Cambridge Audio CXN100From real comments

Verdict distilled from 28 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment41%
PROS 41%
CONS 59%

Rank based on 28 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a streamer with broad connectivity (Chromecast, DLNA, SPDIF, USB audio) and strong sound quality
  • You're new to streaming and want an easy setup with app and remote control
  • You value Cambridge Audio's build quality and StreamMagic ecosystem for internet radio and streaming services

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need HDMI eARC to route TV audio through one remote for the household
  • You rely on a large NAS library, since the StreamMagic app can struggle to index and stay stable
  • You use the front USB port often for quick thumb-drive playback, since it was removed on this model

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Premium
FiiO M15
Useful 'delete currently playing song' featurePowerful driving power for demanding headphonesPremium packaging and build detailsHigh price relative to value for many usersSingle MicroSD slot limits storage flexibilityDiminishing returns versus cheaper alternatives
FiiO M15
Useful 'delete currently playing song' feature
Powerful driving power for demanding headphones
Premium packaging and build details
High price relative to value for many users
Single MicroSD slot limits storage flexibility
Diminishing returns versus cheaper alternatives
Best value
2Mid
FiiO M21
Cassette case designMusical, warm sound signatureDesktop mode with battery bypassCrackling/popping between tracksButton/port layout debateWeak or fiddly EQ
FiiO M21
Cassette case design
Musical, warm sound signature
Desktop mode with battery bypass
Crackling/popping between tracks
Button/port layout debate
Weak or fiddly EQ
3Mid
Cambridge Audio CXN v2
Detailed, high-quality soundBroad connectivity and service supportPairs well with Cambridge Audio ecosystemTreble can sound bright or harshApp usability issuesBluetooth and Chromecast reliability problems
Cambridge Audio CXN v2
Detailed, high-quality sound
Broad connectivity and service support
Pairs well with Cambridge Audio ecosystem
Treble can sound bright or harsh
App usability issues
Bluetooth and Chromecast reliability problems
4Premium
FiiO R9
Dynamic, lifelike soundAttractive, understated designImprovement over the R7High priceMissing features some wantedBuggy app and Bluetooth
FiiO R9
Dynamic, lifelike sound
Attractive, understated design
Improvement over the R7
High price
Missing features some wanted
Buggy app and Bluetooth
5Mid
Marantz NA6006
Positive purchase confidence from reviewsAnalogue-like sound signatureWorks well as a preamp with separate ampsUnanswered compatibility questionsFiddly menus and login entryFile format playback errors
Marantz NA6006
Positive purchase confidence from reviews
Analogue-like sound signature
Works well as a preamp with separate amps
Unanswered compatibility questions
Fiddly menus and login entry
File format playback errors
6Premium
Cambridge Audio Azur 851N
Excellent sound qualityFlexible digital connectivityWorks well as preamp with external power ampsUnclear Roon and DSD supportNo HDMI ARC inputNo headphone output
Cambridge Audio Azur 851N
Excellent sound quality
Flexible digital connectivity
Works well as preamp with external power amps
Unclear Roon and DSD support
No HDMI ARC input
No headphone output
7Mid
Onkyo NS-6170
Strong Sound QualityHi-Res and MQA PlaybackBroad Storage Format SupportConfusing Streaming App SetupSlightly Muted Treble vs CDThinner Sound Compared to CD Player
Onkyo NS-6170
Strong Sound Quality
Hi-Res and MQA Playback
Broad Storage Format Support
Confusing Streaming App Setup
Slightly Muted Treble vs CD
Thinner Sound Compared to CD Player
8
Cambridge Audio Minx Xi
Flexible Subwoofer IntegrationVersatile Digital ConnectivityInternet Connectivity Failures
Cambridge Audio Minx Xi
Flexible Subwoofer Integration
Versatile Digital Connectivity
Internet Connectivity Failures
9Premium
Sony NW-A105
Excellent sound qualityPhysical buttons and dedicated music focusPremium build and designPoor battery lifeBluetooth and headphone driving limitationsHigh price for the value
Sony NW-A105
Excellent sound quality
Physical buttons and dedicated music focus
Premium build and design
Poor battery life
Bluetooth and headphone driving limitations
High price for the value
10Premium
FiiO M23
Exceptional sound qualityPowerful desktop mode & transport useBuild quality and design touchesBuggy, laggy softwareBattery life and battery quality concernsTrack playback glitches
FiiO M23
Exceptional sound quality
Powerful desktop mode & transport use
Build quality and design touches
Buggy, laggy software
Battery life and battery quality concerns
Track playback glitches
You are here
16Mid
Cambridge Audio CXN100
Excellent sound qualityBroad connectivity optionsEasy setup and app usability for streaming servicesNo HDMI eARCFront USB port removedLacks tone/EQ controls
Cambridge Audio CXN100
Excellent sound quality
Broad connectivity options
Easy setup and app usability for streaming services
No HDMI eARC
Front USB port removed
Lacks tone/EQ controls

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Sound quality keeps loyal Cambridge Audio customers on board. Multiple commenters describe the CXN100 and its CXN V2 predecessor as sounding amazing, urgent, and out of this world, with one buyer saying the investment was worth every penny after upgrading from streaming via a Fire TV Cube. Reviewers consistently note this is a core strength, even as they debate other omissions.

Missing HDMI eARC is the most repeated complaint. Numerous existing Cambridge owners, including CXN V2 and CXA81 users, say the absence of HDMI was a huge miss and a key reason they won't upgrade. One commenter says HDMI eARC is a must so family members can use one TV remote, while others emailed Cambridge Audio requesting it with no response, calling it a missed opportunity to transform the CX line.

App reliability and connectivity choices divide opinion. One detailed account describes the StreamMagic app repeatedly failing to index a large NAS library, freezing and losing recognition of storage compared to a trouble-free BluOS device. Separately, several owners were unhappy the front USB port was removed, calling it a cosmetic-only change from Cambridge Audio that adds inconvenience for thumb-drive users in equipment racks.

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