CES 2015: Cambridge Audio reveals six-strong CX series

The new range promises to "revolutionise entertainment in the digital age" no less, and sports a fresh design style. The hi-fi and home cinema components offer support for high-res streaming, 4K upscaling, aptX Bluetooth, DSD playback and more.

Prices range from £300 to £2000 for the Cambridge CX series, which is getting its official launch at CES 2015 in Las Vegas and will go on sale by the end of Q1 in the UK, US and elsewhere.

The company has also revealed a new-look logo, which will see the dropping of the 'Audio' part of the name for a simpler 'Cambridge' brand name on some products - including this CX series.

New Cambridge Connect streaming apps for Android and Apple iOS devices also appear to use this naming structure.

MORE: Read all our Cambridge Audio reviews and news

Leading the line is the CXN network music player, which aims to build on the success of the StreamMagic.

Connect the CXN music player to your home network, wired or wirelessly, and you'll be able to choose from a host of sources thanks to an impressive selection of inputs.

You can stream from connected UPnP devices - such as computers and NAS drives over your network - and there's support for Apple AirPlay out-of-the-box and the option to add the BT100 aptX Bluetooth dongle.

USB inputs let you play music from connected HDDs, USB sticks or audio devices, while the CXN also has coaxial and optical digital inputs. There are analogue and digital outputs in the form of RCA, XLR, coaxial and optical connections.

High-res 24-bit/192kHz files are supported, whether in AIFF, ALAC, FLAC or WAV formats, while all the standard digital file formats are also on the spec sheet. All inputs are upscaled to 24-bit/384kHz quality, while the Wolfson WM8740 DAC - as used in the DacMagic - takes care of the digital-to-analogue conversion.

The CXA80 and CXA60 are the two new stereo integrated amplifiers in the CX series, with the former being the more powerful of the two.

Delivering 80 watts in to 4 ohms, the CXA80 uses fully symmetrical dual-mono Class A/B amplification. It features digital coaxial, optical and USB inputs, as well as standard analogue connections.

The (presumably cheaper) CXA60 loses the USB and XLR inputs, and offers 60 watts in to 8 ohms.

Both amps use the same Wolfson WM8740 DAC.

MORE: Awards 2014 - Best stereo amplifiers

Designed to work with these two stereo amplifiers is the new CXC CD transport, which delivers a pure digital signal to a suitable amp or DAC.

The CXC sports Cambridge Audio's S3 servo to ensure the optimum performance of the transport in order to play CDs "more accurately and with better timing".

Last in the new Cambridge range is a pair of CXR AV receivers - the CXR200 and CXR120. Both, says Cambridge, aim to deliver the necessary sound quality for "audiophiles seeking a powerful, immersive home cinema experience".

The AV amps deliver 200 and 120 watts per channel respectively, with the more powerful CXR200 sporting an extra HDMI input (eight inputs, two outputs compared with seven and two), plus support for a Zone Two.

Both amps support 7.2-channel sound, 4K and 3D video, streaming capabilities as found on the dedicated CXN network player, high-res support, DSD and SACD playback, and MHL and USB connectivity.

Again, the new Cambridge Connect phone and tablet apps can be used to control the devices.

MORE: CES 2015 - all the news highlights

Joe Cox
Content Director

Joe is the Content Director for What Hi-Fi? and Future’s Product Testing, having previously been the Global Editor-in-Chief of What Hi-Fi?. He has worked on What Hi-Fi? across the print magazine and website for almost 20 years, writing news, reviews and features on everything from turntables to TVs, headphones to hi-fi separates. He has covered product launch events across the world, from Apple to Technics, Sony and Samsung; reported from CES, the Bristol Show, and Munich High End for many years; and written for sites such as the BBC, Stuff and The Guardian. In his spare time, he enjoys expanding his vinyl collection and cycling (not at the same time).

Read more
Onkyo Icon A-50 in silver on wooden sideboard
Onkyo returns to hi-fi with the launch of Icon Series electronics at CES 2025
Onkyo Icon A-50 in silver on wooden sideboard
It’s great to have Onkyo back in hi-fi, but I’m getting mixed messaging
Cambridge Audio EXA100 integrated amplifier on hi-fi rack in front of books
Cambridge Audio EXA100
An amplifier, streamer and pair of speakers against a grey background
We've built a gold-standard hi-fi system that delivers sweet streams aplenty – and looks good, too
McIntosh amp with Rewind logo
Rewind: McIntosh’s new streaming amp, LG G5 OLED TV leaks and more
Onkyo logo
A boon for budget hi-fi? An ‘all new Onkyo’ outlines its future, with two new audio ranges launching in 2025
Latest in Tech Events
What Hi-Fi? Bristol Show 2024 demo
Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2025: dates, tickets and what to expect
CES 2025 main stage
Best of CES 2025: next-generation OLED TVs, 5-star earbuds and a hi-fi surprise
Displace TV
CES 2025: three bizarre AV and audio devices we didn't ask for, but got anyway
CES 2023
CES 2025 live: all the latest hi-fi and home cinema launches from the world's biggest tech show
A keynote speaker on stage in front of a CES logo.
CES 2025: all the latest news from the world's biggest tech show
A bird's eye view of Polygon Productions' dome stage
Spatial audio is heading to an epic London outdoor festival… where I believe the technology truly belongs
Latest in News
Q Acoustics 3050i
Save £650 on this five-star Q Acoustics 5.1 home cinema setup
Marantz Cinema 30 AVR
Our Award-winning reference Marantz AVR is still selling at its best price ever
Meze Audio Poet
Meze's open-back Poet cans arrive, and they want to bring your music alive
Side view of Marantz CD6007 on wooden rack with magazines in background
This Award-winning Marantz CD player is back at its Black Friday price
Sonos Arc standing on a wooden unit beneath a TV screen
Stock of the Sonos Arc is starting to dry up – but there are still savings to be found on this Dolby Atmos soundbar
A woman relaxing in an armchair clasping a mug, gazing admiringly at a yellow turntable and speakers on a hi-fi cabinet.
Pro-Ject's new hi-fi system adds a splash of colour to your listening