hi-fi for thirty years. Now Editor-in-Chief of StereoNET, he's picked up a few things along the way.
So relax and enjoy some one-take hi-fi riffing - and please leave your comments below. And don’t forget to hit the Subscribe button, this one goes up to eleven!
The eighties-tastic title tune is called ‘UFO/Mike’s Jumper’, and used with the express permission of our old pal and rights holder Simon Lythe.
Follow up on Instagram / hifiriff
I look forward to your videos so much. It's like I actually have friends who have the same hobby as I!
Thank you from Portland, Oregon!
You're very welcome. Hope you're having better weather than us, across the pond!
Another enjoyable Riff, thanks chaps. Agree totally with your comments about Cambridge Audio's standing in the hifi world. They seem to be creating a lot of successful products for the price. I remember back in the day i had their P500 pre/power combo, and the original dacmagic isolation platform with the squishy ball feet. All from richer sounds in Brighton, just down the road from Jeffries HiFi where i spent way too much time and money as well. Crazy days!
Just came across this channel and very happy I have. Well presented and very informative. Thanks guys and keep up the great work
Thanks Peter.
“Mike & Dave’s Hifi Riff: by far the best thing to come out of a Monday”.
waiting for this!!😊😊 to compare on my Raspberry pi4 running moode audio + CXA81+ B&W685s2/Elac B6.2
Please tell us how you get on.
StreamMagic or Roon? Which would you favour? Thank you
I am very biased towards Roon.
It handles multiple products, whereas streammagic is only for Cambridge products.
The ability to show the artwork on a TV screen in Roon is so cool, the multi room and general setup is a breeze, and ARC is excellent.
However, stream magic is the best in house app I have used.
If you only plan on using Cambridge product(s) then it's also free 👍
Mike
Great Riff again, I already use a Project Ultra s2 bridge into a Qutest DAC. Having said that the Cambridge streamer sounds extreme value for money. Might give it a audition soon. Cheers for the heads up.
Let us know how you get along. I suspect you're already getting quite a decent sound from your Pro-Ject/Chord already.
@@MrVinylista Hi David, managed to audition the MXN10 in my system, a chum brought his over. I’ll keep this short. He had already set it up commenting that it was a joy to do so and took no time at all. Well built nice bit of kit, very handy size but made my Project bridge look tiny. WiFi connection to my hub dead easy, this is some thing my Ultra refused to do. Several phone calls to dealer failed to resolve issue so I installed a 30ft LAN then the Ultra worked fine with out any dropout’s. Back to the MXN10 connected to my Quad Artera Pre/Power amps playing into PMC TwentyFive.23 speakers. Found the sound quality to be very good on all sample rates and very musical. Must say it sounded a little “safe” (for me). Interesting to hear a ESS DAC in my system, it being well rounded. I very much liked the Cambridge’s App, it makes the Project one look some what creaky. We also tried the MXN Via the LAN input which showed better dynamics, then tried it through a Chord Qutest which made the MXN sound much more transparent and dynamic in all areas. The bottom line is basic MXN sounds very good for its price. I for one would be happy to live with it. Nothing to dislike in any way,plus with the addition of a good stand alone DAC it elevates MXN performance several steps.
Note for Mike: I use a Longdog linear PSU into the Qutest and yes it does lower the noise floor very noticeably with the Quads and Exposure 3020S2D amps.
Note for David: Cheers for your article in Russ Andrews Connected mag regarding HiFi World closure. I think Noel is a stalwart of our hobby and his unstinting efforts should be acknowledged.
@@stevehollingbery9744 Thanks Steve, really value your thoughts.
Thank you for the interesting video. It has really helped or confirmed my decision. As I already own the MXN10 streamer from Cambridge, the Dacmagic 200M is certainly a useful addition. There was now a good offer from a reputable dealer. A return for little money. I couldn't resist. It looks like I'm a fan of British hi-fi. My amplifier is a Rega io and the speakers are also from the UK, Spendor A2. Even with the MXN10 it sounds breathtakingly good! Is there any improvement with the Dacmagic?
