Connecting your television to your hi-fi system has until now been a bit of a workaround job, involving repurposed optical cables and AV receivers inserted into the chain. The CXN100 SE solves the issue with a built-in HDMI eARC input, without changing anything in the technical formula of the CXN100, from which it inherits the ESS Sabre converter, the StreamMagic Gen 4 platform, and the digital preamplifier mode. On paper, the addition seems anecdotal. In practice, it changes the player’s place in the living room.
The arrival of HDMI eARC in hi-fi
This is the only real hardware evolution compared with the standard CXN100. The HDMI eARC input makes it possible to connect a compatible television directly and route the sound from movies, series, sports broadcasts, or video games through the stereo system. No more need to go through an optical output that is often bandwidth-limited, or to add a soundbar or a dedicated home theater amplifier. The TV signal benefits from the player’s ESS Sabre converter, with the television’s remote control handling volume via preamp mode. For a stereo setup placed in the main room, this changes daily use: the same system serves for music and for TV.
The ESS ES9028Q2M converter at work
Under the hood, nothing has changed compared with the CXN100: the DAC remains the ESS Sabre32 ES9028Q2M chip, capable of handling PCM streams up to 32-bit / 768 kHz and DSD up to DSD512 via the USB-B and network inputs (Ethernet as well as dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi). The coaxial and optical S/PDIF digital inputs top out respectively at 24-bit / 192 kHz and 24-bit / 96 kHz, which remains more than sufficient for a CD player or a television’s digital output. Compared with the CXN V2 generation and its Wolfson WM8740 DACs, Cambridge Audio claims lower distortion, stronger dynamics, and a simplified analog signal path. The in-house ATF upsampling remains part of the package to smooth the rendering of compressed files.
StreamMagic Gen 4 and software ecosystem
The network module is the fourth-generation StreamMagic, the same one used in the Evo 150. It opens access to Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect with MQA decoding, Qobuz Connect, Deezer, Amazon Music, and high-resolution Internet radio (MPEG-DASH compatible). AirPlay 2 and built-in Chromecast handle streaming from iOS and Android, while Roon Ready certification makes the player an endpoint for setups based on this music management software. Control is handled through the StreamMagic app (iOS, Android), which centralizes services, radio stations, favorites, and device settings. Software updates arrive OTA, which has allowed Cambridge Audio to add Qobuz Connect on machines already sold.
Preamplifier mode and system configurations
Enabled from the StreamMagic app, preamp mode turns the CXN100 SE into a digital preamplifier with volume control on its RCA and balanced XLR outputs. Two installation scenarios then become possible. First option: pair the player with a power amplifier or a pair of active speakers (studio monitors, powered floorstanding speakers such as PMC Active, or the brand’s MXW70 block), which removes one link from the chain. Second option: keep a conventional integrated amplifier such as the CXA81 MkII from the same range and use the fixed-level outputs. The player integrates the brand’s proprietary control bus so that the CX remote controls the whole system. Passive speakers still require an amplifier: the CXN100 SE does not include any power amplification.
Chassis, screen, and full connectivity
The chassis combines aluminum and steel in a construction that limits electromagnetic interference, with standard dimensions (43 cm wide, 8.5 cm high, 30.5 cm deep) to stack with the rest of the CX range. On the front, a 4.76-inch high-resolution color screen displays album covers, playback information, and offers a VU meter mode for visual appeal. A rotary knob handles volume, and a few touch buttons complete the ergonomics. The rear connectivity is generous: USB-B (USB Audio Class 2.0), USB-A for a storage device, coaxial and optical TOSLINK S/PDIF in both input and output, RCA and balanced XLR outputs, Bluetooth 5.1 aptX HD, Ethernet, and dual Wi-Fi antennae.
The Cambridge Audio CXN100 SE is a high-resolution network player equipped with the ESS ES9028Q2M SABRE32 digital-to-analog converter. It supports streaming up to 32 bits / 768 kHz in PCM and up to DSD512, and offers extensive connectivity including HDMI eARC, USB Audio, S / PDIF, TOSLINK, Bluetooth 5.1 aptX HD as well as Ethernet and dual-band Wi-Fi network protocols. Compatible with the main streaming services and the AirPlay 2, Chromecast, and Roon multiroom ecosystems, it also features a digital preamplifier mode and is controlled via the StreamMagic app.
Frequently asked questions
What is the exact difference between the CXN100 and the CXN100 SE?
