Final
spring, Cambridge Audio launched a limited-run “Black Version” of the corporate’s
standard CX Sequence, together with the CXA81 and CXA61 built-in amplifiers, the CXN
V2 community participant, and the CXC CD transport.
These stealthy parts swapped out the Lunar Grey aluminum faceplates from
the originals with new, matte-black anodized aluminum entrance plates trimmed with
discreet gloss-black branding and lettering. This dual-texture impact allowed
the Black Version merchandise to face out simply sufficient to make an announcement in a
sea of silver and customary black audio electronics. Cambridge referred to as it “a
marriage of understated class and head-turning brilliance.” I believe they appear
completely slick. If Batman had a HiFi system in his cave, that is what he’d have.
Due to the success of this limited-edition launch, the parents at Cambridge
Audio at the moment are giving the Black Version remedy to their desktop-friendly DacMagic
200M digital-to-analog converter and MXN10 community streamer.
As
with the CX Sequence Black Version merchandise, the brand new Black Version DacMagic 200M
and MXN10 may have the identical performance and efficiency as their grey
doppelgängers, however they’ll sport matte-black anodized faceplates with
gloss-black spot branding. A stack of those pint-sized Black Version parts
would look proper at dwelling on any desk or nightstand, although they may simply as
simply be deployed as half of a bigger system. In what looks like a
surprisingly beneficiant transfer on Cambridge’s half, the Black Version DacMagic 200M
and MXN10 will promote for a similar costs as their Lunar Grey counterparts,
regardless of their limited-edition standing. I’ll be doing a full evaluation of each models
shortly, however for now, right here’s a fast rundown on what they’ve to supply.
Cambridge
Audio MXN10 Community Streamer ($499)
The
MXN10 is a reasonably easy community streamer: ethernet or Wi-Fi in; analog or
digital audio out. On its clean-looking entrance panel, which measures about 8.5
inches vast and a pair of inches tall, you’ll discover a energy button, a small mild
indicating Wi-Fi connection standing, and 4 preset buttons.
Round again,
there’s the ethernet port, a set of RCA analog outputs, one coaxial digital
output on RCA, and one optical digital output by way of Toslink. Along with
accommodating Spotify Join, Tidal Join, Google Chromecast, and Apple
AirPlay 2, the MXN10 makes use of Cambridge Audio’s home-brewed StreamMagic Gen 4 module
and management app to serve up Qobuz, Web radio, and way more. The MXN10 is
additionally Roon Prepared. Inside, a high-performance DAC chip (the ESS Sabre ES9033Q, to be exact) helps dish out
high-res audio.
DacMagic
200M ($549)
You
can improve the audio output of the MXN10 — or any digital supply — by
connecting the DacMagic 200M by way of an optical or coaxial digital cable. The DacMagic
200M additionally has a USB enter supporting 24-bit high-res PCM information with pattern
charges as much as (a frankly ridiculous) 768kHz. The DacMagic 200M additionally helps DSD
as much as DSD512, and is the primary Cambridge Audio DAC to help MQA. Bluetooth
with aptX is on board for comfort. Nonetheless you get your digital audio, it
might be routed although the DacMagic’s Twin ESS ES9028Q2M chips on its method to the unit’s analog
outputs.
Along with the usual RCA outputs, the absolutely balanced DacMagic
200M sports activities balanced XLR outputs, making it an ideal match for pro-level
studio screens, which can lack RCA inputs. The Dynaudio Core
7 and Adam Audio S2V are
simply two examples of great-sounding screens which are XLR-only. (If I had been
utilizing the Black Version DacMagic 200 on a small desk, I would go for the matte
black Genelec G Two audio system. On a much bigger desk, the shapely Genelec G Three or
monolithic ATC SCM20ASL
Professional would match the invoice properly.) Balanced XLR outputs are an awesome function not
usually seen on DACs at this value. Kudos to Cambridge Audio for together with them
on the 200M. Additionally a should for desktop use is the DacMagic’s built-in quantity
management and high-quality headphone amplifier.
The
Black Version MXN10 and DacMagic 200M will obtainable this November from
approved Cambridge Audio sellers, like our pals at Audio Recommendationand at cambridgeaudio.com.