I also gave the Rega a new fine-wire fuse and it has done a lot of good, even if I don't know why. Please enlighten me about the fine-wire fuse. Greetings from Bavaria
Love the channel.
Thanks, please like and subscribe!
I’ll take 9 out of 10 any day at that price. 👍🏼🎶
It's a bargain!
Mike
@@Hi-FiRiff That’s what I’m looking for. A Bargain. Value. I just got the Cambridge Audio CXA61 in March. Should be a good pairing. Thanks bro 👍🏼😎🎶
Thank you for this presentation. Thanks also for mentioning the software which you did not do with your MF MX-STREAM review and which was a thing I complained about in that review. Which brings me back to my pet peeve about how overpriced the dac-less usb output only MF streamer is. I hope you will now agree with me.. Having said this, the Cambridge sorely misses a usb digital output which is its most blatant omission. Btw, having a power supply on board rather than as an external brick does not say anything about the quality of said power supply. In fact if the power supply is sub par I'd rather have it away from the rest of the electronics than in close proximity to them. It also makes it easier to upgrade that way, if one is so inclined. Finally, I do agree that wine makes hifi sound better and, in fact, I prefer it to beer since one does not feel the urge to get off the couch as often.
Completely agree on the lack of usb, and I’d argue this is also overpriced compared to the WiiM Pro for £150.
@@doifeellucky Yeah OK, the best buy is that but one has to consider origin, build and model of distribution. That one offers also more software features (like multiform and Amazon HD cast) but also lacks usb output and its dac should be recognisably worse.
@@razisn Absolutely. And what's sauce for the goose is often not sauce for the gander!
@@MrVinylista True, but the idea of super expensive, 'high-end' dac-less streamers is fast becoming as good as super expensive cable or audiophile network switches..
Thanks for another fun review. How does this compare to the Bluesound Node? Cheers S
I haven't heard one yet, but have read the rave reviews.
Not sure if DP has... but if not I'm sure we can get one to play with.
Mike
Good review. PS I quite agree Skritti Politti "Songs to remember" is one of my favourite albums and particularly nice on a good system.
I only listen to music via my LP12 and haven't ever considered a streamer. Maybe I should give it a go? 🤔
It's certainly a nice entry into the breed, not least because of the Stream Magic app.
I think you might find the Linn sounds a lot better, but you can always get a better DAC at a later date. Good luck!
@@MrVinylista thanks for the advice 👍
I’ve been listening to CDs for 20 years and streamed music for 2 years. In the last 12 months I’ve bought a 1990 vintage LP12 and upgraded the base, arm cable, power supply, sub-chassis, bearing and cartridge. I love it so much I’ve bought 180 albums. I can’t believe the sound quality and my engagement with the music is total. I’ve become obsessed with vinyl again when I swore I never would.
Buy the streamer if you want to sample music before buying the record, but I guarantee it will sound flat and crude next to your LP12.
Just remember that almost all vinyl is digitally mastered. No vinyl can be better than it's digital source.
@@amazoidal that would be true for new or remastered albums. Not albums produced before the digital era
Thanks guys - not looking to replace my Auralic Altair G1 with this, but its a good looking and performant unit which I'm sure I would be happy with if I were building a smaller system.
Loved your riff, as always :)
Really? From a 4000 dollar proper hifi device to a tiny starter kit type thing?
Another entertaining and informative session. This is a great format.
Excellent! An affordable alternative may be the 6000N play by Audiolab, that has a similar no-nonsense front but with 6 presets. Now with the introduction of both the 7000 and 9000 range, retailers are cleaning up their inventory as it were, so the 6000N now often retails for ridiculous discount prices. It hasa high quality circuitry, its own solid transformer and an excellent sabre 9018-dac for the money. It is truly excellent with many review awards. Its only downside is the Play Fi app, but the 6 presets do ease the pain somewhat…atb, Gerlach Sven
Completely agree.