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Only one: the addition of an HDMI eARC input on the rear. The converter, StreamMagic platform, analog and digital outputs, chassis, and audio performance are identical to the standard CXN100 model. Cambridge Audio claims the same sound, the same streaming quality, and the same design. The SE also stands out with a limited-edition CX Black finish (matte anodized black), also offered on the CXA81 MkII and the CXC CD player from the same range, in addition to the historic Lunar Grey finish.
Can passive speakers be connected directly to it?
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No. The CXN100 SE is a network player with DAC and digital preamp, not an integrated amplifier. Its RCA and XLR outputs deliver a line-level signal that requires an amplification stage downstream. For passive speakers, you need to insert a power amp or an integrated amp (the CXA81 MkII from the same range makes an obvious pairing). To connect directly, you need active speakers: studio monitors, powered floorstanding speakers, or consumer models with built-in amplification. In that case, the player’s preamp mode manages volume from the app or the front-panel knob.
Which hi-res formats are supported?
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In network playback (Ethernet, Wi-Fi, UPnP) and via the USB-B input from a computer, the player accepts PCM up to 32-bit / 768 kHz and DSD up to DSD512. Supported formats include FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF, DSD, MP3, AAC, HE-AAC, AAC+, OGG Vorbis, and WMA. The USB-A input for local storage handles the same resolutions. The coaxial S/PDIF input tops out at 24-bit / 192 kHz and the optical TOSLINK input at 24-bit / 96 kHz, reflecting the physical limits of these interfaces and not a restriction of the player.
Is the StreamMagic app mandatory?
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To access settings, yes. The front panel is limited to a few physical buttons and the volume knob, which is enough to navigate a current stream but not to configure the network, add a streaming service, or activate preamp mode. Third-party applications still work very well for playback, however: TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, or Qobuz Connect start music from the service’s app. AirPlay 2 and Chromecast take over for sending sound from an Apple or Android device. The in-house app is mainly used for configuration and Internet radio.
Is the CXN100 SE multiroom compatible?
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Yes, via three complementary protocols. AirPlay 2 synchronizes several compatible devices (speakers, other Cambridge players, recent Sonos speakers) from the Apple ecosystem. Built-in Chromecast allows Google Home multiroom groups. Roon manages its own multiroom on compatible zones. Several Cambridge Audio players can also be grouped from the StreamMagic app for synchronized playback from room to room.
User reviews
Jean-Louis
Meh, disappointed. The sound is very metallic. At this price, I expected a clear and pure sound; instead, it's rather metallic and harsh. With my Hegel H200 and the Focal Aria 948, I really thought I would get better sound quality than this. I think I'll put it back up for sale already
Comment from 8 September 2026 — Experience from 28 August 2026
Automatically translated — Show original (French)
Bof, déçu. Le son est très métallique. A ce prix je m'attendais à un son clair et limpide, là c'est plutôt métallique et dur.
Avec mon Hegel H200 et les Focal Aria 948 je pensais vraiment obtenir une meilleure sonorité que ça.
Je pense le remettre en vente déjà
Dominique
First experience with a network player, perfect sound, quick setup; however, I personally recommend a wired Ethernet connection. The app is very intuitive and easy to use Plenty of web radios, Radio France, Deezer installed instantly A very high-quality device in terms of design I have not yet used the HDMI ARC connection, but there is no doubt that this device, between a hi-fi system and a TV, will make for a great home cinema setup I highly recommend it
Comment from 2 September 2026 — Experience from 22 August 2026
Automatically translated — Show original (French)
1ere expérience lecteur reseau , son parfait, mise en route rapide cependant je conseille pour ma part une connexion par cable ethernet .
L'application est très intuitive et facile à utiliser
Web radios à profusion, radio France, deezer installée instantanément
Appareil de grande qualité dans sa conception
Je n'ai pas encore utilisé la connexion hdmi arc mais nul doute que cet appareil entre une chaîne et une tv va constituer un bel ensemble home cinéma
Je recommande vivement
Philippe
I am delighted with this product. Very easy to use. Excellent sound quality. Blends in easily thanks to its understated design. The negative points: I have been using it for about ten days and so far, nothing negative. For me, it is perfect.
Comment from 14 August 2026 — Experience from 3 August 2026
Automatically translated — Show original (French)
Je suis ravi de ce produit. Très simple d’utilisation. Très bonne musicalité. S’intègre facilement de par sa sobriété.
Les points négatifs : cela fait une dizaine de jours que je m’en sers et pour le moment rien de négatif. Pour moi il est parfait.
Eco-contribution of €0.58 included in the sale price.
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