Cambridge Audio AXN 10 - Separate High Resolution WiFi Network Audio Player and Streamer Featuring Bluetooth 5.0, Internet Radio and ESS SABRE DAC - Lunar Grey

Product Information

The top of the frequency range is just slightly rolled off, and consequently misses out on the outright bite and crunch this recording ordinarily enjoys. It’s not a fatal flaw by any means, but it’s worth noting – if the system you want to introduce the MXN10 is already circumspect where the top of the frequency range is concerned, you’ll want to think long and hard about whether this Cambridge Audio is appropriate. The fact that its overall tonality is just slightly on the warm side of neutral should be a consideration too, but not one of quite such significance.

Bluetooth is onboard, version 5.0 A2DP/AVRCP, supporting SBC and AAC. Sadly there is no AptX or AptX HD support which is a shame, you have to shell out for the Cambridge DACMagic 200M for AptX. The Bluetooth implementation is as a receiver only, you cannot transmit to Bluetooth headphones or speakers from the AXN10 or MXN10. With the AXR100D stereo receiver, Cambridge Audio introduces the new flagship of the budget-friendly "AX" series. Having a broad array of streaming choices is, obviously, essential for a network streamer, and the MXN10 doesn’t let us down, hosting a plethora of streaming methods and services including Google Chromecast, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal, Deezer and Qobuz, as well as support for Bluetooth 5.0. There’s built-in internet radio which, thanks to MPEG-DASH support, gives high-quality radio streaming across practically any global station you can think of. It can also locate and play any music file stored on the same home network, such as from NAS devices.

There’s also nothing separating them in terms of their built-in DAC or Hi-res support, with both units incorporating an ESS Sabre ES9033Q, and able to support files up Up to 768KHz 32bit PCM, and up to DSD512. Cambridge AXN10 Cambridge Audio’s stream magic platform has long been a favourite of mine in the hi-fi streaming arena. They have the best app, and generally all the features you could need, besides fully featured multi-room functionality and niceties like CD ripping, USB audio output and SSH console access. I’ve had a CXN V2 in my system for some time and it’s never let me down, effortlessly handling my simple streaming needs. It’s primarily used to stream internet radio, from Apple devices via AirPlay, and from a Sinology NAS over the local network. USB Media Input: The USB-A port on the rear panel supports USB SSD, USB HDD, and USB flash drives. The drives should be formatted to FAT32 and NTFS. The following formats are supported: ALAC, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD (x512), WMA, MP3, AAC, HE AAC, AAC+, and OGG Vorbis.

How does the MXN10 sound? In a word, neutral. It’s an honest, accurate representation of the source, with nothing added and nothing taken away. The CXN had a slight top end lift and perhaps a bump int eh upper mids too which gave it an air of excitement. It was a jubilant performance that in partnership with a companion CX-series amp was an exciting, ballsy performance. The MXN10 and AXA10 take a leaf from the tree that grew the AX-series CD players in that their digital to analogue circuitry is sophisticated yet simple, and doesn’t appear to have been tuned for any particular character. It’s clean and uncoloured, and simply faithfully represents the source media.

Scores

Both new models have a single-ended output only, but it’s a good one. Signal to noise ratio is better than 110dB (20Hz – 20kHz), distortion is 0.001dB from 20Hz to 20kHz reference a 0dB output, and frequency response is 20Hz to 70kHz, with a maximum 1dB rolloff at the upper extreme. Essentially ruler flat performance within the audioband, and the bandwidth is not filtered so actual frequency response is better, albeit with a more significant rolloff at both extremes. Either way, you can’t hear it. Personally I think it’s splitting hairs, and if you did a blind audition with a pair of good modern DACs that measured well (such as the MXN10 and DACMagic for example) I don’t think most people, if anyone, could reliably tell the difference. Though I’ve used the MXN10 with my Topping DAC, I’ve actually just connected its analogue output to my preamp and use it that way as it sounds fine to me for my needs. My system is transparent and detailed in the extreme and the Topping DAC does give me more detail than the MXN10 does, but the difference isn’t night and day and the comparison isn’t exactly fair as the Topping is running balanced to the preamp.

On the announcement, Cambridge Audio CEO, Stuart George said: ”At Cambridge Audio we believe in offering our listeners choice; it’s essential to offer diverse routes to the music you love. We’re delighted to expand the StreamMagic family to even more listeners worldwide.” A free firmware update is now available which adds app volume control to the AXN10 and MXN10 network players. generation of the Cambridge Audio Stream Magic streaming platform - which we will cover in greater depth in a little bit and offers sample rate handling to 768kHz and DSD512 (and if this all seems a bit run of the mill to you, your friendly reminder than the NP30 topped out at 96kHz with no DSD support at all). Something that is slightly odd is that, having introduced MQA on the DacMagic 200M, it’s not present here but, depending on what services you use, it almost certainly won’t matter. The StreamMagic app is as comprehensive as you have a right to expect for this sort of product and runs in a very stable way. Roon functionality is offered, plus all the usual suspects for streaming, such as Spotify Connect, Tidal, Quobuz and Deezer, and Chromecast for easy Airplaying. Overall, this box does pretty much everything that most people will need – unless they’re paying high end prices. This is important because one of the more engaging things that the Bluesound can do is go like the clappers when you need it to and the MXN10 is no less able in this regard. The tremendously engaging If We Don’t Make It by UNKLE isn’t the fastest piece of music going but it’s head noddingly, foot tappingly propulsive and the MXN10 is able to make good on the promise. What’s more, it’s fast on its feet but this is not at the expense of impact. Bass depth and definition is excellent (and for the avoidance of doubt, is still excellent when the the MXN10 is removed from the subterranean embrace of the Fyne Classic VIII and given the rather leaner Spendor A1 to play with). This is a device that is absolutely conversant and comfortable with the idea of music at any tempo.

Network streaming, Cambridge-style

The company has recently launched two more streamers aimed at the more entry-level end of the market – the AXN10 and the MXN10. We're looking at the former here, but almost all of what is said about the AXN can also be taken for the MXN, as they're pretty much the same product but in different cases; the latter being midi-sized.

I’m sure many are asking whether the CXN is still worth the extra outlay. The digital to analogue conversion hardware in the AXN10 and MXN10 is undoubtedly superior bar the omission of a balanced output. The CXN gives you a display, physical transport controls and a remote, but none are dealbreakers given that the Stream Magic app is how most people will control the streamer. The CXN has a front USB port for connecting storage devices which, sadly, the AXN10 and MXN10 do not. And of course, the CXN can operate as a preamplifier, with a couple of extra digital inputs and a volume control to feed a power amp directly. Once updated via the StreamMagic app, both devices will have pre-amp functionality such that volume can be adjusted from within the app itself. The ability to adjust volume from within your streaming service’s app or via the physical controls on your amp/wireless speaker remains. The radio tab gives you access to well over 20,000 global internet radio stations. It’s an extraordinary amount of choice with categorised ‘local’ stations by region, and a handy search function to narrow down your selections. The music library tab gives you a list of your connected USB devices, along with network servers and the native Tidal, Deezer and Qobuz integration.While I’d love to turn the lounge into a fully kitted-out listening room with my comfy chair prime and placed in the sweet spot, it’s simply not on the cards for me. Instead, our shelves and lounge are being used for ”normal” things such as books, plants and cat beds. Note: If you need something that doesn't occupy as much space, you might consider the MXN10 Network Audio Player, which offers the same performance and functionality as the AXN10 in a "half width" chassis. The MXN 10 matches the DacMagic 200M D/A Converter in color and size.