Mike
You can't beat Mike Evans and David Price to tell you a story, free of jargon
Thanks for a great Riff. I'm just getting into streaming as i'm a pure vinyl junkie so this really helps as I need to make a decision on a streamer soon. Thanks guys
If you finally do decide to venture into digital audio, this is as good as any toe in the water, I would say.
If you don't like it, you can sell it, and you'll not lose much money. But I suspect you'll keep it and like it - along with a Qobuz subscription, ideally.
Then you can invest in a better DAC at a later date.
@@MrVinylista Thanks David, good advice. I recently purchased a new SMSL DAC at half price so the plan would be to use a streamer with that.
Hi David, What's your favourite streamer?
As pure streamers go, it's the dCS Network Bridge without a doubt. Superb quality and value. In terms of streaming DAC preamps, the current flagship dCS, Linn and Naim solutions are all superb - but bloody expensive of course.
Bound to be expensive! 😂
Yup... Thought so 💰💰😂
6:41 dCS announced in May 2021 that they were ceasing production of the Network Bridge! I’m surprised that you didn’t know this!
Nothing gets past us! 🙄
Another great riff. Laugh out loud funny.
Thanks Tom.
Thanks for the review. This looks like the sort of thing that could replace my faithful and capable, but probably technologically outmoded Yamaha WXC-50.
Doing a bit of quick research, I discover to my delight that third-party mains cables as thick as petrol pump hoses can be obtained for a figure of eight socket - or IEC C7 to give it its Sunday name. I note with disappointment the absence of a digital input to allow the internal DAC to be used by other suitable sources. Also balanced outputs as mentioned would have been nice. I'm thinking there might be a CXN v3, or more radical replacement at its price point, on the way which might answer these matters.
While I'm playing armchair product planner, a Black Edition would be great. Particularly for those who already have a sizeable collection of black boxes from a certain other manufacturer, but whose commitment to network audio doesn't extend to paying the prices they ask for their streaming products.
Interesting comments, thanks.
Maybe the tribute band should just stick to Rash?
LOL
Good channel cant wait for more
Too kind!
I am going out to buy the AXN10. Thanks.
That’s what I’m thinking too so it would match my other components. How’s it been for you? Are you glad you got it? Thanks, I’m still deciding on a streamer, and I like Cambridge Audio gear.
If you use the ethernet port to hard wire your internet, don't you need wifi to control the stream magic App? Can you have wifi and ethernet connected at the same time? I thought when you connect to ethernet , it over rides the wifi?
Excellent question!
I have the streamer hard wired and streammagic still controls it... No idea how that works!
Mike
@@Hi-FiRiff Thx for the reply. One of lifes great mysteries :)
Hi, I'm need of an streamer and in doubt between this one, the MXN10, and the CXN V2, I like the avility to reproduce DSD 512 on the MX, since I own several DSD 256 albums... but I already have a DAC that can do that, the iFi Zen Dac v2, the CXN V2 can only handle DSD64, but I wonder if for everyday streaming services, like Qobuz and FLAC files the Wolfson WM8740 24-bit DACs would soud better than the ESS on the MX.... what would you recommend?
Hello gentlemen, I have the Cambridge CXN V2. Now I'm looking to add a Dac. Any recommendations?
To get a significant improvement on the CXN V2's analogue output, you're looking at Chord's Qutest at £1,395.
That's a really nice DAC and hard to better until you're into £5,000 territory, in my view. You'll get a lot more focus, better timing, greater dynamics and stereo sound staging. Audition it if you can!
@@MrVinylista
David, thank you for the recommendation and I will audition prior to buying. The only two items I purchased blind were in my office and that was my iFi Zen dac and Sennheiser HD600 which is a great combination for the money. Keep the great content going. Many thanks.
