Cambridge AXN10 network player

Cambridge Audio recently offered only one network player, the excellent Cambridge CNX V2. With a commitment to making this technology more accessible, the British manufacturer has introduced two new, more affordable machines to the market: the Cambridge MXN10 and the Cambridge AXN10. The latter is the larger of the two. Both of these new additions represent a culmination of the brand's decades of expertise in streaming technology.

CAMBRIDGE AUDIO AXN10: FRONT PANEL

The Cambridge AXN10 network player is housed in the anthracite steel chassis found in Cambridge Audio's Azur range, designed to complement other AX series products. The front panel is made of aluminum and is available in a single "Lunar Grey" finish.

On the front panel, there are 4 small touch-sensitive buttons that can be programmed to directly access Internet radio stations and favorite playlists. Another button powers on the device, and a small blue LED indicates Bluetooth connection status.

CAMBRIDGE AUDIO AXN10: REAR PANEL

The rear panel of the Cambridge AXN10 network player is well-equipped. It includes RCA analog output, coaxial and optical digital outputs, a USB input, an Ethernet LAN (RJ45) port, and two mini antennas—one for WiFi and one for Bluetooth. Both analog and digital outputs of the AXN10 can operate simultaneously, allowing use in a multi-room setup.

Power is supplied via a cable with an IEC C8 connector.

CAMBRIDGE AUDIO AXN10: CONNECTIVITY AND TECHNOLOGY

The AXN10 network player is controlled by the 4th generation StreamMagic Gen4 app, developed specifically by Cambridge. It has been significantly enhanced to provide higher throughput for optimal streaming quality, supporting PCM formats up to 32bit/768kHz and DSD512.

The AXN10 shares the motherboard with the Cambridge MXN10 network player, allowing access to high-resolution streaming services such as Internet radio, Spotify Connect, Tidal, Qobuz, and Deezer. The Cambridge AXN10 is also Roon Ready, equipped with Bluetooth v5.0, and fully compatible with Apple Airplay 2 and Chromecast.

The AXN10 can access free music, including Internet radio, as well as subscription services. It can also play high-resolution music from USB drives and NAS.

Cambridge spared no expense in terms of digital-to-analog conversion. The AXN10 features the excellent ESS Sabre ES9033Q DAC, ensuring top-tier performance and musicality.

CAMBRIDGE AUDIO AXN10: REVIEW AND LISTENING

To get started, you'll need to download the Cambridge app.

The StreamMagic Gen 4 app was developed in London for uncompromising Hi-Fi sound and remarkable streaming performance. It's highly intuitive and remains simple and efficient to use.

Sound reproduction is full, precise, and maintains a very neutral and realistic quality. The AXN10 network player delivers a clean and expressive sound with remarkable dynamics. Its transparency allows it to fully exploit high-resolution tracks. It's remarkable to see the progress made in network players and digital music over the past five years.

Of course, Bluetooth connectivity often yields inferior results compared to other methods and should be avoided if possible, as with most digital devices.

The Cambridge AXN10 network player offers remarkable performance for its price point. It currently stands unrivaled in this range.

Highly recommended.