@@Stuart-85 You're very welcome. The Zen/HD600 is a nice combination, as the latter warms up the former somewhat. Good synergy there.
The Qutest will be a big improvement on the Hip DAC and the CXN V2's DAC/analogue output stage, though.
The Cambridge CXN V2 already has a exceptionally great dac built in. You will be spending £2000 plus to beat it hands down. The Chord is certainly not head and shoulders above it. I concentrate on your amp and speakers before assuming it's the CXN that's lacking.
Great video, but wasn't that the Cambridge CXN v1 you flashed on the screen? Not the V2 which is this streamers big brother.
Hi guys, great review - I'm getting one of these and been thinking would you connect this via the RCA directly into an amplifier or connect a Coaxal cable to a Dac Magic 100? Thanks
The back panel of an audio device is the equivalent of 'The Mona Lisa' I'm also a geek!!!
I think I'm turned off by the rear panels of hi-fi equipment because I've spent a lot of my life staring at them - time that I'll never get back.
Worrying news though, that Mike isn't the only 'socket botherer'!
@@MrVinylista Even as a child I would like to peep round the back of peoples systems (would also love to look inside if I was armed with a screwdriver)!
@@dean6816 Too much information!
@@MrVinylista I know, I sound like an Audio System Perv. 🤣
Wondering how good the power supply is. That's where all the quality lies.
Enjoyed the review, thanks both.
I would like to ask please whether you would consider the MXN10 an upgrade over a setup that includes a Logitech Squeezebox Classic (also known as a SqueezeBox 3) that outputs a digital signal via S/PDIF (optical, TOSLINK) into an upscaling Cambridge Audio DacMagic (upscaling to 192 kHz)?
I really want to say yes, but I would hate you to be disappointed.. if you can get a listen first then do, but my gut feeling is that it would be a significant improvement.
If you do, please can you report back?
Mike
What is the best sounding streamer you’ve heard?
Power supply is SMPS, so cant really experiment with linear power supply, which IMHO is the biggest limiatation and probably deliberate by Cambridge.
Price has to be considered in these instances, if you want linear PSU then buy a streamer that has one
@@jdekong3945 My comment was in relation to review which claims MXN10 is better equiped with eight type inlet unlike some other streamers that have external smps and 2.5 inlets. In truth there is no difference since there is still smps inside so no benefit of eight type inlet since power supply type is the real limitation not the inlet type. Just saying the commet is irrelevant . Besides if Cambridge decided to put external smps power supply end user could at leat play with option of replacing it with linear power supply but since it is integrated in the chasis Cambridge chose deliberately to limit its capabilities unless one decides to completely redesign it by opening it and hence voiding warranty.
@@andrejzupan3777 I don`t think it was a deliberate attempt by Cambridge to make a unit where the PSU is in the cabinet purely to stop people from upgrading the supply, but more that they wanted to create a product that would give good performace for the price
Anything can be corrected with a soldering iron.
Its no better than a wiim mini or pro if used with external dac. £89....
Novice here: Why not just plug the Wiim Pro into the receiver? Why do you need a DAC?
You can get the Wiim mini for $99 and Pro fir $149 with great software.
But you'll need a better DAC. Watch "The Cheap Audio Man"
It doest do Tidal Cast??
Tidal Connect works brilliantly, either via the Streammagic app or the Tidal App.
In stream magic you can add it as a source and have everything in one place. Mike
@@Hi-FiRiff gapless playback?
Don't waste your money on a streamer with without a really good DAC. Just get a Wiim and and external DAC that sounds good to you, you'll spend way less and also be way happier. Then you won't be stuck with a $500 streamer that has a whatever Sabre in it. Streamer is all about the DAC, why wouldn't they put a better one in? It could be way better but they don't want it to be, because they'd rather just take your money.
Novice here: Why buy a DAC for the Wiim Pro? Why not just purchase it $150 and plug it into the back of my receiver?